Anyone who has lived in Michigan knows that the weather is ever changing. The weather can change quite drastically from one day to the next. It may be -12 degrees today with frigid winds and snow while tomorrow the forecast could boast 40 degrees and sunshine. It has been said that you can experience all four seasons in one day which is why we have been taught to dress in layers; to keep us prepared for what the day might bring. You would think this daily dance we do, in some way, would make us quite accustomed to change, however, it does not. We listen to the morning weather report talk of the cold weather patterns being pushed down from Canada, yet still walk out of Target that afternoon in our shorts and flip-flops puzzled at where the sun has gone and cursing the unknown person who stepped on a spider causing the freezing cold temperatures and gale force winds to embark upon us.
Michiganders are not alone in our awareness of changes that could be looming in the distance. We have all heard the expressions, “save for a rainy day” and “always come prepared”. We are taught at a young age to be aware of and be prepare for the potential and probability of change. It is wise to expect that things will not stay the same as they are today. Even Facebook gives us the ability to change our relationship status with the click of a mouse. In spite of all this preparedness, we still pass each other on the street with that “deer in the headlights” look on our faces and behave as though we didn’t see it coming.
Not only do we come ill prepared for change, but we do not embrace it or welcome it most of the time. We often see change as some sort of bully attempting to take away our happiness. The threat to our existance as we know it feels quite personal and is met with disdain, resistance, and even contempt. We lose all sense of self and wander about like a sailor lost at sea who has forgotten the stars. We forget where we’ve been and lose all sight of where we are going. Regardless of the many accomplishments we have prided ourselves on, we suddenly feel nothing but failure and dread.
I am as guilty of this as the next person at times. I have never been much affected by my age. The milestones that many dread…turning 30….turning 40…have always passed by with no real concerns…until this year. I was talking with my daughters about my 44th birthday coming up in June and they reminded me that I will be turning 46! That accompanied by my current unhappiness with my job, the realization that my oldest daughter is going to be a senior in high school next year, and current health issues and weight gain, I have found myself feeling daunted and a bit lost.
That being said, it is time to get to work redirecting my ship and re-aquaining myself with the stars again. I hope you will come along for the ride. It might not be smooth sailing all the way, but it will be better than being adrift!
A Time To Become 