CHANGE for most people, especially the more mature (seniors), is challenging. Depending on the magnitude of the change, the emotions can get pretty extreme. Here is quick look at the areas of change that probably have the most impact on our lives: loss of job, divorce, loss of a loved one or close friend, moving, starting a new job. Now think a moment – How do you deal with change? What one change has had the most impact on your life? How did you handle it?
Being a senior myself and only with God’s Grace living over 73 years on this earth, I have the dubious distinction of having experienced all five on the list. A couple more than once! At a much younger age, I could get “highly emotional – MAD”. Letting my emotions get out of control resulted in an immediate response that seriously impacted the people involved and around me. Later in life, a mentor shared with me that “Stopping and thinking for whatever time it takes to be smart with your emotions and then reply calmly will pay big dividends.”
One of the best sayings that I ever heard is; “What comes around goes around!”. Putting it another way, a harsh reply may damage your image and impact your future relationships. In place of a quick, maybe damaging, hurtful or emotional response, consider the following suggestions for when you have a CHANGE:
- Take a deep breath, smile and say something to allow you to leave gracefully.
- These situations present a great opportunity to say a silent prayer and turn it over to the Lord.
- Where you are really depressed and have ongoing challenges, you need to seek help from a trained counselor, like your minister and someone recommended by others, who have had the same experience. Please don’t procrastinate and try to solve this challenge on your own!
In reflecting on my personal CHANGES in my maturing years, most of the time that something occurred, I have looked for the positive and moved on with the ultimate answer coming from the Lord’s word.
“OUT OF EVERY ADVERSITY COMES THE SEED OF EQUAL OR GREATER BENEFIT!”
God Bless,
Steve Craney
A Man In Action
