In Others' Words: Change

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." ~James Baldwin, African-American writer

 

Let's take a can change/can't change look at this quote.

Can Change:

It's Wednesday. How's your week going? Look at that To Do list you scribbled on Monday — or formatted on an Excel spreadsheet, for you uber-organized folks. What do you need to change today so that you achieve satisfying forward motion the rest of the week?

Can't Change:

It's Wednesday. Are you facing something you can't change? A disappointment? An illness? A no when you dreamed of a yes? A door slammed shut in your face?

I'm sorry. Truly. I've been there. More than likely, I'll be there again.

You may not be able to change your circumstances — the no, the illness, the closed door. But you can choose to face it.  Choosing to face something challenging, something you'd rather take a pass on, is a kind of change. Think about it: You're changing your mindset. Doing so allows you to decide how you're going to face the problem. Realizing you can't fix it isn't the end … sometimes admitting you can't is the beginning.

In Your Words: What kind of change are you facing today?