Most of what we see and experience in the physical universe does not stay the
same. Leaves fall off of trees in autumn in a lot of areas; people find different jobs for
various reasons; and book pages turn slightly different colors over time, etc., etc. Aside
from obvious facets of life such as breathing and wind (which are both a constant in this
physical universe), a lot of things in our lives—at some point along the line—undergo a
process whereby they shift from one state of being to another state of being. This is
necessary in order to facilitate a proper flow of energy. We see things change all the
time; it is therefore a natural part of life.
Some of us here on this planet are uncomfortable with the idea of transitioning to
a new state of being. They become comfortable where they are. This place is
commonly known as the comfort zone because they get used to a certain way of life.
The very notion of stepping outside of the comfort zone strikes fear into the hearts of
many. Oftentimes, fear is what prevents change from taking place. Sometimes that can
be a good thing because that specific point in time may not be the necessary starting
point for a shift. However, that can also be a bad thing when one considers that a refusal
to change is likely to prolong the agony of an uncomfortable situation.
Cognitive dissonance also plays a role in the unwillingness to embrace a new
paradigm. Living a life according to certain ideas and beliefs tends to instill a sense of
security. Anything that is outside of that boundary (or bubble, layer of security, etc.) is
usually ignored, counted as false, and shunned—sometimes pejoratively. A lot of people
are called conspiracy theorists by those who suffer from cognitive dissonance. There are
those who refuse to consider anything that does not align with their belief structure.
With all of that said, it is safe to assume through observation that fear and
unwillingness go hand-in-hand. People tend to fear that which they do not understand,
and that unwillingness to understand (or grasp) prevents them from moving forward.
Change does not have to be difficult, though. Struggling with alteration can
sometimes be the result of a refusal to acknowledge one’s true strength. The thoughts
we think, and the words we speak and write have a profound effect not only on our
psyche but the course of our lives. If an individual convinces himself or herself that
they are powerless or incapable of surviving a dramatic shift, that person will actually
believe it, and therefore they will remain stuck in that state of existence.
An open mind and a willingness to see other points of view can go a long way in
assisting the individual to see other possibilities in life. Stepping out of that comfort
zone is indeed necessary for change. That long-established structure may no longer be
valid; or, it could have been erroneous all that time due to conditioning from exterior
sources. If one knows history, one knows that brainwashing is a common and
efficacious tactic used by tyrants to gain control of the masses.
When big changes occur, a transition phase follows the main event. This
transition phase is a period of time wherein the individual acknowledges what has
occurred, deals with the situation, and gets used to life afterwards. A death in the family
and starting a completely different line of work are just two examples out of many that
are a catalyst for something different. Basically, a huge event has to take place in order
for change and transition to occur. The transition phase will be different from one
person to the next, as each and every one of us are unique. Becoming acclimated to a
new life may take longer for some individuals; nevertheless, there will be a transition
period following that main event.
The transition phase is what will give the individual a chance to shine, to show the
world how strong he or she is. It could be viewed as a test. Life is full of challenges
indeed. If things seem difficult following a huge event, take a moment to ask yourself
the following questions: Why am I having a hard time with this? What is stopping me
from moving forward? What can I do to regain control of my life? Closing one’s eyes
and taking deep breaths while running these questions through the mind can help to clear
out any blockages that prevent one from achieving clarity in this matter.
Looking at hardships or aftermaths of life-changing events from a different point
of view can make things rather interesting. Instead of viewing challenges as things that
weigh you down, try looking at them as doorways to new adventures. They could be
fun, but they could also be undesirable (as in the death of a family member—not fun at
all). Facing challenges head-on oftentimes leads to new opportunities. Learning to let
go of the fear that may be holding one back is a necessary part of overcoming any
challenge.
There is another important component that assists with any transition period:
imagination. Having that ability enables the individual to create multiple scenarios,
which in turn gives him or her extra options for seeing how things may unfold. Using
the mind in this manner, one will quickly see that not every scenario will always have
one outcome.
When we come to the realization that we are stronger than we ever thought we
were, and our outlook on life determines the course of our future, our life changes.
From that point forward, life will never be the same again. There will still be challenges
and obstacles on one’s path, of course. However, we see things differently, and this
insight is what gives us courage and confidence. Courage, as in the strength to face each
day without succumbing to fear; and confidence as in knowing that we will succeed in
everything we do regardless of the circumstances, so long as we have the right frame of
mind.
Letting go of any fear that one may have following a life-changing event is one of
the most important things we can do. There is only one thing that can stop any person
from succeeding or moving forward in life, and that is the individual himself/herself!
Never doubt your own power; a new life awaits!
By: James Davidson