| Change is everywhere, and we don't even have | | | | only serve to stop you! |
| to be doing anything in our own lives to have the | | | | Fifth, give up "I know." Change is challenging to |
| change around us affect our lives too! For | | | | deal with because it usually means doing things in |
| example:o Our planet is changing! A Canadian | | | | a way we haven't done before. In other words, |
| astronaut who very recently rocketed into space | | | | we don't know what is ahead, and to move |
| commented that since his last trip into orbit, the | | | | forward successfully, we have to give up |
| polar ice caps have gotten smaller.o Healthcare | | | | "knowing" and instead, get committed to what we |
| reform is being bantered about in Congress, and | | | | want, look for what we don't know and move |
| when a bill does get passed, it will affect us all!o | | | | ahead accordingly! |
| The change occurring in state and local | | | | Sixth, have a written plan! Know what you want |
| government funding as a result of budget deficits | | | | and where you want to be and by-when, and |
| -- affecting the condition of our roads, funding for | | | | when change comes knocking on your door, don't |
| nonprofit service agencies, hospital services, | | | | chuck your plan out the window. Instead adjust |
| childcare, access to funds for higher education, | | | | your plan (in writing) where necessary and keep |
| etc. | | | | marching forward! |
| This list could go on and on. So, if you think you | | | | Seventh, communicate with those around you. |
| are insulted from the effects of change think | | | | When you are inside of change in your own life, it |
| again! Sure, it would be much simpler to live in our | | | | is not only difficult for you but for everyone |
| own little cocoon, but if you want to have the life | | | | around you! So don't isolate yourself. Instead, |
| you say you want to have, you've got to be in | | | | communicate what is going on with those around |
| action, not reaction, to the change around you! | | | | you -- allow them to help you where they can! If |
| You can't live life hiding under your covers. You've | | | | what you want to accomplish could be done by |
| got to be out in the world dancing with what the | | | | yourself, you would have already accomplished it. |
| world gives throws at you! How do you do that? | | | | Plus when you ask people for their help, you get |
| First, stay present to the fact that you are the | | | | people involved and in action too! |
| only person who has a say in how your life turns | | | | Finally, instead of fearing change view change as |
| out. You have a choice in life. You can either | | | | an opportunity! Yes, change can be challenging, but |
| choose to complain about what life throws at you | | | | as they say, "When one door closes, another one |
| or create a life you love with what the world | | | | opens!" There is always opportunity for learning |
| hands you. The power of choice is yours and | | | | and growing inside of every situation we are |
| yours alone! | | | | faced with, but we often have to look for those |
| Second, the choice to be a master of change or | | | | opportunities and be open to receiving them. Even |
| a victim of it is yours! Choose to be in action | | | | the slightest changes can open up a huge space |
| instead of reaction. Make a commitment to be | | | | for something new to occur... something better. |
| outrageous and unstoppable, and remember, the | | | | Think about change this way: You are looking |
| only thing in the world that you can control is who | | | | through a kaleidoscope. You first see a set |
| YOU choose to be in the face of change. | | | | pattern, but with the tiniest twist to the right or |
| Third, be aware that those around you aren't | | | | left, the entire picture changes before you and |
| necessary quick to change either. When you are | | | | results in a new, surprising design. |
| moving forward and others are stopped cold, you | | | | Change is the only constant you can truly rely on, |
| must have patience and understanding and lead | | | | and you have to be able to manage it in order to |
| by example. Leadership is needed most when it is | | | | make opportunity of it! As John F. Kennedy once |
| missing. So, step up and show others how to get | | | | said: "Change is the law of life. And those who |
| into action; conquer their own fears and worries, | | | | look only to the past or present are certain to |
| instead of being stopped by them! | | | | miss the future." |
| Fourth, don't underestimate the emotional | | | | Change is a dance you do in life, and each |
| component of change for either yourself or | | | | moment in your life, every move you make |
| others; be present to the feelings that change | | | | creates change, and change is something we |
| brings out in you and those around you. Get | | | | should all look forward to. After all, it is change |
| those around you to open up and communicate | | | | that shows us what we don't know, and it is at |
| what they are feeling, and you need to do the | | | | that point where learning truly begins! |
| same. Deal with your feelings; burying them will | | | | |