The Tribune

By Michelle M. Miller

Life is a continuous process of change. For the most part, people look forward to changes that improve their situation. Like making more money, a bigger house, better car, getting a promotion.

However, when it comes to those changes that are not so comfortable, most people resist. They insist that things ought to stay the same. This choosy notion of wanting only the changes that bring us joy is an interesting paradox to say the least.

The question is - who do you suppose should get those changes that bring pain?

No doubt, loss, illness, divorce, death, disappointment, job loss, grief or any kind of pain are all part of this thing called life. They happen to anyone, anywhere and anytime. Joy and pain are the fraternal twins of our emotional transition.

These conflicting lanes of emotions merge as we move through life’s colourful adventure. We must learn to dance with change; enjoying the joys and enduring the pains.

The challenge in navigating change is most people are simply not change ready. Sure, they know that difficulties happen to everyone, but when it lands on their doorstep, they are still unprepared. A great starting point is not waiting for change to happen to you. Instead, you seek ways in which you can happen to change.

The more you initiate change in your life, the better you become at dealing with change. Of course it is distressing when there are too many changes happening at once. But, life is not a dress rehearsal. You are the star in your life and every moment is a live show. Don’t let change cause you to sit your life out; waiting for someone to make something happen. You must make it happen.

Having a change-ready capacity is essential to life success. As such, when things change, you will not be tossed around like tumble weed; instead, you become the navigator of your life. From this vantage point, your inner strength helps you cope while slowly rebuilding your life. Rest assured that change is not a drive-through experience. It takes time to navigate the process. Commit time to walk through the emotions of the situation and know that at your core, you are wired to triumph.

A key to navigating change is expanding your perception. People behave and respond to life according to the way the see things. However, there is more to life than what meets the eye. As Dr Dyer says, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at begin to change.

In a changing world, there’s no doubt that you need to change the way you see things by acquiring a new mental disposition. Expanding your perception helps you better understand how life works. By engaging at a deeper level, you learn to do more than just survive; instead, you optimize and thrive.

Getting through change is also about the courage to seek help. It’s a common misconception that some of us have it all together. The lack of confidence to ask for help, cause many to sink in the seas of change. Here’s the point - we live in the ebb and flow of changing tides. We need help every now and then.

Seeking help does not make you weak; instead, it makes you stronger. Navigating change is about becoming a more capable individual. Change is constant and your capacity to change is a position of power.

In everything there is ‘good’ and ‘bad’. Find ways to focus on the good that can come from change. Many resist change because they buy into popular negativity. Yet, the sun always shines after the rain and a beautiful rainbow appears after the storm.

Without challenges, you would never build your strength. Growing pains serve to cement your faith in what is possible for your life. Remember, it’s not the change, but rather how you deal with it that matters most. Make today the day that you take the lead in building your capacity to navigate life challenges.

Now is the perfect time to shift your life paradigm.

What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770. Michelle M. Miller is a certified Life-Coach, Leadership Expert and Author of Take The Lead. She is the CEO of TTL Coaching Strategies and founder of the Girls Leadership Coaching Club.