It’s a cold morning at this moment in late February and the wood stove is keeping my family warm. Though we’re in the thick of Winter, I find myself thinking of the change brought by Spring and Summer.
How We Move Through Change Is Reflective of Our Health
It seems natural at this time of year to recognize the change ahead of us. Some people have already started certain seeds inside to prepare for planting their gardens. Some of us are just craving more warmth and sunshine and the freedom to be outdoors in bare feet. Many are dreading the allergic response they may have to the grasses that will grow. From my Chinese medical perspective, I consider how we physically and emotionally move through change to reflect the state of our health. When you’re in a greater state of balance, a change in your environment won’t necessarily create dysfunction.
How our immune systems deal with the change in season is an example. If you find that you usually get some form of upper respiratory infection at the beginning of Fall or the beginning of Spring that impacts the lungs and takes six weeks to resolve, it would be a sign of imbalance. A woman moving through her menopausal time is another example of change. The degree of anxiety, hot flashes, sleep disturbance, or other symptoms may be reflective of the relative state of health. Or how a person mentally and emotionally adjusts to a new job may give us evidence of their state of balance.
Don’t Be a Buggy Whip Maker
Part of good health is also paying attention to your body or surroundings and making the choice to change when appropriate. This surely applies to your body or any organization. My father has been involved in business his whole life and recently shared the analogy of the “failing buggy whip maker”. These whips were used to prod horses harnessed to carriages. As the automobile was manufactured and then came into regular use in the early 20th century, buggy whips became no longer needed. Producing something no longer needed would create a failing business, so the buggy whip maker became an analogy for not adapting to change.
Making a change can be very challenging, like quitting smoking or eating a lesser amount of sugar, or choosing to leave a marriage. If there are signs of struggle in the body, such as a chronic cough or diabetes, or constant anger, it would require a change to help the system become healthier. Many changes are about creating a different habit that serves the body in a healthy way. It can be hard to look at, admit to, and then change habits, especially when those habits seemingly create pleasure or relief. And some habits seem out of our individual control, like cultural habits that may impact us personally. It takes real awareness and acceptance to make different choices. With awareness, I find a choice to be momentary, it happens in the moment, not tomorrow or the rest of my life. After the decision, the action can then follow.
Keep Your Attention on Today
Sometimes we can predict upcoming change, like the eventual change of season or even changes related to aging. Often, though, change is unexpected. A goal in maintaining our health is to move through change, expected or unexpected, with greater ease. And when you recognize the need for change, remember that the decisions and initial actions are made in the moment in front of you, with less focus on the rest of your life. Change can be overwhelming, so just put your attention on today.