The Times They Are A-Changin'

Sixty years ago, iconic singer, songwriter, and poet Bob Dylan wrote: “The Times They Are a-Changin.” It was more of a reminder than a revelation. Ever since time began, it’s been in flux, and, at every corner, humans have been faced with change. Just look back to review all the changes you have navigated in your life. And even though we don’t know what the future will bring, you can bet it will include change. 

 

Change interrupts the status quo. Your reaction to it determines how well you’ll adjust and cope. Do you fear change, avoid change, resist, or embrace it? Let’s face it. Change is inevitable. If your reaction to it overwhelms you or makes you uncomfortable, maybe the first change you should make is to change your response to change. But how do you do that?

 

Begin by thinking about what changes you want or need to make. Next, write them down. Finally, decide whether or not you have the power to change anything. Use the opening lines of the Serenity Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can.

 

These words, written by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930s, carry a powerful message of acceptance and courage that can help us find peace and guidance in our lives. They encourage us to focus on the things we can control and respond with action to make a difference. Yet, at the same time, those words lead us to accept the things we cannot change and find inner peace and resilience in the face of adversity.

 

By focusing on what we can control and letting go of what we cannot, we can improve our mental and emotional well-being, reduce stress and anxiety, and live a more fulfilling and purposeful life.