Resistance to Change
I've been reflecting on my resistance to change.
Why am I?
I confess, I am a creature of habit, I wake nearly at the same time, I eat the same breakfast, and try my best to adhere to a similar schedule of sorts on a weekday basis. As you know, I'm a repeat offender eating a Cheerio breakfast. This repetitive process helps me maintain a level of contentment. I thrive on sameness.
In nature, nothing stays stagnant. Each day the sun shines differently as it cycles through seasons. The trees, flowers and wild animals change with the seasons and with their respective life cycle. I love to observe nature changing. I'll walk around with my camera in a state of wonder. This earth is beautiful. I am lucky to witness these seasonal changes.
Whether I want to admit it or not, change is a fact of life. We are all aging. We seek change in our life and sometimes we are handed some unpleasant changes -- maybe ill health, or challenging relationships or job/no job opportunities.
I am not in control of everything nor will I ever be.
My grandmother (mom's mom) was a superhero whenever life threw a curveball at her. She became a mother figure in her early teen years to her younger siblings to keep them out of foster care while her older siblings went out to work. My gram was amazing and grabbed changes head on.
I'd like to be more like her but I'm more like my mother who was resistant to change. Ah. Genetics.
So I embrace my daily sameness, sing praises to the mundane and know my limits to change.
However, while on vacation I did NOT eat Cheerios, I did NOT adhere to my routine schedule - I was free and unfettered with my full days out and about a noisy city.
How are you with change?
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| holey holes |
Thank you all for the well wishes, Holly is doing well and the medicine did the trick. Sometimes, there are moments when Frodo and Holly are quiet and respectful to each other. I love those moments and believe they are hints to my future once kitten-hood is near the end. Of course, the house can still be noisy with barking or hissing.
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| peek a boo I see you |
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| Frodo in his 'thoughtful spot' |
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| the whiskers get me! |
I am a seeker-out-of-change. I crave it. Crazy, I know. And, I live with a hates-change person. Sometimes it is very interesting. My maternal grandfather always said, each day is a new slate - it is ours to write. What new things can we find to add to it? Where will God lead us today? Perhaps that is where my love of change comes from.
ReplyDeleteI should hang out with you so your seeking lifestyle rubs off on me :)
DeleteI'm pretty resistant to change as well. I am very routine driven and raised our kids in a very routine environment. Now they are gone and I'm still trying to find my routine. Some days I am really out of sorts because I began to feel a routine in place then I'm thrown for a loop with something strange and unexpected. {{sigh}} a new stage in life.
ReplyDeleteFrodo and Holly are so cute! :) I love reading about their antics! Hope you have a great weekend.
I do enjoy a good reliable routine :)
DeleteThose pleading EYES!!! LOL Frodo is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind change. What I don't like is uncertainty. I don't mind that we will be moving again. I don't like not knowing where or when.
I'm trying to embrace "semper Gumby" - always flexible. But, I admit, sometimes it is hard!
uncertainty is the devil! Frodo is adorable and I love him so.
DeleteFrodo is so cute! How do I deal with change? It depends, sometimes I struggle and sometimes I embrace it...either way, I usually find myself in a better spot because of it. Wishing you the best!
ReplyDeleteI like your positive view of being in a better spot because of it. I find truth in that.
DeleteI can handle change. I even like change, to shake things up a bit. But I can't handle not knowing what will happen next, so I guess there is a part of me that needs predictability. There is a difference, but it's still something I feel I need to work on.
ReplyDeleteThat last picture is wonderful!
I thrive on predictability!
DeleteI am far too resistant to change, and even though I know that about myself, I have never been very successful at changing my behavior. That doesn't mean I don't keep trying, especially because like you said, change is a fact of life!
ReplyDeleteI don't change my behavior I try to accommodate my resistance :)
DeleteI am more resistant to change as I age. I guess you just get so settled in your life that you finally have things the way you want. Right now it's watching my girls become more independent. That's hard. But I want them to move on to their next stages in life and grow, so I have to accept the change.
ReplyDeletewell said!
