Why Change Doesn't Suck

Look at all this beautiful organization.
Do I sometimes open my closet doors
just to stare? Yes. Yes I do.

I’ve been making a lot of changes in my life.  

From cleaning my closet (truly a masterpiece of color-coded perfection), to a new career (I’m bursting to share that news very soon), to carefully choosing my friends (with some unfortunate goodbyes).

Thankfully, change is easy, painless, and lots of fun.

Said no one ever.

Changes are challenging.

And I’m no stranger to life modifications (thank you, thesaurus).  My philosophy has been, hey, that’s not working for me, so let’s:

Move!

Get a new job! 

Leave that relationship!

Not all of those choices were good decisions.  The one thing they did have in common: they were hard.  And I liked to complain about just how hard they were.

I’m seeing things differently now.  One of the most impactful adjustments I’ve made is changing my perspective.  Because everything that’s led me to this exact moment in my life is due to the growth I’ve experienced through change.  

So maybe, while change can still be extremely challenging, I can find joy in the process.  

Look, I will never downplay my downright horrific cross-country move with my giant dog kennel and 3 bursting suitcases all by myself.  But maybe I can embrace it.  Revel in it.  Get all down and dirty in it.   

And see change for what it truly is: Opportunity.  Growth.  Progress.

Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene. – AC Benson

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

Life is Serious. Just Kidding.

I need to do more of this.
Disneyland Annual Pass, I've got my eye on you.

Something was pointed out to me this weekend that shocked me. 

I don't like to have fun.  

I wish I had a more eloquent reaction to this crazy revelation, but this was my first thought: 

What the WHAT?!?!

I learned this while attending an awesome seminar (Confession #1: Hello my name is Kalei and I’m completely addicted to seminars.  I’ve been clicking “REGISTER NOW” like its my full-time job).  

Somehow I developed this belief that Life is serious, Work is serious, Being a Christian is very, very serious.  And fun should be kept to a minimum. 

Barf. 

This struck me as odd since I tend to laugh a lot—especially when wildly inappropriate— and I’m always up for trying something new.  I’m not sure exactly when this came into play, but I do know this: 

I let life get heavy. I let it get serious.  I let it consume me. 

And that’s no fun. 

It left me wondering how to ignite my inner goofball--the super ridiculous, gosh darn mischievous, no-alcohol-required Crazy Pants.  The girl who was nicknamed “Giggles” in Girl Scouts, who played Laser Tag in her prom dress and fearlessly rope-swinged and zip-lined her way through summer camp.  

But here’s something I was taught too: I chose this, this heaviness.  

But I can change that.

Because I get to choose. 

I get to choose a life full of fun, adventure, joy. 

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. - Henri Nouwen

I wondered what the Bible said about fun, so I googled it.  (I also wonder how the heck I ever knew anything before Google).  Here’s something that really made me laugh: it turns out, fun is recommended. 

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life.  That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.  - Ecclesiastes 8:15

I decided to add little blocks of “FUN TIME” to my calendar (yup, Type A Planner right here, folks).  And can I tell you?  Just seeing “FUN TIME” all over my week makes me smile.  

So this week, this girl is gonna shake it like a Polaroid picture.  And get out my seat and jump around. 

(Confession #2: Heck yeah, right now I'm cranking “Jump Around” and “Hey Ya”!)