Embracing CHANGE!
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” Charles Darwin
My Dear Yogis!
It is officially FALL season and change is upon us!
Think about what the word “Change” triggers in you for a moment… Does is cause a sense of fear, uncertainty, lack of control? Or does it bring feelings of joy for the unknown, a sense of adventure, a new beginning and new opportunity for growth?
Change is inevitable. Nature flows beautifully with its change of seasons. A tree does not try to stop its leaves from falling, clinging to each one in hopes that it won’t fall to the ground, nor does the flower struggle against the opening of its petals to the sun as it blooms – it is the cycle of life. However, we humans often have a hard time adjusting to this truth and try to resist the natural process of change within and around us.
Whether large or small, changes can be unsettling, even scary. A move to a new city, the end of a relationship, a career change, or a newly developed allergy; there are so many ways in which our lives are constantly evolving. What about the recent time change? How often do you lament the end of long summer days? When faced with change, we often decide we don’t want it and find ourselves fighting against something we have no control over.
“It’s not a matter of whether or not change will happen, it’s a matter of how gracefully we can move through change. Change will happen – we promise.”
This is one of the main reasons we suffer as humans, our ego’s crazy perception and attachment to achieving a state of stasis -- an imagined state where everything is FINALLY in perfect alignment and nothing will ever need to change. This is the opposite of universal truth and energy that All things are changing. Always! And that really, the balance, harmony and equilibrium we seek are active states of relationship between vibrant opposites at play in a very alive, very dynamic and constantly evolving dance.
Knowing this, when we can release our expectations of some goal of perfect arrival, and instead embrace change as the basis of the state of wholeness we seek, we can live more freely, with grace and ease. When we let go of our fear and resistance to change, we learn to love the dance.
Below are 5 ways to welcome change with grace:
Meditate:
When you take the time to, sit, clear your mind and look at life from a bigger perspective. Things begin to make more sense, change begins to feel necessary and essential. Just like your breath at this very moment every inhale and exhale in a perfect example of change. If you hold on to your breath in fear of letting go, you will suffer and very likely pass out. But when you let go, you realize a brand new breath comes rushing in, and this pattern of constant change is what keeps you alive. Meditation helps you focus on your breath, be present and enjoy each moment for what it is.
Keep a list:
I like to journal as a way to look back and remember my big moments, good or bad. Its difficult to remember all the events in our life without some sort of record. To begin learning how to embrace change make a list of some major events that have happen in your life. Think back to how you reacted when you knew this change was approaching… how did you get through it, and how did that change make way to get you where you are today?
Look at the bright side:
As cliche as this sounds, looking at the bright side of things really works. What you focus on you attract. So if you focus on all the reasons why something is bad, you are calling upon to universe for more back up to prove that its truly BAD. But when you focus on the good things that can come of a situation, you are attracting more reasons to prove that its good. Focusing on how frustrated you are or how much you hate change will not make the situation go away. In the contrary it will make it worst, it will build up anxiety and unnecessary stress. Change will happen no matter what, so why not make the best of it. Adopt a mindset that views change as positive and beneficial instead of something to be avoided at all costs.
Surround yourself with growth-minded people:
People with a growth-mindset LOVE change, and they can help you view things from a different perspective. The people you surround yourself with have a HUGE impact on how you view and react to life. If they are optimistic and open to new ideas and opportunity they are most likely enjoyable to be around and serve as an inspiration for your own goals. Remember the old saying “you are the company you keep” ? thats right!
Feel yourself BLOOM!
A vital part of change that is often overlooked is the fact that change allows you to grow. As you embark on a new journey, some new adventure, or an uncomfortable situation, feel yourself growing and changing. Think from a place of how will this make me stronger, instead of “this is killing me” . Remember that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, and everything that happens in your life is happening FOR YOU, not TO YOU! The universe has your back, and you are much stronger than you think you are.
This is an excellent self reminder and self affirmation that you can handle anything that comes your way!
NAMASTE.
sources:
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/ways-to-embrace-change
Daniel Stewart – Mind, Body, Music
https://standinbalance.com/embracing-change/
https://Psychcentral.com