Equilibrium in our lives is, for most of us, what creates our sense of safety. The real problem with safety is that it tends to breed apathy. When we are familiar with things, when things seems to be running smoothly and effortlessly, when crisis’ are at bay, then we don’t need to pay attention. We can do just enough to keep the keel even, then we can ignore the rest. And what happens is that we steal away with what we want, and let everything else be. This, however, becomes a trap.
The focus of change tends to be outcome—a focus on the ends rather than the means. But it may be that the means are the most important thing that we can spend our time on. Most important is not what change take place, but that the framework within which the change occurs is strong enough to withstand whatever the change may bring. Change is, after all, inevitable. The question is, how do we position ourselves to embrace change, whatever it may be?
Change is harder work than stability. Change can be upsetting. Change can create conflict. But also, change creates energy and change is almost always a good thing. From change arises vision. From change grows confidence. And somewhat more to the point is that though safety is good, change is better. We are, after all, a living organization and as such, we honor the past by moving gracefully into change, gracefully embracing the future.
When I think about creating safety, consistency and all those other things we long for, I always go back to the four core spiritual principles that are a good touchstone for our actions: faith, awareness, creativity and commitment. We must embrace this change with faith in the power of who we are, with awareness of our needs, our strengths and our shortcomings, with the kind of creativity that will help us find new ways of achieving what we deem important, and with a commitment to seek out every way possible of making our lives a true reflection of who we are and what we believe.
From “Here’s the Rub” 5/1/2011
The focus of change tends to be outcome—a focus on the ends rather than the means. But it may be that the means are the most important thing that we can spend our time on. Most important is not what change take place, but that the framework within which the change occurs is strong enough to withstand whatever the change may bring. Change is, after all, inevitable. The question is, how do we position ourselves to embrace change, whatever it may be?
Change is harder work than stability. Change can be upsetting. Change can create conflict. But also, change creates energy and change is almost always a good thing. From change arises vision. From change grows confidence. And somewhat more to the point is that though safety is good, change is better. We are, after all, a living organization and as such, we honor the past by moving gracefully into change, gracefully embracing the future.
When I think about creating safety, consistency and all those other things we long for, I always go back to the four core spiritual principles that are a good touchstone for our actions: faith, awareness, creativity and commitment. We must embrace this change with faith in the power of who we are, with awareness of our needs, our strengths and our shortcomings, with the kind of creativity that will help us find new ways of achieving what we deem important, and with a commitment to seek out every way possible of making our lives a true reflection of who we are and what we believe.
From “Here’s the Rub” 5/1/2011
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