Earlier this week I posted a quote about Change. This is because I’ve spent the last few days preparing, once again, for more changes. Actually, it feels like “things” have been changing for the past several years:

• It began with my graduation from college in 2013. I had a consistent schedule of work, school, and homework for the prior four years and that changed once the degree was in hand.
• My dad’s health decline over several years, placement in the nursing home, and  eventual death brought many changes as well.
• Then came my daughter’s graduation and move to Florida, which followed two years after my son and daughter-in-law’s move to the Sunshine State.
• The decision to leave my old job was the right one; the verdict on whether my decision to move south with the kids remains to be seen. I need to get some clarity regarding where I’m headed.

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So, how does one find clarity regarding life choices amidst all this change? Do we find it by doing the same things, in the same places, with the same people? Or, is it more likely that we’ll find it by making some changes? And why is change so hard?

“They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.” ~ Confucius

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Like it or not, “shift happens,” to borrow the phrase, with a slight twist. It’s always happening and I lost sight of that. Looking back over my life I see time periods that defined who I was: child, adolescent, single adult, married adult, parent, etc. During each of those periods life followed a specific script and set of activities. Those things became familiar, routine, and very comfortable. When we get comfortable, we tend to get stagnant and that’s when change begins to feel scary. 

Coping with life changes discusses six common situations that can create a lot of anxiety. After reading it I discovered that I’ve already experienced four and I’m still standing! It offers suggestions to help calm the fears and help us better understand why we’re feeling the fear in the first place.

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I’m also reminded of the framed quote that I kept on my desk at the job I left to create something better for myself. It said:

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch

Well, I’ve most definitely stepped out of my comfort zone; the only thing left to do now is enjoy the adventure that living everyday is!

 

 

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