Change: What If You Are Outdated?

According to Heraclitus, “to live in a world of constant change is to be constantly changing.” To any one who insists on bringing back what used to be or on having those already lost, life can be quite cruel.

We often hear or read the statement that “the only permanent thing in this world is change” and how I agree with it. There was a time in my life that I have been quite passive, staying home most of the time, yet my inactivity did not stop news from reaching me. These news involved changes that directly or indirectly affected me.

Change happens – a machine breaks down, a mall is constructed nearby, a loved one dies, trees are cut, a relative from abroad comes home, a friend goes to prison, a cousin wins the lottery, a neighbor gets robbed, a son moves out. According to King Whitney Jr, “Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.”

Heraclitus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher famous for his insistence on ever-present change in the universe, stated that “Nothing endures but change.” According to Heraclitus, “to live in a world of constant change is to be constantly changing.” What if you are outdated?

If you are to face reality, you need to keep up with change. The more updated you are to the ever-changing realities of life, the better equipped you are in dealing with whatever life transforming events that come upon you. Holding on to what were and to outdated notions and views will render you less able to determine the correct courses of action and to make wise decisions. To any one who insists on bringing back what used to be or on having those already lost, life can be quite cruel. In Balthasar Gracian's The Art of Worldly Wisdom, one of the most notable and popular works of philosophical advice, Aphorism #120 is “Live Practically” where Gracian explained that “In the adornment of the body as of the mind adapt yourself to the present, even though the past appear better. But this rule does not apply to kindness, for goodness is for all time.” As you keep up with change, it is vital to remember not to subscribe to evil ways no matter how rampant they become. Gracian advised that “If you are wise, live as you can, if you cannot live as you would. Think more highly of what fate has given you than of what it has denied.” Balthasar Gracian's Aphorism #183 is “Do not hold your views too firmly.” because “Steadfastness should be for the will, not for the mind.” Keeping an open mind allows you to constantly update yourself to the new realities of life.

Changes do not just happen. People play a great part in effecting changes, either intentionally or incidentally. Robert F. Kennedy, in his Day of Affirmation address delivered at the University of Capetown, South Africa on 06 June 6 1966, said that “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” If we are to shape our future, we need to be the creator of the major changes that happen in our life through wise decisions and purposeful efforts.