Change is too often simplified in intellectual books. We create models and easy steps, sure that the explanation of the journey will make it pain free. There are a lot of things I’ve learned in life about change, and the following are what I know to be true:
- Change is exciting when it’s in the distance. Looking out across the horizon at change is always electrifying. It reminds me of when I was a child. We used to move every few years, and the trip to the new destination was always exciting. Dad had a little extra pocket money for the trip, we had wrapped up all of our relationships and responsibilities in the past, and we had a clean slate for the future. This time I could be a more organized Donna, or most popular, or wittiest at school. This time . . .
- Things ahead are larger than they appear. As you near the change destination, you find everything totally controllable. It’s like the beginning of a storm. You have your water, your batteries, and are fully in command. You can still watch television, talk to friends on the phone, and determine that the Weather Channel is being ridiculous. You are starting to pick up preparation speed . . .
- Reality and adrenaline kick in. As you enter the world of change you are all revved up and ready to go, flying on all cylinders. You’ve heard about the downsizing at work, you’re sure you can handle it, you use the corporate speak and believe that this will be better for everybody. You put in extra hours when asked and seek out even more assignments. And then . . .
- Change begins to hurt. I find out that I’m still the geeky kid in school with eye teeth coming in that make me look like a vampire (which would be popular right now) and clothes that aren’t cool. The storm brings a tree through your window and the water you put in your bathtub leaks out before you can use it to flush the toilet. A friend loses their job and you find out you might lose yours, no matter how much extra effort you’ve exerted. You decide change is NOT a good thing, your heart hurts, and you feel totally lost. Then the storm stops, and . . .
- You morph into someone or something better. Maybe you discover through your pain that you don’t even like the popular people. Or the storm wipes out your trees and leaves room for some amazing landscaping you’ve always wanted. Maybe you find a new job that provides a brand new start, or your remember that you’ve always wanted to write anyway. Change has a way of creating tremendous focus as we turn inward to tend to our pain. It’s in this time of focus and reflection that we extend our journey. And, it’s not the end. It’s just another wondrous turn of events that propels us further down the road.
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