Change

I think the confidence can come from accepting that we are always changing. Every moment of our lives, something changes. New air in, old air out; cells die and others divide; neuroplasticity results in changed brain function; opinions are formed, morph or are abandoned; people come, people go; we age a fraction more; we gain or lose height; we add one memory and lose contact with another.

I remember way, way back in time feeling that if I didn't continuously reinforce or cling to a certain attitude, belief or moral, I would risk becoming "somebody else." In retrospect, I find this phrasing humorous. I remind myself, however, of Erickson's theory and especially of the adolescent and young adult preoccupation with the search for identity. This brings another chuckle as it suggests the reason I am less worried about change nowadays might be related to the developmental psychological changes I've gone through as I've aged...:).

In any event, the result is that I accept that I will always be me even if I change. Erickson aside, some of this comes from a new perspective gained through meditation wherein I do not consider the chattering stream-of-consciousness to be me. I am the effect of all that has gone into me throughout my life and, like any tree or cloud or star or idea or creature, I change continuously.

Change is not scary - it is life. Stasis is scary...:).