Celebrate the Malleable Reality

I started this blog post a few nights ago. Since then, it's taken a bit of a turn in subject. A little bit ironic, considering the topic. You'll see.

Recently, I've come to realize that my personality has done a complete 180 degree turn on me. It's not so much a complaint, but just an observation that struck me suddenly even though the change happened long before the realization. And, honestly, I kind of like the change. It's still me, but it's a different me; a more outgoing me - something I've been working hard at being. I've come a long way from the shy girl in the corner reading her books and wishing that her life would change just by willing it. Then again, by willing it so, you're already starting towards getting it. Okay, I'm getting confusing. Well...when you want something, the first thing to happen is the idea is formulated. Of course sitting back and just wanting something won't get it for you. You need to become obsessed enough with the idea that you actually do something about it. But as long as that idea is in your head, you're already working toward it, even if you're not doing anything. Yet.

This whole shift in personality is odd, yet, refreshing for me. Finally achieving a change of characteristics that I set in motion years ago. I guess it just surprises me how easily I have embraced it. I'm able to talk to people easier, more confident in myself, more sociable, and have really been able to grasp the nonchalant attitude I've wanted to. I used to always talk more about how I didn't care what people thought of me but, secretly, it did still matter. Lately, however, I really don't care. I don't care if I walk out of the house in slippers. If my jokes aren't funny. If I eat messily sometimes. If someone thinks I'm weird, that's their problem. The only approval a person needs is their own. Chances are, if someone doesn't like something about you, and you do, that person isn't worth your time. Or, their opinion isn't. Not everyone is right about everything. In fact, most of the time, we're all wrong. And that's okay. What I'm getting to is the topic of 'change'.

Some - most - people are afraid of change. Others embrace it. The dictionary's definition of the word 'change' is 1. (verb) - "to make or become different"; 2. (noun) - "the act or instance of making or becoming different". It doesn't say things become better. It doesn't say things become worse. They become different. And that's just it. We all try to see change as either good or bad, and yet, no one really understands that it's not about right or wrong. It's just different. And whether we can adjust or not is up to us.

I remember, years ago, thinking that change was the enemy. But I think that was because it was all so new to me. I got so comfortable with the way things were that when something happened - something big - to stir up my life, I got scared. (Deep down I'm a huge coward. I'm just excellent at faking it.) I got scared that things couldn't go back to the way they used to be. I got scared that things would always be this way. And I was wrong. And I was right. Things are constantly changing, so nothing will ever stay the same. Maybe they can be close to what they were but, it's not quite the same. And something tells me that it never truly is.

Changes can be big or small. Beautiful or terrible. Change is not good or bad. Change is merely DIFFERENT. Everything and everyone will constantly change. Sometimes changes happen without anyone doing anything. Other times you have to be the change...

Do me a favor. Go out and change the world today. I bet you can do it, whether you realize you are or not. In a huge way, or even in the most minute way. Change something you've always wanted to. Whether or not it's for the better or the worse. Do it to make a difference.

"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day."
- E. B. White