10,000 Hours to Be Me is about embracing change; about moving toward the larger life many of us secretly long for. Sounds good…even exhilarating! Then there are the changes we didn’t anticipate or maybe even wish for: such as the loss of a job or loved one; an injury or change in our health; even new responsibilities, like caring for an elderly family member. One might feel overwhelmed, scared or even angry.
Some changes we expect; however, the reality of the experience is far more, or far different from what we expected, like moving to anew city, having a new baby or losing weight. When this happens, change goes beyond the experience. While we may have expected that a new home, having a new baby, or losing weight would be the change we experienced—in reality it was just the beginning. The bigger change is the internal makeover that will continue to manifest slowly within us.
For example, living in anew city will demand that we find our way in unfamiliar territory and start over creating a home. It is a fresh start in the truest sense. Having a new baby will, day by day, encourage us to develop patience, force us to reorder our priorities, and increase our capacity to love. Losing weight can change how we view ourselves and help us lose unhealthy inhibitions that keep our inner light hidden behind a false self. Although these experiences are shifting our very world on the outside and visible to everyone around us, the bigger change is taking place on the inside.
When I had young teenagers, I often repeated the phrase, “Nothing stays the same, except for change.” You will have new classmates in the fall, friends may move away, your body will seem unrecognizable, you’ll gain new responsibilities and greater independence. I wanted them to understand that while the world is constantly shifting around them, change is a normal, human experience. It is the dance of life.
It’s normal to resist change—regardless of whether we judge the circumstances to be desirable or not. We long to feel comfortable in familiar terrain again. The reality is change is continually occurring and how we respond will determine the quality of our lives. We have the choice to suffer in frustration and bitterness; or we can see our personal evolution with a heart of gratitude. The former keeps one locked in the past with no desirable future to look forward to. While gratitude keeps us moving forward, open to the new opportunities and miracles that manifest before us.
We may have loved the way the old brand of shoes fit our feet, and wish we could find them again. However, when we are ready to open our hearts to change—voila, will wonders never cease—those new shoes waiting for you just around the corner are lighter, come in more colors, and look great with your new clothes.
10000hourstobe 
weelilwimsy
/ January 21, 2012“Nothing stays the same, except for change.” I love that! It is so true. We might as well get used to it!!
dummyzero
/ January 22, 2012I really identified with your shoe metaphor…keep walking straight ahead even if you’re in bare feet. Then slip into those new comfy shoes and continue on!
10000hourstobe
/ January 23, 2012Nothing is so hard, as when we resist. Letting go and moving on seems to be the time those comfy shoes miraculously appear. Thanks for reading… and thanks for commenting.
ariadnesdaughter
/ January 22, 2012This put a smile on my face. I agree with weelilwimsy above – the line which says “nothing stays the same except for change” is priceless. I need to remember to share that with my teenage son. The image of the Buddha you included (touching the ground) is my favorite one. It means a lot to me. I don’t know how correct my interpretation is, but to me it means accepting the here and now. Right here is where “it” is – the thing we are looking for.
10000hourstobe
/ January 23, 2012The Buddha picture is one I took at the Freer Museum in Washington D.C. It is a small statute that has a lovely aspect. I like your interpretation of the image. Funny enough, I’ve been reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle for the second time as part of a class I’m taking. Very appropriate.