Change

Ugh!!  Even just reading the word 'change' sometimes can evoke a reaction that just makes you shudder!!  Change is not an easy thing and I don't think I know of anyone who jumps up and down with excitement at the thought of change in their life!

And yet the reality is that life is filled with change - sometimes planned, sometimes unexpected, and what I'm learning is that it is my approach to that change that can make it a disaster or an ok experience!!

So how do we handle change?  

Come on, I know you have ideas ....... and yes, beyond just 'bury your head in the sand and ignore it' view!!

Something that has helped me is switching my focus.  Change is scary because invariably there is a lack of control associated with it.  Change is often not something I've chosen and so that unknown is what makes it so overwhelming.  And so I try to switch my focus to the things that have stayed the same in my life as these are the things that give me stability.  For example, no matter what change is thrown my way, the love of my husband is a constant.  No matter what, I will always have the ability to write my gratitude list.  No matter what, I always have the ability to reach out and stay connected to my friends.

Now the key for me is whether I CHOOSE to remember that!!  LOL!!  Change has this knack of erasing my memory and I seem to forget that I have these tools in my tool box!!  But if I take a deep breath, stop and remind myself of all the things I DO have control over, then I can actually navigate my through change because I choose to do so.  Now that doesn't mean I like the change I'm facing, but at least I can navigate my way through it in a healthy way and without feeling like my life is never going to be the same again!!

What things help you when you're faced with change?  What successes have you had?  What makes it hard?

Let's brainstorm together - who knows, it may help someone else, but more importantly it will probably help you too!!