“Change is never painful, only resistance to change is painful.” ~ Buddha
Have you ever been called a Neanderthal?
If you were, it was likely intended as an insult. Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens shared the planet for hundreds of thousands of years. Then about 40 thousand years ago, Neanderthals died out, while Homo Sapiens thrived. Today there are more than 8 billion of us.
Now the reason that being referred to as a Neanderthal is an insult, is because we’ve long thought they weren’t as intelligent as our ancestors, Homo Sapiens.
But it turns out that isn’t true.
By studying their sophisticated use of tools, and the size of their brains, it now appears they were the smarter ones. It seems that it wasn’t because of our superior intelligence that our species survived. No, it was our sense of adventure that saved us. When the Neanderthals created a new settlement, they didn’t venture very far. Often the new living space was within sight of their old home. At the same time Homo Sapiens were fording streams, climbing mountains, and eventually crossing entire oceans. It was our ability to adapt to change that led to our long-term survival.
That was ancient history, and yet it still plays a big role in our lives today.
The one constant in the universe is change, which means that change is inevitable. When we resist that change it’s like trying to swim against the current, it takes a lot of energy just to stay in the same place.
But when we embrace change, we feel invigorated and energized.
Popular church leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof identified fear of innovation and change as a sign that a church is in trouble in his recent article “13 signs your church is dying”. I don’t think that only applies to churches, any organization that resists change and innovation doesn’t have much of a future.
It’s been almost a year since Amanda, and I changed almost everything in our lives. We uprooted from the community we had called home for more than a decade and moved to Vancouver Island to open the Centre for Spiritual Living Nanaimo.
We decided early on that we wouldn’t do things just because “that’s the way they’ve always been done”. It’s been a magical experience as we have allowed things to unfold with little resistance or fear. We often talk about the new adventures we are having as we joyfully, gleefully watch our new little community growing and blooming.
The universe is in a constant state of creation. In any one moment it’s creating everything from new galaxies and solar systems to new opportunities for you and me. Our job is to decide how we will respond to that opportunity. Will we resist and hang on to what we know because it’s familiar and safe? Or will we see it as an adventure that may open opportunities we couldn’t even conceive until now?
One of my teachers, Dr. Kenn Gordon talks about pushing the envelope. He says when we expand our horizons, when our comfort zone grows larger, our consciousness expands.
"Life just turns deliciously quirky when you stop resisting yourself and, instead, honor the intuition that tugs at you like a puppy on a leash in the park. Follow the magic and magic starts to follow you." ~ Tama J. Kieves
It doesn’t have to be a huge change. I’m not suggesting you quit your job tomorrow, sell your belongings and join a commune on the far side of the planet (unless that’s what your soul is calling for, then go for it!)
No, what I’m encouraging you to do is to look at the areas of your life where you are playing small, staying in sight of home.
Look for an opportunity to embrace change. You can start gently, like trying a new restaurant. Perhaps exploring a different route to work or school. You may see something, hear something, feel something new. And that new thing may lead to another opportunity, another adventure.
While I was writing this, the universe provided a perfect example. Amanda and I went for a walk today. We normally go in the morning or evening, but this time we went in the middle of the day. It was our usual route, which takes us through Maffeo Sutton park. Until we got there, we had no idea there was a rally for social justice underway. We listened to some amazing speakers, learned a new skill that could save lives, and made some important new contacts in our community. All because we changed it up and took a walk at a different time.
Life is calling to you. How will you answer?
In peace, light and joy
Derek
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