Too Much Change... a Good or a Bad thing?

A wonderful friend and cousin of mine posted a few days ago about making a change, about the fear of needing or wanting to change too often.
 
While most people fight change, fear change, resist change with every fiber, when is it unhealthy to change "too often?"  I didn't realize how much I now rely on change to help me until I read her post.  As a human who was forced to embrace change, when is it enough or when is it too much?
 
When you know that you can make something positive out of any experience, you also know that disappointments can lurk and that other changes are possible.  "If you aren't happy, do something about it."  As my "Birthday Book*" says for my birth date: "Refuse to be unhappy for long."  (Like it's that easy!)  But there is a fear that satisfaction will never be met and the grass will always appear greener.  Will anything ever be good enough?
 
Again, I am going to look to that complex, scientific noun/verb/magical force of Balance.  I believe there is a healthy amount of change and acceptance and that it varies with everyone.  I think it is healthy to step out of your comfort zone and to try something new... but I also know that a perfect situation is impossible (or will change eventually).
 
The Serenity Prayer comes to mind, but also knowing that Happiness is not a destination, it is part of experience as is Sorrow and Frustration.  The key is to continue on a path where you are happy more often than not, to make the change when you see a turn that is appealing, but also to know that the bumps in the road can be signs that the route you are on will be worth your journey.
 
  
*The Secret Language of Birthdays, Gary Goldschneider/Joost Elffers
Copyright 1994

Preparing to Spring

Spring is probably the most anticipated time for changes. For those of us in Illinois, or anywhere this year that has been hit particularly hard by this winter's snow, ice and frigid temperatures, I think we are all quite ready for the change of seasons.

This week also marks Lent. I am not Catholic, but I hold respect for other religions, and I truly advocate meditation and reflection. The new Associate Pastor at our church just wrote about the origins and the purpose of the 40 days in the published bulletin. The sentences that struck me are the things that I never hear anyone talk about when it is Lent. Our beings rise from ash, return to ash, and our responsibilities are what we do with our time in between. Sure, Lent is a time when all of us can look at our temptations and practice restraint, but this year, I am particularly going to focus on my purpose in this life.

As the temperatures start to rise (we all hope!) and new life in plants and trees form, let us all look inward at what we have to offer for growth and change. I am ready to spring forward.