I’ve heard it said that the only predictable thing in life is change, and I really don’t think I can argue with that.
Some changes we see coming because we make them on purpose: starting a new job, moving to a new city, or deciding to start a family. Sometimes the change chooses us: a coworker you depend on leaving your workplace unannounced, or the sudden sickness of a loved one. Whether that initial change is chosen or thrust upon us, the sure thing is, these changes have a ripple effect. The change doesn’t stop after that one thing happens.
So, my question is, what can I do about it? I know I can’t stop the change, but what can I do?
This week I’ve been reading Shauna Niequist’s book I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet. She talks in relatable ways about hard things in her life, though she keeps a boundary around sharing the sticky details and I deeply appreciate that. It’s nice that she can give me some helpful thoughts based out of her own experiences without making herself painfully trudge through the details of those experiences. I find her witty, relatable and charming in this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants some love and light dropped into their lives.
So back to my question about how to deal with change… I think Shauna hit the nail on the head with this one. She writes:
No one gets through alone.
So what can I do? I can keep showing up.
I can show up for my loved ones who are going through their changes, and I can rally them around me when it’s my turn to wade through the swirling waters.
I can show up by offering a granola bar and bottled water to the guy standing on the sidewalk holding up a sign, offering a smile to help him through whatever change he’s going through.
I can offer to show up and listen when a friend is going through a hard time.
I can let others help me (which if I’m honest, is not always easy for me to do.)
Showing up, guys. That’s what we can do.
Thanks for being here today. Keep showing up as you – the world is better for it. ~ Sonja K.