Whereas a changing sunset can bring a small measure of peace and tranquility, the same cannot be said for the individual. For the individual, change can often be a harbinger of unpleasant things to come. Most people, therefore, usually do not like change, no matter how big or how small that change might be.
The creation of this post was due largely in part, to this thoughtful post written by LL Cool Joe, with the remaining balance due to a stock comment I usually make whenever someone writes a post with a similar theme. I thought that for this time around, instead of taking up valuable real estate on someone else's blog, I should use the highly dormant space on mine.
So.
My stock comment about change usually involves a variation of this: If I didn't get laid off from work, I wouldn't be here posting this comment on your wonderful blog.
Now I know you're probably scratching your head and asking the screen, "How can being laid off from work be a positive outcome?"
In all honesty, for the first couple of years, it certainly didn't feel like a such a positive outcome. I was out of work for six months and took such a major financial hit that I spent almost two years digging myself out of a five digit hole. By the time I was able to stick my head out of that hole, it was early 2006 and I was finally back to being financially secure.
However, after experiencing yet another serious change of fortune in my life, I decided to pick up pen and paper (and computer) and start writing. By the spring of 2007, I was busy working on a story that I thought for sure was going to make people sit up and take notice {HA!!!}, when I slowly came to a creeping halt. Why? I wrote myself into a corner and didn't know how to get out.
Enter the chat rooms.
Being stuck in that corner, I decided one day to check out my local paper's website, and after a few minutes of surfing, found a story to comment on and afterwords, clicked on a link that brought me here. For the next 15 months, I roamed the chat rooms making dozens of friends and a myriad of enemies.
In May 2008, a blogger friend of mine, suggested that I move my writings and musings to the blog world, since in the blog world I wouldn't be at the mercies of other people who would object and try to censor my writings.
From that particular point, there was no turning back. I nurtured and cultivated my blog, until it grew into what you see here in front of you today. I also went exploring the vast blogging universe and was able to connect with all of you good people and your fine blogs.
And because I was able to connect and spend time with you and your fine blogs, it inspired me to create a blog that would be a new home for my short stories, which a few weeks ago, celebrated its one year anniversary.
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In essence, that one horrible change I experienced in 2003, set in motion a series of smaller changes that seven years later has me writing this post about changes.
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Change.
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No matter how bad you may think it is, there will always be a glorious sunset patiently waiting to warm your spirit, refreshen your soul, and make you feel that no matter what nasty little screwball life may throw at you, you'll always bang out the winning hit.
In 2007, I was laid off from a job that I was very unhappy in. I didn't mind the work, but had a boss who just made everyone's lives miserable.
ReplyDeleteThe first day after the layoff was tough, but then that turned into just about the happiest five months of my life. Somehow the money worked out and I got some needed time to exercise, walk, think and yes, job hunt. A humbling experience.
So true. I despise change but most of the positive things in my life resulted from that old fork in the road.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, G. It's neat when we're inspired by someone else's thoughts and words.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get through the period of change, it's interesting to see how it played out even when the change initially seems negative. Seems there are few linear journeys through this life and that's what keeps it interesting. My philosophy of life is pretty simple - "Good in bad, bad in good"
I admit that I'm pretty scared of change. I'm a fellow who cherishes routine so that it frees my mind up to wander whereever it will. But, I've been through some change and weathered it. You'd think that would make me feel better about the possibility of future change. Not always.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe that growth cannot happen unless we experience change in some manner.
ReplyDeleteLike you when my life changed and my mobility became so difficult and painful I turned to my "new" computer. It turned my life around, new friends, learning new techniques in painting, taking classes, discovering my camera and so much more. Each new step of change brought new joy into my life. With my new knees and my life active and moving again I still treasure the friends I have made in the blogging world.
So, thank you for the great post.
I'm so glad that your CHANGE brought you so much joy, too. :)Bea
Lynn: For the first month or so, I was so miserable that I didn't even leave the house except to take my kids to school.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it was a very humbling experience, but it in the end, it has worked out better than I could have ever imagined.
