Earlier this month, I wrote about a few experiences that I call life changing.
That has been an interesting experience. It's made me think deeply about my life, about difficult times, and ways I'm different because of what I've been through.
It has also caused me to reflect on the whole concept of change...
...and the things I've learned from change and because of change.
If you'd like to read my Life Changing Moments series, here are the links:
I thought it might be good to put my thoughts about change into words. So here are my conclusions:
10 Things I've Learned About Change
Learn to look forward, not back. Be open to new experiences and new opportunities. .
Take charge. Instead of fighting change, create a new normal...one you choose to create. .
Some change comes because we decide we want to be different. Other changes are thrust upon us because of life's experiences. Be ready for both. .
If you are trying to make specific changes, decide what the changes are and how to measure your progress. Then acknowledge that progress with a big high five! .
Learn to be content and happy wherever you are. .
Make changes because they are right, not because someone thinks you should. But at the same time, learn to listen. Great advice can come from unexpected places. .
Prepare yourself for change. If you see a new time of life ahead, find ways to welcome and embrace it. .
Find the story in it. Write it down. Figure out what you are learning and how you are growing from the whole experience. .
Be willing to share your experiences and what you've learned with others. .
No experience is ever wasted. Life's experiences create us and mold us into who we will become. And we are always becoming.
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What have your life's experiences taught you about change?
There was a road, a mountain road in a winter canyon leading to a cabin where a little fire was burning.
And on that road there were some cars, some happy cars filled with laughing girls heading to that cabin where a little fire was burning.
And on that mountain it started to snow. A heavy snow, a blinding snow on slushy roads which now were really slippery.
And in those cars, there were some leaders, some worried leaders and some quiet girls who all were now not laughing.
And in those cars, those worried leaders saw other cars slide off that road where they now too were slipping.
So on that mountain, those anxious leaders, turned their sliding cars with their frightened girls away from that cabin where the little fire was burning.
And down the mountain those sliding cars with their frightened girls inched toward their homes where worried parents were waiting.
But two of those cars, those sliding cars got stuck on the ice, that black black ice, where no one now was moving.
And near that road, that slippery road, there was a river, in a rocky ravine toward which those cars were veering.
Then in those cars, a frightened girl, a faithful girl said to her crying friends, "Now we must start praying."
So on that mountain, good praying girls asked their God in heaven, to keep them safe on this road where it was snowing.
When to the car there came a man, a kind-hearted man, who called to the leaders, "Is there a way I can be helping?"
And so that man, he took those girls, those frightened girls into his van and down the mountain went driving.
And more kind men, in their big big trucks, drove more crying girls to meet their friends who now were safely waiting.
So now at home those grateful girls with their thankful leaders are once more safe, and everyone now is laughing!
Thank you men, you kind, kind men, who stopped to help some frightened girls on a mountain road where it was really snowing! .
She feels like the youth of today have lost their manners.
She was quite opinionated about how they have become rude, and self-centered, and disrespectful.
I have to disagree. .
As a youth leader for the teenage girls ages 12-13 in my Church group, I have to say that they are some of the best yet.
They are good and kind and aware of the needs of the girls around them.
One of our girls just lost her mother to cancer. It's been a hard thing for a long time. But the other girls in our group have rallied around her and made her feel loved.
And then there's one of the older girls, who was in a gas station with her mom one day. Her mom gave her some money to go inside and buy some candy.
As she was waiting in line, she noticed that a handicapped young man ahead of her was very upset because he didn't have enough money to pay for his items.
This girl put her candy back, and stepped up to give her money to him. She just said it made her feel really good inside.
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I know this world has its challenges.
And there are lots of troubled teens who show their angst in desperate behavior.
I've seen that too.
But I choose to believe that there are many more good kids than bad, and these wonderful young people are going to grow up to really make a difference!
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I hope you'll take a minute to watch this video. I don't know the girls in it, but I'm so impressed.
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