The Necessity of Change
2020 has brought up for me the question, "How do I respond to change?"
I’ve lived with this, somewhat unconscious, belief that controlling things in my immediate environment will keep me safe from the external changes of our world. My behavior is a form of resistance, this holding on to what feels recognizable, “normal.” However, there is no way to prevent it, change is as natural as breathing.
I am reminded of a road trip I took with my dad and sister in early march of this year through the Arizona desert. We had the opportunity to visit the Upper Antelope Canyon located on the Navajo Nation. Our guide shared with us that the beautiful land structures of the ancient canyon were created by water and wind that run down the sandstone carrying rocks and debris across the canyon walls. The elements reshape the land forms and drape the floors in red sand. Walking through the canyon I brushed my hand along the stone wall, and the exterior gave way to touch, leaving a dust of sand particles on my fingertips.
These canyons have been in this continuous process for millions of years, which has not only included the land but the water that rains down creating rivers, flowing into lakes, later to evaporate back up into clouds. We can choose to resist it, to stay fixed, or we can surrender to the inevitability of transformation, and allow our lives to take the shape of something new and beautiful. This is the power of adaptation, to attune to the changes as they come.
When we attune to our breath there can be a great sense of relief that comes with change. At the very top of my inhale I am grateful to be able to exhale, and at the very bottom of my exhale I am happy to begin a new inhale. When present with the breath, we can acknowledge the necessity of change. In yoga Prana is the sanskrit word for Breath, as well as Life-Giving Force. Which has me thinking... perhaps change, although uncomfortable and scary at times, is that same force that gives us life.
“All that you touch you change
All that you change changes you
The only lasting truth is change
God is change”