|
Issue 40
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
In this issue ~~
* The Momentum of Change
* Creative Tip
* Wise Words
* Bookshelf
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The
Momentum of Change
Change is something that happens all the time, whether we
want it or not. Recently, we had some rather major changes thrust
upon us. While many of us suffered painful losses and heightened
fears to one degree or another, we also had incredible insights
about our lives and our priorities. We saw new directions based
on deeper values and made internal changes.
As artists, we came to a new awareness that our work is significant, both to ourselves and to others, a way that we can
bring beauty and healing to the world. We want to grow as artists,
infuse new life into our work and perhaps dedicate it to the
service of those who suffered. We found a new boldness in pursuing
and promoting our work.
But the chaos and confusion of the time led us to crave a
return to normalcy and stability. And in that return, we can
easily lose sight of the changes we made, or vowed to make, and
return to old habits. Our day-to-day concerns begin to creep
back into our consciousness and crowd out the new inspiration.
The old fears and limiting beliefs set in again, and our new
goals begin to drift farther away. The glow of our epiphany of
insight wears off, and we fall back into habitual feelings and
behaviors.
In order to sustain the positive changes we envisioned, we
need to keep up the momentum. In the early stages of change,
our excitement carries us through. But the nature of momentum
is such that it needs a push every now and then to keep it going,
or it will grind to a halt.
As we face the real-life requirements of implementing and
sustaining change, the challenges, fears and discouragement that
may arise put "speed bumps" in the road and slow us
down. We need to consciously reinforce the change we desire,
or the daily demands of our lives will push it further and further
back on the burner, until it becomes a wistful dream.
~ When ideas come to you, write them down and speak them to
a supportive person or group. Hold onto the insights and keep
them alive. Remember how they made you feel and why they were
important to you.
~ Inner changes and insights need to be made manifest in your
life, or they'll remain just good ideas. The way to do that is
to begin to take actions, even small ones. Some changes you'll
be able to institute immediately; others will take time. Once
you get the momentum going, it will be easier to follow through.
~ When you find yourself settling back into your old ways
of thinking and acting, consciously choose to act in accordance
with your new choices. Reinforce the new thoughts, and shore
them up with new behaviors.
~ Ride the wave, and then give it a push. While the impetus
is there, go with it. If the speed of change feels scary, hang
on and get support, but try not to put the brakes on. And then
when the wave ebbs, find ways to add momentum to the change yourself.
Motivate yourself by taking actions and finding ways to renew
your excitement. Keep your eye on your goal.
~ Be clear about the values your change reflects. If you remember
what you're going toward and the benefits it will bring you,
it will be easier to navigate the bumps along the way.
~ Give it time. We get ideas a lot faster than we can implement
them. Some of the changes you envisioned may be long-term pursuits.
You may have changed internally in an instant, but it can take
longer for the physical world to catch up. Persevere, and continue
to follow through.
~ Deal with change that you choose as you would change that
was imposed upon you. Every change means a loss, a giving up
of something else, so give yourself time to let go of the old
and grieve, if that feels appropriate. Then, you can turn to
the future with an open heart.
~ Realize that the changes you want to make may take courage.
In the wake of a disaster, a personal change may have seemed
a small thing to accomplish. Over time, it may require more of
your courage to stick with it.
~ Update your self-image. When we go through a change, we
become a different person. The change you're making may be a
fundamental shift of who you are. Create a vision of the person
you want to be – in words, pictures or a mental image – and
hold that out there as your beacon.
~ Periodically reevaluate your choices. In the time of crisis,
you may have vowed to make a change. Is that choice still valid
for you? Was it a choice you made in a moment of fear that no
longer holds up? Just because it didn't "take" the
first time or your enthusiasm seems to be fading doesn't mean
it wasn't a good choice. Take a look at the long-term benefits
and decide for yourself. If it still looks good, renew your commitment.
While the events of September 11 were tragic, we can use them
to move us to a better place. Look at the changes you vowed to
make, reevaluate them and then find ways to follow through. The
best gift we can give to those who gave their lives, and the
best way we can thwart the terrorists, is to make our lives better.
Top
Creative
Tip
If there's a change you want to make, plan a strategy. Start
with your goal and work backwards, breaking it down into smaller,
more doable steps that you can take over time. Then, take the
first step.
Wise
Words
"...gradual change is usually more fruitful in the long
run than is forced, ultra-aggressive upheaval. Undertaken wisely,
steady transitions cultivate authenticity, groundedness, and
virtues – like patience, compassion (for self and others), and
perseverance. All these qualities improve your probability of
success when, ultimately, you do figure out how to actualize
your personal vision."
~ Marsha Sinetar
"Much as we may wish to make a new beginning, some part
of us resists doing so as though we were making the first step
toward disaster."
~ William Bridges, "Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes"
"Painful as it may be, a significant emotional event
can be the catalyst for choosing a direction that serves us –
and those around us – more effectively. Look for the learning."
~ Eric Allenbaugh, "Wake-Up Calls : You Don't Have to Sleepwalk Through
Your Life, Love, or Career!"
Top
Bookshelf
(click on the book or tape graphic to
see a description at Amazon.com)
 "Transitions: Making
Sense of Life's Changes" . . . William Bridges
"The Anatomy of Change:
A Way to Move Through Life's Transitions" . . . Richard
Strozzi Heckler
"Riding the Waves of
Change: Ways to Summon Perseverance, Passion, and Wisdom During
Times of Transition" . . . Laurie Shiparski
"Thriving in Transition:
Effective Living in Times of Change" . . . Marcia Perkins-Reed
 "Change
and Transition: Moving from a State of Fear into a State of Love"
. . . Louise Hay (audiocassette)
"Managing
Personal Change" . . . Hyrum W. Smith (reader), Stephen
R. Covey (audiocassette)
"Our World in Transition:
Making Sense of a Changing World" . . . Diarmuid O'Murchu
"Transition: Nurturing
Yourself for Change" . . . Lura J. Geiger
Top
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
© 2001 Sharon Good. All rights reserved.
 |
Books
and tapes listed in the Bookshelf section of each newsletter
can be ordered from Amazon.com. To go to a specific book's page
on the Amazon site, click on the book or tape icon next to each
title.
Click on the graphic left for a message from Amazon's president.
|
|
