Stability in the Face of Constant Change


This world is ever changing. From one day to the next what was considered of supreme value doesn't matter anymore. Technology, religious beliefs, laws, career choices, investing choices, and even our feelings about ourselves are ever changing.

How in the face of this ever changing world do we find a sense of stability and safety? If everyone and everything is changing how do we find the necessary courage and faith to thrive on this ever shifting foundation? If the foundation is moving how do ever build a house?

Let me delve into this a little by telling you that I am scuba diver. As a diver I am told to never swim against a current, but rather to float along with the current. And, if I have to swim against a current only do so when it is extremely mild and will not put me in any danger.

Life is like that of diving. It is not wise to try and force a solution to something that will not respond to that solution. I must try another way. Either I change my approach to the situation, or I surrender to the reality that I cannot change it. This requires a faith. Not a faith in particular spiritual practice, but rather to a faith that life is working exactly as it should be. It is a faith that says that maybe something else is supposed to be happening here. It is a faith that realizes that I do not have all of the facts. It is a faith that says that I do not have all of the answers.

It is this faith that is my stability in the face of an ever changing world.

 We all put our faith in different things. Some of us have a particular religion that keeps us stable. For some, it is nature that reminds us that ultimately all will be well in the end. For some, it is our family who support us when we are going through a tough time.

Whatever or whoever your stabilizing keel on the ocean of life is, we must all find it.

 It is this foundation that we need when things change. When the notice comes from the management at your job that your services are no longer needed you need this foundation. When a loved one gets sick it is this foundation that we need. When a natural disaster strikes and wipes out our home or community it is this foundation that we need. When a law changes that directly affects us it is this foundation that will help to keep faith in this world. And, in the face of emotional turbulence it is our foundation that helps us through.

Change is not easy. Nobody ever said it was. It will come when we least expect it. Sometimes It will come when we don't want it.  Change is here to stay. But, it certainly does help to recognize that we are not alone, and that we can rely on others for help. If we rely on our foundation of faith that keeps us feeling safe we can navigate any storm that life throws at us. And, if we completely fall apart in the process we can lean on our loved ones to help put us back together again.

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