Change is good, right? Traditions are good, right? Well, which is it? Change or No Change? I guess it’s up to the individual. Or is it?
They say yoga relieves stress through meditation and discipline (ritually practicing over and over, the same time each day). Then there’s sleep. Experts tell us to try to go to bed the same time each night and get the same amount of distraction free sleep to keep our bodies finely tuned and in line with bio-phases.
Both, establishing rituals and patterns; without change. These are both supposed to add happiness and health to our lives. But, do they?
Then there’s change. Change brings questions, projecting, stress and distractions. Sounds to us like change is bad…really bad, even. Not so fast, let’s think about what happens during No Change and Change.
Picture yourself driving in a snowstorm – the snow mesmerizing as it zooms through the blackness toward the windshield. The rhythmic sound of the moving windshield wipers.
Nothing changes and hours later the temptation is to fall asleep.
How about the work day. Alarm goes off, out of bed, drive to work, work all day, drive home, cook, eat, sleep, alarm goes off; repeat.
Sometimes No Change can be bad. It’s all in the “relative perspective” of the person dealing with it. Let’s look at it from the other side. Not the right side or the wrong side, just another side.
So what if you’re comfortable in your own skin, your family and work life is great and all is wonderful in your world? Wouldn’t not changing anything be a good thing?! Maybe knowing you have a job and co-workers to go to every day gives your life stability. Wouldn’t No Change be a good thing?!
Then there’s traditions. The definition of tradition is: : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior. An established or customary pattern of thought, action or behavior??…ouch!. Put that way tradition doesn’t sound so good!
So where does tradition fit into Change vs No Change? Well, what if a customary pattern makes someone happy, soothes their stress? Since it’s a tradition there is less likely to be worrisome changes to be dealt with? Wouldn’t that be a good thing? Maybe. Depends on which side you’re on. Take for example apple picking and Christmas decorating; the things that keep some of us grounded and make us happy; while boring the hell out of others and adding stress to their lives trying to keep up with traditions set so many years before us; without our input.
Here’s one that has more likely than not happened to many of us. Your boss calls you into their office and tells you the job you’ve been getting up every morning and faithfully going to and working at for the last 14 years no longer exists. Wait! What? You will now be doing a job you are unfamiliar with and may not have the experience to fulfill. BAM! How’s that for stress level!? Can you feel the cortisol coursing through your veins?
For some, yes. For others it’s an opportunity. An opportunity for advancement. An chance to meet new people and cavort in new social circles. A chance to simply try something new. Again, it’s all “relative perspective” for the person whose life the change is affecting.
So, is change good or bad? Who the hell knows? It’s all in the eye of the beholder. But one thing is for sure, the question keeps the world interesting.
Just remember regardless if you’re a “Change” or “No-Change” person; LiFE is ALWAYS NOW. Make the most of what you choose.