DeleteI'm with you all the way, my friend, when it comes to not liking change. My mom raised us on a routine and I've never gotten over my love for routine. Some days it isn't always possible, but I do love it when it is possible. In fact, I think I've designed my way of life around routines and not liking change. :-)
ReplyDeleteI had a routine as a child as well, I think I like having the routine because it's a sense of control for me.
DeleteChange used to be an ongoing struggle with me but one that I think I have come to terms with since I was diagnosed with cancer 8 years ago. It was definitely easier once I began just accepting it as the norm. Having said that I do still get rattled by hiccups in my daily routine; for example, these past two weeks have been made up of multiple doctor appointments (annual checkups, all good!) which have taken me out of my daily rhythm and have made me a little cranky. : ) I'm happiest when I have a few days during the week with no place to go!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Those whiskers get me as well! xx
Your experience has definitely given me something to think about. I admire you and your journey and how you are so strong through it all!
DeleteI don't really mind change. I tend to somewhat roll with the punches. I have to as my husband can't deal with change at all. I don't love some changes....like having to return to work after 20 years at home because hubby couldn't find a job and we needed health insurance, but I did so 4 years ago and am still working. It isn't ideal, but it is what needs to be done. I too tend to have a daily routine and regular foods that I eat. I think that helps everyone. I like my home, but I love to travel to new places. I like to try some new things, but I also stick to my usual favorites. When life throws me a curve I try make the best of it and find my balance with my crafts. I love the pet pics by the way.
ReplyDeleteYou sound a bit adventurous and a realist in life. I think it's great you were able to go back into the workforce to get the life insurance. Life is weird the way it twists and turns.
DeleteI am good with change and embrace it sometimes, I love the adventure of visiting new places and meeting new people.
ReplyDeleteI need to hang out with you as well as Kat who commented first!
DeleteI like a mix of routine and change. My main routine is early morning; that grounds me. and then I can spend my days on all things different. So glad to read the Holly is doing better ... and Frodo is coping :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a similar routine in the morning that lays the groundwork to a nice day!
DeleteYou understand so well who you are and state so well your personal challenges. If I'm in control of the change then I can handle it, but if the change is sudden, unexpected then I can't handle it. Frodo looks very contemplative in his special spot. Are you sure Holly will ever come to respect his need for solace? :)
ReplyDeleteIf there is a sudden change I can deal with it better than a few weeks of mulling something over and fretting over the 'what ifs' -- ACK!
DeleteI am as adverse to change as you are! I have the same breakfast AND lunch every work day -- and sometimes on the weekends, too! I am happy to have a small group of close friends. I never get tired of hanging out with my husband. I'm comfortable in my ranch-style house. Etc! My job forces me to deal with change on a frequent basis, though, and I'm grateful for the push work gives me. Co-workers change, students change, rules change. It does me good to remember to smile and be kind through all the changes!
ReplyDeletewe are peas in a pod :)
DeleteSometimes I don't like change. I love seeing Holly and Frodo.
ReplyDeleteYou made me LOL with your gym comment. I can see how one can get distracted there. I have a new Kindle book and I just don't know about it but do think I need to give it more of a chance. I had kept checking the time Saturday which was making me irritated.
I like routine and am a homebody of habit. However change is a constant so I try to roll with whatever change comes my way. Sometimes I do better than others. Knitting and writing help me cope with changes, large and small. The responses to this post are thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteSorry I’m late Karen, but your comments resonated so much with me. I have been enjoying the same breakfast for years, except for when on holiday/visiting/celebrations. I have enjoyed adventurous holidays, spur of the moment outings and mystery trips but nowadays I like sameness too, change unsettles me. Frodo and Holly are so cute, I’m glad she is better.
ReplyDeleteI like my routine but also manage to go with the flow at times, as long as I then have some routine days to make up for the changing ones! So glad Holly is feeling better and the medicine worked, Frodo and her look so cute, their relationship is taking baby steps but in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, the photos are stunning! I'm open to changes, I like to try new things, but I need to be in control, or at least I thought it. After I got sick I've realized that I can't control lots of stuff, but only my breath and mind, what are essential.
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