“The Zen mind is a mind that doesn’t know everything. It’s open to change, learning, growing.” -Travis Eliot, Yogi

I remember telling my spiritual father when I was about 27, “Everything I thought was important is not. And everything I thought was not important is. I don’t know anything!”

And he replied, “Welcome to adulthood, babygirl!” And his booming laugh filled the air.

When I heard Travis quote this during a Yin Yoga session, I thought about if my mind was open to change, learning, growing. I thought yes to learning and growing but, not so much open to change. I would like to think I was open to change. However, in all honesty I don’t like most changes that seem to come out of nowhere in life. And most changes do! Seemingly, anyways but that is another topic. I can adapt to sudden changes when working or when doing something like an event. But, when it comes to my personal life…WHEW!

It takes me time to adjust. The time it takes me has become shorter over time and I can see that as major growth. One thing I have done to help me to be open to change is accept that change is inevitable and I cannot control it. I use to hate hearing that or any quote about change. It’s because I feared change and I’d always struggle terribly with personal changes in life. I also realized change is something I can’t quite get my arms around. I can’t always control changes in life.

The second thing that has helped is changing my RESPONSE to change. This was tough! And remains to be tough at times because one must control themselves (actions and words). We all know how difficult that can be.

The third thing is I allow myself to feel, to take time to adjust, and give myself GRACE when I don’t respond well. If I can correct my response, I do. If people don’t accept my edited version, that’s okay, too. I forgive myself and them and move on.

Right now I am going through a huge shift spiritually and I’m no longer resisting. Yet, I feel some fear from time to time. Overall, I know I can stand to be more open to change in my personal and spiritual life. Especially, when they intertwine.

~Nikki