Accepting Change

Although we don't ask for certain fluctuatons in life, sometimes these new ways work out for the best

I’ve finally taken the leap to start this blog. I typically look outside of myself for happiness and entertainment, so this is new for me to something for myself. I’m wondering if anyone will care or think I suck. I’m afraid that I’ll self-censor my writing through the lens of what I think people will want to read. But I’m just going to take the action and see how I feel for doing it. I figure there’s more good than bad that could come of it

So here goes…

This week I wanted to talk about change. Change is difficult. It’s usually circumstantial in my life and not a choice. I’m pretty complacent and routine oriented. I like the familiar. Actually we all do. I think it might even be evolutionarily hardwired into us (but don’t quote me on that).

Whether I like it or not, change is the nature of things. Nothing stays the same, even the earth, and the sun. So we might as well come to term with it. I’m not going to sit here and tell you change is always for the best. But I believe that nothing is ever all good or all bad. And lately, luckily, I’ve been able to see the positive results of the changes I did not initially choose to make.

So an example. I have been teaching a yoga class that for me had a long learning curve as far as comfort level. But I’m used to the routine and have built up a connection with the students. I also felt some pride about teaching that particular class. But most of the time I wasn’t sure if that class was the right fit for me. I felt more discomfort than anything else about the class. Then my teacher and I decided to switch me out of that class. For a moment, that old voice inside me told me I wasn’t good enough to teach the original class and that I failed at it. But then I realized, I now would have more time in my week, and that maybe this change would give me the opportunity to teach a class that was more in line with my interests and strengths.

Yoga and Buddhism (which are closely related, as the Buddha was a yogi before he was the Buddha) tell us change is inevitable, and unless we have more equanimity in regards to change, we will suffer as we try to fight with the inevitable. So what is one to do?

1) Accept

- Know that the change is not a mistake, and that it’s not going back to the way it –Stand back and get curious, not judgmental about what is occurring as a result of the change

2) Be open minded

- Try the new thing that change is calling for, it might be better than you imagined

3) Focus on the benefits that have come as a result of the change

4) Keep moving forward despite the discomfort and the awkwardness, (there’s really not a choice anyway)

5) Notice change in all areas of life (see it the breath in meditation, observe it in subtle adjustments you make to your yoga asanas). By observing it more, we may start to see that change is normal and expected and then we don’t take it so personally

Now all of the above sounds good on paper, but is harder to put into practice in the moment. That’s fine too, don’t get down on yourself if you resist the change. We all do to some degree.

Until the next time, friends, be kind to yourself and be kind to others and feel free to post comments or questions about this post or anything else.