How to handle changes of life

Change is something that is inevitable in our lives. Many of us must come face to face with many challenging moments we never really anticipated will happen in our lives. At the same time we wonder if we can overcome such situations.

As they say “the only constant thing in life is change”. Changes are bound to happen in our lives but how do we cope with such changes when they eventually happen to us?  Some changes that happen are for the best while the others are for the worse. But then no matter the circumstance, there are effective ways of managing and coping with any eventual change in our lives.

Life, by its nature, determines that we will have to face change in our lives at one time or the other. Of course, some changes are far more dramatic than others and also some people cope better with changes than others. To many people, accepting the inevitability of change produces stress, physical and emotional symptoms. Most people see change as a beast threatening their status quo, their sense of security  and need for control.

Sadiya Bakari, a media consultant, says “change demands that we let go off the security blankets of our past ways of doing things to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth. We have the illusion that we can manage change by controlling our environment, however, change can truly only be managed from within ourselves. Gandhi said, you must be the change you wish to see in the world. Striving to develop an open mind and flexibility in the face of change is the most effective way of dealing with change. By relaxing your hold on the past, you can learn new ways. Most of us feel that we can hardly survive once there is a slight change in our lives. It’s not true it only depends on how we handle and manage change.”

In managing change effectively, what is most vital is having the right attitude with a positive outlook at the right time and right place. This would provide the flexibility factor in the face of change. “Many times I have been faced with change in different situations and I just gave up on the whole situation. I was not patient enough to think things over. Maybe if I had been more patient I would have seen a clearer picture of the benefits of change in my life. I now believe for every change God allows to happen in your life, there is a purpose it is now left to us to find out the new door that has been opened for us in life,” says Abiodun Jaiye a 37-year-old stockbroker.

For many, when change creeps into their lives it’s like the whole world has come crumbling down. “There have been times when I felt that I could not carry on with life because I was finding it difficult to adjust to change. The change came so drastically and almost immediately. I was used to the good things of life and never gave second thoughts about those that were less privileged. But things changed when I was placed in the shoes of those that had to beg to survive.  Only then did I realize how insensitive I had been in the past. I believe there was a reason for the change in my life and I am glad that it has a made a positive impact on me. Change always has something in store for us no matter how small. All we need is to take a drastic look at the whole situation and you will be able to adjust almost immediately,” says Jafar Abdul a civil servant.

“A life without change isn’t a life. Change in our lives only makes us stronger and wiser. Facing changes wisely rather than running away from them is the best thing you can do for yourself if you ever find yourself in such a situation,” says Basira Adeyemi a trader.

There are many things in our lives that change and not always in the way we want it to be. Change does not always have to be bad. It could be difficult to cope with at first but with flexibility, wisdom and tolerance we can always find a way out in every change. Believe that in every change there is always a door for a second chance in our lives.

When you think you cannot survive the change, look back at your life and you will be surprised the changes that you have been able to cope with without paying very keen attention to it. We can survive and strive through change with ease and comfort. Your wisdom on how to handle it is the one constant thing in a world of constant change and transformation.