Holding Up a Mirror Part One: Embracing Change

I stared at my laptop screen, a small smile playing on my lips as I read through my NYSC call-up letter. Before then, the date for resumption at orientation camp had been shifted a few times. There had also been one or two scams related to the download of the letter, so it was a relief that the real one was finally out.

“Edo State is not bad I guess.” I was working through mixed feelings and thinking up all the positive reasons there were to look forward to the service year. “This is a valuable opportunity to sort out what I want to do with my life. It will give me the much needed break from work pressure. I would get to live in another state, meet new people and explore different opportunities.” All these and more were the things I was saying to get over my reluctance and lack of excitement.

It had been ten months since I started my internship at a multinational FMCG company in Lagos, and I absolutely loved the experience. After I received the call-up letter, the rest of the week passed quickly as I worked through reviews, on-boarding sessions, and send forth activities. Out with friends on the evening of my last day at work, I looked around the table of familiar faces, co-workers who had become family. I licked the cream off my cake and fought the pang of sadness I felt as they spoke of our time together. We said our goodbyes amidst laughter, teasing words and promised to keep in touch.

Little did I know that some days from then, I would be multiplying ₦19,800 by 12 months and raving at the ridiculousness of the “corper allowee”. Or that soon after I would be praying for direction and frantically scribbling plans for the year, because I couldn’t afford to waste one year of my life.

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One way or another, we all experience change. It may be thrust at us, or arrived at through careful planning and preparation. We may give into it softly, or fall at neck breaking speed. Either way, change is a natural part of life and how we react to it can determine to a large extent how well we enjoy life. Although unexpected change can be dramatic, perplexing and uncomfortable, it can be beneficial if handled rightly.

I've come to see change as a chance to grow and garner new perspectives, a signal of new beginnings, an opportunity to make a difference, and a prompt to learn new lessons and apply old ones. More so, the unexpected can be good and can add spice to life. Despite these good sides though, it’s up to us to embrace change. If we don't do so and move forward, we'll be left behind in life. This process of embracing change starts with the mind. We need to think differently about the situations surrounding us, and be open to opportunities and possibilities that can result from change.

It might be necessary to form new habits and routines, so we should be prepared to make the necessary shifts. Then go over the things that matter to us and stick to them. We should be daring, curious, thankful, optimistic resourceful and willing to adapt to new conditions. Build resilience, set new goals, break them into small bits and go after them. Swallow our ego when treading on uncharted waters, and ask for help when we need it. Rather than shrink from change, let's embrace the thrill of taking on the unknown, learn new lessons, relish the experiences, and enjoy the ride.

Cheers!