Change.
A common weakness amongst everyone in the world. A natural, innate fear. Our actions are ultimately governed by our fear of change.
Why are we so afraid of change? Why are we so against change? Because change is risky. Because with change, we may lose more than we can gain. And we may end up in a deeper hole than we were in before.
The truth is, change will happen, whether you like it or not. The inevitable transience of time will force everything around you to change – your family, your friends, your environment. Therefore, you will change.
Will you change for better or for worse? Now, that’s your choice. Do you want to be controlled by change, or do you want to control change through change? This question may be a bit confusing, but we’ve all been in this situation before. The girlfriend/boyfriend who broke up with you, the company that laid you off, that time you were forced to change middle schools and felt alone – we’ve all been through situations like this.
Citing Charles R. Swindoll’s famous quote, I read, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Fight change with change. Forget about that girlfriend/boyfriend who dumped you — go to the gym more, get better grades, try new things like rock climbing or break dancing with the newfound free time and freedom you have. Improve your mind and body. Work on being Mr. Right before you find Mrs. Right. For that employer who fired you, expand your skill set, sharpen up your resume, and show them what they’re missing out on. For all those people who never believed in you, show them that they’re fuckin wrong about what you can and cannot do and pass them right before they get to the finish line. I’ve heard this line before, and I never get tired of it: Success is the sweetest form of revenge.
While most of us fear change, we must understand how valiant it is to initiate positive change within ourselves. To be able to look at your own life situation and feel discontent is a great revelation, but to actually have the resolve to step outside your comfort zone and try ways to improve your life, your skills, your body, and your mind, is infinitely more honorable.
Change.
Amen bro! Well said.
Word.
jeff, is this u?? this is hilarious. i wasn’t sure.
based on ur blog, i think u should write and publish a self-help book. u will totally succeed. this is so good. reading this post is like getting injected with red bull. i feel so amped.
hwa eeh ting. HAHA
Hi Jeff! This is Jenny (Zhao).
My quick thoughts:
I agree change is inevitable and necessary for all of us. You end with a sounding proposition, but if we are to really follow through with it, you’re really assuming that people wield a lot of power in their own hands to change themselves, and that you can surpass circumstances and leave behind emotional baggage, but I would argue that that’s not a very easy thing. Not too sure about the motivation of revenge as well.. sounds tiring, endless, (and kind of ill-willed) to me.
Not trying to be critical, just wanted to put forth my 2 cents! Hope you don’t mind. Good day hsu xian sheng!
Hi Jenny,
My main point of this composition is that channeling frustration into energy towards improving yourself is much more useful and healthier than inaction. And I definitely agree – giving up the past is difficult, while dramatic improvement/change is not easy and does not happen overnight. But if effort is invested in will, one can progress away, little by little, from a mind filled with unhealthy insecurities and restless discontentedness towards a life of self-confidence and satisfaction.
Baby steps.
-J
How do you just make such a jump from “unhealthy insecurities and restless discontent towards a life of self-confidence and satisfaction”? What is the mechanism? “Effort invested in will” even little by little just doesn’t seem a satisfying answer to me. But maybe that’s just me, I’m a weakling.
Jenny is right.
How DO you just make such a jump from “unhealthy insecurities and restless discontent towards a life of self-confidence and satisfaction”?
These things are easy to say, but it would be more insightful had the post illustrated this notion via concrete examples
Why oh why do you never show me these secret sides of yourself? Bastard.
I like the header design. Simple & Elegant.
i like this. a lot.
werd to yo mother.
Not everything changes.
299792458
…unless you’re one of those guys like Joao Magueijo.
I like the way you think.
Are these Jeff’s words? I am inspired! Please post more of your thought and publish them!
u need more change. u need to write a new post.
Your piece on change is likely tied into your personal outlook on life. That’s admirable and an inspiration. However, I feel your concept of change is one sided; that change is something that people innately recognize and ultimately fear. I wouldn’t say that change is a weakness, or even a process that is common. Moreover, change shouldn’t always be viewed as something to be controlled and directed. There are many situations in which change is inevitable, as change is sometimes necessary to succeed, survive, or even avoid risk. It is in these situations that change becomes easy.
But in the majority of cases, I believe that change is most related to apathy. And understandably so. People are unaware in the changes that occur to themselves and to their surroundings. More often than not, change is a gradual process that is not realized for quite some time. We are not always conscious of our own change until an external cue prompts us to reflect.
I agree with you in the benefits of initiating positive change, but it seems as if you take this concept to the extreme. There are legitimate reasons to resist change, especially when upholding core values and beliefs. Perhaps your intended message is focused on raising self awareness?