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CHANGE

Monday, 31 August 2009 08:54

Definition

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  1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
  2. to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
  3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

Symbols of Change

Quotes

"Change your thoughts and you change the world."

                                                                 -Norman Vincent Peale

But, really, what is change all about?

Since coming to Jubilee, I have seen enormous changes. Changes in the residents, the staff, volunteers, the board, and the organization. I have changed. Change can be scary. Change can be good. Change can be mysterious. Change can be daunting. Change can be freeing.

In fact, resiliency becomes very personal, very quickly. It is the grandest outcome of a change reaction. Resilience is the process of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences. Resilient people overcome adversity, bounce back from setbacks, and can thrive under extreme, on-going pressure without acting in dysfunctional or harmful ways. The most resilient people recover from traumatic experiences stronger, better, and wiser.

Jubilee’s residents have gone through enormous change in order to walk through our doors – both coming in, and leaving. Women from all walks of life have felt the sting of change – which is why they reached out to Jubilee. And I have been a witness to the amazing transformations taking place among the residents we serve. Change has become a lightening rod of hope – our residents have readjusted and taken out a new compass to guide them on their way. There is very little bemoaning the fact that change exists – rather, I have seen delight in the possibility of a better, brighter future when change has met many of our women in dark places. It humbles me to know the changes that our women have had to move through.

Jubilee staff and board are also witness to change as we create new goals, are faced with new challenges, and move forward as an organization.

How do we continue to deal with change?

If I were to share my new held convictions about dealing with change, I’d include the following key elements: 

  1. Communication - It should be no surprise that the first thing "the experts" recommend to help other's embrace change is communication.
  2. Involve & Engage - As a member of the Jubilee community, we are all part of a larger team. A team that has unique, diverse, and needed skill sets. We’re all in it together at Jubilee.
  3. Positivity begets Positivity - Change is inevitable. But, stepping into a new situation doesn’t have to be daunting. A joyful approach to change is better any day than an unhappy and negative one.
  4. See the Big Picture - Change is different for everyone. We don’t all respond the same. Look at the big picture and remember, it could be a different big picture for someone else.
  5. Be Open - Be open with others and empathize with them. Let them know you understand their frustrations and validate them. Be open to the amazing transformation change may hold.

At Jubilee I have seen that the best result of a change reaction is resiliency. Two possible definitions of resilience are: 

  • the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
  • ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.

Resilience is the capacity to not only survive life's challenges and major changes, but to learn and grow from them, to become stronger as a result.

I think Jubilee is a resilient organization, and through my connection with it – and the women we care for – I have come to witness change as a pathway to excellence. I see Jubilee, its residents, staff, and volunteers moving through change – and all of us, together, flexing the muscle of resiliency stronger and stronger.

Change is a new tool to play with, ponder, and respect, not fear.

Shannon Thomas, MNPL
Deputy Director