Life has an interesting way of presenting us with timely lessons. Wherever you look you will find people outside their comfort zones – some by choice but many by force, some coping and even thriving, while others are struggling and many are drowning. It’s irrelevant whether we think it’s fair or not, the fact is, it’s happening – change is happening at an accelerated rate!  Don’t be complacent and take life for granted, we may not have tomorrow what we have today – our health, our wealth, our homes, our relationships. We are in the confluence of change, a time between the age of ignorance and the age of awareness! Time = change and change is not welcomed by many because change will happen, whether we are ready or not.  If I resist – I will struggle, perhaps drown and possibly take others down with me. If I choose to welcome and accept change, I can flow with it and learn as I move along – I will be able to remain calm and able to keep going.

Change always brings new possibilities and opportunities, that is, if we keep our eyes  open to them. Often we get so affected by the storms that we get swept out to sea and completely miss them – caught in a rip, we desperately cling to the familiar.  Practicing to keep an uncluttered mind helps me to see more clearly – it gives me courage to accept change and flow with it, while reaping the benefits. On the other hand – I can entertain wasteful thoughts by focusing on obstacles and become completely overwhelmed by it. If I give in to fear and resist, I will be blinded by my own anger, self pity and ‘reasons’ – I will struggle and I will have to suffer the consequences.

Accepting that I live with chronic pain has eased a lot of anguish and frustration for me. That’s not to be mistaken with giving up – we must never give up! If you fall down get up, if you fall again get back up again… and again… and again… and again… 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 times and more.  Acceptance allows me to tolerate what I can’t change and gives me courage to change what I can. It brings resilience and this allows me to keep shining like the sun – no matter how many dark clouds try to cover me up… So when those times in life arise where you feel ‘beaten’; When you tell yourself  ‘it’s all too hard’; When you believe ‘I can’t do it’. What do you do?…    Do you quit or get angry and upset, do you make excuses, or point the finger of blame, allowing yourself to drown? Or do you learn, grow, change, get up and continue on to flow with the times?… Maintaining my sense of humour while learning to dust myself off to keep going, is a wonderful habit to cultivate – on your way to success 🙂

Confluence means junction, meeting or union – Picture the ‘junction’ where the ocean meets the river – there’s always a lot of movement and disturbance before it begins to flow smoothly – becoming the free flowing river.  If I’m not prepared, the confluence of change can really stir things up, bringing with it upheaval and discordance. The more I resist and struggle, the more I get caught up in this whirlpool and drown. Living with chronic pain for example doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy life – on the contrary – my life has opened up in many wondrous ways I could not even have imagined. Accepting my current situation means I work around the ‘pain’ – while always on the look out for a new and better way. This keeps me buoyant and  I stay afloat, giving heart to others that there is safety in acceptance…  I can keep calm and I can simply keep going!

Question:   Do you remain calm when confronted with change or do you allow unwanted emotions to overwhelm you?

Contemplation:  Why do you think you might get overwhelmed?

Action:   For the next month whenever faced with a choice to change – or be changed – stop, breathe and become the observer for a few moments. Check your thoughts, assess the situation and take stock. Look for and focus on the many possibilities, then use your courage to seize  the opportunities. When obstacles (tests) arrive (and they will come, it’s their job) be prepared and know you are moving forward – so celebrate them. Remain in your power by recognising the obstacles but paying no attention to them – instead keep finding different ways to get through them, get over them and get around them – while keeping your eyes firmly on your preferred destination.

Have a wonderful day, Annemarie