Charles Darwin once said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Change is everywhere and change is inevitable. To survive, we must learn to be comfortable with change. To thrive, we must learn to anticipate and even create change. As Gandhi instructed “be the change you seek in the world.”

So why all this emphasis on change? Because it is happening all around us all the time. Right now, many people are struggling because they are trying to get back to how things were before. And that is a recipe for certain frustration and failure. Do not try to regain what was lost, but instead create something new!

A friend of mine recently lost his job and when someone offered him condolences, my friend said that losing his job was the best thing possible for him! He hated it anyway – the work was boring, the commute was terrible, and he had been longing to go in a different direction but was afraid to leave his “secure” job. So he didn’t want condolences, he wanted congratulations! I am certain that this friend will have a long and prosperous future – because he has embraced change and sees it as an opportunity to make his life better.

Many of our large systems are broken. Too many people lack too many things in a world where there is plenty for all. Trying to get back to where we were is like trying to patch the Titanic while it is sinking. Jump in a lifeboat instead! Put some effort into rowing yourself toward a better option. Maybe even build a sail and let the winds of change help you along. Who knows what you might find? Whatever it is, it will be better than going down with the old ship! Enjoy!