Finding New Ways to Flourish

Yesterday was a busy and fun day. Massage was wonderful. Lunch was yummy. Disney on Ice was well fun for the kids! The evening didn't end successfully with my two year old barfing all over my bed after coughing for three straight hours. Exhausted this morning!

But back to the Blog. Today is a very gloomy day in Montreal, so perhaps that's why today's Blog is a little more introspective.

I wanted to explore a topic that is the only constant in our lives change. We can fight it, we can try to avoid it, but change happens. And what better time to discuss the concept of change and transformation but during the onset of the fall season? We just need to look outside our window and see the brilliant colored leaves falling gently from the trees. We also can see the flock of birds flying south to warmer climates. Fall is a time of change.

Now no one likes change. No one likes chaos. No one likes starting over again; be it if you find yourself out of a job seeking a new one, out of a marriage and alone, if your kids have moved out, if you've just been told you are sick. And while change can come as a relief if we've just moved past a bad chapter in our lives, change can also be very scary. It involves a tremendous amount of risk, and puts us outside our comfort zone. But, I quote the title of James Moore's book, You Can Get Bitter Or Better. It's true, you make that choice about how you're going to respond to change. You hold the power.

I would like to quote my mother, a therapist and wellness counselor, who also gives workshops on change and transformation.

It is easy to get lost in the past, which you cannot change, or to get lost in the future which is not here yet. If we adopt the attitude that transformation is a magnificent process, it will cross us over the bridge and take us from one state of existence into the next. When we are able to see the ever growing aspects of ourselves, we open ourselves to an abundance of possibilities. Transformation welcomes in a wonderful sense of freedom. And remember, new experiences keep us young and maintain our sense of wonder. Everything in the landscape of life can change in a moment and to be human is to be lost in the woods on any given day. Embracing our biggest challenges as gifts or opportunities will hopefully help us discover a clearer sense of purpose and a new passion for life.

So, if change and uncertainty have snuck up upon you, and you're feeling lost and confused, what can you do? Hopefully a few of these suggestions will help you go with the wind, instead of trying to swimming upstream.

• Develop the attitude that our thoughts create our realities. It's a bit of an overused concept, but it's true. If you approach change with negative thoughts, negative energy, and negative emotions, your situation will most likely have a negative outcome.
• Use the business model of strategic thinking and keep your life goal and vision in front of you at all times.
• Let go. Welcome the change. Believe that things happen for a reason, and if the change is a negative one, believe it brings a gift. Find the gift. The change has come upon you to learn a lesson. Find the lesson, and learn from it. When I did not get into my MBA school of my choice, I was devastated. I thought my life was over. So, I took another road. And the outcome has been wonderful even though I couldn't see it at the time.
• Live in the moment. If you let your thoughts wander to past moments or future times, you won't have the coping skills to face the change. You will totally feel overwhelmed. So deal with today, today! It will all seem a lot less scary.

So, let the old bad habits die. Let what no longer works for you fade away. Then, help usher in the birth of WHAT'S NEXT, of what's to come, before that too, becomes only a memory.

Ladies, tell us, what changes have you been through in your lives and how have you dealt with those changes? I accept my delicious husband will always leave his underwear on the bathroom floor after his shower I embrace it! Just kidding!

Till next time, and Happy Thanksgiving fellow Canadians.

xoxEDxox

Erica Diamond, Women On The Fence
		About the author:
		With 18 years sales experience, and 14 years marketing experience, Erica is a born entrepreneur. Erica started Unique Corporate Gifts, a promotional products company she sold 3 years ago. Her business journey has awarded her a Promie Award, Top 40 under 40 Entrepreneur Award, Top 30 under 30 Entrepreneur Award, among numerous others, and finally, The Profit Hot 50 Award - 1 of Canada's 50 Emerging Growth Companies.
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