SOMETIMES we feel our life is turning miserably. Our negativism doesn’t allow us to keep our eyes, ears – and, most important! – our minds, hearts and souls opened. We reach our breaking point.
This breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. It is when we reach our breaking point, that we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers; “What happens to you or with you when you reach your breaking point?” Do you face it or do you run away?’ I’ll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it – you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) – it breaks you!
Everyday – a dull reality! Many of us will answer this question with a big YES! Actually, who do we like to cover a newborn day already with a grey veil? Each day has a new face, but sometimes we don’t have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights.
Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction. Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness.
If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable.
By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage our everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life. Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.
And here is one more thing: Affection is the humblest love – it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog’s tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, is that it can unite those who are not “made for one and another’, people who, if not out down by fate in the same household or community, would have nothing to do with one and another.
Life for me has been a thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure. I don’t have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfilment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better.
1. Change is inevitable. The more you understand that, the less surprised and upset you will be when it happens.
2. Recognize the stages. Adjusting to change can make you feel like you are on a rollercoaster.
3. Do some anchoring. One part of your life may be changing, while others remain stable and constant. Let those anchors help you to put your changing work life in perspective.
4. Know your core values. If you know what’s really important to you, the world can’t throw you.
5. Take care of yourself. Change naturally causes stress. Take breaks when it gets to overwhelming. Eat well, sleep well, exercise and take some time to “download” and relax.
6. Develop a coping strategy. Based on your decision-making style: Analytical, Conceptual, Behavioral or Directive. Or, your own, personal change tactics.
7. Be flexible. Realize your capacity to adapt. The better you are able to adapt to change, the greater your chances of being successful.
8. Keep a positive outlook. One thing you do have is control over your attitude. Decide to keep yourself in an open and positive frame of mind.
9. Keep expectations realistic. There will be some bumps along the road. Not everyone will
change at the same rate.
10. Avoid rumors and negative people. Don’t get caught up in workplace rumors or speculation. Venting can be a healthy part of adapting to change. Too much will have a negative impact on morale and it can be contagious.
11. Become better. Smarter, healthier, more confident. Invest in yourself.
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