Friday, September 24, 2010

Fear of Change

It's been over a year since I've written on my blog. I'm not really sure why. I just stopped writing. Blocked? Confused? Empty? Life keeps changing.

Change can be a misunderstood element of life. We often think of change as threatening, not promising. We fear change because we think it will disrupt our lives, leaving us unsettled and insecure. And many times that's exactly what happens. But is change the culprit?

What else could it be? Sometimes it's choice. We come to a crossroads and have to choose the next direction our lives will take. It may be choosing where to go to school, where to live or which job to take. It may be as simple as choosing to write a short piece, pick up the camera or just step outside. Choice becomes change.

Maybe circumstances have enveloped you. You've received a diagnosis, a pink slip, a foreclosure notice. Possibly friends or family have moved away or your support system is unavailable. Maybe you have no recourse in the matter. Your life seems out of control. Circumstances become change.

Whether by choice or by circumstance, life changes. We know it's true, but what makes us pull back from it? What is it we really fear? Is it the unknown that frightens us the most? The what ifs that taunt us? Maybe it's the work required to get us from one place to the next.

It's been said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. While that may be true, possibly the changes that happen may be something to fear as well. However, as with all fears, if we can press on through the changes we are facing, we may discover a whole new area of life that is exciting, rewarding and worth the price we pay to overcome them!

So, what's changing for you?