A Change Is Gonna Come

Change is the one constant in life — yet it’s often the inner shifts, quiet and unseen, that shape us the most.

In 1986, I married Tim. I left behind my family of 12, mom, dad, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. I moved overseas, and joined a family of 2. Over the years, I’ve experienced some change;  14 houses in 10 different towns, cities, or villages across 2 countries and have given birth to 5 children.  But my awareness of this kind of change is on the outside, which actually is only the tip of the iceberg. What about the inside, below the surface? That part of me that seems invisible, hard to measure yet ever-present; attitudes, behaviors, actions, my me-ness, my essence. What changes am I aware of there?  Change is often perceived as an external phenomenon, a shift in circumstances or environment.  Yet, the most significant changes or transformations occur from within.  They are subtle shifts in our mindset, the evolution of our beliefs, and the growth of our spirit.

Change feels like an action.  It alludes to some sort of movement and I believe the movement is ultimately  in a positive direction.  Something good can result from it!  However, unexpected, unplanned, unwanted change can turn up in our lives and feels much different. This type of change can bring chaos, suffering and uncertainty.  In the spiritual journey these unwelcome changes can be considered the next opportunity to make changes that perhaps we recognize but have been afraid to make, we’ve been avoiding, we were not aware of the need to make the change, or we just plain don’t want to change!  Change is inevitable, but it is also a choice.  With an open mind we can consider the opportunities for growth that lie within every challenge and embrace the transformation that comes with it.  It’s not always easy, but it can be done.

It is within our capacity to change and transform our lives, to move toward happiness, and to create a positive impact on the world around us.  So you might be asking, if I have the capacity to change, how do I make the changes I find difficult to make?  In the spiritual life one approach is cultivating self-awareness.  Spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle says; “Self-awareness is the greatest agent of change”.

Sam Cook’s song  “A Change Is Gonna Come” recorded in 1963 speaks a truth.  As a spiritual seeker my whole life and now in the second half of my life I believe that change is necessary and is an integral part of the human experience.  I am a retired nurse, certified in the practice of Spiritual Direction.  At various times in our life we all have an inner knowing that something needs to change, I need to move  in another direction, or perhaps I need a new viewpoint.  This practice is an opportunity to explore your inner landscape and meet yourself, human and divine.  No matter what it is you are questioning or what change you are seeking, this work can be meaningful and profound. We are all evolving.  It is a continuous and dynamic process. By spending time in our inner room, we expand our self-awareness and align with our highest aspirations which originate from our True-Self.

Next year Tim and I will celebrate 40 years of marriage.  We have experienced all forms of change and we know more “Change Is Gonna Come”.  And I say, bring it on!

Here’s a link to my Spotify “Change” play list.  Enjoy! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jbZfZwymren8xRm5BZbmE?si=b39387849afe45f8