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Be a Change Master!
by Keith Varnum
The person who masters change, masters happiness.
The best way to thrive in today's ever-fluid, volatile world, is to become a
master of change. A "Change Master" not only welcomes, invites and celebrates
the flux of constantly evolving life, but also consciously drives and directs
these rhythms. When you live "smart," you drive change. You don't have to let
change drive you. When you shift from a "resistance-to-change" mindset toward
a self-empowered frame of mind, you unlock your vitality, creativity and spirit.
The better you manage change, the better you manage your happiness.
Change, the Unwelcome Guest
Most of us were not raised to welcome change. On the contrary, our modern Western
culture promotes the opposite: the pursuit of predictability. We're advised
to try to keep our life as regular, set and stable as possible. The status quo
is sacred. The unknown future is portrayed as dangerous and threatening. "Don't
rock the boat!" we' re admonished. The collective strategy is that the more
aspects of our life that remain the same, the less we have to adjust and adapt.
And the less we have to change, the easier life will be. The party line is that
change is inevitable-unfortunately!-but certainly no fun. Having to constantly
change and grow is experienced as a struggle-a challenging, hard ordeal-by most
of our elders. Their motto: "Avoid change at all costs." Look at the message
of our public buildings. They are granite monuments to immutability and permanence.
Make Change Your Ally
Indigenous peoples have a different approach to change. Native peoples live
closer to Nature than most Westerners do. And they take their cue from Mother
Nature who advises: "Make change your friend, your ally. Allow change to work
for you, not against you." The natural world suggests we learn to roll with
the punches, so we can enjoy life exuberantly expressing itself through continual
change.
Feng-shui Your Life
If we observe elements of nature, we see that water and wind flow with the life's
tides of constant change. Water and wind are flexible and fluid, willing to
transform shape immediately with the fluctuating forces acting upon them. They
move in the direction of the movement of change. They take the quickest, easiest
path-the path of least resistance-no matter what changes in form are required.
Hence, the whole philosophy and practice of Feng-shui: the art of nurturing
energy flow, health and aliveness. The very term literally means "the way of
wind and water." In Chinese, "feng" means wind, " shui" means water.
Change as Opportunity
Native peoples wisely view change as a personal opportunity, not as a threat.
They know that change brings fresh perspectives and new possibilities. Indigenous
peoples look for the gift in every curve ball that life throws us. Indigenous
cultures welcome the surprise and spontaneity that naturally accompany change.
They know that the more we flow with the fluctuations of life, the more resilient
and happier we are.
"How Can I Steer Change to My Advantage?"
A very smart question to ask! Knowing that change is inevitable and ever-occurring,
tribal peoples intuitively respond to life's fluctuations ahead of time-rather
than waiting until life forces them to change, reacting after the fact. Looking
ahead with excitement and clarity, native peoples anticipate the inevitable
twists and turns of life's winding river. They prepare themselves and their
lives to bend, re-arrange and transform to harmonize with the upcoming meanderings
of the river. They know that change is life's agent of renewal and strategy
of survival.
The Myth of Change as Struggle
Contrary to popular belief, change does not have to be hard! Change can be difficult
if we choose to fight it or deny it-like the perennial ostrich, sticking its
head in the sand and pretending something doesn't exist. When we're in denial,
changes come at us " out of the blue!" When we don't prepare ourselves for life's
rollicking rollercoaster, we don't enjoy the ride.
But if we get proactive and anticipate change, we can not only flow with the
current, but also direct the current. We can lead change by taking the initiative
to take creative steps ahead of time that allow the inevitable to be accommodated
with ease and even joy! A Change Master chooses to embark in new directions,
to experiment with different options, and to surf the waves of change as a fun
life adventure.
Intuition to the Rescue!
With today's fast-moving pace, action often has to be taken with limited or
imperfect information about the future. Without all the necessary facts, the
analytical mind doesn't know what to do. But intuition does! A Change Master
consults intuition-inner guidance, instincts, "gut feeling"-when sufficient
data is not available.
The analytical side of our consciousness organizes and stores information. The
intuitive side immediately retrieves all relevant data and experience from the
full depth and breath of our lifelong experience in order for us to make wise
decisions. The analytical mind is to intuition as a file cabinet is to the supercomputer
at the Pentagon. Intuition functions a thousand times faster than the mind.
And has resources a million times more vast. A Change Master uses intuition
to improve his or her ability to improvise and adjust quickly to change. Intuition
helps us to not only survive, but to thrive!
Inner Guidance Saves a Family
Humans also have precognitive abilities, but usually don't use them as much
as animals. Susan, one of my coaching clients, is an exception. One day she
received a very strong intuitive knowing to sell her family's home and move.
Loving the house, neighborhood and schools, her husband and children didn't
want to uproot their lives without a good "rational" reason. Her certainty in
the accuracy of her intuition fortunately convinced the family to relocate.
The week after the their home was sold and the moving van had left with all
their possessions, the house was destroyed in the 1994 Northridge, California,
6.8 magnitude earthquake!
Ride the Wave
With an open, willing attitude toward life's inevitable fluctuations, a Change
Master can discern the probable path of the future and make pre-emptive adjustments
to make the transition easier when it comes. If we are in denial or blinding
fear about the future, we can't get ourselves ready to handle the shifts with
grace. With an accepting approach, we can intuitively predict the course of
our future and arrange our life to take the fullest advantage of the changes.
Also See:
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About the
Author
Drawing from the wisdom of native and ancient spiritual traditions,
Keith Varnum shares his 30 years of practical success as an author,
personal coach, acupuncturist, filmmaker, radio host, restaurateur,
vision quest guide and international seminar leader (The Dream Workshops).
Keith helps
people get the love, money and health they want with his FREE "Prosperity
Ezine" at www.TheDream.com.
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