GroundHog Day

Today is February 2nd, GroundHog Day. The day when Punxsutawney Phil makes his appearance and indicates whether or not we have another 6 weeks of winter. He actually doesn't indicate anything willingly-poor old Punxsutawney Phil gets yanked out of his crib and displayed to the media. If I were him, I forecast another 6 years of winter for that insult!

Today is my brother's birthday too, so Happy Birthday Greg. GroundHog Day is also a popular movie released a number of years ago starring Bill Murray. The theme of the movie is that the day is an endless loop-unpleasant events repeating over and over again. Some episodes of Star Trek, X-Files and Buffy The Vampire Slayer (my fav!) also explore this idea.

Well, never mind about a time loop for your life-sorry to say that change is inevitable and constant. Forget death and taxes, it's change which is the master. If you don't believe that, look at your life. I can guarantee you that you are not the same today as you were last year or 2 years ago or 5 years ago. From the cells in your body to specific details of your life. Take a minute, do a quick life review and see if you agree.

As a whole, we generally resist change. Change is viewed as a negative, things which are unpleasant and unwanted in our lives (ergo the whole death and taxes idea). As I look at our new administration, changes happening at my work and the potential new chapter of my life unfolding, it strikes me that rather than resisting change, it may be a much better idea to embrace change. Especially since it's going to happen whether you want it to or not. What's the phrase? Resistance is futile. If I resist the changes I don't like, I create disturbance and imbalance in my mind and body. My resistance doesn't necessarily stop the changes, unless I have the ability to directly affect what's happening. The majority of time, I do not. In general, I can only affect my thoughts and actions, that's about it.

Since I desire good health, it behooves me to look at any energy I may be wasting on resisting changes I can't control. Instead a much more positive use of that energy is in service to my own goals, accepting gracefully that change is indeed the master of life. At least that's my plan and I'm stickin' to it. You all know how much I love plans!

I also find it very helpful to remind myself of the abundance of wonderful gifts I have received throughout my lifetime-gifts of people, things, opportunities, kindnesses, humor, love. Appreciation and gratefulness go a long way towards mitigating the fear and anxiety that we often feel when approaching change and newness. Besides what about positive changes? Is that phrase an oxymoron, like "jumbo shrimp"? Maybe it's an attitude thing. For me, I'm going to view change as the natural order of things and find at least a neutral perspective, if not a positive one. That's today plan.........

Happy Ground Hog Day!
What change(s) will you embrace today?

In Health,

Laura