Unwrap Your Gift

Life is great until someone or something throws a monkey wrench into your plans. It is how we respond to situations that helps us deal with every situation that comes our way in the future. Change is a part of life yet many people find that change suffocates them. They feel that they lack of control and sometimes become upset, frustrated, or even angry.The reason they develop all these feelings is not because of change, but more so because they don't want to be told what to do or that they must change.

"People don't resist change. They resist being changed!"— Peter Senge

The funny thing is, we all fear change in one form or another. Some people may have the fear of moving, some people may have the fear taking a new class, or even have the fear of eating in a restaurant alone. Depending on how you view change, change can mean many things. I like to see change as a big present with many little boxes inside. You do not know what you are going to get but there are many possibilities and opportunities to unwrap. You might not always like what you get but you must be gracious and accept what has been given to you. Your gift now belongs to you and you may do what you wish with it. You have a choice. Use it wisely. Change allows growth and reflection of who you once were and who you have yet to become.

I recently finished reading the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson.  I enjoyed it so much that I shared it with my kids. They loved analogy used to prepare for change. This book is a quick read, emphasizing many points about anticipating change, moving with change, and yes, enjoying change. Change is something you need to be ready for. You need to embrace it and enjoy the process.

The world continues to turn whether you are ready or not. If you are not ready, you run the risk of being left behind because of what is here today may not be here tomorrow. Treasure the gift of change.

Here are three easy ways to deal with change:

1. Choose Your Response- How you choose to view change with determine how you react to it. Your reaction affects your experience.
2. Focus on What You Can Control - Keep perspective on the things that you do have control of. When you focus on what you can do rather than what you can't do, you can persevere and succeed.
3. Keep a Positive Outlook - Look for the opportunities and lessons to be learned. The attitude you choose to have will determine your thoughts, feelings, and ultimately your behaviours or actions. Stay optimistic about the outcome you wish to have as the result of the change. Remember your gift can be bigger and better than you ever imagined.

Above all,

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi.




I would love to know how you deal with change. Do you have a quote or story to tell us about change? Please share it!