Change

What do you think when you hear the word “Change?” Does it fill you with excitement? Dread? Indifference?

Like it or not, change is a part of life — sometimes it’s active, and sometimes it’s passive, meaning change can come from within and without. Both can be challenging to navigate, and depending on whether the change comes from within or without, not to mention when it occurs, your answers to the above questions may vary widely. 

Recently, as time has marched on (as it is wont to do, darn it all!) and I entered a different season of life, it felt that far too many changes had happened outside of my control— deaths of both parents, a pandemic, personal health changes, a decision to relocate made for good reasons but not altogether good for me, etc. If someone had asked me about change in the middle of all of that, my answer would have been a resounding, “I’ve had enough change for a lifetime. You can definitely ‘keep the change.’” I felt completely overwhelmed, paralyzed. 

As the circumstances of said relocation forced a career change, I sought out a life coach to help figure out my potential next steps, and I can tell you, it was like coming home. My coach’s approach to coaching and the structure of the sessions felt very much like the approach to and structure of my private voice lessons. And, for the first time in a long time, I could see the faintest glimmer of light at the end of this passive change tunnel. Perhaps now, *I* could be the agent of active change in my life. In the words of David Bowie, I could “turn and face the strange.”  And not just face it but embrace it. I jumped at the opportunity to make that change and learn about the nuts and bolts of coaching, as well as its ethics and value. Back to school for me, hooray, and, wonder of wonders, hooray for change! 

Working to become a certified life coach has provided me with new insights and tools to share with clients. So, now, instead of nerding out with a student over why a composer might have set a line of poetry in a specific way, I can nerd out with clients about how their values and beliefs affect their behavior and decision making.  

As you can see, the answer to the big question can, ahem, “change” depending on when you ask it. Loss of a sense of direction can happen to anyone at any time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or indecisive or paralyzed, please reach out. Could it be time for you to “turn and face the strange”? I would love the opportunity to nerd out with you as we rediscover your authentic voice to help you find your way through and forge your path ahead.