CHANGE IS INEVITABLE, SO LEARN TO ADAPT
Mark Lang

Nothing in this world is permanent. Everything changes. That is the way of life. It is the natural order of things. If you understand the earth’s history, you realize that any species that did not adapt to change became extinct. Nature is in a perpetual motion of change.

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The environment is not exactly as it was yesterday. Oh, sure, it may look the same from a distance. However, upon closer inspection, one sees that there are minuscule transformations taking place regardless of the season. The trees, bushes, yards, clouds, and creatures are all in constant flux. Even the buildings and streets are slowly breaking down.

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It is completely irrational, therefore, to expect things in your life to stay the same. Children grow up, friends come and go, careers change, etc. To desire permanence is to hope for the impossible. It is comparable to trying to stop the passage of time. Such desires only lead to frustration and cause stress.

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Far better it would be to graciously accept the inevitability that everything in life naturally transforms into something else. Summer turns to fall, people age, loved ones depart, and so it goes. Surrender to the laws of nature, and let your heart be at peace.

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When you recognize this fact of life, you can better cope with the unexpected. Perhaps you suddenly lose your job, or your life partner leaves you for someone new. Whatever the unforeseen event might be, if you acknowledge that nothing in life stays the same, you are better equipped to emotionally and spiritually adjust to the new situation. Nothing lasts forever. Permanence in this world is an illusion. Take a deep cleansing breath and accept that fact.

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Refusing to accept the inescapable changes in life inevitably results in problems. An instance that readily comes to mind is the way society seems to be obsessed with looking younger. It’s as though adults want to turn back the hands of time and return to an earlier state of existence. Impossible!

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Facelifts, anti-aging creams, and hair coloring to take away the gray are all futile attempts to fight against nature and go against the natural order of things. No wonder there are times when we feel in conflict with ourselves. When we fight nature, we fight ourselves. Go with the flow. Age graciously and be an example of serenity. Instead of modeling youthful vanity, model calm acceptance.

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The political arena is ripe with individuals who resist change and progress. Some speak of their burning desire to return to the good-old-days when they were younger. They seem to forget that the so-called good-old-days were not always so good. Any period in the past was originally radically new and part of the changing times that were moving forward, not backward. Longing for the past is analogous to trying to drive a car by looking in the rearview mirror. Such actions are awkward at best and reckless at worst. They often result in collisions.

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Just take a look at some of the world governments. Inevitably, there are some leaders (usually dictators) who dig in their heels and refuse to give up power. They resist the will of the people and, more importantly, the natural flow of progress.

It seems we cannot talk about politics without including religion. Here, too, we see a fear of change and a flight to past times—at least among the more conservative religions. What exactly are the conservatives trying to conserve—the past? It is ironic, almost humorous, how some Christian conservatives sharply criticize and judge the new ways, beliefs, fashions, and lifestyles of people today.

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Why is this ironic? Well, because one only need look at biblical history to learn that Jesus, himself, was a liberal. He held revolutionary beliefs, disagreed with the conservatives, promoted changing the old ways, and constantly spoke of love and peace. Face it—Jesus was a long-haired hippie! (By the way, if you are not laughing right now, you are probably a conservative.)

Something to meditate on today. Live by the natural order of things. Stop resisting inevitable change. You are growing older—just accept it! Stop struggling. Go with the flow of nature. All things change. Notice this in the environment around you. Go outside. Walk through the woods, City Park, yard, or garden. Irrespective of the season, be aware of the changes in your environment.

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Perhaps you could visit the same spot or piece of ground each week to note the specific changes. Notice what is new and different, the growth, temperature, wind changes, etc. Be a part of the progress.