Change IS Good

Recently I heard someone say, “Some people park at the point of their pain and stay there the rest of their lives.” It got me thinking about how many of us are stuck in the past, continuing to hold on to a moment in time, living in a place that is no longer but remains relevant because of our refusal to let go and move on. Maybe your past was not a gloomy place. Maybe you are stuck where you peaked, and you just don’t want to let that go. Perhaps you are waiting for the vindication of an apology that will never come. If you leave the past behind, how will you know if they ever received their comeuppance? In the grand scheme of things, does any of that really matter? Whether it was dark and gray or bright and sunny, the past has passed, and no amount of reminiscing or recreating will bring it back.

I think our fear of the change ahead has less to do with the events in our rear view and is more about whether others will understand and agree with our choices. Will they think I am weak if I stay here? What if I do this and it does not work out? What will happen if I take a risk, ask for this, or don’t do that thing that everyone thinks I should do? There will always be questions and there will always be people who have something to say, but change can be good for us. Think about your 10-year-old self and the awkwardness of that time. Aren’t you glad you have changed since then? What about freshman year of high school or college? I know you are a completely different person who has grown and discovered so much. You would not be the person you are today if you had not changed a little bit. Where you are trying to go will likely require another change of sorts and you need not be afraid. In the fourth quarter of game 2023, with a minute left on the clock, will you go for a touchdown or play it safe and kick a field goal? Neither is guaranteed but “Oh the places you will go” if you step out and find out.

©2023 Tasha D. Manigo-Bizzell