ZEN VIEW Change

By Mary Layton

There’ve been so many changes in a relatively short time all over the world in recent years; it is mind boggling! What’s next? Seems like anything can happen, from places shutting down to them reopening again or closing for good. There’s uncertainty but we seem to be used to it now. It is what it is. We have seen that we can be resilient, that we can re-invent ourselves and be creative. We adapted quickly to new ways of communicating and navigating to unfamiliar destinations. Getting lost is a thing of the past. Our cars and phones take us where we want to go. Time goes by very fast. We talk less to friends and family and text more. In-person meetings happen less. Initially we liked the idea of being able to get so much done using our devices any moment of the day thinking it would give us more freedom, knowledge and more time. But we also got way busier, distracted and more restless.

Then there’s the pressure caused by rising prices and rising temperatures. We are rushing through our days hoping to catch up with all the things that need our attention. The world is increasingly run by robots and computers. Businesses function differently than before, not always for the better. But I tell myself that all this is temporary and eventually things will change again and sort themselves out.

Learning how to adapt is the key to our wellbeing. The French people say, “The more things change the more they stay the same”.

Change is constant, unavoidable and a fact of life. The best approach to change and transformation is to keep an open and quiet mind that takes in and learns whatever is needed at the moment. I still have to remind myself to concentrate on only one thing at a time, i.e. to ignore my phone while driving. To be concerned for safety. Watch and listen more carefully. Don’t overwhelm myself unnecessarily. We always have more time than we think we do. Taking time to be caring and patient with ourselves as well as others brings quality and peace to our lives. One good change that put a smile on my face recently was an article in the Modesto Bee naming Modesto on 10th place as best “most populous metro area” to live in California! Wow!

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