David: So very true. The old fork in the road has sometimes been a rough ride for me, but the end result has been unique to say the least.
But at this point, I'm not too thrilled about any kind of change in my life, but I try to keep positive about it anyways.
Talon: I've written well over dozen posts that have some basis in someone else's thoughtful post. I will give credit where credit is do, Joe does write some posts that really do make you think.
I like to think that my current journey in life follows the same non-linear path as Woodstock.
Charles: I agree, having a routine that allows your mind to wonder is a good thing. But we should always be prepared for that tiny little screwball that life can throw at us from time to time to upset our routine. If you can weather a slight blip to the routine, you can always keep that mind wandering towards infinity.
Bea: Good for you that you were able to find something positive out of a temporary setback.
I still maintain some of those early friendships that I established in the chat rooms to this day, and the fact that those people were gracious enough to allow me in, makes my today all the more richer and fuller.
Change keeps us on our toes, that's for sure, watching that ball to see if we can read the pitch. That's the good I see in change, it motivates us to step up to the plate, and often has us facing a full count. Will we strike out, walk, foul tip, or hit that change out of the park? It's a great feeling when we do connect with it, to our advantage.
ReplyDeleteI love the optimism of this.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to directly connect a sunset to change- hadn't thought of it quite that way.
ReplyDeleteOften the sunset is the beginning of my free day- Cause I'd like to change the working nights to daytime hours again- Seriously doubt I can get my sleep pattern to co operate easily tho-
I do need to change a few things- but yes, am paraniod of drastic change, if it means losing good stuff!
I don't think small changes are really hard for me, cause most can reverse of they don't work out-
Glad you changed n got here tho!
Joanne: It certainly does at that. It's always tough to see or find the good in any kind of change, but as they say, even though I may get knocked every once in a while, I still pick myself up, brush the dirt off, and get right back in that batter's box.
ReplyDeleteMama Z: Thanks. I always try to find the positive side of things, no matter how big or how small it may be.
Snaggle: It took me about a couple of weeks after I switched jobs to retrain my body to sleeping normal, and it certainly was a stressful time for all.
I figured you find the sunset analogy interesting. I think that the sunset is the one change that everyone can experience.
Wonderful post, G.
ReplyDeleteI am one of "those people" who believes everything happens for a reason, and although I can be a creature of habit, whenever I'm actually forced to go out of my comfort zone, I find it has always made me a stronger or better person. Sometimes it's best not to question why something happens, and instead focus on what you can get out of it.
I mean this in the best way possible when I say that I'm glad you were laid off. Otherwise I might have never had the chance to read your brilliant work.
B: I know you mean it in the best possible way.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, it took me quite a few years to look at being laid off in a positive light.
Not only did it lead to me writing this comment, but it also lead me to make new friends that otherwise I would have never met, both in the real world and the cyber world.
I'm very glad that you and a quite a few others enjoy what I've been able to squeeze from the grey matter that resides between my ears.
Now how did I miss this post? I'm preparing for a 13th birthday disco this weekend and I'm stuck in itunes listening to far too much Lady Gaga.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I inspired such an interesting post! Although I HATE change, I do think it's often very good for us, even if at the time we can't see that.
The changes that have happened to you seem to have put you into a far better and more positive place than you were before.
Thanks for the shout out. :)
Joe, you are more than welcome. Even though I may not comment all the time at your blog, I do enjoy reading your blog because you write incredibly insightful posts.
ReplyDeleteIt took a very long time to appreciate the traumatic changes I went through in the past several years, and yes they have put me in a far better place. I didn't realize it then, but now, with 20/20 hindsight, it was for the best.
G, you knew what I needed to hear! Thanks so much. I'm ready for our winning hit. Your opening paragraph is very nice.
ReplyDeleteKelly: Thanks. Sometimes certain things, like the beauty of sunset and a thought provoking post, really inspire the creative juices.
ReplyDelete