“People can’t live with change if there’s not a changeless core inside them. The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value.” Stephen R. Covey
Fearing Change
We always have more than one choice in life. Will we give into our fears in a situation or will we find that core within us that will give us the strength and guidance to go beyond the negative choices that fear dictates? Carlos Castaneda said about difficulties, “We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
We live in a time of enormous change and fear. The Universe, our lives, the structures of nature and government are changing and evolving. Even Facebook has just made some changes. Every time I go to the grocery store, I have to hunt for a product I have bought for years because its container has been redesigned. Our DNA is changing. Everything is evolving toward an experience of Oneness that will create a new and more cooperative world, but it sure is a pain sometimes.
At our best, we just give up and flow with what we can’t change. At our worst, we fight the change every inch of the way building a wall of useless resistance. We wonder if we will survive this. We fear the consequences because the unknown is always a scary place, unless….
Finding the Spiritual Gift of Change
How often do you consider the possibility that the changes in your life may be good? When I had to give up being a dancer, I thought, “Who am I, if not a dancer? As the years passed and I looked at who I was more deeply, I realized what a narrow definition I had given myself. I was much more than a dancer. Now, if you ask me who, I will say, “I’m a creative and spiritual person.” These aspects are part of my core.
When we choose to feel miserable about the changes in our lives, we choose to be less and see ourselves as the victim without any power. Although this may seem like the easy way out, it isn’t. Our most powerful strength is not the strength we use to fight against change; that will only defeat us. What we resist, persists. The strength that we need to develop in these changing times is unrelated to the exterior.
Awakening to the Strength of Our Spiritual Core
When we meditate or sit with Nature and escape from the external worries of our lives, we find that quiet, centered place where we connect with Spirit and our own soul, for they are One. When life is raging around us, being able to stand in a place that is peaceful allows us to make wise choices. From this place, we can release our fears, separate ourselves from the outer discord, and look within our hearts and souls for the best answers. When we choose to stand in our own inner power, we empower ourselves.
While I can’t say change never bothers me, I have learned not to fear most of it. Many times I don’t know the answer to my most current challenge, but I know that if I stay in touch with who I really am, I will find the answer. I know there are lessons in all experiences, and I know a significant experience may appear out of nowhere. I have learned to see life as a wonderful mystery and I’m willing to take the ride, even when it gets bumpy. I have had many challenging experiences in life, but whenever I have chosen to be strong rather than miserable, amazing opportunities and lessons have appeared.
What path do you choose today? What do you think about Castaneda’s comment?
© 2011 Georganne Spruce
Related Readings: How Simple Thinking Leads to a Brilliant Mind, The Change Paradox: Transforming Fear into Excitement and Opportunity
Awakening to the Dance 
Thank you for this wonderful writing…it has helped me put dealing with change in the proper perspective.
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What a great revelation the Carlos Castaneder quote. And so true. I often find that when I remind myself of a buddhist principle, namely the law of impermance, I feel at peace. When I realize that life is constantly changing, even at its micro level, I fear less. Pema Chroden often talks about not being “grounded”. This statement appears on the surface to contradict what we have been taught about how we shoud go through life. But believing that we can ever be “safe and secure” in a ever changing world is only setting ourselves up for a world of hurt. Seeing things for what they really are and accepting change is the centered way of being.
Thank you for your wise words and sharing the Buddhist ideas that have been useful for you.
Namaste,
Georganne
I’m honestly enjoying your blogsite. I too write of transformation, and am anxiously awaiting an answer from Hay House UK regarding the possible publishing of my latest book about “transformation” (but this is NOT a sales advertisement!). Anyway, I have learned that change can happen instantaneously; and that sort of rapid transformation happens only if one consciously chooses to change.
I have facilitated Gestalt Training Groups since 1984, and have seen some miraculous, magical changes in some very diverse personalities. It has been a great gift, one I am forever grateful for, to witness the transformations.
Your writings here are inspirational, and I will link to your site and send my patrons your way. Thank you for the lovely post.
~As always, from Paris with love & light.
Ahimsa.
Thank you so much for sharing you thoughts. It sounds like you are doing wonderful work. I wish you success with your book. Let me know when it comes out.
Namaste,
Georganne
Castaneda’s comment is one that should be put on the bathroom mirror as a daily reminder. It is like the saying ….. it takes more facial muscles to frown that it does to smile.
Fell out of bed feeling down. This has brightened my day!