Quotable Thursdays – Change

If there’s one constant in this world, it’s change.  When we’re young, we tend to embrace it, hurdling ourselves from one adventure to the next – with no fear.  But as we get older, and the stakes seems to grow in magnitude, change becomes scary.  We find ourselves muttering, “but I’ve always done it this way.”  Knowing full well, perhaps in the back of our minds, that “this way” isn’t the only or even best way.

But why do we cling to that which is familiar?

Maybe it’s because the unknown is scary and while we may not be happy with the current state of things, change can be scary.

Then earlier this week, I was walking my dog and looking at the autumn leaves and thinking to myself, the world changes all around us – constantly.  Maybe that makes change less scary, and more necessary.  And that’s when I thought of this JFK quote:

Photo credit @prolixme, made with Enlight and WordSwag apps

“Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” -JFK

A very good friend of mine once told me something about change and personal timelines that I really liked.  I’m going to paraphrase and I’m sure it won’t be nearly as elegant, but here you go –

There three versions of yourself – past you, present you, and future you.  For past you, be grateful that you got through all of the hard times.  Be grateful of the good things you have because of the things you’ve done in the past. Your job now and moving forward is to continue to make choices and do the things that will give future you an even better life.  Now, some of that may require change.  And we all know that change is scary.  But if it means even the chance for a better tomorrow and a better future, shouldn’t you take it?