Embrace Change.

Change. I used to absolutely hate it. And although when I look back at my life I had a lot of it, I still always dreaded it and actually I despised it. It made me anxious and I never knew how to handle it. Every time I would get into a routine, my world would be flipped upside down. Did I handle it well? Not at all. Trainwreck at times even. True story. Whether it was packing up my stuff and heading to Alabama for college or having to make all new friends once I moved to San Diego, there never seemed to be too much consistency in my life. However, ironically, in looking back I realize all the great things that I have in my life are results of changes that happened in the past. Who would’ve known?  

This past year has been one of the most challenging years I’ve had in my life and change was a recurring theme. I have learned a lot this year but something that really stands out to me is I learned how to not only accept change, but to embrace it. To learn from it. It’s only taken me 31 years - no biggie. Ha! I’m human and flawed, yes. But I can honestly say that I finally truly feel change is a good thing and that the growth that stems from accepting change and having a “taking the bull the by the horns” type mentality with it results in incredible growth in your character and overall view of life.

I think a huge part of all of this is not only embracing change as it comes to us, but being able to fully let go of the past and the decisions we’ve made. I think we are all guilty of not being able to fully let things go, spending too much time with the “shoulda, woulda, coulda’s” and not enough time focusing on the present. You know the saying, “I wish I knew what I know now, back then”…Dammit it’s true. I constantly wish I could go back in time and do things differently. However, there is something so powerful about the fact that you CAN’T go back in time and change anything and that you at this very moment are where you are supposed to be. 

Think of everything in your life now that you love. Whether it’s your job, your friends or a relationship. If you were able to go back and change certain things in your past, you would be in a completely different place today. It’s that very simple but prevailing truth that I try and tell myself daily.

Bottomline, change is not a negative thing. It can be if it comes with any type of pain. However, that pain can be turned into something amazing. It’s a process.  Change allows for personal growth, strength, appreciation, new opportunities and beautiful things. Is it easier said than done? Yep. But if you work on it and allow yourself to see the benefits of embracing it, you open yourself up to a whole new world.

“If you do not create change, change will create you.” ~Unknown

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-Kate