Upheaval of any kind tends to make folks hunker down and cling onto the known. The thing is that when life tends to be chaotic it provides us an opportunity (or two) to discover alternatives.

I’ve known folks who have lost everything to some sort of disaster and, once the dust has settled, every one of them has found new ways to move forward in their lives. As odd as it might sound, the opportunity to change a pattern and go in a new direction provides a life that might never been dreamt of.

Some folks are terrified of change but the reality is that change is a normal part of life. Without it there is no life. Change might be scary but it might also provide a way to explore new opportunities, learn new things, experiment with possibilities. Things that might never have been contemplated if the requirement had not occurred.

That is not to say that there won’t be some sort of trauma involved. Fear is an ever present companion as we tread life’s journey. It is there for a reason but we must be diligent about not letting fear control how we move through our lives.

The interesting thing about embracing change and moving forward is the discovery of things we never thought about before. Good or bad, new stuff/things/experiences/places/whatever makes our journeys interesting and exciting.

Not sure where to start? Start small. Go for a walk. Try something new. Play with a new color or texture. Once your comfort level eases, move ahead with another new thing. Keep a journal about your experiences. It doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor, just a few notes. In a few months refer back to it and see what stands out to you.

A friend reminded me that life is a series of pendulums. Each one swings to extremes but they all return to the middle. Everything changes an each movement is a learning experience.

Slow and steady.