The only constant in life is change.

Recently, I found myself revisiting this quote because I was pondering about the human mind’s potential.

The mind can create light or darkness. This mind’s tendency rests upon our ability to train and manage our memories, experiences, difficulties, and our rapport with change.

Everything is changing, starting with our name. Consider this: I am Sophie, also addressed as Mrs. Malahieude, Mom, Darling, Daughter, Sister, Niece, Teacher, Mentor, and more. These designations often go unnoticed, yet in varying circumstances, we respond to these distinct names, not only our first name.

Our appearance constantly evolves, we gain and lose weight,  our hair alters its color, texture, and thickness, our skin oscillates between dryness and moisture, and might bear scars and wrinkles that were not there a few years ago.

Life perpetually unfolds in diverse ways. Despite adhering to routines, today's experience diverges from that of yesterday or tomorrow.

When change materializes — whether in the form of loss, job transitions, relocations, relationship endings or commencements, closure of old establishments, or the emergence of new ones — it affects our lives. Embracing novelty empowers us to navigate gracefully, while resistance will create mental conflict.

Rejecting change is like pleading the sky to stop the rain in the midst of a storm — It’s exhausting and stressful.

Resistance generates internal conflicts. Initially, the mind responds to change by inducing stress in the physical body. The Muscles tense, the breath becomes shallow, and then Insomnia, ulcers, anxiety, fear, and anger may follow.

After the physical response, the mind clings to memories and fanciful desires, muttering phrases like “If only I could revisit that time, that house, or that person”. Mental self-speech commences with “I can’t”, “no”, or “It never will be the same”.  The last sentence is the truth and yet it expresses regret.

The pandemic period saw a phrase often repeated by journalists: 'This is the new normal.' It implied that adjusting to Covid-19 was necessary for resuming normalcy. The truth, however, was that the pandemic was transforming our habits and lives. I do not pass judgment on the merits of this phenomenon, I want to highlight that as we stop fighting change, we become more efficient and responsive. We can evolve alongside change, adapting ourselves to be at ease and at peace.

Interestingly, we confront the unfamiliar daily — weather fluctuations, traffic conditions, coworkers' moods, and unforeseen catastrophes.  We live in a constant state of unknown change. And yet, we act as if there's consistency and that we can control everything. (Are you smiling?) How does it feel to acknowledge that our yearning for constancy and control is conflicting with reality? It might be our wish, but it's not the truth. Acknowledging and realizing that change is inevitable, we can stop resisting it and reduce suffering. We are able to soothe the mind, undertake one task at a time, and find efficiency, responsiveness, and tranquility. We step confidently into the unknown."