How many readers had a major change occur in their lives in the last six months? You all have? Yeah, that's kind of what I suspected. So have I. More than one, actually, I think I'm closer to the baker's dozen mark. So, if change is that common—a part of our daily lives really—that makes me wonder... why the hell is it so disarming? A healthy dose of adjustment is necessary and appropriate, of course. But why so fret-inducing; so disruptive? Here's what I think:
I think it's because we rely on other people and outside things too much to provide us with our security and happiness. Relationships, technology, jobs, media, hell—coffee shops! All of it can change or go away at any time without warning. Forget can: It Will. I think we need to do the work and figure out how to be solely happy. And I think the answer lies in taking it all away. I have an idea: try the little plan I lay out for you next for anything that when you think about it going away, you panic. Plan for the worst; at least travel there in your brain. What if you lost your job tomorrow? Car accident that left your vehicle out of commission. Whatever gives you the most anxiety. It's going to be very uncomfortable and this is a good thing. Stop and pause there, ask yourself these questions: How do I feel? What's my backup plan? What can I do to make this better? When you're content and settled in that space and have answers to those questions, you're wholly more prepared for what life throws you next.
The ability to handle change with ease is an admirable quality. Wouldn't it be calming and satisfying to list it as one of yours?
I wrote here about Why My Life Doesn't Suck