Maya Angelou once said “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” I thought about this as I watched the Biggest Loser a few months back. The contestants, who, on the first episode, were split into 3 teams to compete for the prize of picking their trainers, were now being split into 3 new teams and once again having to compete for the same prize, picking their trainer, but this time they would have this trainer through the end of the show.
Of the 9 contestants left only 2 ended up with their original trainers. This change sent the contestants into complete meltdown. As they showed the sidebars with the contestants they were beside themselves. A few spoke about being sick to their stomachs’, several made negative comments during the challenge. In some way shape or form every contestant was fighting against the entire process, as if making disagreeable comments would somehow change the producers mind and cancel the challenge. One contestant, with tears in his eyes simply said “I don’t like change”.
Ironically, in life, everything is in continuous motion and therefore constantly changing. From day-to-day and sometimes minute to minute things can change. It’s not about liking or disliking change, it’s about our reactions to the change. For most of their lives, these contestants responded to changing situations by eating. The dilemma is that if change is constant then you end up constantly eating. The same is true for all of us; maybe for you it’s not food but alcohol or other drugs. Some turn to shopping or overspending or _______ (fill in your reaction device here).
However; if we look at change as something that will always be then, instead of fighting against it and in some cases destroying our bodies and our lives, we have the opportunity to evaluate our reactions and decrease the amount of stress in our lives.
Questions to Consider:
- How have I been reacting to the flow of changes in my life?
- What is my usual pattern of reaction to change?
- How does my reaction affect those around me (family, friends, husband, and kids)?
- How does my reaction to change affect my overall health?
- What can I do differently to create a healthier pattern?
The reality is that, things will continue to change and we will continue to react to that change. However; taking steps to recognize and change destructive reactions can help us live longer, healthier lives.
“It’s the unhappy people who most fear change.” -Mignon McLaughlin
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill