"When Change Knocks: Do You Answer the Door?"

 "Embracing Change: Letting Go and Moving Forward"

Change. It's the one thing that’s guaranteed in life. No matter how hard we try to cling to the familiar, no matter how tightly we hold onto the people and situations that once felt irreplaceable, change is the silent architect of our lives, shaping us in ways we often don’t expect. It’s inevitable, it’s messy, and it’s beautiful in its own right. So, when life knocks on your door, do you answer?

Let’s be real: embracing change isn’t always easy. In fact, it can feel downright uncomfortable at times. It’s like sitting in a car you don’t recognize, heading down a road that’s unfamiliar. You might even wonder if you took a wrong turn somewhere, or if you’re about to make a huge mistake. And yet, change is what moves us forward—if we can stop resisting it long enough to realize its power.

When we reflect on the times in our lives when people, relationships, or situations have come to an end, it’s common to feel a twinge of grief. After all, these were the things we thought would stay with us forever. People who once felt like our anchors, experiences that shaped our identities, places that held memories of joy. Letting go of them can feel like we’re losing pieces of ourselves. But here’s the thing: those things—people, places, moments—did their job. They helped us grow, and now, we’re ready to evolve further. And sometimes, the only way to evolve is to make space for what’s next.

Take, for example, the natural world. Look at the trees as they shed their leaves every fall. It’s not a loss; it’s an invitation. A chance to refresh, to start anew when the time is right. The trees don’t mourn the leaves that are falling—they simply let them go, trusting that the right conditions will bring something even more beautiful in time. We’re no different. In order to fully embrace what’s ahead, we must first release what no longer serves us.

Let’s imagine life as a road trip. You’re driving down a winding highway, passing beautiful scenery, listening to your favorite tunes. Along the way, you pick up passengers—friends, family, companions who travel with you for a while. Some stick around for the entire journey. Others come and go, each serving a purpose for that particular stretch of road. And just like that, when it’s time for them to exit, they leave. They might take a different path, or maybe they simply no longer align with your direction. This isn’t a failure or a mistake; it’s part of the process. Sometimes, it’s the ones who get off the ride that teach you the most.

Now, I’m not saying that this process doesn’t sting. Sometimes it feels like you’re driving alone for a while, unsure of what comes next. But in those quiet moments, when the road is empty and the wind is your only companion, you start to realize something: the road you’re on is yours. You’re not on someone else’s journey anymore. It’s time to see where your own adventure takes you, without the distractions of what’s behind you.

One of my favorite philosophers, Alan Watts, once said, "The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."

Now, think about that for a second. Plunging into change. Moving with it. Joining the dance. Isn’t that a beautiful way to look at life’s constant shifts?

Instead of resisting or fearing change, what if we welcomed it as a dance partner? Sure, we might stumble at first, but eventually, we’ll learn the rhythm. And if we keep moving with the music, we’ll find our flow.

Change is the cosmic force that drives us forward. Without it, we would be stagnant. We would never evolve, never learn, never grow. And growth requires us to let go of the old in order to make room for the new. This is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright terrifying.

But we must remember: we don’t have to go through change alone. We’re all in this together, each of us on our own path, but walking it with similar questions, challenges, and triumphs.

There’s a famous quote by Dr. Seuss: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

These words resonate deeply when it comes to relationships and experiences that come to an end. Saying goodbye doesn’t have to be a sad thing. If we can look back with gratitude rather than regret, we can see the value in what we’ve experienced. We can smile because those moments were part of our story, even if the chapters have changed. Life is constantly evolving, and to stay attached to the past, to cling to the people who were only meant to be there for a season, is to resist the flow of life itself.

We might not always understand why certain relationships or situations end, but perhaps that’s the point. Change doesn’t always need to be understood in the moment; it only needs to be trusted. The wisdom lies in letting go with love, holding onto the lessons, and continuing to walk forward with an open heart.

So here’s the deal: life is a series of chapters, and each one is meant to be fully experienced, fully felt, and fully lived. The people who enter our lives are not there by accident, nor are their departures meaningless. We learn from them, we grow with them, and when they leave, we let them go with grace. There’s no need to force things that aren’t meant to be. By embracing the ebb and flow of life, we open ourselves to new connections, new opportunities, and new experiences that might just be waiting around the next corner.

And as for the journey itself, remember this: the road may not always be easy, but it’s always worth traveling.

"Change is not something to fear; it is the movement of our souls in search of something greater. To embrace it is to dance with the rhythm of life."