Strength and Growth Through Change

During Vivid 2016  I watched the Opera House change to a magnificent canvas for 6 Indigenous Artists with constantly changing images. It was vibrant and fascinating. This image was by Karla Dickens a Wiradjuri woman. The artists worked together to create a display of Songlines. It told the story of personal journeys of different clans. All who have faced so much change but hold on dearly to their culture. As I  moved through the last month I spoke with many people facing change, faced into so much change personally and heard of constant change in the world both politically, technologically and economically.The largest of this change was the announcement last night of Britain voting to exit the EU. 
I reflected on the change we all face - small and large. Sometimes actively chosen and sometimes the change is forced upon us. Change can be accepted and used as an opportunity to create a strength within us. Or it can create a need in us to resist the change. It takes a lot of energy to reject the change and often disables us emotionally. Focusing on  change as an opportunity to learn and  adapt can strengthen us emotionally. It can create energy through seeing things differently and actively having to challenge our own beliefs , actions and behaviours in a changed context. 
For me the constancy of family and very good friends has helped me navigate positive and negative change and maintain a level of happiness. Sometimes we can lose our way and we need to really think about what matters to us. Working on a personal purpose can help navigate through what matters. For me I realise my thread of my life in helping myself and others to understand and adapt through change is a signature trait and something that creates true meaning for me. It was important to me when I was a Therapist helping those who had lost limbs to recover and adapt to life as an amputee, it was important when I moved to Safety Consulting working with manufacturers who were changing processes, products and locations and using these as catalysts to prevent injuries and as important in  my career  in Insurance as we help communities recover after natural disasters. Personally I love learning and adapting even when I find some change so fast it creates fear inside of me. I break down what is true, what is myth and my own self talk limiting me, how can I adapt and then I always come through stronger than before. It is never easy but it does help create personal strength. For us to stay relevant in a changing world we need to take personal responsibility to adapt.