Lately, I have found myself in need of inspiration … inspiration to manage through a challenging time without getting down on myself, without doubting my value, without sabotaging the progress I have made toward my goal. Things are changing and I don’t feel in control. Sound familiar?
Change is a difficult thing and it can bring with it lots of stress and worry. When the stress starts manifesting itself in my shoulder blade muscles to the point where it’s hard to take a deep breath, I know I have to do something to alleviate the physical pain.
I’ve found what suits me is to get quiet within myself, find my inner calm place and listen to words of wisdom that inspire me to keep moving forward, one small step at a time. As I found some of those words, it occurred to me that they might help you, too. So, in the spirit of sharing, here are some words of wisdom about change, along with a few thoughts of my own.
“Change is the only constant.” ~~~Heraclitus
Man, ain’t that the truth! There is hardly a day that goes by that something is not the same as it was yesterday. So, if change is the norm, why do so many have a tough time with it? We resist change. When things are good, we wish them to stay just the way they are. And, when things are bad, we worry about what will happen when things change. Seems like a no-win situation. And, then I read …
“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.” ~~~Johann Von Goethe
If we stay the same, we can’t grow and learn; we can’t help others to grow and learn. To harden means to create an outer shell that no one can penetrate. If our outer shell hardens, will our heart harden, too? I don’t like that thought. It seems like change is a better choice.
“As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.” ~~~Paul Shane Spear
This could be interpreted in at least two ways: I can change my own world and I can help to change the world of another—one at a time. As a coach and a woman on a mission to improve her own life and the lives of others, this speaks to me. Can you imagine if everyone on the planet decided that s/he could “change the world of one person?” What a different world we would have.
“Never forget: This very moment we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. ~~~Steven Pressfield
What comes to mind here is the power of positive thinking. What we think about, believe in and work to create can become our reality if we are persistent and diligent. I don’t know about the altering destiny part … I might have said it differently. What’s clear though is we can start today, right now in fact, to choose to change things for the better. We can decide to do things differently. Look at things from a different perspective and move in a different direction. Now, that makes me feel like I have the power to change things by choice, not by chance. I’m starting to feel better—are you?
“A bend in the road is not the end of the road … unless you fail to make the turn.” ~~~Author Unknown
This makes me think about how many twists and turns there are in our lives … there are a few different analogies that can play here. Another that comes to mind is the hurricane wind bending the tree yet it doesn’t break. Being resilient, rolling with the punches, facing adversity with faith and grace are probably the more favorable approaches that are likely to keep us on the right path.
If we fail to make the turn in road, we fail to adjust to the change that’s around the bend. We make a choice to stop rather than keep going. Who knows what’s around the bend in that road. I think I’ll take a peek … I’m not ready for the “end of the road.”
As I was looking for words of wisdom about change, I found dozens of them. Perhaps another time I’ll share more with you in this blog. Meanwhile, if you’d like to follow me on Facebook, you will see all my inspirational posts here: https://www.facebook.com/safeharborcoaching1
Thank you for indulging me. I really do feel better and I’m ready to face my new challenge head on with grace and new found energy. Let me leave you with my favorite one that will drive me forward:
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” ~~~Alan Watts
Make this your day ~~~ Explore … Dream … Discover!
~~~María
Chief Inspiration Officer | SafeHarbor Coaching | For women facing life transitions
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