This is the time of the year when children depart to universities. And when they leave, they leave behind a big vacuum. We are so attached, so focused on our children all through the years that when they go, it affects us deeply. While the change is for the children to cope up with the new environment, a bigger change is for us parents to learn to live without our beloved ones. I have been there and gone through this experience. Its not easy but change is inevitable.
I worried about everything.. How would they deal with the new environment? What kind of company would they be in? How would they cope up with their new independent life? How will I cope with this change.. the empty nest.. etc etc. the fear of the unknown. I would think of ways things could go wrong.
Over the years, with so many changes in my life be it my career path, location, jobs, children.. I have learnt to deal with change. This fear is still there but I have learnt to live with it gracefully, befriending it. Its been a fantastic journey all through. I would not have been in this place today if not for the change. I have navigated through change and fear many times that being in a constant, steady rhythm now bores me JEven now I get charged up at times like my mom but I am better equipped to change. I sense the worry, the fear. I can now say with surety that there is something to learn with every new change.
One of the things that helped me deal with change is adaptability. I have learnt to EMBRACE change gracefully. I think of it like a challenge and deal with change head-on. Change is about growing, and reframing our mind to think that something exciting may be waiting on the other side of this transition, believing that change brings something new into our lives.
Now when I look back, I can say with certainty that my worry was unwarranted. When you’re worrying over something, it only ruins your present. Have you ever worried like this and later realized it was totally not called for, baseless?
Ariane de Bonvoisin in her great book ‘The First 30 Days’ says, “Like any muscle, the change muscle is strengthened through consistent use. Don’t fight the reality that now exists in your life. Once we accept that we can’t control the external events, people, and circumstances in our lives, we also see what we can control: our attitude, how we embrace change, and our reactions to change.”
One magic word to deal with change and does the trick is EMBRACE. Stop complaining, stop the mind chatter and Just do it. Do what is required to do. Train your mind to become more and more aware of what’s going on the inside. As you do that diligently, patiently, persistently, you reign in the negativity. And, as a result, your lives transform.
So stop worrying and EMBRACE change gracefully. Do your due diligence, what you need to do and you’ll find out that the best things in life are on the other side of your fear.
This is a gift you can give yourself and your children.
Remember what Aurelis says, “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”
Until Next,
Keep Smiling..