Some of us like or rather appreciate change. Of course, we'll most likely appreciate those changes that are good to us. For others, change is one of the many things we fear as it is many times unforeseeable and its outcomes are unpredictable. There are no real guidelines for adjusting to or accepting change. However, these are things we as individuals learn to do because change, just as much as time is a constant.
Change is defined as the act or process by which something becomes different. 'Different', this is a concept we are now being taught to embrace more heavily than ever. Everyone's aim at one point or another is to stand out from the crowd with which they are usually associated. We each search for ways to uniquely characterize ourselves in an effort to be more appealing whether to self or peers because the one thing most persons dislike more than unexpected change is a generalization.
It is easy for us as individuals to embrace uniqueness when it is offered as a compliment to us or someone we think highly of. However, to remain on topic, we rarely take into consideration that uniqueness often materializes from a willingness to change oneself until an ideal is achieved. We instinctively accept change as long as it is not adverse to our personal interests. What we must never fail to recall or recognize is that regardless of our individual preferences and beliefs, change is quite important for any form of growth or development. If circumstances, environments and people did not change cyclically there would be nothing to experience. Change is the constant that affords us the opportunity to learn as well as to enhance that which we thought was optimally achieved.
One of the many reasons people are apprehensive toward change is because it is much simpler to focus on what you have already gained (that which you have to lose) rather than to focus on the incalculable possibilities (that which you have to gain). A lot of us are dwellers by default and would prefer to keep the things in our lives as we have known them. We often times feel threatened by change especially when it is unannounced and comes to us through our loved ones. One may easily observe that a impromptu transformation in character or general practices by someone we have known our entire lives or even just for a few years is not a simple adjustment and can seem quite offensive. Bare in mind though, that when you are the changed party you need not let the opposing opinions of onlookers determine whether or not your change is satisfactory. This is so simply because every level of your life will demand a different version of you; this notion is sort of scary but nonetheless change is integral.
I've spoken about the necessity of change and the reactions to change. In closing I will say just this; being a part of a change is way less scary than watching a change unfold. It is critical that you try as best as you possibly can to embrace change and adapt accordingly rather than to fight what must unravel for new beginnings to occur. Change is difficult but regret is paralyzing.
