Change is constant. Inevitable. When we embrace change it is what helps to grow, evolve to the next stage. We are. All of us, always in some kind of transition, some small, some large. Celebrate change
I agree, Gary, though I have to admit I find change really hard. I prefer for it to happen when I am not looking though 🙃! Thank you for reading. I greatly appreciate it!
Learning how to accept, even embrace, change, including some that may be undesirable or unexpected, helps us move forward. Yes, it can be hard and the challenges can loom large. If we have developed the resources or can access them when needed, we have a better than average chance of meeting the challenges head on. You remind me of Woody Allen’s famous quote, “I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
I remember the Woody Allen quote! I think (I hope) I’m getting better with dealing with change though it’s crazy how most of my growth has happened in the last two years. Thanks, Gary, I appreciate the conversation!
Priya, I wrote a poem about a beloved old Zimbabwean friend, more than a friend, really, who lived his life under two racist regimes and under brutal tribalism without ever allowing bitterness any place in his heart. Then one day, I watched him in a situation where he could have easily retaliated for all the hate he endured in life, but he chose to be gracious. He was truly a living embodiment of Invictus:
Lately, I’ve been thinking of this: when I have a choice, may I always choose the gracious one. When I write it, it sounds like a striving but really it’s the lighter, playful choice. Thank you.🙏🏽
Yes, it is a lighter, playful choice. I like that. As in my story where my friend Mr. Mlalazi turned a chance for revenge into a lighter, peaceful choice. I wish you could see his mischievous grin. It’s a treasure of the heart.
I’m visiting my parents in southern India right now. I think of the playfulness of people, some of whom have incredibly hard lives, and it makes me think that is a successful life.
I never got to visit India, but over the years, I have enjoyed my friendships with Indian people around the world. Since I’m not dead yet, maybe one day, I will get a chance. I’ve read so many of V.S. Naipaul’s books about India that it feels like I’ve been there. In fact, the first two books I ever read about Africa were by V.S. and his late brother Shiva.
V.S. wrote A Bend in the River, still one of my all-time favorite books about Africa, and more to the point: people in general. His brother Shive wrote North of South, which is about a train trip he took from, I think, Mombasa, Kenya, down to Zambia during the last years of the Zimbabwean War for Independence.
And you are right, how is it that people who live the hardest lives seem to have so much joy running closer to the surface than many of us? I don’t mean that in a trite or sentimental way. When we lived in Malawi during the Mozambique Civil War, that little country of six million people welcomed in more than a million Mozambiquean refugees.
In my career, I tended to get typecast as an “Africa guy,” since it was home for so many years. But I bumped around the edges of India, just never made it across the border. India was one of two countries I want to explore, but haven’t. However, I have explored more than a few places I really didn’t want to visit!
I’ve decided it’s impossible to keep current with Naipaul’s work. The man is a writing machine.
It’s such an interesting thing how we (I) chase around happiness or resist change — when if we (I) could just find a way to be grateful for all we have things would certainly appear more wonderful.
I loved those boards! Thanks for the link, Jeffrey! I think we are losing some essential physical quality in the world today. I’m not a big fan of nostalgia but those boards seemed to feel part of the takeoff into a journey. Thank you! These conversations are such a vital part of writing here and I appreciate your taking the time!
Just a little while ago, I read in another newsletter a quote from John Stuart Mill: Ask yourself if you are happy, and you will cease to be so.
I'm going to add your quote about the butterfly, but I don't think either are true. Not entirely, anyway. You have at least notice the butterfly, right? It's ok to acknowledge happiness. It's when you start asking why you are happy that it starts to fly away.
At least for some people, there’s a superstition/ fear of jinxing it in acknowledging happiness. And allowing yourself to acknowledge it may require a tacit acknowledgement of its fleeting nature. I recently read something about happiness: Happiness is not a goal to pursue. It's a byproduct of leading a life of meaning and engagement. - Adam Grant
Butterflies are everywhere for me at the moment. Even my entry for a writing competition is called ‘Little Butterfly’. Love the quote. Change is a funny thing; are we adjusting things for ourselves or because of the way the world nudges us … what change sticks and what is just a passing feature of our growth … I was talking to someone in the Encouragement Sessions who manages change for an organisation. They wanted to adjust some things for themselves but had forgotten that the way they managed the transformation for others might work for them too. Such an interesting part of the human condition. Lovely prompt to think about it more. Thank you.
Change is constant. Inevitable. When we embrace change it is what helps to grow, evolve to the next stage. We are. All of us, always in some kind of transition, some small, some large. Celebrate change
I agree, Gary, though I have to admit I find change really hard. I prefer for it to happen when I am not looking though 🙃! Thank you for reading. I greatly appreciate it!
Learning how to accept, even embrace, change, including some that may be undesirable or unexpected, helps us move forward. Yes, it can be hard and the challenges can loom large. If we have developed the resources or can access them when needed, we have a better than average chance of meeting the challenges head on. You remind me of Woody Allen’s famous quote, “I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
I remember the Woody Allen quote! I think (I hope) I’m getting better with dealing with change though it’s crazy how most of my growth has happened in the last two years. Thanks, Gary, I appreciate the conversation!
