Embracing Change

For most people, it is difficult to embrace change.  When we are faced with situations that force us to change, resistance builds up inside of us.  Doubts and fears cloud our vision.  We fall back into old ways and habits.  How can we adapt?  Change is everywhere.  If you look around, seasons change, weather changes, people change.  As the old adage says, the only constant is change!

The other day I received a phone call from my brother.  "I finally got a job working for the county," he said, "But to keep it I have to stop drinking and smoking."

I had been telling him to give up those bad habits for years -- that his vices were killing him, but for some reason, he was unable to change.  Now that he had spent all of his savings, he was forced to find employment and face his demons.

"This could be the best thing that ever happened to you," I said.  "None of us are getting any younger.  You're 58, it's time for you to change."

My brother is at the beginning of his journey to sobriety.  I pray he reaches his goal.  His plight reminds me of a story Merrie, my yoga teacher told us after class the other day.

"I'm dedicating this class to one of my clients," she said, "an 87 year old woman who came to me a few weeks ago.  Her doctor told her she had to start exercising, or else.  She came to me for help.  During our first meeting, she complained that she hated to exercise.  I suggested we do fifteen minutes of yoga five times a week for two weeks.  Then, we would see how she was doing."

Two weeks later, after they finished 15 minutes of yoga, the lady asked, "Are we done already? That was so quick.  Can we go longer?" 

Merrie increased her yoga sessions to twenty minutes, then thirty.  When the woman returned to her doctor for a check up six weeks later, he was amazed at how much her circulation had improved.

As the Chinese proverb says, the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.  Change may be difficult, but we have to take the first step, then the next to make positive change.  Before we know it we've reached our destination.  Don't be afraid of change. Embrace it.  You'll be surprised at where it can lead you.