Newt Gingrich, 2012 Republican Presidential candidate, claimed he was qualified to deny climate chance science because he is an “amateur paleontologist”. The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down. thinkprogress.org Subscribe to The Young Turks: bit.ly Find out how to watch The Young Turks on Current by clicking here: www.current.com The Largest Online New Show in the World. Google+: www.gplus.to Facebook: www.facebook.com Twitter: twitter.com
To be able to understand climate change, we need to be able to understand climate. What is is? How it works? Here we explain what climate is and how different factors affect it. More information can be found online at www.metoffice.gov.uk
Music video by Taylor Swift performing Change. (C) 2008 Big Machine Records, LLC.
Change, Change and More Change
Change is constant and, for the most part, only young children fail to notice change happening. I’m sure they perceive change, yet their ability to adapt to change seems easy. Outside of the occasional temper tantrum, which tend to be more about a possession (such as a toy) then resistance to something new, they are ever quick to adjust and move on to the next thing.
Left alone, most children will move from thing to thing and moment to moment without much regard for either. The sole purpose for them is in the doing; explore, taste, touch, crawl, walk, run, fall, outburst, try something else, etc.
The judgments are far simpler; I like this or I don’t, I’m going to do this or I’m not. They may not even be aware they are making judgments at all, but they are. In this process for the child as perceived from my vantage point is a tremendous freedom.
As we grow, our attachments to objects (cars, homes, jewelry, etc.) and outcomes (status, position, winning, platinum records, etc.) tends to increase.
Judgments become more critical and through a process often happening below the level of consciousness, we search for a safe haven of perceived security where most things are predictable and controllable. Freedom gets progressively less free until dissatisfaction prompts a move to a new space or plateau to repeat the move from perceived security to dissatisfaction again.
This can continue your whole life until you reach a point where it hits you, possibly on your death bed, and you say to yourself “I’ve been missing the point.” As much as I would like to say otherwise, I resist change more than I like to admit. I could even attempt to justify it by saying I’m only human; however, my own judgmental thinking tells me to compare my life experience with the living examples of individuals who dispel the “I’m only human” justification by embracing change and experiencing more freedom in their lives; the same freedom that I see when I observe a child doing his or her thing.
In the Star Trek universe there is a race of aliens called The Borg that take over everything and everyone. Every being, finding themselves next in line for assimilation (take over) gets to hear these words; “resistance is futile!” So it is for all of us regarding change, and yet children get it.
Sure, you can say this is an oversimplification of the dynamics of life, what about . . . ? Fill in the blank with your cynicism. In school we learn a lot of things, and from our culture we learn a lot of things. I even remember the conversation parents were supposed to have with their kids regarding sex as the discussion about “the birds and the bees.”
However, not once do I recall a conversation about the importance of embracing change. Really?!?! Here is a rhetorical question; have you ever heard someone say “that’s just the way I am?” More self-imposed limitation and self-inflicted pain come from change resistance than anything else known to man! That’s what I think. Think deeply about what I just said and see what you can see, or not.
A better life can come with acceptance of change. Change can bring options which promote freedom. Freedom is exercised in the doing. The masters of doing are children; study them!
Change
As the autumn winds sweep away the fallen golden leaves, I can’t help but remember the correlation between this great season and change. Everything is changing at this time. The trees are preparing for the cold months ahead and shedding their leaves, birds are migrating towards warmer climates, and many animals hibernate until spring.
Are you feeling the cold nip encouraging change this season? What in your life do you want to change? Creating change in your life can be frightening but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Everyone has something about themselves, or about their life that they want to change. There is no better time than fall! If your reading this in another season, there is no better time than now!
Change Anxiety
If you are one of the many people that value security and stability change can be terrifying, even if the thing you want to change is causing you pain. To overcome your anxiety you must be brave. You must picture the change you want and how much joy it will bring into your life. Try the following visualization to cope with any anxiety:
Associate pain with the thing you would like to change. Visualize in your mind the pain it causes you. How is this thing making your life harder? Why do you want to change it? See yourself upset and in pain. Take a moment to visualize this. Now picture this thing you want to change and shrink it in your mind’s eye. Shrink it until you can no longer see it, and then toss it far behind you. Then, visualize the positive change and how much better your life will be. See the positive change shaking off the old dyeing leaves on your tree so that better leaves can grow back green and fresh. Imagine yourself smiling, happy, and welcoming the change!
The way to combat change anxiety is to do the above visualization technique whenever you become anxious or even un-motivated. Reminding yourself of all the great things that come with this new change can get you over the hump.
Forced Change
While some change is a project to be undertaken, there are other changes that can be unforeseen and undesired. These changes are things like a separation in a relationship or termination at the work-place. When things like this happen it can be hard to see any warmth through the bitter cold. One of the habits of highly successful people is to not let these upsets get them down for too long. Many of these changes can lead to an inspiring new opportunity, or take you to a new and exciting phase of your life. If you stay hopeful you’re likely to gain something better than what you have lost.
This is where gratitude is very important. When you feel misfortune at your back, remember all the things you have that so many others do not. Many people don’t have food, or shelter. Many people are plagued with constant violence at their humble doorstep. What do you have to be grateful for?
Change is a Friend, not a Foe
Autumn is my favorite time of the year, and it should be one of yours as well. Change can be frightening but what can come after change can be well worth the tribulation. Where would you be now if your life had never changed? You would miss out on some negative moments, but you would also miss out on the moments that make life worth living. This fall celebrate change, and enjoy all that life has to give and has already given.
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