A Time for Change

By: Nancy Abiera

 

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26 “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” Carol Burnett

Change comes in so many different forms. In fact, unknowingly, change happens every day: every hour, every minute and every second of each day. We change physically, mentally, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. Others also change professionally, switching careers or moving from one job to another. As you will notice, even seasons of time have its turn. We are now in transition from spring to summer time. If we really pay detailed attention, there are so many changes going around us and inside of us regardless whether we like them or not.

Some changes are good while others may not be too good, or worst they can be bad. In other terms, we are growing, maturing, advancing or we can get stuck, be immature/held back or go backwards. On a more positive note, we can start to perceive change like a new found friend. We can look at it as someone we want to get to know and appreciate; someone that can encourage and help us and better yet, may show us blind spots thereby giving us a very objective truth.

Some people change naturally when inspired, while others are so desperate and are forced to change. In this article, we will be a friend to the desperate. We will focus here more on overcoming desperation and move them to inspiration.

This is how the journey from desperation to inspiration started. . .

I was in the Philippines enjoying the height of my success in my career at the age of 26. However, I was traumatized and experienced a heart break from my first boyfriend. This blow in life made me so desperate for change. Great pain out of desperation led me to big changes in life.

I went to the United States with a strong conviction to change. I was so purpose driven to succeed in life. A failure in a relationship did not stop me from moving forward. I used that pain of failure as fuel for pleasurable purpose and passion. I realized that pain when stepped on and confronted, loses it power over me. Note that pain can make/lead us to feel pitiful. I chose the opposite. I used pain and gained wisdom. This is a very can become true inspiration out of desperation. I took full responsibility of the situations and changed my perspective in life. Following are summary of the drastic changes I made in life. It was exciting. . .

From being a failed lover, I became a fighter for true love for God, myself and others.

From the religious-based rituals, do’s and don’t rules and meaningless form of religion, I found a genuine and lasting intimate relationship with Jesus.

From a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) career to SLC/ MOTG (Spiritual Life Coach/Minister of the Gospel). I used to count money, now people counts (or matters) the most to be won for Jesus. Allow me to share the life lesson steps I used in turning my desperation to inspiration.

• Purpose. I became purpose-driven. Purpose gave me a sense of significance, direction and meaning. Purpose pointed me to my goals and why I was making the change. Ask the question: “What is my purpose and why?”

• Passion. I discovered my passion. I define passion as a combination of my ITS (Interests, Talents and Skills) which made me enjoy doing things even for free. Passion shows love for what you do. My father once taught me: “Find a job you love so it does not feel like work but a hobby”. He was right. In addition, make a three column list of your ITS.

• Place. I determined the place where the change will take place from the Philippines to America.

• People. I gathered people who encouraged me and held me accountable. This was very beneficial as I went through some rough roads during the transitions of change. I included in this category the people who will benefit from the changes I have made

. • Picture. I imagined the pictures in my mind how it would look like once the change is completed. This allowed me to reflect and make some adjustments that are necessary.

• Period. I gave myself a time-table in accomplishing the change. Without this, procrastination may become so tempting.

• Prize. I rewarded myself and inspired/encouraged others to make changes for the better.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and

a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and

a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn,

and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart. Yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 I suggest you transform your perception about change. Change is good. It breaks the monotony of life. Better yet, “Change is not something to be fearful but something to be-friend. Change may even surprise you to open-wide doors of great opportunities where there are no limits, no boundaries, no ifs and no buts.” Nancy H. Abiera Choose “On A Bright Side”. I love you readers with the love of the Lord yet the Lord loves you the most. Smile and be a blessing. . .