Change Happens- Embrace It!

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I don’t normally post items that involve religion or politics.   Today will be an exception…

I see green all over.  And, my magnolia bushes, Japanese maple, azaleas, and  rhododendra were all resplendent in pinks, reds, and purples.  Fallen flowersUntil yesterday.  When the hail came- and came- and came.  Now, the ground is filled with decaying flowers.  Change happens.

Change happens to us every day, too.  And, most of us resist that change.  Even with today’s economy, when we see jobs evaporate faster than the rain and hail did from my front yard.  We need to understand that there is a risk to change- and a risk in NOT changing.

I have a friend who is very good at her job, but hates the bureaucracy she must deal with on a daily basis.  Should she leave her job that pays well (or at least keeps the roof overhead and the larder filled)?  Or, prepare for a new chapter in her life?  I have another friend who, after years of study, finally achieved a special certification in lactation.  Her current position is not letting her practice that specialty.  (Oh, they promise- sometime soon- but…)   She has yet to map out her plan for the next chapter in her life.  I can add myself to this syndrome.   I have been (semi-) preparing for a new offering for our clients for about six months.  It would have been smart to have this running by the beginning of the year.  But, I knew tax season was coming and that extra burden would probably relegate the new offering to failure.  (Or, is that my rationalization?)

The problem is that we assume (I know the connotations) that we make rational decisions based upon the future value of our experiences and investments.  (I have written many times of the ChemE training regarding “Return on Investment” calculations.)   But, the truth is somewhat different.  We actually adjust our decisions based upon the investments (or emotions) we have already accumulated.  These sunk costs render it difficult for us to change course.  (I won’t even go into how our governments work by funding the same programs each year, even if no one sees the results that were promised. “No child left behind” is a prime example of this fallacy.)

This morning in services, a portion of the bible was read.  It involved the Children of Israe-l at the Red (Reed?) Sea.  The Egyptians, fully armored, are approaching them at breakneck speed.  And, what do these people do?  They complain to the Lord- and Moses- saying “What?  You couldn’t leave us alone to die in Egypt?   You had to take us to the G0d-forsaken place to die?”

Let me get this straight.   They just saw ten fascinating (or awe-inspiring) plagues be inflicted on the Egyptians and not them.  They received oodles of riches from the Egyptians right before they left.  And, they still doubt the power of their Lord?  Change is scary.  One person steps into the sea, with faith in the Lord, that he and they will be saved.   That’s all it took- the sea split!  They all crossed.  A messenger of the Lord covers their rear, insuring that the folks are, indeed, worthy of being saved.  And, then it lets the waters repair upon the Egyptians.  (I won’t go into the scientific explanations of how this happened.  Trust me that a miracle is not something that can never happen;  it’s just something that happens when we need it to happen.)

That’s the key point.  We see the handwriting on the wall.  JR knows she will never be happy doing what she’s doing.  SK knows she was destined to be a lactation consultant.  I know that this new project will help many of our clients.  We need to take the next (big) step.   (Of course, the Lord may not be at our side (nor has the Lord proclaimed the vision, mission, and goals, as he did for the Children of Israe-l), so we need to complete our preparations- vision, mission, and goals- and enter those murky waters at the shoals of our decision.

There is a risk to doing nothing.  There is a risk to doing something.  Doing something you like is the smarter choice.Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

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21 thoughts on “Change Happens- Embrace It!”

  1. Roy,

    You are so right! “There is a risk to doing nothing. There is a risk to doing something.” Couldn’t be truer words!

    I hope all works out for your friends and yourself….I have to wonder if taking risks scares many of us therefore we stay where we are. I would love to take a risk here with my husband, but we are going to sit this one out because we feel the risk is more hurtful in this point of time. One day though that risk will be taken, but we see the current “epidemic” in taking that risk isn’t worth it.

    1. That’s the key point. Evaluate the risk/reward to doing nothing and to doing something. Choose the better alternative.
      Thanks for adding to the discussion, Leona. Great comments!
      Roy

  2. This is a very inspiring post, Roy. The older I get, the harder it is to change. I get stuck in a rut and seem to do the same things everyday.
    I believe that stepping out in faith is the key. Fear of change is a powerful thing but it can be overcome. The rewards will be great for those who will just get started making changes in their lives.
    Janette Fuller recently posted..The Gullah Alphabet

    1. One of my friends posted something recently. Step out and do- your tools will arrive.
      Kind of like Nachshon ben Aminadav who was the first person to enter the Red Sea!.
      Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Janette. They add to the concept!
      Roy

  3. Roy,

    What a great post. Change is an inevitable part of life. And it’s up to us to embrace it. I love your sentiment “There is risk to doing nothing. There is risk to doing something” So many people don’t change unfavorable situations for fear of risking “it” (whatever “it” maybe).

    I say go for it, change is going to happen one way or another. Take the risk and be happy!!
    melissa austin recently posted..So- you want to be a runner

  4. I have always done what others seemed was best for me… but then I changed the course and saw that thought aptitude tests showed taking “business at higher studies will be the right choice” I went for psychology, maybe I am not earning as much I would have liked to, but I am happy, at least I am happy with my decisions and don’t have other to blame for it.
    Your post makes me feel wonderful to be me!

    1. Hajra:
      Money isn’t everything. (That does not mean it does not count 🙂 .)
      Do what you love, do it well, and you will eventually reap the rewards.
      Take care.
      Roy

  5. Hi Roy, this is an outstanding post and I wrote something similar a few weeks back. Change is a natural part of life, look at the seasons but why is it that we are so resistant to change? I have gone through many changes and when you mentioned risk, I like to think that I take calculated risks. The information you have may not be complete but it’s enough for you to make a decisions to move forward. So make that decision!
    Diana Simon recently posted..Hurray! Free Images for Blogs – Part 2

  6. This is quite an essay, Roy, and it has a lot of good points. I like the one “do something you like” because there are so many people who don’t. It seems pretty basic but it’s not always that easy. ANd sometimes you have to take the risk and do something you think you like, only to find out you don’t like it. I’ve done that several times. But eventually you find something that you like and that “likes” you. Then, it’s worth it!
    Thanks for sharing this.
    -Jeannette
    Jeannette Koczela recently posted..Your Natural Rhythm

    1. Glad you liked it, Jeannette!
      And, yes, we don’t have all the answers. But, as you say, we learn from our failures and make better decisions the next time. Even so, the risk of doing nothing also has a cost.
      Thanks for your $ 0.02. It makes it easier for others to get the point!
      Roy

  7. Hi Roy,

    (Commenting for the firs time). I really liked your post and it made me remind something that was turning around my brains for a while: people are weird and act hopelessly dumb in most of the cases (as you very well depicted in your Read Sea analogy), but that doesn’t mean that we have to act hopelessly dumb too.
    Also, your last sentence is awesome; worth hanging in my working wall.
    Gustavo| Frugal Science recently posted..Happiness is a tool

  8. “There is a risk of doing nothing.” I love that. My biggest fear is being 80 years old and watching the movie of my life and seeing that I didn’t LIVE IT! I don’t ever fear doing something. I am constantly moving in the direction I want my life to go in.

    I believe that God would not have given me the vision he has given me without knowing that I could accomplish it! I have a mission and I am always working to get closer to it.

    Detours happen. Things happen. Maybe I’m taking the wrong path and He’s showing me the best direction he needs me to take to get to where I want to be quicker. Maybe He needs me to slow down some and smell the roses along the way.

    This is only my personal opinion, but I only fear not doing anything.

    Thanks for another great post,
    Tammy
    Tammy Matthews recently posted..Beauty Through The Eyes of The Beholder

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