If you haven’t already done so you may want to read part 1 of this series for a discussion on “why we fear change.” This entry will continue the theme by delving into some practical ways to cope with change and overcome our fear. Since we cannot stop change, which is the first fact we must accept, then we’d better figure how we are going to live with it or we are likely to do ourselves harm by resisting the inevitable.
If you are in a life situation or a group that is being confronted right now with the prospect of a painful change, take heart: you are not alone. As pointed out in the previous article the rate of change is accelerating for all of us and will continue to do so. Gone are the days when things seemed to stay the same for years on end. Now we will be lucky to have a few weeks of stability at any one time, so get used to the reality of change.
Before we look further into some ideas for overcoming our fears, here is one very important caveat to remember:
It is easier to hate someone else than it is to face your own fears and shortcomings.
Never forget this fact because in the middle of your struggles with change the opportunity and the temptation will surely arise to blame someone else for the situation you are in. Do not get thrown off course and begin pointing fingers at someone else or projecting out hatred toward them just because you don’t know what to do with your own problems. You will spin out of control if you fall to that temptation and you might not recover. Hating others is a tremendous waste of time and energy that serves no purpose and obscures the real work you are supposed to be doing so do not go there!
Now for some suggestions about how to transcend fear and gracefully manage change in order to bring about new growth:
- Reach out to others. Remember, as mentioned already, you are not alone in this crazy accelerating world of change. Other people and groups are also facing their own challenges and changes. Network with them and spend some time sharing ideas: How are they coping? What’s working for them? How you can you help one another?
- Learn something new. Sometimes we resist change simply because we don’t want to admit that we don’t know enough about the new process that is going to take place. Read a book, take a workshop, listen to a podcast and update your knowledge on the area of your life that is facing change. Knowing more about the options for the future will help you feel more confident and able to handle anything that comes along.
- Take small risks in the beginning. In order to adapt gradually to the idea of change, figure out if you can break the process down into small steps. For example, if you find out you must change your diet because of a health problem, give yourself a few weeks to complete the total change and begin with a few small changes, like cutting down on desserts, that you can accomplish now and then build upon over time.
- Invite your “enemies” to the table. Once again, recall from the previous post that the reason you believe you have enemies is because you are frightened of change and see others as threatening you. But it can be exhilarating to actually sit down in civil conversation with those you fear and discover that they are afraid too! All of our conflicts with others are actually driven by our fears and their fears, and if you are able to come together face-to-face and acknowledge how afraid you are, then tremendous progress can be made. However, remember the caveat:
It is easier to hate someone else than it is to face your own fears and shortcomings.
If you are not ready to let go of your own tendency to hate as a cover-up for your fear, then you are not ready for this step. Likewise, the “enemies” you have acquired might not be ready to meet you openly and with civility. If you are being targeted with hatred from another group, even though it is horrible and painful, just hold on, refuse to retaliate with anger and hatred, and find compassion for them. Such attacks are rooted deeply in primitive fear and a lack of higher wisdom. Though it may not seem like it, those poor hateful suckers are probably feeling far worse that you right now. Blaming others for problems is a little like drinking a strong pilsner beer – it seems enjoyable enough at first and then starts to leave a bitter taste in your mouth; and if you indulge in it too much you will eventually become impaired and suffer a hideous hangover.
So you see it is possible to transcend fear of change and move through life with less drama and trauma, but it is very difficult. You are going to have to work on this process for years and years and maybe all the rest of your life. Yes, that’s the catch – you can never really finish adjusting to change.
But ultimately, when you are no longer ruled by fear, you will laugh a little when the next change comes along and you will be able to dance to the rhythm of change with only a few missteps here and there. And, when all is said and done, that is really what life is about—to live with such freedom from fear that you can dance anywhere to any sort of music.