“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:19
“People do not fear change, they fear loss.” –Ronald Heifetz
Have you heard this before? When I first read this by bestselling author and former professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School Ronald Heifetz, it took me some time to process and digest it. Most of the reason why this was such a difficult concept for me to grasp was because I’ve always felt a lot of anxiety every time there was a big change or transition happening in my life. But over the years I have discovered that this is, in fact, very true. People do not fear change, per se, because they don’t resist getting a promotion, winning the lottery, or moving into a nicer home, all of which are big changes. Most of us fear the types of changes that lead to some sort of loss; a death of a loved one, a divorce, or losing a job.
But have you considered that maybe even a loss has occurred in your life to make space for something new to arrive? Maybe you lost a job so that you can get a better one. Perhaps a relationship ended so that you can experience a healthier relationship. Or consider that you need to let go of unforgiveness so that you can actually have peace. Sometimes we need to empty our hands of the old thing we were holding onto to make space for something better ahead. Ultimately, some of your biggest losses can even become gains. So instead of thinking of making a New Year’s resolution, consider making a New Year’s Change.
With this in mind, what is a positive change you need to make in 2023?
