"If it ain't broke then don't try to fix it"
Greetings for 2017 to you and your loved ones.
"If it ain't broke then don't try to fix it"
This quote is something I would often say to myself and others, it was focused on maintaining an easy life and not making waves.
Recently I've learned to view that quote differently and see it unhelpful if not a dangerous attitude to possess. Actually in the business world it's an attitude that is pretty much a death sentence.
"I grew up in the southern United States in a city which at that time during the late 40's and early '50's was the most segregated city in the country, and in a sense learning how to oppose the status quo was a question of survival."
Angela Davis
Generally we are born into a status quo of some sort whether it's political, social, religious, legal or otherwise. When we are introduced into something as the only way and no obvious alternatives it can make easy to accept those circumstances as "that is just the way things are!"
If we always accepted "the way things are" doctors would still be blood-letting, women wouldn't be able to vote, slavery would be legal, people burned at the stake for witchcraft, wars would be fought over natural resources and people judged and persecuted by skin colour or nationality. Unfortunately some of those things still happen because the status quo is still being accepted.
"I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it."
Niccolo Machiavelli
The only constant is change, it's a natural law and it's our nature so why not embrace change? We can be adverse to change when perceived as risky, moving into the known to the unknown which generally makes us uncomfortable.
Evolution is uncomfortable but it doesn't need to be scary or cause suffering especially when we mentally and emotionally prepared for it (and not ignore the signs of change). Looking at our own lives is a great starting point, knowing what we want and managing the risks (as best we can) we can effect and embrace change
I remember a time when I was outgrowing a relationship I was in and the job I was working in, the signs were there and I ignored them. I was not being treated well or appreciated in my job and was in a dysfunctional relationship and became deeply unhappy with my life at that point.
I ended up unemployed and having to leave my ex-girlfriends flat without an immediate place to stay, because I didn't prepare myself or take responsibility and sufficient action for making change myself.
Upon reflection I can see that it was an opportunity to take the necessary steps to revolutionize my life by actually valuing myself more than I did and living the life I deserved.
Life always has surprises that we cannot predict or prepare for but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't throw off the maintain the status quo attitude or make the changes we know are necessary for us to move on from what is out dated and we have outgrown.
What ~old ways" of thinking are holding you back? and do you know how to shake them off?
Be Well, Be Great, Be Inspired
Peac..E
