Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. - King Whitney Jr.
It is a difficult time for so many people, financially speaking. What I'm seeing these days is a multitude of problems that penetrates deeper than the financial woes of today's society...it is the loss of confidence in embracing the changes that comes before us. Maybe change and how we react to change have always been an interesting subject for discussion but it's up for discussion among my friends more frequently now that we are maturing.
The other day I met up with another client who is a victim of predatory lending...the worst case I'd ever seen. Everything they'd worked hard for their entire lives in the United States...gone. Usually I see evidences of greed from both the client and the lender, so overall, they're both at fault. This case was different...this case makes me sick to the stomach and I wish the bastard lenders will rot in jail or worse. For my clients though, this is a difficult time. They are a victim of economic change and its consequent breeding of greed.
Fortunately for me, I am in the business of cleaning up messes and changing the traditional way of doing business. And for that, I sleep well at night.
If you've been following my blog, you probably know that I've been addicted to Brody's blog for awhile, mainly because my friend is experiencing something I never will. By choice, I would not choose to work in Antarctica for a year. The weather is beyond what my tiny body can handle. I consider 60 Fahrenheit cold and I shiver once it hits 50F if I don't have a jacket on. Yes, I'm a wuss. Anyway, Brody has just finished his year of service and is now heading ... back ... somewhere. Throughout the year, I had the pleasure of chatting with Brody about his choices -- go back to the corporate world and make a good living (at least for awhile until he can save up enough for another trip) or take another extended sabbatical to trek the globe some more. He still hasn't given me an answer on his decision but I hope to find out eventually through his blog...wherever his adventures take him. If he returns home, I promised to make a trip to Denver next year.
Brody's writing style is a bit of dry wit, with a great sense of sentiment. It's absolutely amazing how people can describe their thoughts in such an eloquent manner. His last post: http://frozenbrody.blogspot.com
"I ... went to the park across the street to touch and walk in the grass. I was only there a short time, but the feeling is still tingling inside me this morning. It was the same way when I first saw the sun.....I move slowly or everyone else moves quickly. I'm not sure. Over the winter, life certainly moved at a slower pace, but I didn't realize it was that slow. I can barely remember to walk on the left side of the street or even to look for cars when crossing. At McMurdo, there really isn't a side of the street and everyone drives slow. Keep checking your news report for an American tourist getting sideswiped by a car in Christchurch. Cause: admiring the flowers in a daze. It's 9am. I'm heading back to bed and then I'm heading out to the gardens again. I'm going to lay there for hours."
Imagine that...being so happy about the feel of grass under one's feet and the colors of flower beds. 
Then again, I felt like an alien coming back home from a summer of travels with Semester at Sea. I know how he feels.
My friend Hogan adsvised, "What ifs' are a waste of time...can't kill yourself over that kind of thing."
If I want to be where I want to be then I needed to change. I needed to leave the past behind...I relocated; I put the past memories in storage; I kept its negative effects out of my life. I wanted to be in a loving relationship where the person I was with would not take me for granted...I spoke with conviction; I made certain of my criteria; I learned to have more patience in people; I compromised when appropriate. I wanted to make a difference in the world through my line of work...I worked harder and smarter; I studied and applied what I learned; I did it right and I did it with pride; I made my priorities known. I wanted my social life to thrive...I learned to cook; I initiated dinner parties just the way I'd always wanted to host them; I expanded my network; I traveled as much as I could; I forged stronger bonds with old friends; I danced my heart out.
Change was not easy. I hated every step of the way, especially when I encountered snags that delayed the positive results I'd been experiencing. Looking back, I am only stronger for it. I look back at the girl that was crying over her broken heart a year ago...and I see her differently. She was a fool in love with someone who was no longer meant for her. Everyday, it became more evident to me that we are who we choose to be. I chose to change...he didn't change with me.
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