The great theologian Jimmy Buffet sang it so well, “Changes in attitudes, changes in latitudes…” causes our mental state to let go and joy to invade.  Gotta give it to Jimmy.  He was right on.  Right, on this.

I am excited about a project that I have been working on for months now with a very talented team who pulls so much out of me.  The truth is, they cause me to go to areas of vulnerability within myself.  The irony is that I am witnessing in first person, their moving my comfort zones.

Why are we oftentimes, or possibly most times, so resistant to change.  We changed life from an umbilical chord in our mother to breathing on our own.  Our diapers were changed.  We changed from dependency to independence.  (Or we should have!). We change the channel on the TV (or streaming).  We change lanes.  We change clothes.  We change hairstyles, clothing styles, lifestyles and for some like me, just style (or lack thereof) in general.  We change to improve the comforts of our life, but resist the life-altering impact of change.

We change whatever we decide to allow or identify as needing changed.  

Conversely, we guard against change when the unknown causes angst or fear.  And much of the time, irrational fear.  The aphorism “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is widely attributed to Albert Einstein but was actually penned by Rita Mae Brown in her book, ‘Sudden Death.’  I often hear things like ‘if only I had’ or ‘I wish I could’ and even more sad, ‘I am too afraid to change.’  If you want a different career, body, mindset, financial position, relationship status, change!  This type of change involves behavioral and mental change.  Change can be hard.  Results from change, so fulfilling.

I have always likened myself as a change-agent.  I have developed products that solve problems, or change outcomes.  I encourage and coach life approach through the lens of expectation and flexibility.  I strongly encourage replacing the ‘we’ve never done it this way before’ mindset with a fear-less approach of exploring and allowing growth, leveraging the life experiences and abilities that reside within each of us.  I believe that change lies within each of us, desiring to breakthrough.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Change involves a willing mind.  Real, personal change requires a willing heart.  Profound, life impacting change requires a repositioned mind.  

Philippians 4:8 tells us “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  

I love Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Faith requires surrender.  Surrender involves gaining control by giving control.  (Ask me, this is truth.). Change results when minds expand.  Life expands when change is embraced.  

Time to change the channel.  Let’s go.