Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...Turn and face the strange...Ch-ch-changes

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-ch-changes

-David Bowie (1971)

Thus goes the opening lines of the chorus of David Bowie's "Changes" (1971). I feel a small connection to Bowie due to the fact that we share a birthday. But more importantly, I feel connected to Bowie and this song because of its subject matter--change. One thing about Bowie was he was masterful at re-inventing himself (changing). At this moment in the world, acceptance of and embracing change is not only important, it is literally a survival technique.

What do we know about change and humans? Well we know that change is the only constant in the universe. We also know that people do not "fear" change (mostly a myth). What people fear is the unknown and the surprise factor that often comes with change. People are apprehensive and uncomfortable with change, which is different than fearing it. I have always said I believe people are like water and electricity--we seek the path of "least resistance". People like positions of "comfort" and "familiarity" and seek those out above the unknown or unfamiliar. Change often times presents paths of "more resistance"--less known, less familiar and less "comfortable".

Currently this path of "more resistance" (aka change) is smacking most of the human population square in the face. What we had all known as "normal" or "status quo" or "everyday" life is no longer the case. And when we emerge from this "quarantine", we will face a changed reality. The past will go and a new and changed reality will face us. 

What will this new reality look like? No one really knows (again the unknown factor that causes so much stress). Being both a historian and futurist by nature, I look at the broad sweep of things (this is called the Annales School of Historical Thought). Imagine standing on a hill overlooking a river. I watch where the river has been and where it is going. The river we now ride will take some unexpected turns, just as it has recently taken over a major set of rapids and waterfalls. The river we knew is in the past. We can only look forward and "turn to face the strange changes" as Bowie so elegantly states. 

I see people wanting to go "back to the way things were... ." The truth is that is not going to happen. We cannot turn back the river, nor time. We cannot undo the current situation. We can only analyze, understand and learn from it. That is why I love history. Our past informs our future. Try not to dwell on the past and what we have "lost". Think of this period as one of "metamorphosis"--we are caterpillars turning into butterflies. A more beautiful and freeing life potentially awaits if we let it. 

We will still have choices. We can embrace the changes presented to us ala Bowie or we can fight the changes and cause ourselves more angst and grief and stress. Personally I am trying to embrace change and see the positives and the "new" it can bring. Am I afraid? Not fearful, but certainly apprehensive as is expected and normal for people. I cannot say exactly what the "new future" holds. But my apprehension and desire to know the exact future will not hold me back from "turning to face the strange changes."