Does any concept lend itself better to metaphor than change?
Perhaps only life and death.
Change is hard. You know this. I know this. Podcasters and self help gurus who try to convince us otherwise know this.
You know how we know change is hard? Because if it was easy, then we would all change for the better, for individual then mutual benefit, and we would be living in a literal utopia.
Change is hard, that is why it lends itself so well to metaphor.
Change involves metaphor as much as the literal.
We have to change in immaterial ways before we can change in material ways. We have to change our minds before we can change anything. Is changing our mind a literal thing or a metaphorical thing?
What is our mind? Where do our thoughts come from and where do they go?
Changing our mind means expanding our horizon(s). To push up against the limit of our perception and to then go far enough to reach the unknown and to become familiar with it.
When we reach the new horizon, what next? What’s left? What to do?
If change were easy we would know what to do, how to do it, how to habitualize it, and take inspired action by default. But change is not easy. Change may not be complex, but simple and easy are not same just as there is difference between what is difficult and what is complicated.
Does one have to go all in on change? Is incremental change a thing? Do we dip our toes in the water first or do we cannonball in and submerge ourselves in the cold plunge of the new and unknown?
Habits of thought, perception, emotion, and action would indicate that we have to change incrementally. In the never ending story of trying to replace detrimental habits with beneficial ones, we can reach a point of whatever it takes and whatever works.
Change is hard. Knowing what to do and doing it. Being socially conditioned into thinking that doing something once equates to permanent success and happiness certainly doesn’t help for those of us raised by movies and television.
Is taking a break the same as giving up? Are rest days necessary or are they for the weak? What does alpha even mean anyway?
I remember when finding information required effort. Then the information was easily accessible. Now it’s hard to find again because we have to sift through the misinformation, native ads, digital clutter, and distractions. That’s if we decide to try and change and seek out knowledge to help us.
Meditation and philosophy help me declutter my mind and emotions. They help me to focus my actions in at least a generally beneficial direction. They provide a spring board and rest stop for me when I decide to try.
Aging has taught me that time keeps going and the world keeps moving. That combination has given me some awareness and equanimity, two concepts that at least create a solid foundation for change.
Anarchy Journal Constitutional 