No Limits | The Freedom Blog™
Accepting Change
Written
by Steven Griggs | stevengriggs.com
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them;
that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally
forward in whatever way they like.”
Lao Tzu
“When people are ready to, they change. They never do it before then,
and sometimes they die before they get around to it.”
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
I
was thinking about the many self-help books that present ways to change your
life and the steps you can take to implement that change.
I
know that many people are able to change their lives through books and seminars
but I truly believe most change comes in a more dramatic way.
As
we move through life we all get complacent and fall into a lifestyle rhythm.
We
become comfortable. See the Comfort of Routine.
Your
conscious, ego mind thinks it needs all the stuff, the cars, the house, the lifestyle
and it chains you to any means it can that will provide those things. It locks
you into a repetitious life rhythm that
can become very hypnotizing and soothing.
It’s
easy to start to believe that all this is real, that this is it, you’ve made
it. This is what it’s all about.
And
for a while we believe it. I know I did.
And
that’s just about when you get smacked on the head and are “forced” to wake up.
It
is said that the 5 most traumatic and life altering events one can experience
are:
1. Death of a parent,
sibling or mate
2. Personal life
threatening injury or illness
3. Losing your job
4. Losing your home
5. Divorce
Have
you had to deal with any of these? As you move along through life more of these
wake up calls are likely to happen.
In
my life I’ve been through all of them.
If
you haven’t experienced any of these have you ever talked to someone who has? I’ll
bet that most, if not all, will say that because of this thing happening they
have made huge changes in their lives.
They have a very different outlook now. Most will say they spend a lot more time enjoying their family and appreciating every day as a
gift.
Sometimes
change seems to be forced upon us. But it’s not really forced. It’s just that
we are “forced” to adjust. This is very uncomfortable and makes us refocus on our lives. All of a sudden we get clear
on what is really important.
Sometimes
that change requires that you ditch a lot of excess weight and baggage that
you’ve been dragging along with you. The chance to throw stuff off your cart as
Stuart Wilde would say.
But
you also have to know that these life altering events don’t show up
arbitrarily. I know it is difficult to accept but sometimes you need a wake-up
call.
Unconsciously
you are always seeking a better outcome for yourself. You are always moving
towards improvement. A better, more improved you, the real you. Not a better house, a better car or anything
material but a more self-actualized you.
Accept
change. Embrace it. Accept what is happening now. If your situation can be
changed and you want to change it, start taking steps to do that.
But
the most crucial thing is don’t fight circumstances. Accept what is and move
through it.
When
you look back on your life will you regret spending more time creating memories? Or spending more time with your spouse and children or your grandchildren? Will you regret having
focused more of your time on doing what you love instead of working late at the
office? I don't think so.
I
won’t.
Will you look back with affection on the huge home, the cars, the things you
“owned”, and all the time you spent working to pay off the debt incurred to buy these things?
For
me the answer is pretty clear.
Is
that how you see it?
