Change.  The word alone can incite all kinds of emotional and even physical reactions.  How do we take those reactions and channel them in a way that benefits us?  How do we find a way to thrive in the midst of change, whether dreaded or desired?  The answer is pretty simple, but the follow-through, well that’s the work.

Focus the Mind

Often times, change can be difficult because of the perceived loss of control.  While this is just part of change, and life for that fact, we can start by tricking ourselves into believing we have control.  How?  Start by looking at the situation and identify what you can control.  Even in situations that seem completely out of our control,  like natural disasters or pandemics, there is one thing we always have control over.  The mind is the only landscape where the physical environment around our bodies does not permeate.

Start with focusing on counting to ten while breathing deeply.  Then progress to controlling your thoughts.  Master the art of not giving negative thoughts life by continuing to focus on them.  Attempt to observe those thoughts as separate from you and eventually you may be able to get to the point of no longer having them.

Let Go

The hard reality is there are things in life we just can’t control.  For instance, there are only 24 hours in a day and life has no rewind button.  Disasters hit without warning and devastation arrives unexpectedly.  Much of our stress stems from trying to control things completely outside of our control by fretting over every detail and safety precaution.  If we can just surrender, find a way to let go of the illusion of control, we would accept changes to our realities much sooner.  This would reduce suffering in the long run.

When that familiar sense of nervous anxiety begins to pull, stop, take a deep breath, and ask, “What can be controlled about the situation worrying me?” Focus on those things and set the rest aside.  This will clear the mind to be able to better troubleshoot how to mitigate risk while not allowing those energy-zapping unproductive worries to call the shots.

Find Comfort in Consistency

There are two guarantees in life as far as I see it. One, the only person who spends every season, every day, every second with you is you.  Two, change is the only circumstance consistently present along that journey.  Wouldn’t it behoove us to learn to be comfortable with both of these guarantees?  When change is expected, it allows us to feel bliss more deeply and when it’s not, reminds us on the other side of the unbearable is peace.  Change will always come if we just wait and there is beauty in reliability.