Thursday Thoughtfulness: August 10, 2017

/ saraletourneau

(Look for this week’s #ThursdayThoughtfulness questions after the jump.)

This Week’s Questions: How receptive or fearful are you to changes that you need to make in your life? Have any changes you’ve made in the past seemed fortuitous, or turned out to be beneficial for the direction you wanted to take? If so, how? Feel free to share other thoughts you have when you read this quote.

Follow #ThursdayThoughtfulness at the blog and on Twitter at 11:00 AM Eastern. Feel free to spread the thoughtfulness by reblogging this post, writing your own post on this topic, or sharing the quote image on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

14 thoughts on “Thursday Thoughtfulness: August 10, 2017”

  1. I both fear and want change. It all depends on the change, of course. I’ve read and admired the late Fr. O’Donohue (he was only 52 when he died), but such inspirations as his cannot always be taken literally, particularly in parts of the world more precarious than the USA or Ireland, and even there for some people. But I do try to trust myself more and have less fear even of changes for the worse.

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    • I haven’t read John O’Donohue’s actual work, but some of his quotes have resonated with me, including this one. I didn’t realize he had passed away, though…. Do you have any recommendations for readers who want to be introduced to his poetry and/or other writings?

      And yeah, change can be intimidating as well as a source of welcome relief. It’s something I’ve been thinking about recently, for various reasons. So this quote from O’Donohue came to me at an appropriate time. Change may be frightening, but when it happens sometimes we have to trust that it’s happening for the best and then spread our wings and see where life takes us next.

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  2. I dislike change, but as I’ve grown older I realise that it is what Life is all about. And if I don’t want to FEEL old and sidelined, then I need to cultivate the art of being flexible and adapt. I believe I am better at this than I was in my 20s and 30s. Thank you for this topic, Sara – as ever a thoughtful and intelligent choice:)

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    • I’m not a big fan of change, either, Sarah. Long term or short term. In fact, I’ve been putting off a home improvement project just because of how much effort it’s going to entail to prepare for the project in advance, and also the fact that I’d have to find someplace to sleep over / live temporarily until it’s done. Every time I think about the project, despite the fact that it needs to be done someday, I feel like I’m about to panic. :S

      But you’re right. Change is a part of life. Sometimes we have to step outside our comfort zone and be flexible, adventurous, a little braver, etc. I might still struggle with this from time to time, but I know I handle change at least a little better than I did when I was in my 20s.

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  3. I despise change. XD I’m very resistant to it. I did not like the idea of this new job which was a pretty big change in my lifestyle for me (I work weekends, I work in the food industry which I swore I wouldn’t do again, and have to drive to a new place every week), but over time I’ve grown to learn it’s what suits my life for the time being and allows me to write, but still make a decent income.

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

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    • You’re not alone in that sentiment… But I’m glad that despite the changes you’ve had to accept as part of your new job, it seems to have worked out for the best. Especially if it still allows you time to write. That’s very important.

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  4. I don’t like change much. I’m a creature of habit. Things are changing for me at the moment and I’m very anxious about it all. Yet I know that there are elements of the changes that are positive, and mean I’ve done well. I wish I was better able to adjust to these things.

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    • I think that, at heart, most of us are creatures of habit. We don’t like or welcome unexpected change, or the upheaval that any change can bring. And for some of us, it’s very easy to be anxious about the future or the unknown. (I know the feeling all too well.) But like you said, there are often benefits or upsides to any change; and sometimes change happens for the best, giving us an opportunity to grow or learn something. That’s one of the reasons why I chose to feature that particular quote – it’s advice that speaks to me at this very moment, as a reminder that whatever happens in the future is meant to happen, and to adapt as I know best if/when it does happen. But I’m glad it’s resonating with readers, or causing others to think about their relationship with or responses to change a little more.

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      • Again true of me too. Yet hope lies in the future, and in change for the better, a paradox. ‘This Too Shall Pass’ is a wise saying, though it seems to conflict with mindfulness and ‘Living In The Now’. In fact, there is a time and place for both.

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      • I heard something similar on a padcast this morning. Flow with the changes and be happier for it. A good philosophy to try to put into practice. Trust the timing, as a friend said to me.

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  5. It’s an interesting question. I’m usually scared of any changes, because I’m too well aware of the consequences they might bring. At the same time, I understand the need of change and getting over my fears. I moved over to Ireland. I decided to take a leap and pursue an entirely different career to what I had. I moved over to America. All of these things (and many more) were terrifying, but they brought good things about and pushed me forward in the directions I wanted to go.

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