Day #4

#4: “View change as chance.”

I think back on some of the changes throughout my life… going from high school to college… going from college to the work force (and still desperately missing college)… seeing friendships and relationships come and go… and probably one of the most significant ones was changing careers and moving home. Yes, “home is where the heart is,” but my heart was not initially with this change. I was coming back to a place that I was supposed to know, yet I knew very few people, had no clue how to do my job, and was fairly confident that this was a change I would never get used to.

However, about a year-and-a-half into the change (yes, it really did take that long), my perspective started changing and I finally could view change as CHANCE.

I acknowledge that not everyone dislikes change—there are lots of good changes to be made. However, life is going to include some changes that we didn’t particularly ask for— heartbreak. sickness. unexpected events. loss.

Why do people dislike change so much?

Because change can be scary. Change often means stepping into the unknown, and as a culture that likes to be “in the know,” this can make us uneasy and very opposed to change. Unfortunately, change doesn’t come with a user-guide on what’s going to happen on the other side of the situation.

However, when you start viewing change as chance, it doesn’t quite seem so terrifying. A change, whether chosen or not, is a chance for a new story in your life. A new story—and maybe even a better story than you were telling before. (Sorry, had to add that “story” theme in there. I’m on a four-day roll.)

My scary career change ended up being a chance for me to influence youth, spend more time with my family, find out who I am in my job, meet so many sweet people I now consider dear friends, teach zumba, grow in my faith and the list could go on and on. Was it hard? Yes. Was it sad? Sometimes. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Change = Chance. Even in the hardest situations, I hope you’ll look for the chance to take what life has presented you and tell a great story with it!