Image by The U.S. Army via Flickr

Adapting to Change

I don’t know if I can put a number on the amount of times that I have heard the coined phrase, “…it comes with the territory…”  In my life, this has usually been used synonymously with a change of some kind, whether it is moving into a new home, a new job or just new policies that have to be implemented.

Most of us see change happening daily.   Change is a constant, never deviating from its upward spiral.  I call it simply child development, when in reference to children’s growth.

For over 40 years, I have been deeply involved in youth and child development.  Working with the children and the youth has truly been a unique and unforgettable experience.  Their purity and innocence knows no bounds. 

As adults we can often see ourselves in them.  We try to sometimes re-live our lives vicariously through them and that is alright, as long as we don’t carry it too far and try to force them to be like us, or worse, force them to be like we had wanted to be, but did not quite make it there.

Children and youth grow up so rapidly before our eyes.  They understand the purpose of their existence, sometimes better than we adults do.  They know what they want.  They are able to focus their attention and go after it, without a lot of adult-like hang-ups.

However, as adults, sometimes the pressures and changes that we are required to make seem impossible to overcome.  We don’t adapt as well as the young child or the sprouting youth.  Yes, our physical maturity has brought us quite a way down the path of life, but we still have a long way to go and many changes to make. 

Our understanding of the processes will help us to adapt better.  Observing our fellow adult beings will help also.  But, I would like to suggest that we all take a little more time to enjoy and observe those, who have mastered the art of adaptability, our children and youth.

Don R. Pewtress