Changes

I want to write today about the subject of change. I cannot say that this topic is recently on my mind because, in fact, it has been a part of my everyday thought process for almost six years now. In a way it has been a burden on my mind and I would like to alleviate the pressure a bit. I figured today would be as good a day as any after hearing the marvelous homecoming talk from newly-released Sister Meredith Law.

I have never really liked change. As Steve Martin says in Father of the Bride II, “This town hasn’t changed much in the last forty years and as a man who’s not big on change, this town fits me like a glove.” (That may not be the exact wording but you get the idea). I do not know all the reasons for my dislike though I am sure there are many. I do know that change most always brings about a feeling of uncertainty. It’s like going through a labyrinth—you never know what creature will pop out! The fear of the unknown is strong and, at times, most inconvenient.

Despite all of that there have been numerous instances of change in or around my life as of late. Graduating high school, changing colleges, changing jobs, moving out/in, watching people get married, meeting people’s children, seeing people leave and return from missions, and so forth. I know I am not really old (I’m 23) but these changes sure make me feel it. It is not uncommon to hear that my friends often feel the same. In a strange kind of way it is pleasing that I am not alone. However, change affects us all differently, so in a way I am alone.

I know it is August but the one thing I have learned this year is that change is NECESSARY. That was totally cliché, but I absolutely know it is true. We as humans have been subject to change our whole lives. Every year we celebrate a day that marks our body as having aged another year. And all year round we experience the changing of the seasons. We watch the renewal in spring, the maturity in summer, the harvest in autumn, and the hibernation in winter. Change is necessary, change is important, change is vital, change can be bad, but change can also be good.

After all I have written it might be surprising to learn that I, in fact, now want change. It is both liberating and relieving when you finally get the strength to pull yourself out of a hole. Or, I should say when you realize you WANT to pull yourself out of a hole; when your eyes are opened and you see how awful a place the hole really is! Getting out of the hole was a change; a hard change, but an awesome change. (And yes, I did have help getting out of the hole. I needed the strength of the ladder which is the gospel. But that is another topic altogether.)

Oh my, I have written a lot already. I thank you for sticking it out this long. It was very therapeutic to release my thoughts into this void we call an internet. I just want to end by saying that I am looking forward to the changes that await me. Yes, I am still a little wary, but I supposed it is only natural to be. If I look back at all the bumps in the road I have already crossed I will try not to dwell (though “dwelling” and “worrying” are second nature to me), but to try to use the experiences to my advantage. And although she probably won’t read this I must again say WELCOME HOME MERRI!!! YOU WERE GREATLY MISSED!!!