Learning To Embrace Change 

Before I even start this conversation, I have to make reference to one of my favourite quotes.  It is ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’ by Mahatma Ghandi.  I’m starting with this because I believe if we step inside the change, ie. be the change, we can become a powerful force of our own.

In other words, we need to understand that the change starts with us.  If you want to be the change you want to see in the world, you first need to make a decision to grow.  And all growth begins with change.  The way I see it, change is good for the soul.  It livens things up a bit, adds a bit of spice (you can call it fear if you like, but I don’t find that useful, lol).  In this blog I’ll be looking at some of the more positive takeaways and trying to put those nasty’s into perspective.

Change isn’t always Negative

When we think about change, we often think about it in a negative way. It scares us.   Let’s flip the switch on this and embrace change instead.  It’s important that we see it, rather, as an opportunity for growth. If we are honest with ourselves, growth can only ever come from change. What is required is that we change our perspective on life. It means opening ourselves up to new experiences. When you think about your experiences in life that have caused you to take a huge leap in your progress, were they times where you experienced huge changes?  I’m willing to bet it’s a yes.

People often think about this in relation to business, for example a job promotion or starting a new business. These are easily identifiable as areas of change as well as being clear opportunities for growth. But, we experience these opportunities for growth through other personal experiences as well, such as having a new baby or moving to a different town. Looking at the different areas where, if we think about it, mixing things up a little is a good thing can help us understand the value in these experiences.  With a positive attitude, comes positive change!

A Shift in Perspective

Our old friend fear is onto this like a bear to honey.  Change is scary, and fear loves that.  ‘Don’t take that promotion, you might fail!’, fear says.  But, how do you grow if you don’t take the chance?  Make the change?  Without being open to improving all areas of your life, it becomes stagnant and boring.  You might think, I’d rather play it safe, but playing it safe will never get you the results you want.  You have to take a chance on life.

If you are someone who doesn’t like change, I guarantee you, if you look closely you will find it still shows up.  There is no way around it, it’s impossible to live a life without it , so why not embrace it?  You will be doing yourself a favour if you choose to shift your perspective on this and see opportunities instead of roadblocks.  Here are some examples of where we can change the way we view this:

At Work

When you are in a work environment, there is nothing worse than not being given the opportunity for growth. Without progress we become bored and unfulfilled in our work. This generally results in us wanting to move on to better prospects. Leaving that dead end job behind.  But, if we embrace change in the workplace by taking on  opportunities to expand our knowledge, to change something for the better, we would be happier in our jobs.  Have you ever considered this in your own work environment?

If more employers noticed that their staff were lacking inspiration and helped them better themselves, we would have happier AND more productive staff.  So, do you see what I mean about how making changes can be good?  The next time you are at work and you feel frustrated, think about whether all you need is a change.  Maybe if you asked for some courses to help you upskill it would make a difference to your job satisfaction.  If not, maybe it’s time for a ‘change’.  Wink, wink.  Either way, staying in the same old routine will not get you the job satisfaction that you need.

Spiritually

Spiritual growth is a huge one because it involves an opening up unlike any other area of our lives.  This change is massive.  We are talking changing the need for control over everything!  Shifting it towards a higher power.  Letting go of the reigns just a little bit and learning to trust.  This is change on a monumental scale, but the best kind of all!  It will also help you change the way you see this world and the people in it.  It gives you clarity and a sense of purpose.

Don’t get me wrong.  While it’s a big deal it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  You can start by making small changes.  My advice for spiritual growth is to start a meditation practise.  With thousands of free meditations available online, you can choose whichever one works for you and get started.  The wonderful thing about this is its calming effect on you and in this crazy world that is a change we could all use.

Personal Growth

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?  Did you ask me?  Well, my answer would be myself.  And, I think this should be everyone’s answer (of course I do).  Our own personal growth is where we have the most impact.  It is the starting point for everything.  And, once again, without making changes there is no growth. Stepping outside of our comfort zone is the only way we can achieve this, so again I say embrace change!  Look for where you can benefit from trying something new.

