Embrace change.

In my opinion, the most important thing to master in this crazy world is the ability to adapt. Adapt to new situations, unfamiliar surroundings, change outside of our control or directly inspired with a purpose in mind. Nothing lasts forever. No person, place or thing is guaranteed reliable. All we have are ourselves and our ability to live through whatever gets thrown at us. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, they say. Dodging the lemons would be a waste. Learning how to make lemonade is key. 


I’ve gone through a lot of change in my 26 years on this planet. In recent years, these changes have brought me growth, strength, love. Opened my mind and my heart. Encouraged confidence in my abilities. But that hasn’t always been the case. Change used to be my enemy. Intimidating and overwhelming. I feared change. Neglected the work necessary to achieve reward. I was lazy and self-sabotaging. I didn’t believe in my future, so working towards anything felt like an exhausting waste of time. 


I have since learned how to care. Why to put in work. What achievements come from growth and what consequences come from denial. I am not lazy when I think with a fit mind. I am not sad when I motivate with hopeful ideas. I am not defeated when I stay positive. 


In the past decade I have overcome so much change, it feels as though I’ve lived many different lives. I’ve powered through life transformations, completely changing my mental and physical well-being. Moved to several different cities across the country. Added my dog to my family. And then there were the changes I did not choose. Surviving many losses, including the death of my own brother. Being run out of my home in Santa Monica by threats to my personal safety. Being subjected to quarantine during this global pandemic. 


So what‘s different within myself that encourages me to adapt to change instead of fight it? My attitude. My understanding that life is full of surprises. So much is out of our control. Life isn’t good for good people and bad for bad people. It is an empty canvas and we don’t always choose the colors. However, we always have the opportunity to paint something pretty. We always have a say in how we interpret what surrounds us. Sometimes we’re stuck with black and grey paint, but it’s our choice to fill our entire canvas with those colors or to have confidence in the colors to come. To leave room for brightness and to use the darker paints to highlight what’s next. I don’t fight change because it’s inevitable. I embrace change and the lessons that are offered within it. 


Now, change excites me. It is what keeps me most inspired. What challenges me but also gives me the most opportunity for life. Even when I suffered from depression, mundane was never a part of my personality. Change doesn’t have to be good to leave a valuable impression. I choose to seek that value. To attain positive impact in whatever way I can. To learn from my mistakes and apply them to my future. Just as pain is the feeling of weakness leaving the body, healing rebuilds strength. So whether it be a global issue we’re all tackling together or a personal life change I must endure on my own, I locate the drive to learn. Engage in growth. Make it my mission to find the best path in navigating through, no matter how many wrong turns I may take. Because in the end, I still steer my own story. Improvising around the plot twists just makes it more interesting.