Adapting to Change

Every transition or change is a mixture of joy, happiness, relief, peace, etc. and grief, sadness, anxiety, etc. These thoughts and feelings are just part of the reality of transition. Everyone will experience transition, especially as we age. It is sad when we attempt to deny and/or avoid transitions because we then become hoarders, often without realizing we have become hoarders. We must hang on to our things, ideas, public image, influence, etc. because we think they are evidence of our value. In educational psychology graduate school at the University of Oklahoma, I was introduced to the educational theories of Jean Piaget whose definition of intelligence was the ability to adjust and/or accommodate to change. The ability to hold lightly to one’s things, ideas, public image, influence, etc. seems the best measure of intelligence as well as mental and emotional health. I want to take care of my things; I want them to be simple. I am thankful for a good public image and whatever influence I may have. However, I want to hold all of this lightly because there will be changes and transitions and I want to enter those transitions without trying to hold onto them as if they are reflective of my value. My value is my relationship to the Divine and I do not need to worry about that changing, it is eternal. Nothing else is eternal; those other things, ideas, public images, influence, etc. will change and I will eventually lose them. This is a universal truth. The Buddhist’s know about being non-attached. Jesus’ invitation was “Follow me.” To obey Jesus’ invitation, I must be willing to let go of my things, ideas, public image, influence, etc. Things wear out and become obsolete; ideas develop into newer ideas; public image fades; influence will eventually become non-existent; etc. Faith has an element of insecurity because faith asks for a step into an unknown future. By faith, I want to be willing and able to adjust and/or accommodate all transitions and changes which will be part of my life’s journey.