How we view change
Change is viewed by many people as something that is scary and difficult. They feel that it will take so much effort they are afraid to even contemplate what might happen if they attempt it. People who feel they need a change often don’t know what they want to put in the place of what they already have. Those who do have a wonderful vision of what change could mean for them have absolutely no idea of how to get there. Those arguing for change are often in the minority, and may feel completely outmaneuvered by others who are quite happy with the status quo.
Why is it so difficult to make changes?
Many people give up on change because they feel the contest against “those in charge” is just too much to contemplate, making changes feels fraught with difficulty. You may want to act differently, but get discouraged by your inability to throw off the habits and patterns of a lifetime. When others begin to show enthusiasm for your new ideas and appear to want to join in the change process it can be disheartening if their support doesn’t stay completely wholehearted. They may be genuinely interested, but until some real results from changes appear, their support will be only token. Their keenness will depend on how well the change affects them. If it doesn’t make their lives better, then they won’t continue with their support.
Others will dislike it if you try to push them into change. People who are committed to the status-quo begin to feel uncomfortable with cries for change. Some are unable to even imagine how things could be different, and special interest groups hunker down to defend what they have against any change which might mean they lose out in the future. They are happy and successful as they are, and won’t see a need for change of any kind. In fact they will see it as a threat.
Thinking about what you want
The most important element which can help to bring change about is when people grasp new ideas and start thinking about what they want for their lives. Not waiting for some amorphous group or authority to tell them what to do, but working things out for themselves. This, of course, requires people to be much more free thinking than many in positions of authority would like. It also requires that they are prepared to speak out in favor of making change and so find like-minded people who feel as they do.
Movements for change start from small beginnings, but can grow into much large groups which are able to publicize their views, translating them into calls for action. This is what is happening at the moment with the run up to the Presidential Election.
The power of shared ideas
This is what gets change really happening. It’s very difficult for authority groups to prevent the spread of ideas. When people are talking, thinking and passing their views around to others, the chance of throwing out their ideas is impossible. Getting people excited by an idea is the first step to drawing others in and starting a movement forward. Once that’s happened, it’s hard to stop it growing.
Change can be exciting and exhilarating. Everyone should try it. Whether you want small changes or large ones, being afraid and accepting whatever “the powers that be” or your own limitations are prepared to let you have, is a recipe for dissatisfaction. No one gains respect from being a doormat and no one thinks much of you if you have no opinions of your own but accept all that others tell you. They don’t know what’s best for you, or what you want from life. Be strong, and stand up for what you believe in.
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