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A little change can make a big difference .
If you’ve ever tried to feed a parking meter only to find you’ve no change in your pocket, the difference between change and no change might be a costly ticket or an hour or so free of worry. For more than 35 years I’ve reminded students in my Traditional Yoga class of the same concept, but referring to a change in their physical or mental position, not money. Simply closing your eyes results in a change in brainwave pattern, for example. Slightly adjusting the way you breathe can either energize or calm you, warm the body up or cool it down.
Many years ago on my way to interview for a new job I told myself, “If I have my own office and it has a window that opens, I’ll take the job.” It did and I did.. The attorney had arranged the furniture himself, however, and I found it inconvenient; so one day when he was in court I rearranged it to my liking. He set just one foot inside my door before saying through clenched teeth, “Put it back the way it was.” I complied. This demonstrates two important points: (1) It is often our nature to arbitrarily resist change (as the attorney did), and (2) when an unwelcome change is imposed upon us, we can adjust (as I did). Change in the weather Change of mind Times change People change Someone very wise once said, “The only thing in life of which we can be certain, is change.” This is easier to accept when we feel that we are somehow in control, and while we can’t always control what’s going on around us, we can control how we react. Unhappy with the price of gasoline? If so, how can change what is in your control? Ride share, take public transportation, map out errands to optimize gas consumption, walk when it’s feasible, trade your vehicle in for something more efficient, keep your tires properly inflated, and yes, try driving with the windows down instead of running your air conditioner!
It makes no difference whether you think Al Gore is a wise and hardy hero who practices what he preaches, or a jerk expecting others to sacrifice while he uses a private jet and his driver sits waiting in a parked SUV with the air conditioner running. This isn’t about him, it’s about you. Did you read the previous paragraph and dismiss it without a second glance? Or did it start you thinking, “Hmmm…What can I change?” Here are some changes I’ve (Ginny) made: I make fewer trips (with my windows down) to the ranch to see my horse -- and I actually believe she appreciates me more now when she sees me! I schedule the same number of appointments in four days that I used to schedule in five, which means the office uses no energy for an extra day. At home we use ceiling fans, not air conditioning,. I wash my dishes by hand six out of seven days, and run the dishwasher once a week. I hang my laundry on the line instead of using the dryer. I only iron our “dress” clothes, not our casual wear. I prepare more meals that require little or no cooking (think salads, sandwiches), but here’s my favorite (and I dare you to try it): I take my morning shower or bath with the bathroom lights off!
So what about you? Content with complaining about the ailing economy and energy crunch? Leaving it up to the other guy to make things better? Or are you hunkering down to get through these tough times with less stress and more self-satisfaction? BIG changes can be scary (even to an attorney), but anyone make a little change, adjust, and move on to implement another. If nothing else, it feels good to NOT feel helpless.
Please let me know if you have ideas of your own for making a poor situation better, with a little change! |
