Written by: Natasha Stephens, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
This question seems rhetorical as the answer is pretty obvious. Well, that depends on how we read into this question. Literally speaking we change clothes for specific seasons or occasions, but its main purpose is to provide protection from the environment and comfortability. In addition, our clothing should be appropriate for the occasion. Inarguably, you will receive several stares walking around the blazing temperatures of the Sahara Desert in a chinchilla, if not, stand the chance of getting admitted into a psych ward. Going fishing in a wedding dress isn't the most common occurrence you will witness either. But in this article, I'd like to use the term 'change clothes' as an analogy to how well we adapt to change.
At the very beginning of time, the world was perfect and adaptations weren't necessary. Since nothing was missing, lacking, or broken, mankind didn't even need clothes. Well, we know the history of creation's fall that started with Adam and Eve, so not only do we now have to wear clothes but we have to bother with changing them. I hope you're following me here...
Since the world we live in isn't so perfect, we have to make adaptations to survive and sustain life. Some examples of adaptations for survival are animals collecting food to store in the winter months, others hibernate to conserve energy when food is scarce, birds migrate to an area of greater available resources, then there are those that grow thicker skin or fur in response to colder temperatures.
I'm suggesting that we should look at adapting to change in our world, not as a way of merely surviving because just like the animals, our survival is instinctive and comes naturally. But relative to animals, we are unique whereas we have our own will and ability to reason. To overcome change where we choose our response as intentional instead of instinctive, we get to squeeze more out of life which is thriving.
The instinctive part of us developed coping mechanisms in our early childhood that were necessary in protecting us from real and imagined threats. When those mechanisms are no longer warranted they become sabotages. As adults the protection we needed as children now works against us serving as overprotectors that set limitations and restrictions on us to keep us safe. They mean well, just like that strict overprotective parent some of us endured in our upbringing. But to flourish and thrive in life with exploration, innovation and creativity, it's time to send those sabotages packing. According to Wikipedia, to thrive means to develop or grow well and vigorously. We are all growing, but how well and vigorously are we growing? Are we growing in resentment and bitterness or are we growing in gratitude and hope?
These saboteurs have aided in our survival but can not offer us anything beyond that. To begin to thrive, we must "change clothes" as I referenced earlier by first shedding away those coping and defense mechanisms so the best part of us that is buried beneath all of those layers can emerge.
All of us experience personal changes and challenges, oftentimes unfavorable and unwelcomed throughout our lives and unless you've been living under a rock we all can agree that this new era has brought significant change that has affected us personally and collectively. I'm here to sound the alarm that more change is upon us and our survival techniques will no longer suffice. For those who want to overcome these changes but don't know where to start, consider this:
Awareness is key to implementing any type of change. Try taking this assessment created by Shirzad Chamine, author of the New York Times bestselling Positive Intelligence, to see what your mental saboteurs are that were once survival techniques and are now coping and defense strategies that have held you back.
Awareness of your self-sabotaging mindset will start you on the journey of empowering you to shift from operating from these saboteurs that were developed through an old belief system to discovering your unlimited
capabilities revealing who you were created to be before these barriers and walls of protection were constructed. You will need this for the journey ahead.
Overcoming inevitable and unwelcomed change and even self-induced change, we must change clothes. Undress from those saboteurs of our past that no longer serve us and adorn empathy, innovation, creativity and exploration.
Now, Let's bust some myths about change so we can be better prepared for the challenges of the changes ahead.
Common myths about change:
1. Change is a linear process - Actually change is dynamic. You may move forward, then back, then forward again. However, remaining focused and aware keeps you in position.
2. Crisis leads to change - This is totally up to the individual. Even long after a crisis we can eventually resort back to old patterns of thinking and doing. More accurately, a crisis can be used as a catalyst for change.
3. Change can be avoided - Changes are inevitable and when resisted you look and feel just as uncomfortable as the person in the chinchilla walking around in the desert.
4. Change is a one time event - Change is constant. This paradox is a reminder that continual planning will keep you grounded and ready for change.
5. Everyone eventually embraces change- Not everyone does whereas many resist. Refer to myth no3.
Hopefully this can help you begin to distinguish the difference between surviving and thriving. How well are you adapting to change? These two stances determine just how much life you are getting out of living!
"Change is inevitable, growth is optional'
Natasha Stephens, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Natasha, a retired dental hygienist turned entrepreneur as owner of Transformational Coaching with Natasha and a women's athleisure clothing brand, Ripped and Restored, is committed to the transformational journey as she discovers new ways of being and higher than realized levels of existence through the power of pain and using it to her advantage as a springboard to create an ideal life for herself. Along the way, she answered the call to empower others with this revelation. She is dedicated, with fiery passion and authentic advocacy to revolutionize mental health and fitness by embracing the pain of conflict and resistance in whatever form, as a weapon for good. Realizing that thoughts shape reality, Natasha's coaching model is built around mindset shifts resulting in realized potential. In her spare time she loves to volunteer in local and global dental missions, physical exercise, and travel.
