8 Ways to Deal With Change and Uncertainty in 2010!

It’s a new year and a new beginning. This last one started out with the promise of something different, but the difficulties did not go away. So it is not surprising if there is some uncertainty about the year to come, whether with unemployment, healthcare, the war, or havingenough money to pay the bills. It takes courage to shift the story line and move from a familiar and known place to one that is unknown and without reference points, as it means stepping outside of our usual comfort zone.

There is nothing more certain and unchanging than uncertainty and change. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Ed remembers being excited about moving to England, many years ago. He counted the days until he left the US. When he finally arrived in a small cottage in Devon he had to face the reality of creating a whole new way of life. It took time to adjust and realize that change, although inevitable, can also be a time of great personal growth.

Emerging from three years in the Auschwitz concentration camp, psychiatrist Victor Frankl said that after his imprisonment and the destruction of his family, he had been left with only “the last of the human freedoms, to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” That is the choice that each one of us has–a choice in how we live our lives, despite the difficulties we face, and how we care for each other.

Life never stands still, no matter what we do. Change is the very nature of existence–our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, ideas, even our relationships are as changeable as the weather or the seasons. Who we are now is not who we were last year, last week, yesterday, even a minute ago. Already our feelings have changed, our thoughts are different, and some of our cells have died while others have been created.

The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next. Ursula K. LeGuin

Without change in ourselves we become stifled and stagnant. Being with what is as it is, and integrating the reality of change is wonderfully liberating, the opportunity to clear away layers of dust and cobwebs and to start anew in each moment. We can become fearless through uncertainty.

Here are 10 ways that have helped us and, hopefully, will help you deal with change and uncertainty:

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Beng Kiat L.

1:59AM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

thanks

send a green star

3:23PM PST on Mar 13, 2010

Read this!

Karen M.

4:09PM PST on Feb 1, 2010

very nice....yes..very nice!!!

Diana T.

5:41PM PST on Jan 27, 2010

Thank you for the great tips. They certainly make me feel better. 2010 started on a real dull note for me with a bad knee. My lifestyle has been completely changed.

Karina P.

7:57AM PST on Jan 23, 2010

Thanks for the great article! :-)

Tammy N.

5:58AM PST on Jan 12, 2010

i know that the coming 2 years will be very busy and hard. and i am ready to all those busy work!

Michelle J.

10:12PM PST on Jan 5, 2010

1. Accept what is! If you can change something, then do; if you can’t change anything, then release resistance and simply be with what is.

2. Take risks. Life is about not having answers, taking chances and risks, and making the most of every moment, all without knowing what is going to happen next.

3. Be your own best friend. It is easy to blame and shame yourself, but now is the time you deserve the most love and kindness of all.

4. Every day is a new beginning. Each time you take a step forward you have no idea what might happen. But nothing will happen if you continue to stay where you are.

5. Keep falling as long as you keep picking yourself up! Making mistakes is not the problem, but not learning from them and moving on is.

6. Nothing is permanent, so appreciate every moment, fully and completely, as it will never happen again.

7. Think with your heart instead of your head. When you come from your heart you come to your senses!

8. Meditate. Take time to just stop and breathe, to remember why you are here, and to find what is of real meaning to you.

9. Don’t take yourslf too seriously. A good sense of humor prevents a hardening of your attitudes, and stops your opinions from getting too rigid!

Ina Eliza D.

10:27PM PST on Jan 4, 2010

Great article!!!! Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!

norma s.

4:39PM PST on Jan 3, 2010

Happy New Year. I hope that many of us read and appreciate this little treasure.

Ed And Deb S.

9:54AM PST on Jan 3, 2010

You all make me feel sooo good

We have received many green stars lately and it is humbling. I send hugs back to you and heartfelt joy.

May the New Year be full of surprises that make your lives a delight.

BE THE CHANGE

Ed