Monday, May 07, 2007

Embracing Change

Over the past year, and particularly over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to make some necessary and beneficial changes in my life. There is a tendency, as people get older, to resist change and settle for the status quo because it feels safe and comfortable. I have decided to be on guard against that tendency, which I believe hastens the aging process. How quickly we age is often very dependent on how quickly we WANT to age. In other words, the speed at which we age, to a great degree, is voluntary.


Philip Crosby, in his book, Reflections on Quality, says, "Change should be a friend. It should happen by plan, not by accident". Too many times I have been slow to make changes that I knew would greatly benefit me, then found myself having the changes made for me in a way that I would not have chosen. Relationships, for example. Someone else's opinion of me does not validate me or determine my value as a person. It does not matter who the opinion belongs to. I have had a few self-appointed critics try to bully and control me when their own lives were far from shining examples. Not anymore. Sometimes relationships can seem good on the surface and be eating away at you on the inside. I have purged myself of those relationships. I question motive like I never have before. I know how to recognize a spin. Maybe I have become somewhat of a cynic. Maybe it's because I was forced into it.

I am making a change which is a bittersweet one, though. I am leaving my job to go to another hospital and a different area of nursing. I love the people I work with, but the stress level was more than I could handle anymore. We have worked together as a team for many years, and I will miss them, but I know that this change is the right one, and it will create many far-reaching possibilities for my future.

If you are dissatisfied with where you are because you have suggested changes that were not heeded, or if no matter how hard you try, you feel like you don't fit in, or if you are overwhelmed by stress, make a change. If those around you want to struggle or stagnate, let them. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, said, "Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do".


I purpose to be aware of how to change my present in order to prevent my past from holding back my future.

12 comments:

Amby said...

I concur. It has taken me many years to realize how unimportant certain opinions of me are. It has given me a new sense of freedom.
Creativity should never be stifled and that's what often happens.

You quoted Steve. Now you must buy a Mac!

Anonymous said...

Buying a Mac, that would be a big change for some.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this.
Through the years, I have had some relationships that I had to let go, because of some of the same reasons you talked about. Sometimes it's hurtful at first, but in time you realize the relationship was a burden, keeping you from your full potential!

Lyndsey said...

Hey Vickie,
How are you? I just have to tell you that I love your blog, I pretty much check it every day. After reading your post above I have to say, I think change is a wonderful thing. Where are you going to be working?? I hope wherever it may be it is very satisfying to you. I have to ask you a few things that really have nothing to do with change, but here they are. I am hosting a shower for a friend of mine and I am planning to give the bath salts that you previously posted. The shower is a theme shower called a "basket shower." It is a lot like the traditional "around the clock" shower. What scents do you recommend I do, and where should I purchase them?? Anymore ideas that you have for the shower would be great. Anyways, I hope to hear from you soon. Oh yea, as for an answer as to what we do with the fish, we throw them back.
Lyndsey C.

Vickie said...

To Ams: I probably will.

To Maxine: I know what you mean. The sting of letting go probably wasn't nearly as bad as the hurt you would have experienced if you had held on to it.

To Lyndsey: My new job is at Brookwood on the postpartum unit. I have wanted to work in postpartum ever since I graduated, but for one reason or another I never did. Until now! I am very excited about it. I may still flexi some at St Vincent's. I'm so glad you like my blog. I love your shower idea. My personal favorite scent is the Aromatherapy Eucalyptus Spearmint at Bath & Body Works. It comes in a bottle of massage oil that I have used alot for bath salts. If you don't want to buy a big bottle like that, Bath & Body also has small bottles of various essential oils. Lavender is nice. So is rose. Health Food stores such as The Green Door in Mt Brook and Golden Temple Emporium in Five Points also have a large selection of essential oils. I will think about shower ideas and get back to you.
I'm glad you don't gut and clean the fish. That would be gross.

Anonymous said...

You go girl! I'm so proud of you.
I love change; maybe that's why I'm so young. :o) Thank you for your blog. You are an amazing writer as well as a talented, creative homemaker and nurse.

Vickie said...

Thank you. It means alot to me that you think I'm an amazing writer since you are an amazing teacher.

Anonymous said...

Hey Vickie, loved the last paragraph and the one above and
oh shoot, I guess all of the above.
I enjoy veiwing all your recipes as
well as your touch on everything.
Miss you. Seems like I am always
smiling when I log on to Uncommon
Artistic Endeavers!

Vickie said...

Hey Cathy! I miss you, too. Thanks for visiting. Tell Mike I said hi. I hope you all are doing well!!!

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Vickie i think it's safe to say that you are my role model.
You work a full time job, have raised two great kids, manage to cook, and decorate, and you STILL look so great!
I hope that I can be as good a mother that you have been.

Vickie said...

That is really sweet, Jenna. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful! That blog you wrote will open a lot of peoples eyes. And hopefully they will make change as well. I know I have made a lot of changes, and they were all great changes in the end.