Change-How to Roll with It

Change always happens, but often times the movement of change is subtle and unnoticeable in our daily routines and distractions of daily living. Sometimes it comes in happy forms such as a new baby, a new home, or an exciting relationship. However, when change comes in the form of illness, accidents, job loss or changing relationships, we view it as more of a challenge, and often can be stuck, depressed, angry and not sure of what to do next.

This summer I found myself dealing with unwanted change and unfortunately depression soon followed it. This forced me to re-evaluate and re-direct my energy. No matter how many times I go through tough challenges I have come to understand that CHANGE IS LIFE and that I always eventually adapt. Sometimes, I just don’t like it and am not very gracious about it’s presence in my life.

The five stages of grief do come into effect with the big life changes and they are not to be denied or swept away. Change can make you cranky, tired, depressed as well as energized and ready to try new things.

It is helpful to find value and meaning within the experience. Either way, life changing events pull us to grow and often more then we want, to accept and adapt.

Useful tips when it comes to change:

• Let go of what “was” even when you don’t know what “is” yet.
• Remind yourself that often your life choices led you to the change you are experiencing.
• Change often leads to bigger and better things (even when you can’t see it or don’t want to hear it!)
• Change is always happening but we mostly notice it when we are forced to do new things.
• Accept where you are.
• Create forward motion, one step at a time.
• Realize it is OK that you might not have the answers because maybe you haven’t ever had THIS challenge before.
• Accept responsibility for your actions and be kind to yourself.
• Change is the vehicle for growth and it is simply a part of the human experience.

Why you Should Listen to your Inner Guidance

For the last few years I have been coming more into my own power. This process has been huge for me personally. What does that mean? Coming into my own power?

It simply means that I am learning to trust myself and make decisions based on what I know to be best for myself. Each person is a complex web of interior forces. I have certainly been confused understanding my own interior self. The more energy and awareness I spend understanding my personality, life goals and challenges, the closer I get to making decisions that are best for me–and not being swayed by other’s thoughts and opinions.

In the past, I used to allow others authority over my own reality and perceptions which often left me with more confusion, doubt and self-judgment. Occasionally, I still see myself allowing others authority, but I am quicker to see how much others sway me, and readjust to my own interior truth.

This past weekend I found myself dealing with a very angry neighbor. She had an opinion about choices I made. I listened to her, and was swayed by her opinion. I felt bullied by her anger and I was upset by our interaction. I realized about 6 hours later, that my truth did not align with hers, and her energy was not about me. In the end, I regained my balance, while still understanding her unique perspective.

Be certain that you’ll be challenged by the outside world’s logic—which won’t work for you time and time again. It takes a fair amount of self-awareness and stamina to listen to your own inner guidance about what is best for you. It takes practice but over time, I have come to understand that I don’t owe anyone an explanation of myself when I am being directed from the inside. I have come to understand that the world behind my eyes, the experiences that I have and the thoughts that I come up with have more authority for me when what the world says it is possible to experience.

I know that in order to have this authority, my internal sense of self needs to have a strong and courageous backbone from which to view my own self and direction. It takes self worth and valuing my own path in order to allow this to truly manifest fully.

Some days, when I am challenged by another’s perception of my life, I know that if I just give myself some time to listen to my own self–while still listening to them–I am directed by a power within that has wisdom, humor and the ability to change, moment to moment.

Sandra Wood works with women who want a life of empowerment and self worth. She teaches women how to create powerful boundaries, deepen their own awareness and have the courage to use their personal strengths learned through experience and self wisdom.

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