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NavigatingMidlife

Change is what we are about! We have experienced more change in this decade than in the last 30 years and more technological change than in the last 100 years. In order to cope with constant changes, it is important to develop an attitude of choosing to change. Learning to love where we are “now,” instead of waiting for everything will be better “when...” can be helpful in managing life’s many transitions.
 
Most people deal with two kinds of change. Often change is a choice that we make such as taking a new job or getting married. Unfortunately, we must also face many changes that we do not choose - the death of a loved one, losing a job,  a friend moving away or facing the aging process and decline in health.  Interestingly, both types are equally stressful. Of the top ten stressors, number two is marriage and number seven is divorce. In addition, number eight is being fired and number ten is retirement.
 
The book Take This Job and Love It!  identifies three reasons that we resist change.  First, it disrupts our security. Most of us resent not knowing what to expect next. Second, change reminds us that our power is limited. We are not in control. Finally, many of us doubt our ability to get through the process of change. However, sometimes the event that appears to be the worst thing that could possibly happen, later is something for which we are grateful.    
 
Actually, many of us don’t realize how experienced we really are at dealing with change. Most people have survived starting school, entering the workforce, moving away from home, marriage, and having children. And these are only a sampling of the changes that we have encountered.
 
When dealing with change, it is often beneficial to think about what resources helped us manage previous trials that we have faced. Many times the same things that in the past were a source of comfort and strength can be used to cope with new challenges.
 
A sense of humor can reduce the stresses of change. Laughter does not mean that we are ignoring a problem. It means that although we recognize an obstacle, we can use laughter to give us the proper perspective to handle change with maturity and wisdom. 
 
While we do not always have control over changes that affect us, we can control how we choose to respond to change!