The Gift of Change

I believe there are many gifts in life, some that are obvious and seen clearly, and then those that are hidden for you to find. So if you're wondering what this is about, this is about me giving you the gift of being able to see those that are hidden....or rather the desire to seek those that are hidden. We all have a tendency to wile away the hours in a day seeking so many things....most often struggling to find answers, resolutions.....or quite often "stuff." There are many things that can fall into the "stuff" category.......and hey there is nothing wrong with having things in your life that you think would bring you happiness, joy, contentment...etc. My question is.....what does it actually cost for you or someone around you to have those things that you believe you deserve, and that will bring you happiness....either short term or long term?

Unfortunately, in our society, there is a lack of patience, and not recognizing that there is so much to be gained from delayed gratification, to even clearly understanding why we want what we want. Do you ever ask yourself why you want a particular thing, and if in fact you finally receive it, if it will satisfy that hunger inside of you? It's so easy to get caught up in "if "I only had this or that, or if only that person would change I would be happy, or if I could experience this one thing, then everything would be in place in my life.........and on and on. In fact it never ends, does it?

There is a seemingly inherent need to want more....for something to be different...without ever once recognizing what already "is" in your life.....or to even stop to be grateful for what you have in front of you. We want quick fixes which will hopefully not require any work on our part.....just continue to stay in a mode of wanting, but not actually doing anything that will actually manifest a change that needs to occur. Or we fight hard to hang onto what is, hoping and praying that it will not change, and do everything in our power to keep things the same. Or if we know in our gut that something does need to change, we dread it, hide from it, or make excuses that foster our inability to see ourselves, others, or the world differently.

So as you can see, I'm going to have to pull out the Webster and get more clarity. Here is my personal favorite definition. To become different; alter; transform; to pass from one phase to the next; the act or process of substitution, alteration or variation. Or this is even more profound I think.......to leave one train or bus and board another one. If we could take that one sentence where a simple act of changing our position physically, could only be seen as a way in which to change our emotional or spiritual state......or our mindset and atittudes, with concerns to change.

We expect that when we board the bus or train, that in reality, we will in fact move to another place. There is no fear, no reluctance, no concern as to whether we will reach our destination, we just board. So...I'm sure you're asking yourself, how can I do that with my life without feeling out of control, or fearful of missing something in the process, or heaven forbid, lose someone or something along the way? Answer? You have to change the way you see your life, those things that you think will make you happy, or those people who you think will fulfill all your needs and solve all your problems. Ouch.......sounds like a lot of work to me.......but you do realize of course if you do decide to seriously board the train or bus, with not only destination in mind, but expecting something different, expecting something to change because your belief system has changed, along with your fear and anxiety about living a different kind of life, that you will in fact find something that is filled with a richness you won't be able to describe. An authentic life, that offers truth, meaning, growth, discipline, and acceptance that you were not put on this earth to make more money to buy "stuff"..........or to find someone that will give you what you think you want or need, or to gain fame or recognition.....but to see the bigger picture that is much more genuine and precious because the focus has changed from self.......to others.

When you wake up in the morning, and your desire is to make something happen for someone else on this earth, instead of constantly what you want and need, your life will change with no struggle or feelings of loss. In fact when you start to become daily grateful for what you have in front of you, which I guarantee if you made a list today, would astound you as to how blessed you already are.........you will first thank God for what you do have.....and heal your heart of seeing the lack of......and seeing the abundance. With only seeing the lack of......you will always continue to want for more, make decisions based on fear instead of wisdom, and struggle with the change that needs to occur in your life.

So enjoy the gift of change......seek it...embrace it.....and then pass it on to someone...anyone.