For me this has meant being open to learning.  Reading personal development books ranging from business to spiritual to motivational.  Asking questions about life and about how I see the world.  Doing courses that inspire me to reach higher in life.  It has meant trying to see things from more than just my own limited perspective.  Trying new things, like meditation or Instagram reels (lol, yes it all counts!).  It is an expression of our ever-expanding nature as humans.  Find what calls you to be more, to do more, and go after it.  These are the sparks that ignite our fire.

Well-Being

Whether you are talking about a new exercise routine or trying out a meat free diet, once again change is required. Being open to the new routine or the different meal plan is what is going to get you the results you are looking for.  The next time you find yourself thinking ‘I should put my hand up for that promotion at work, but I don’t want to look like a fool’, remind yourself that the lesson is always on the other side of your comfort zone.  Don’t shy away from a challenge if it could potentially be life changing for you in the most positive of ways.

Self-care is part of this.  Scoff if you must, but this is actually an area where far too many people need to grow and to change.  Honouring yourself for who you are, what you want and what you love is massive.  So, if you’ve always wanted to play the piano, but you’re too scared to try, just go for it!  Light yourself up a little with some creative change.  Just leaning into being true to yourself can be the change you are looking for, and sadly is for many of us.

What Would Life look like Without Change?

Think about all the things you’re afraid of doing.  Now ask yourself what life will look like if you never take a chance on any of them.  Would you start that relationship?  Would you buy that house?  What about losing that weight?  Nothing in life that really matters is achievable without the sometimes difficult process of change.  I think if we actually think about this and realize it is a natural part of our lives we can relax about it a bit more.  ‘Oh, ok, so this is how it goes.  I can handle this.’  Learn the dance moves and flow with it.

Let’s be inspired by the idea of it, instead of afraid of it.  I want you to see that a) it is all around you, every day already, and b) it is a requirement for reaching new heights and achieving new goals in life.  Understand that avoiding change means keeping yourself small.  Limiting yourself.  Be open to it, and it can be that next new adventure you’ve been waiting for.  It could surprise and delight you!

It’s all about Your Response

Change is inevitable.  The question you have to ask yourself, though, is how did you cope with the change?  And, what did you learn from it?  As with anything else in life, our experience comes down to our mindset.  Our attitude towards life in general.  We can be afraid and avoid any change, and prevent ourselves from moving forward in life, or we can embrace the change and the opportunity it presents us with.

When we choose to live from a place of gratitude for life’s lessons we can accept what we are faced with more readily.  We can see it as part of the ebb and flow, the natural rhythm of life.  We can see how it makes us stronger and that it was set before us for a purpose.  My message to you is to remember that sometimes change is good.  Always look for the positive, and the lesson, in every new stage of your life.

My Final Point on Ghandi

I just want to go back to the quote again because I’ve spoken about embracing change but I really believe that we need to become it, more than just embrace it.  We need to accept it as a natural and necessary part of who we are, not as an irritant.  In simpler terms, it’s all down to us and how we show up, react, and create the world that we live in.

He says to ‘be’ the change and to me the word ‘be’ is so powerful.  It is no-questions.  Matter of fact.  It ‘just is’.  And this is how we should personify change, it should just ‘be’ part of our existence.  Instead of fearing it, we should embody it.  Let no moss grow beneath our feet.

Embrace Change Quote Inspiration

I love a good, inspirational quote, so I’ll leave you with some to get you thinking.  Always go through life with an open heart and mind and see the opportunities to grow as a person.  Thanks for reading, I hope you found some inspiration to go out,  stir things up and embrace change a little!

Steph x

‘Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.’ – Jim Rohn

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‘We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.’  – Max Depree

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‘Become a student of change.  It is the only thing that will remain constant.’  – Anthony D’Angelo

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‘I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.’ – Georg C Lichtenberg

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‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.’ – Henry Ford

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