Process of Change

2/3/12

I attended a workshop yesterday on the process of change/transition. The presenter was fantastic and very engaging. She talked a lot about our responses to change and how we often (or always) are shocked and frightened by change, how we deny and resist change when in fact, change is the norm, truly the only constant. Change by definition she said means something has ended but we don’t always know what is next. We fear taking a risk, making a mistake and often become frozen in time. She had us explore how we typically respond to change and discussed that self-awareness is the key. She questioned the audience at the possibility adopting an attitude of curiosity and adventure as it relates to change.

She went on to discuss that we resist and fear “the transition” prompted by change, but encouraged us to look at change as a “journey of becoming”. She described change as a one way bridge to a new beginning…I loved that, found it very profound and applicable to what we are all doing on our Weight Release Journey. Even more profound was when she said, “When you don’t “mask” (refuse to feel, hide) you have an opportunity for self-discovery. I will take that a step further and say to us, when we don’t “mask” with sugar, food, alcohol, shopping, men, sex, we have a huge opportunity for self-discovery.

Transitions begin with an ending and end with a new beginning. We are in our transition ladies and together we will end with a new beginning.

Here is a quote she shared today that I thought was simply amazing…

“Everything can be taken from man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. It is this spiritual freedom-which cannot be taken away-that makes life meaningful and purposeful.”-Victor Frankl, 1984

(FYI….Victor Frankl wrote Man’s Search for Meaning. He was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist during the time of Hitler. He had a successful private practice until he was captured and put into a concentration camp. He is a Holocaust survivor and wrote his book during his time in the concentration camp. Incredible!!!!)

A prayer for our journey…You both may have heard this but it such a good reminder I wanted to share.

Today, may there be peace within.

May I trust that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Let me not forget the infinite possibilities born of my faith in you.

May I use the gifts you’ve given me.

May I share the love I receive.

May I be content knowing I am your child. 

I ask that your presence settle into my bones allowing my soul the freedom to sing and dance and praise and love. The opportunity awaits…may I embrace the day! –St. Therese of Lisieux

With love and blessings,

Kelly Anne