Changing

        "Changing times, changing numbers, changing seasons. Always there is change. We're vaguely aware of that, but when we have a significant number with 000, we tend to be much more conscious of change. Changes cause us to look forward, backward, and become more aware of the present. If we are not too busy, nor too 'scattered' in our activities, we may take a bit of time to look at ourselves and see what changes have occurred.

        Changes frighten people sometimes. The comfortable feeling is gone, the knowing of the normal day to day routine. Sometimes, there is no outward evidence of change, but there is an inner sense that some change has occurred. We are, at present, very concerned about what the next block of time will bring. We're aware of the swiftly moving changes in technology and advances in the sharing of knowledge. We deal with change if it comes slowly and even more so if it is predictable. With fast moving changes, we are not so comfortable. It's like a fast ride - not enough time to see the scenery and perhaps too fast to enjoy the ride. We feel ourselves 'rushed' and we try to adjust to the new sense of urgency, of events and time passing by quickly.

        The difficulty of balance is because the inner change we need is not able to be rushed and moves at a different rate of speed than outer events. We can have sudden change when tragedy hits or fortune comes into our lives, but to make changes in the Self, we may feel as if we are not making any progress at all. Many times it takes time to see evidence of the change of patterns and to have circumstances where the change can be used and the resulting effects noticed.

        Change is sometime subtle. It can be there without notice. It can affect others and it is sometimes their reaction that causes the individual to become aware that something is different. In the midst of change, there must be balance, there must be stability, and a core of understanding that helps us to weather the unsettling feeling that comes with something new.

        Though we may not always welcome change, we need to develop a sense of flexibility so that changes around us and within us do not disturb the inner peace of the individual. If we remember that we deal with change throughout our life, that we adjust as we move through the different stages of life, and that we grow with these experiences, then we can face future changes in a much more strengthened way. We develop strength through growth and change. It is a much more comforting emotional 'blanket' to face changes with confidence than to face them with fear."