Krishna consciousness. Change is movement in times when
necessary to see what existed all along.
Change is moving with the times definitely! Thanks, Richard!
Change sneaks in! My trip was a wonderful surprise in that very same regard. Hope you're having a wonderful trip!
I’m almost done (returning on Wednesday) with the trip and it was so good! I agree change sneaks in. Looking forward to catching up with you, Reena!
Lovely share.
Thank you, Ashutosh! Appreciate it!
I often wonder Priya—has “it” changed or have I just changed the view of “it?”
As we change, the view changes and can never be the same.
It’s all these circles within circles and it’s fascinating! I’m reading your essay on losing and love it! Thanks, Dee!
If we’re not changing, it’s probably because we are in some kind of prison.
And sometimes we are not even aware of the prison walls! Thanks, Mr, Switter!
Priya, I wrote a poem about a beloved old Zimbabwean friend, more than a friend, really, who lived his life under two racist regimes and under brutal tribalism without ever allowing bitterness any place in his heart. Then one day, I watched him in a situation where he could have easily retaliated for all the hate he endured in life, but he chose to be gracious. He was truly a living embodiment of Invictus:
https://switters.substack.com/p/red-pill?utm_source=publication-search
Lately, I’ve been thinking of this: when I have a choice, may I always choose the gracious one. When I write it, it sounds like a striving but really it’s the lighter, playful choice. Thank you.🙏🏽
Yes, it is a lighter, playful choice. I like that. As in my story where my friend Mr. Mlalazi turned a chance for revenge into a lighter, peaceful choice. I wish you could see his mischievous grin. It’s a treasure of the heart.
I’m visiting my parents in southern India right now. I think of the playfulness of people, some of whom have incredibly hard lives, and it makes me think that is a successful life.
I never got to visit India, but over the years, I have enjoyed my friendships with Indian people around the world. Since I’m not dead yet, maybe one day, I will get a chance. I’ve read so many of V.S. Naipaul’s books about India that it feels like I’ve been there. In fact, the first two books I ever read about Africa were by V.S. and his late brother Shiva.
V.S. wrote A Bend in the River, still one of my all-time favorite books about Africa, and more to the point: people in general. His brother Shive wrote North of South, which is about a train trip he took from, I think, Mombasa, Kenya, down to Zambia during the last years of the Zimbabwean War for Independence.
And you are right, how is it that people who live the hardest lives seem to have so much joy running closer to the surface than many of us? I don’t mean that in a trite or sentimental way. When we lived in Malawi during the Mozambique Civil War, that little country of six million people welcomed in more than a million Mozambiquean refugees.
In my career, I tended to get typecast as an “Africa guy,” since it was home for so many years. But I bumped around the edges of India, just never made it across the border. India was one of two countries I want to explore, but haven’t. However, I have explored more than a few places I really didn’t want to visit!
I’ve decided it’s impossible to keep current with Naipaul’s work. The man is a writing machine.
A wonderful reflection on change, Priya.
I especially liked the butterfly story.
It’s such an interesting thing how we (I) chase around happiness or resist change — when if we (I) could just find a way to be grateful for all we have things would certainly appear more wonderful.
The human condition fascinated me haha :)
The human condition keeps us writing! Thank you, Michael!
Couldn’t agree more! Thanks Priya :)
You've made me nostalgic for the old-style airport information boards - https://simpleflying.com/split-flap-airport-displays-the-history-of-the-solari-board/ Perhaps they had a lesson to tell us about the physicality of change.
I loved those boards! Thanks for the link, Jeffrey! I think we are losing some essential physical quality in the world today. I’m not a big fan of nostalgia but those boards seemed to feel part of the takeoff into a journey. Thank you! These conversations are such a vital part of writing here and I appreciate your taking the time!
Just a little while ago, I read in another newsletter a quote from John Stuart Mill: Ask yourself if you are happy, and you will cease to be so.
I'm going to add your quote about the butterfly, but I don't think either are true. Not entirely, anyway. You have at least notice the butterfly, right? It's ok to acknowledge happiness. It's when you start asking why you are happy that it starts to fly away.
At least for some people, there’s a superstition/ fear of jinxing it in acknowledging happiness. And allowing yourself to acknowledge it may require a tacit acknowledgement of its fleeting nature. I recently read something about happiness: Happiness is not a goal to pursue. It's a byproduct of leading a life of meaning and engagement. - Adam Grant
I could totally relate to that. Thanks, Stace!
Butterflies are everywhere for me at the moment. Even my entry for a writing competition is called ‘Little Butterfly’. Love the quote. Change is a funny thing; are we adjusting things for ourselves or because of the way the world nudges us … what change sticks and what is just a passing feature of our growth … I was talking to someone in the Encouragement Sessions who manages change for an organisation. They wanted to adjust some things for themselves but had forgotten that the way they managed the transformation for others might work for them too. Such an interesting part of the human condition. Lovely prompt to think about it more. Thank you.