by Kathy Ruff
How do you cope with change?
No, this picture is not yet reality in northeastern Pennsylvania. In fact, it’s unseasonably warm right now. But we all know the change is coming.
How do we cope? We may change to snow tires, winterize pools, rotate the summer smocks and dresses to sweaters and turtle necks. We bring in the hoses, put burlap over some plants and put ice scrapers in our vehicles.
We all face changes in life that are not as easy to prepare for or live with…living after the death of a spouse, a layoff at work, moving to a new community or a new job or boss, to name only a few examples.
How we cope with any change is up to each of us. I like Wayne Dyer’s take:
“If 
you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
I’ve tried over my lifetime to look at things in a positive way, so much so that it’s become a natural outlook for me. I know others who see only the dark side. It’s a choice.
For example, right now I’m facing some changes in my life…a possible new ‘boss’ or loss of writing work after 20 years when an editor I work for transitions to a new company. I also face a move to another location next year.
Yes, these can be stressful situations, but I see another side. I see an opportunity to seek writing work I love, transitioning from the business realm and into inspirational works. The change of location next year will add to that transition, as my window view will show this perspective. It’s not unusual to see geese fly up the canal, an added perk to see nature instead of a concrete jungle.
Instead of fearing the changes, I choose to cope with enthusiasm and adventure.
How about you? How can you see look at something differently and see change as a positive?
Everything is changing all the time. We just aren’t always aware of it. Many changes are natural and beyond our control. Humans label them bad or good. We have to adapt or make changes ourselves.