Images by Brooke Richardson Photography

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A friend and I were talking recently about her neighbors' kids knocking on the door daily to ask her boys to play. She added they were even great about playing with her youngest. It struck me how social relations are so much easier with kids! Their line of reasoning seems to be, "You're a kid. I'm a kid. Let's hang!" That's it. Simple as that. Sure, you have the occasional outliers and bullies (which can often be traced to the socialization they're receiving and behavior they're observing at home/elsewhere). 

Somehow along the way, as we grow up, it becomes more complicated. We have less perceived commonality and willingness to overlook differences. Sure, there could be many contributing factors (e.g. as we grow older we identify and develop our specific talents and interests and socialize accordingly; we have less free time due to jobs and other obligations, so we're pickier with whom we spend our limited time, etc). 

Whatever the reasons may be, you have to admit a kid can more seamlessly join a table of kids coloring than an adult can blend into a group of strangers chatting at a cafe. I mean, think about it! If a stranger walked up to you and your friends and was all, "Hey, whatcha guys talking about? Ooh I lovvvve yoga classes too!!! What's your fave, Bikram or meditative? GET OUT - that's my fave too!!!!!!!" Chances are, you'd look at them like, "Girl, you WACK."

“Become friends with people who aren’t your age. Hang out with people whose first language isn’t the same as yours. Get to know someone who doesn’t come from your social class. This is how you see the world. This is how you grow.”

It seems the older we get, the more our differences are heightened and emphasized, and the more our commonalities are minimized and disregarded.  As kids, we weren't yet jaded by the world. We had no awareness of social constructs like status and prestige. We had open minds and hearts. We were untouched by societal ideals and concepts of what's acceptable and what's not; what's cool and what's not; what's sexy and what's not. We just woke up psyched to play. Our main focus was having as much fun as possible each and every day. Sounds like a solid approach to me!

“That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up.”

— Walt Disney

Let's all try to be open minded with others. This doesn't mean you need to become BFFFFFs with every single person you meet. That'd be waaayyyy too many birthday presents to buy (JUST KIDDINGGGG). And if you have social anxiety, or you're an introvert - striking up a conversation with a stranger might not be your jam. Maybe just focus on your thoughts, staying as open-minded and non-judgmental as possible with others. Focus on your similarities and common interests. 

Let's all just get along!

Peace and blessings, homies.

-w-

Images by Brooke Richardson Photography

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“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”

— Rumi

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C H A N G E. Depending on your mindset/circumstance, change can be welcomed or dreaded. Accepted or resisted. 

If you're stuck in a job you hate and are suddenly offered your dream job, change is pretty great. If that dream job is across the country in a completely unfamiliar city, away from family and friends...it might seem daunting and stressful. 

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“LIfe is about change. Sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s beautiful. But most of the time, it’s both.”

— Lana Lang

Some people naturally thrive on change - even seek it. Some avoid and resent it. And some fall somewhere in between. Where are you?

However, no matter where you fall on the spectrum, change is inevitable. As they say, the only constant is change. So since we know it's a given, let's talk about tips for accepting it. 

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“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

— Socrates

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1. View it as a developmental opportunity.

As Socrates advises, the trick is to stay forward-focused. Try to minimize time spent reflecting on how great things were pre-change. Try to emphasize the positives the change will bring - or at the very least, the opportunity for you to incorporate positivity.

Decide to make it as beneficial and enjoyable as possible. It's happening - and it's ENTIRELY within your power to make it a good thing. Instead of focusing on loss, focus on gain, particularly regarding your power. Change can leave us feeling powerless, so spin it and focus on the power you DO have - and how you'll use it to your benefit. 

Change is a fantastic opportunity for us to step into our full potential and become a better person than we were before. If you reject change, you'll deny yourself - and the world - the chance to become all you can be, thereby denying the world your full talents and gifts. Please don't do that!

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“Sometimes our lives have to be completely shaken up, changed, and rearranged to relocate us to the place we’re meant to be.”

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2. Trust everything happens for a reason.

Know the universe is conspiring for you, not against you. Think back on every significant change you've experienced thus far. If you're anything like me, the changes that sucked the most to endure were the changes for which I was ultimately most grateful. They taught me the most/improved my life the most. 

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“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.”

— Eckhart Tolle

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3. Know you are not alone.

Everyone feels doubtful and uncertain sometimes. These feelings are 100% normal, and the sooner you recognize and accept this, the sooner you will reach peace. Acknowledge your emotions, feel them without repressing them, and let them float on their way. 

4. Allow others to support you.

Let others help you. Please don't enable pride to prevent you from doing so. If you lack supportive friends/family, seek out other resources to help with what you need, whether it's a moving company, support group, etc. Chances are, you're not the first one to go through this change, so there are likely established resources to ease your adjustment. We're all in this together!!

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“Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place you belong.”

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5. Take care of yourself.

Now more than ever is a crucial time for you to practice self-care. Eat nutritious food. Move and stretch your body. Ensure sufficient rest. Practice meditation, or at least incorporate down time into your days. Take care of you, so you can meet the change(s) with your best self. 

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“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.”

— Robin Sharma

xx,

-w-

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

— Charles Darwin