Since the name of my psychology practice is the Center for Positive Change, one might get the idea that I am interested in the process of change. And that guess would be absolutely correct. It would also be correct to note that many of my neighbors and patients are change averse. They tend to be averse to change in their personal lives and certainly in the broader changing world. After all “it is a crazy world out there…right!!”

How does one deal with all this change on the National and Global levels? Even if I am able to get my patients to spend less time watching the news or unplugging it altogether, chaos still seems to be in the air. Isn’t it interesting how many pieces on Facebook are about the “good old days”? That long time ago, which gave us more stability…or so we thought.

Since all the “Did you ever use one of these…” in the world won’t take us back there, it seems that our task is to figure not only how to survive with the change, but how to thrive in it.

As such I want to share with you some sage advice from one of my favorite magazines, Mindful. I have not done this before but I want to reprint their practical article on this topic. I think it is concise and helpful and I hope you do to.

How to Ride the Waves of CHANGE

By Elaine Smookler  | November 20, 2017

The truth is: we don’t know much about what “will be.” Here are six mindfulness tips for going with the flow—rather than losing ourselves in the undertow.

C — Choose to stay open

As we make the conscious choice to stay open, raw, and vulnerable, we can be brave, tender, and present to the Technicolor experiences that reveal life’s texture and richness.

H — Have awareness of what is unfolding, moment by moment

The key to mindfulness is training ourselves to notice the details: Which thoughts are here? Which emotions? Which body sensations? As we stop trying to resist what’s coming our way, we can become scientists of our own experience—full of wonder at each new discovery.

A  — Adapt: It’s crucial to personal and species survival

Considering that adaptation is at the heart of survival, it’s surprising how afraid we are to let things evolve. If we learn to adapt, allowing new information (and challenges) to expand our perspective rather than retreating into ourselves, our unique brilliance can move along with life’s flow.

N — Notice how it feels to stay close to your experience

At the end of the day, most of us just want to feel better. When we allow ourselves to be gently present, we may notice an increase in energy, joy, and resilience as we dare to explore the vividness of life.

G — Generate wisdom by remaining curious about the ever-changing adventure

As we investigate our assumptions, judgments, and other narrow ways of thinking, we open opportunities to develop insights that expand and re-charge our views.

E — Enjoy life’s fresh offerings

It’s important to be open to change, but that doesn’t mean we should be constantly striving for change or forcing it on ourselves. Riding the waves of change means being here for what arises naturally—not moving at breakneck speed toward the next thing and the next thing. Life can so easily slip past us unnoticed. Remember to pause, take a breath, and appreciate the electric circus called life.

Thanks Elaine Smooker, we appreciate your advice.

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Tim Berry