Change

Hey all,

Some of you may have noticed a change to both the title and layout of my blog. I've decided that this year, 2009, will be my year of change. I was inspired by President Thomas S. Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" from this past general conference.
(http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html)

He quotes the familiar adage "nothing is as constant as change". I loved this quote because it is 100% true. This inspired me to find other quotes on change:

"Butterflies are God's way of saying change is beautiful"

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
~Victor Frankl

"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine." ~Robert C. Gallagher

"They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom." ~Confucius

"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights." ~Pauline R. Kezer

"Our only security is our ability to change." ~John Lilly

I want you to seriously think about these quotes for a minute. Those who fear change are only fearing growth and new situations that bring with them all new opportunities to find joy and happiness in the journey. I like the quote by Confucious, because what it's basically saying is that what makes us happy today, may not make us happy tomorrow. Our interests change an evolve as the world around us changes and evolves.

Some of us may complain about being in "a rut" because what used to make them happy doesn't any more. That may not necessarily be because they don't enjoy that activity, but we as human beings, need change in our lives in order to stay motivated and to grow. When we do the same activities day after day, they become monotonous and meaningless as times goes on (for most people). By changing how you do something or when you do it in a day, though it is a small change, it can make all the difference.

What I'm trying to say by all of this is simply, change is a good thing. If it weren't for change, we would never be able to be better in our lives. We'd never be able to progress or learn new things that make our lives more interesting. I like the last quote also, "our only security is our ability to change". Because of my ability to change, I've been able to become someone completely different, in action and thought, in the last year. All of that I attribute to my Saviour for the Atonement and for the love He's showed me.

As my faith in the Gospel and in the Lord grows, so does my ability to love others. My ability to see blessings in the midst of trials grows also, and I begin to have a gimpse of that perfect love that the Saviour has for us. It is an amazing thing.

The advice I give to you all this year is to embrace change. If you're unhappy with how things are going, do something about it! Don't put it off and wait for the "right time" because you'll soon find that that time never really comes. Take action, make changes, and do what will make you happy in this life. That is what this time is for. My new year's resolution: make positive changes that will make me a happier person.

Until next time,
-J