Maham Shahid
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives, but the one most adaptable to change,” said Charles Darwin.
Embracing change can be intimidating at first — stepping out of one’s comfort zone, meeting new people with different values, background and culture.
Nevertheless, it presents an opportunity toward strengthening and transforming life in dramatic ways.
Change may be challenging and can become a significant source of anxiety. For some of us, it is a lack of control over a situation, fear of embarrassment or failure, or the struggle to find ways to bridge a cultural gap. However, change is the journey toward becoming a self-sufficient, unique and dynamic person and is certainly worth undergoing.
The key ingredients to effectively embracing change are: courage, curiosity, optimism and gratitude. Sticking to these will help you keep moving along in the process.
One needs to keep adapting. It’s both a survival skill and a success skill. It is important to not be afraid of being wrong. Be prepared to experience setbacks, have problems and make mistakes.
“If you are not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original,” said Ken Robinson, author and educator, in a TED Talk.
A positive attitude makes the process easier. Conquering one’s fears and looking at the brighter side of things will encourage us to accept change. Inviting people from different cultures in our lives will challenge our assumptions and make us grow as people.
In order to move forward, one needs to take action and stop making excuses. It may require letting go of old habits and developing new habits and routines. Though change may cause discomfort, it can be incredibly beneficial and rewarding in the end.
Change is essential because it leads to growth. It introduces you to experience life in new ways. This often gives insight into different perspectives, which can help you gain wisdom from newfound experiences and knowledge.
All in all, as a new international student at Troy University, I am ready to embrace change and take advantage of the opportunity to become a self-sufficient person. I would also like to encourage my fellow international students to embrace change happily, enjoy the journey, take the most of the incredible opportunity and make a difference to your lives.
How one responds to the events and circumstances of life will make all the difference in the end. Embracing change is an exciting journey filled with new discoveries, experiences and exploration.
Comments