Dealing with Challenging Life Changes

Change is fundamental for growing as a person, but sometimes it isn’t easy. I love the cartoon of a man at a podium asking, “Who wants change?” with the assembled crowd enthusiastically raising their hands. But when the speaker asks, “Who wants to change?” they quietly look down at their feet. We are creatures of habit and sometimes life forces change whether we like it or not! 

Health issues are one example. I have written about my October stroke which luckily was not too serious. Then I fell down a NH State House stairway I had been up and down many times before. Was that stroke related or was I just being careless? And, for sure, I am getting older.  

Now I have a pinched nerve in my leg and am doing physical therapy and hourly exercises. I cancelled a Mount Washington climb and wonder what the future holds. Sometimes I feel fragile, but my therapist Kristen reminds me to be patient. 

Another big change is family moving overseas. At least, we have zoom, and I can make a trip to Morocco where I lived for five years, starting with Peace Corps in the 1970s. 

I began zooming with my therapist Kristen some years ago when I had anxiety related to knee replacement medication. I believe that everyone should have a therapist and find it unfortunate that there is so much stigma related to mental health.   

During some sad moments this summer, I am grateful that Kristen suggested patience to work through this and not put so much expectation on things. Give yourself grace as you are grieving, she says. We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!