HOW HUMAN BEINGS CAN OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE TO CHANGE.

 

Human beings are inherently comfortable with the ‘status quo ’ in their existing situation. But before we go into further details on the change, let me first of all state that they are broadly of two categories, as stated below.

1.         Changes that are under the control of human beings.

2.         Changes that are not under the control of human beings.

The first category of change that happens,  human beings are not much averse to since it is within their means and power to control and so they can adapt to it without much difficulty. In this article, we would focus on the second category which is not under human control.  Because those are changes that human beings normally confront with much mental resistance and that’s why find it much difficult to adapt to. And there are several reasons why people are averse to such changes. An individual is resistant to such change if in the existing condition he is a comfortable position concerning aspects, like personal freedom; physical and financial security and abundance of all material comforts and social status. These are all that he wants in life. And being in this situation he fails to realise that there could a 'flip side’ too in the forthcoming change which he is either not able to or does not want to foresee. Because he apprehends the possible loss or shift from one more of the above comfort factors. And this is because of his mindset toward the status quo in the existing condition. He feels that the change would invariably lead to a negative outcome that would deprive him of the benefits of the existing condition.

But with a certain level of foresight if he is able to develop and perceives positivity in the forthcoming change, then it would prove to be a welcome change for him and so would accept it. The other side could be when the change is perceived to be in an unexpectedly negative direction, which would then lead him to hopelessness and frustration. So in this situation, it would be worthwhile for him to endeavour to reframe the anticipated or ensuing negative change by mentally exploring other alternatives that could prove to be opportunities for improvement rather than adversity.  And in so doing he would be better able to raise the level of his adaptation to the changed situation, even if that does not bring in all the factors of comfort that had been present before the apprehended change impacted him.  But the point is, how to reframe an adverse situation to change it in a way as to make it into an opportunity for improvement.

Well, here I am reminded of the quotation of Shakespeare given below.

“Sweet are the uses of adversity,

 Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,

Wears yet a precious jewel in the head.”

                                                               ---- William Shakespeare (As you like it. AC II)

 For this type of situation that we human beings face, there is often always a compulsive need to find a way forward out of it, even if it means coming out of our comfort zone. Now since we say the way to be in the forward direction, even if it has to be without the knowledge of direction of the outcome, there is one advantage a person can draw for certain, and that is an enhancement of the strength of his mind. And with it also comes the wisdom to face such difficult situations in future mentally remaining unscathed by retaining the composure and stability of mind.  In so doing the individual also maintains harmony by his adaptation to the changed situation.  With this type of experience, he becomes better equipped to handle such unforeseen adversity without getting mentally upset.