The Art of Evolution & Reinvention

Sitting with acceptance in the present, leading with faith, and cultivating hope for the future

Human beings are an interesting species. Bouncing between the familiar and the unfamiliar, yet in part craving something new. It can be fair to say that most of us feel a little uncomfortable with change. However, cultivating the ability to sit, adapt, and accept change gracefully can usher us into the next chapter of our life.

Whether the prompt happens at our darkest hour, is forced upon us, or we are brave enough to instigate it ourselves. When it happens, or we suspect it is beginning to happen. How can we navigate it peacefully? 

Change can signal where we may become stuck, unfilled, bored or where something has just run its natural course. So do we welcome this guest in? Or keep trying to shut the door in its face? Change is constant, happening in and around us, so to deny it makes no sense. Viewing the situation with curiosity and taking the attitude that maybe everything does happen for a reason.

We know that we cannot remain who we once were if we wish to truly evolve. When we evolve a natural and subtle shift in our physiology and psychology chemistry occurs. Providing the feeling of rebirth in both mind and body, enabling the inspiration to come forth for reinventing ourselves and our lives.  

Even so, when we finally make the decision for/to change, we can often look back and wonder why we didn't make the change before. A feeling l have experienced many times over the last four decades! With changing locations, careers, and going back to University. In the process, dealing with my own identity crisis along the way! Tools that have helped me, l took from my coaching, ACT therapy, philosophy, and yoga work. Helping me cultivate a new attitude in navigating and accepting change and transition as elegantly and simply as possible.

Drawing on holistic and philosophical approaches to navigate life changes like those transitioning perimenopause and menopause can also be helpful. Especially when we are dealing with feelings that we no longer fit our previous identities and bodies.

While for everyone, changes are experienced differently, there are some things you can do to take the stress off yourself. Here are a few provoking questions that have helped me hack into the inner depths of my own psyche and may work for you. 

(I am thinking of including these points in a group call/meeting for my future subscribers); 

• Review your boundaries with yourself and others and carve out some of your time, giving yourself some much-needed space and time to honestly review without distractions. Enquiring and listening to where you are now and what needs your attention?

• What words are you using to describe where you sit now, your options, and experience? Are they compassionate and positive, or are they forced and negative? 

• How are you choosing to receive and process this change/challenge that doesn’t feel good? 

• What exactly doesn’t feel good about it? 

• How are you , and can you adapt to flow through this changing energy in your life? 

• How are you sending it back/responding to the Universe? 

• Are you reacting negatively to it?

• What are your current and future options? 

• How can you communicate your feelings and intentions more clearly? 

• What could, can, and will you do with the imposed or un-imposed change/s?

• What is your intention? 

• How are you viewing this much change as opportunity or as a victim?

• Can this opportunity to help you reconnect fundamentally to the core of what brings you fulfilment, joy and freedom, the freedom from suffering for what no longer serves you. 

• Can an affirmation or mantra help you?

A powerful chant/mantra/affirmation that l have found to be particularly effective is one l still use from my days of teaching Jivamukti Yoga below;

lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now

samastah: all beings sharing that location

sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering

bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence

antu: may it be so, it must be so (antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)

A powerful prayer each one of us can practice every day. It reminds us that our relationships with all beings and things should be mutually beneficial, if we ourselves desire happiness and liberation from suffering.