“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”
We know a plant is still alive when we observe visible changes to it from time to time. Perhaps a new bloom, a new leaf, or it’s an inch or two taller. Its changes are a sign of growth, and its growth is a sign of life. Usually, a plant that’s no longer changing, i.e. growing, is most likely dead. This quote, by Gail Sheehy, reminds us that the same is true in our lives. Meanwhile, we are reminded to embrace positive change. Like the plant, if we’re not changing, we’re not growing. And if we’re not growing, we aren’t really living. When it comes to change, it’s already happening…
“Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end.”
Sometimes, change can feel abrupt. But it’s actually a process–a journey. This quote, by Robin Sharma, summarizes that process, especially when change forces us out of our comfort zone. It’s kind of similar to the process of constructing a house, doing major reorganizing, or moving from one residence to another. At first, it’s hard to get started. The task is rather daunting. As we get halfway there, things start to get messy. Halfway through, the house under construction is typically a mess. There might be exposed framework with no walls, tools and nails on the floor, a lot of dust, and a ladder in the middle of nowhere. Halfway through…
“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.”
This quote, by Gilda Radner, gives us a great summary of life. It’s about change, enjoying each moment, and seeing the silver lining, all the while not knowing what’s around the corner. In a nutshell, it’s about change, mindfulness, and gratitude in the midst of uncertainty. But the part of this quote that stands as the foundation for everything else is making the best of things. It’s making the best of the change, the moments, and the uncertainty.
“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.”
Life is full of twists and turns, which can make it difficult to stay on course when you have a one-track mind. Having a one-track mind is like constantly going straight and never bending the wheel. This quote, by Helen Keller, reminds us that without making the turn–being willing to embrace change–we’ll inevitably crash. So what if we embrace change? What if we choose to round the corner? Who knows where we might find ourselves and what new direction the road will lead.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
This quote, by James Baldwin, serves as a reminder that we cannot expect something to change if we’re not willing to face it. We may not be successful. “Not everything that is faced can be changed.” However, without endeavoring to make the change, nothing can be changed. Therefore, it’s much better to be unsuccessful after having faced change than to not face it at all.
“To make a change, you need to be aware and acknowledge that something isn’t working first.”
When it comes to changing something that’s not working, you first have to see that it’s not working. It seems like a no-brainer. But sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. And a much needed change may not be so evident. This quote, by Justin Kan, reminds us of the importance of being aware of and acknowledging that something isn’t working. How do you become aware and acknowledge something isn’t working when you just don’t know? Where do you begin in order to develop that awareness? Here are some things to reflect on. Ask yourself if you’ve put on some rose-colored glasses. There might be some denial happening–Ignoring red…
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
This quote, by Jim Rohn, serves as a great reminder of the power of change. Change can be scary. It’s usually not something we go out of our way to find. But avoiding it altogether makes it very unlikely for us to ever alter our current circumstance. For our lives to improve, typically something has to change. It rarely gets better by chance. In order to experience a change, we have to be willing to make a change.
