Page 3 - ADU Voice

NormaliziNg
ChaNge iN
GOOD
GROWTH
As children, we went about our lives without
a single worry in the world - experiencing the
juvenile joys of simply existing in a world void of
all responsibilities, regrets, and consequences.
A number of us have had the luxuries of life
handed to us on a silver platter, growing up
with a sense of dependency in fear of what the
universe has in store for humanity. Meanwhile,
some of us went through many lifetimes at
such a young age, learning the horrors of the
world and developing certain skills that allowed
us to survive; they provided us with a sense of
security from any and all internal or external
factors that could trigger a fight/flight response,
depending on how guarded and paranoid one
may be. None of us realized it, at the time, but,
eventually, the hands of time would catch up to
us. We were about to enter a dimension of new
experiences capable of changing us for better
or worse.
When it comes to the topic of change, whether
it be moving to a new country or even a
mere nudge outside an individual’s comfort
zone, people cannot control the tsunami of
anxiousness and stress that accompanies the
tornado of shifting certain routines or lifestyles.
It is understandable, at first, for a being to adapt
to change is easier said than done. What makes
it worthwhile, however, is the exhilarating breath
of a new mindset, attitude, environment, and so
much more that give life a new meaning. Now,
each individual - each soul - has a different idea
on the concept of change; some of us refuse to
step outside this bubble we create as a shield
against the suffering that comes with life’s
blessings.
Others simply grow accustomed to the person
they know themselves as, whether they went
about life looking at the glass half-full, half-
empty, or a glass that contains water and it is
a scary feeling to be rebirthed into a being that
lacks the familiarity of what made you who you
are today.
This can be a good thing, though, as a scenario
to be considered is becoming a better version
of yourself. How you do not change entirely, but
rather transform from a caterpillar which has
spent time in a cocoon, maybe even more so
than others, until you sprout your majestically
colored wings. Such an ethereal rebirth can
happen in an instant that you may be ecstatic
the second the realization hits you; it can also
be incredibly fitting when you do not even
notice it until a few days later. In both cases, the
first thought that may come to mind is that "Oh,
change is scary!" believing that you are going
to become an entirely different person and just
feel more lost than ever, probably even sinking
deeper into the pit that life has dug for you.
Nonetheless, the best part about this process is
acknowledging how fulfilled you want to be and
working on that. One day, you will wake up and
notice that your mood and attitude towards the
world’s beauties or destructions are different
- your thought process and interpretation of
certain objects, people, scenarios, almost all will
be just as enlightening.
Sure, there are days when you relapse into
certain self-destructive, impulsive behaviors
that feel foreign, yet ever so friendly and