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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Q: I hate change. The thought of starting a new job, moving house or transferring to another state scares me to death. I’d rather miss out on a promotion than shift. I just can’t face the changes involved. Has anyone ever overcome this?
A: Change is a challenge for everyone. Sometimes it’s thrust on us and we have no choice but to adjust, while at other times change is optional.
Whether chosen or not, any alteration to our lives causes us to have to let go of the old and adapt to the new.
This is a stressful process that affects us all. We feel grief over the losses that result from letting go of the past and anxiety over the unknown elements of the future.
When faced with change, here are some ways to help you adjust: Discover a sense of purpose.
Find a reason for living with the change that you can accept and believe in. Such as, How will it ultimately benefit you or others? In what way will it enhance life? Create some continuity between the old and the new. Bring familiar possessions, objects or activities with you from the old into the new place.
Stay in touch with some of the people from the past. But don’t neglect to make friendships that belong to your new environment.
Seek areas of active involvement in the new situation. Play sport with a work mate, establish a garden or join a community activity.
Develop a sense of ownership over the new life. Begin to call it “our” town, “my” job, “our” local government.
Challenge feelings of futility. Always believe adjustment is worth the effort. New experiences enrich and challenges help us to grow.
Finally, remember, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
Extract from Signs of the Times, September 2002.
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