Change is constant, and other paradoxical nonsense

Someone far wiser than I said, and I'm paraphrasing, that change is the only constant in life. I love that idea because it is deliciously paradoxical. If things are changing, by definition they're not constant. But if things are always changing, that becomes a consistent element. That's neat.

Another neat paradox: This sentence is false. Chew on that one for a while.

I understand that sometimes change can be annoying.  The relationship between change and comfort has to be acknowledged here. If your life is always changing, it's really hard to become comfortable. It's difficult to get in a routine and really get a firm grasp on what's happening and what you can do about what's happening. It's like you can't ever get your feet under you, solidly, and feel secure in that footing. It reminds me of The Enchanted Forest and the crooked house from the fairy tale. That's what living with change can seem like - walking in the crooked house. Sure it's fun for a few steps, but when vertigo sets in and your stomach flips on itself and your knees weaken and you bump into a wall or a corner, it's not so fun anymore - and you're only in the front room.

Yes, changes can annoy you, if you let them. Just like classes can bore you if you let them, and drivers can infuriate you if you let them, and chores can burden you if you let them. Change can also challenge you if you let it, just as music can inspire you if you let it, and friendship can steady you if you let it. We can all let life happen or we can live it. I've found that the more challenging the situation, the more I learn about myself and, to blatantly pilfer some words from Thoreau, the more marrow I can suck out of life. A steady hand and a steady mind in the face of a tempest is one of the most powerful traits we humans can posses. (That's a metaphorical tempest mind you. If you're actually in a hurricane or a tornado or a monsoon, please seek appropriate shelter. It's okay to run from a natural disaster. If it's an earthquake, though, running might be difficult. See the previous paragraph.)

But just like most aspects of life, moderation is helpful. If you don't do well with change, and you understand that it is inevitable, find something in your life that is comfortable, something that give you peace of mind, peace of soul, maybe a piece of German chocolate cake. That comfort can help steady you amidst the consistent change of our lives.

Remember that one post that I did that one time?

I believe at some point in the past (when you get to be my age, time has a funny way of getting away from you) I posted the notion that when you feel the need to pursue an interest, you find a way to pursue it. My interest was writing - still is, actually. But if you are one of my very few frequent readers, you will  notice that it's been quite some time since I wrote anything. At least, it's been quite some time since I posted on this blog for all the world (nine people) to read.

The reason? Life. It keeps happening, and it keeps me from sitting down and writing something that the whole world (nine people) would want to read. In fact, over the past few weeks Life kept happening so much that I couldn't even find the time to think about something that I might at some point in the distant future craft into a post that is worthy of the world's eyes (eighteen eyes, more likely). So, pop quiz, hotshot. What do you do?

Create a class around blogging, that's what you do. Yes, that's right, folks. Next term for a Wednesday enrichment course I'll be offering a blogging class. (This is leaked information, so you didn't get it from me.) If you or anyone you know is looking for about an hour of time once a week to blog (which is a verb now, I guess), then this is the course for you. It'll be .25 English credit or .25 Elective credit. You'll go from no blog to pro blog in the blink of a cyber-eye. Already have a blog? Perfect! Spend the time perfecting it and adding to it and nurturing it and gaining as many followers as you can. The name of the game is to write like everyone in the world wants to read your words. After a while you might find out that it's really nine people, but that's okay. With more time, say once a week on Wednesdays, you might get that number to ten.

Cheers,

H