Do Something About It

Change is good. I am sure you've heard that line before and mostly compartmentalize that thought to perhaps one, two facets of life. Like a job. You hear that often when someone passes a comment about being in a job for some time. Seriously, change is what made who we are as humans. Without change and bacteria figuring out how to not only live but thrive in dire, primordial circumstances, evolution would not have led us here. So in the big picture sense, change has in fact part of our existence.

However, in the 'my modern life' sense, change teaches us how to adapt, giving the brain fresh challenges to overcome, more fuel to keep the noodle running longer. Most of us tend to settle in most areas. Job, personal lives, weekend activities, what we teach our kids, what we order for Sunday breakfast, stuff like that. The consistency though comforting perhaps lulls us into a false sense of well-being in a day and age where adapting to changing situations is becoming all the more necessary.

Perhaps I am over-reacting. Perhaps the past year in finance thought us more lessons than we care to admit.

But think about adaptation this way. Having the mindset that nothing is permanent around you helps you stay on your toes. In Sikhism, and Buddhism I believe, the idea of detachment is quite key. Nothing is truly yours. Everything can be taken away at a moment's notice. Think about the families of those in the Twin Towers on 11 Sep 2001. That's one extreme, yes, and perhaps quite disheartening. On the positive, the idea of 'letting go' helps keep us real and grounded, and not take things for granted.

Back to change. One thing I learned from advertising, is that nothing will improve if one keeps sticking to the same, old ways of getting things done. Companies that keep investing in, let's say, developing 300 things and not having market share in any sector might be better off focusing on one great thing and selling that to the world. It's a hard thing to consider but it might be the right thing to do. Same thing about losing weight. If people think that pills are the way to go, they are kidding themselves. Try not taking the lift or simply add a routine of walking to the train station to start that difference.

There are folks who tell me they can't win anything on the radio or in write-in contests. I ask them if they tried calling in or sending a postcard to take part and usually the answer is no. How can one expect to win if one doesn't change the idea of losing and try something? That's an easy type of change to implement - attitude. If you're unhappy with the way trash is being collected in your neighbourhood or the way the buses are run or how property prices are skyrocketing to ridicule, call/email/write someone. Make that change happen. It feels good when you the results.