Let me be very open and honest here: Being diagnosed with melanoma messed with my head. There really is nothing quite like having your own skin trying to kill you to cause you anxiety. But what really affected me was that I suddenly craved security.
Not good.
Because what I thought was security was nothing more than an illusion. I thought if I sat still and hunkered down, I’d be secure. I felt like I could rest on my past successes. Nothing could be farther from the truth! And I found out the hard way! Sitting still, ignoring the change going on around me caused chaos in my life. Now, looking back, I’ve discovered one truth from the last few years:
True security comes from successes brought on by embracing change.
I’m not saying all change is positive. Trust me, I have proof. And I couldn’t control what was happening around me. But what I could control was how I reacted to it.
As soon as my attitude changed, doors flew open. Seeing change as opportunity totally altered how I envisioned the world. And for the first time in years, cancer’s yoke of fear fell to the ground.
Today, I’m cleaning out my office at The Clarion-Ledger. No, I’m not leaving. I am, however, moving downstairs. The building, built in the mid 1990’s, is getting a much-needed makeover.
What a great metaphor for our lives. As much as it would be comfortable for the building to stay the same (I have a lot of great memories in this place), it wouldn’t reflect the needs of a changed world. Sure, there’ll be a few weeks of discomfort. It will be loud and messy. But the end result will be worth it.
I just need to remind myself to embrace change, not fight it. It’s my true path to future success.