i was talking to sarah yesterday about change… change that she is facing. a new change that drew and i are potentially facing (yes, if it happens y’all will hear about it – but it’s no big deal in the blogworld, so don’t get all excited)… and the wildly mildly anticipated change that this little me.com is facing come September.
[yes, that was a subtle warning for those of you who, like sarah, gnarl in the face of change.]
[sarah doesn't even like blog layout changes, so i had to walk her through my 6 point plan for september... slowly and carefully... with illustrations... and kleenex.]
[am i exaggerating? yes]
anyway. back to the panera pity-party. we were lamenting over how little we enjoy change. even change for the better.
how did we handle the discussion of future changes? we whined. two grown-up women. whining.
it was a sight to behold. but, our husbands didn’t have to hear it, and we both feel better now, thankyouverymuch.
how do you handle change?
With an open mind and with an open heart. I hate change for change sake, but I embrace any change that allows things to run smoother, work better, or get done quicker and better. I figure why not? If I go into it with the attitude of no, then I might miss the opportunity to meet new people, do new things, stretch myself a little bit. It is all about growing for me. That is unless you tell me to change my morning routine, and then we have to talk.
If the change is about me.. I’m cool , until it becomes a full court press.
But if it’s about someone I love or have a friendship with, I tend to get defensive and reactive. I want the best for them so I get in the middle or pray to cushion the blow.
Ie: My daughter is starting her senior year in 3 weeks (yes, Mandy I am old), and she’s nervous and excited and anticipating all in one ball. I watch her go from blahs, tears, to cheering in moments of time. But I also see her quiet whispers to God when she asks what college? do I go and do mission work? work at the dairy queen? what is my purpose?
It’s when at these times, I hold her and tell her who is control of our change…
Her Daddy God.
…still giggling (at your writing style…not the potential changes!)
michael: LOVE this thought… do i have an attitude of “no” about what i’m facing? ouch.
Heidi: i think sometimes God is the only security i have… and He’s definitely the only security i need. i just gotta remember that. dang.
Sarah: thank you for being a good sport about my making fun of you/us!
It’s hard sometimes to have that security Mandy, because sometimes God is invisible, you know what I mean?
ugghhh…. i SO know what you mean. it’s like a tightrope walk-a-thon, with people saying there’s a glass floor just beneath. and you won’t fall if you fall… but, dang, all we can still see is the cavern below. ugghhh. whining still i think. sorry!
Change is good if it’s for the other person
!!
Like the balance beam artists of the Olympics, they take one poised steptoe at a time.
I think God wants us to step out and He’ll throw the lifeline..
But He also wants to see our faith and the substance of it!!!
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1
I used to love change..it made it easy to hide in it..then Change started to become harder (i’m old you know!) now, I am finding that the sooner I embrace change the better it is for everyone including me…and I actually like change again but not to hide in it, but go on a new adventure, start another chapter in the story of Moi! Love you Mandy, change…even the word itself sounds apprehensive.
Heidi: love that verse…. memorized it a long time ago.
Darla: old? you? naahhhh…. i also agree that embracing makes it better for all parties involved! sheesh. my poor husband. love you too darla. thank you for your words.
i don’t…no just kidding. I have to face it, process it, and just hang on for the ride. It works out…it always does…maybe not the way I had hopes but I tend to adjust in due time.
i yell at it. then run.
thank you.
My time-tested method:
Tears/Festering “what if” fears
Cry to hubby and relay all fears
Hubby reminds me I do this Every.Single.Time. Since college. As long as he’s known me. Every time a change is coming without fail we go through this.
I remember he’s right, it hasn’t killed me yet and move on
(And a little Ben & Jerry’s doesn’t hurt.)
Deuteronomy 8:7-9
@Tam-
hows that workin for ya? (love you!)
@Lei- Ben and Jerrys always helps, especially if there are a couple oreos with it. just saying..
Depends on the change! Sometimes I love it and yearn for it, but then other times I’m terrified and will do anything possible to get out of it. But, I do love being able to look back and see some changes (though painful!) have led me away from a destructive path toward something great
Plus, some Ben and Jerrys or Better than Sex cake always hits the spot when it’s one of those painful changes. So does a good run… 
I crave change, thrive on change, even seek out change. If I’m in a place where I haven’t had any change in a long time, I will completely rearrange the furniture just to get SOME change. Change keeps my imagination alive.
I tend to long for change, then once it actually happens, get terrified at the very thought. At which point I cry, whine, sulk, and everything imaginable. I confide in one or two people, and together we get through it, and I realize how great things turn out to be.
Playing off of what Michael said, sometimes the hardest goodbyes lead to the greatest hellos.
I feel like change comes in my life in tidal wave proportions. It never seems like it is one thing at a time… but everything at a time. I put on my game face and push through as it’s happening… and then when the dust starts to settle is when it gets hard for me to deal with.
Little change- like redecorating or reorganizing… I thrive on.
Oh I am on pins and needles to know what September holds for us! Yay!!!
I’m alot like whatireallywanttosay is, but i bet that isn’t her real name. she needs to change that.
i love change….okay well…i get nervous and anxious, but deep down i love it.
God did not create us and strategically plant us in our present positions to get comfy and cozy. I sense a big change in my life too. BIG. Hang in there.
Oh, and to answer your question: how do you handle change?
I have this cute little zipper pouch that fits nicely in my pocket or my purse…
One of the things I look forward to each day is to see what new thing I will encounter. It’s change that keeps my life interesting and stimulates my brain, at least those brain cells I have left.
Everyday something will change in our life. It might be a small change or it might be life altering. Our options are to either deal with it or try to go hide in a cave. I must admit there have been times in my life when the cave option was very inviting.
Being retired the only change I am concerned about is if all you hard working young people decide to stop paying into my social security fund.
I usually will race into change if I know it is coming. It hurts less, like pulling off a band aid quickly. It isn’t that I enjoy change. It is that if it goes fast and I am busy I don’t have time to stress about it.
I am more the type of person that deals with anxiety about not being good enough. That is what I hate about myself and life.
Wow. I would like to say that I am all about it and embrace it willingly, but sadly…no. I hold on to the things that make me feel safe and this is a new development or a new realization. Dang.
Change and me don’t get along well. I often slam the door in its face, and tried to run over it with my car a few times…but it just keeps happening.
I want to protest! LOL!!!
Oh I so have to write out Nichole Nordeman’s song, ” Every Season.” here:)
Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer
And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn
And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter
And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring
um, i plan. a lot. it makes me feel like i’m in control. silly me.
but i bet you couldn’t have guessed that, could you?
I dig in and go. It hurts. It’s uncomfortable. I don’t like the process. But I SHO NUFF do like the results of change.
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i can almost “ditto” amy’s comment verbatim.
change seems to come into my life in costco-sized quantities. i do what needs to be done to push through it. and internally don’t allow myself to really focus on it or process it. until it’s over with. or… not at all.
small changes i typically enjoy and seek out…
i love change. the good one.