The Wisdom in Change...

As the old saying goes...The fastest way from point A to point B is a straight line. Let me ask you a question. When was the last time in your life you got from point A to point B on a path that was straight, quick and uneventful? Or do your journeys sometimes consist of an intermittent rendezvous in the road ditch, a ‘critter’ or two popping out from nowhere to make you swerve, or do you find yourself meandering through the curves of the path with an occasional stop at the famed ‘look-out’ point???  I thought so. Me too.

Changes will occur on your journey from point A to point B.

Many times I have heard people (myself included) talk about how they started down a new road going after a new point B and suddenly life “got in the way”. They were forced to slow down or take a different route. A significant change had occurred they were not expecting. There are times when I’ve been traveling down a road to my point B, found the strength to keep life events from forcing me off course, but then woke up one day in the ditch alongside of my trusty road which I knew would bring me to the Promised Land. That’s when the voice in our head says “Hey, this isn’t so bad. I can see my path – it is right there next to me. I’ll be fine over here for a bit because it only takes a little hop to get back on track.”

Changes will occur on your journey from point A to point B.

Last week, my kids wanted to play Mario Cart Wii and challenged mom to a race. Of course since I am only a wee bit competitive (Ha Ha!) I agreed to their offer...as I was hungry for a win, even if it meant toasting my kids at Wii. (keeping it real here) The race course they chose had many twists, turns and obstacles. Some of the corners required a very sharp turn. My constant over reaction coupled with inertia sent my car onto the grassy area next to the race track on several occasions. My adorable little Mii (pronounced Me for those who have not had the Wii (We) experience) in my super fast roadster was driving right next to the path, but the grassy area slowed my vehicle to a snail’s pace. The other cars on the track would wiz by Mii. Eventually I found myself in 12th place...out of 12 cars! Who knew that one could drive SO CLOSE to the original path, thinking they were doing JUST FINE only to find they really were not part of the race at all! A slight change in the course (grass in this case) made all the difference. Going from point A to point B included a change in the ground beneath me, which I did not expect.

Changes will occur on your journey from point A to point B.

Me? (or Mii?)

I’d like to share some wisdom I have learned in life. The principle goes something like this: we first need to be A-ware of something then we can B-eware of it. For example, if we are first A-ware that change is constantly happening in our lives, then we can B-eware of how we are dealing with change...are we Reacting or Responding...are we Listening or Talking...are we under control or out of control. The result: Life experience has made me aware that change is a part of my life. Period. Thus, I choose to beware of how I deal with the changes when they happen. The goal (which I will most likely continue to pursue always): become a master of change for my own life.

Now it’s your turn...

What is your relationship with change? How do you deal with the change when you find yourself in the unexpected grassy area next to the path you want to travel? What wisdom have you gained from experiencing changes going from point A to point B? We’d love to hear your wisdom.