by Faith M. Davis

Created on: January 29, 2011

The fear of change is very real for most people. Essentially, it boils down to a fear of the unknown. People often wish things were different in their lives but keep on enduring simply because they don’t want to risk dealing with the unknown. Wanting to change careers, for example, can be extremely scary because there is no guarantee that a new career will work out. This fear unfortunately keeps most people trapped in jobs they don’t enjoy.

On top of that, making changes always requires extra effort. With the full schedules people are leading nowadays, adding additional tasks is something they understandably want to avoid. It is very normal to want things to change, but to forgo doing it because you don’t want to go through the necessary steps to get there. Looking back to our previous example, if one was to make that career change, it would mean learning a new vocation, searching for a job, possibly settling for a lower income, having to build new work relationships, and many other difficult tasks. Many people end up just saying, “never mind, I’ll just endure.”

Knowing this, it makes sense that the word “change” brings up negative feelings for most people. Perhaps a better way to refer to this negatively associated word is as “transformation” instead of “change.”

Websters II New College Dictionary defines change as "to make different; to lay aside, abandon, or leave for another." Transformation is defined as "to change the nature, function or condition of." Transformation entails so much more than just making a change. It creates a positive twist on a normally negative action. To transform is to convert the state of the situation into one of new possibility. It creates a new, vibrant energy where our energy was once being drained. To transform is to bring into light and reality the thing we desire.

If we can hold this intention of transformation, we will find passion for "changing" the things in our lives that we are unhappy with. Transformation enlists excitement. To transform your career into one that brings you joy, for example, is exciting, while on the other hand, thinking about changing your job is scary.

See if you can banish the word "change" from your vocabulary and use the word "transform" instead. Notice the shift in your mind, body and soul when you use this new word. Even saying you are going to go "change your clothes" can take on a new perspective. Instead feel what happens when you say, “I'm going to go upstairs and be transformed." Doesn't that feel refreshing?

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