If You Want A Change...

Shake Things Up

We lived in our Calgary home for thirty-two years. My big, comfy chair was ideally situated so I could sit and admire the beautiful garden my wife had worked years to create.

I would wake up early every morning, watch the sunrise, and contemplate the day.

The morning time of silence was a precious gift.

Then, the city undertook a rezoning plan to increase our old neighbourhood's density dramatically.

Additionally, a developer purchased the twelve-acre school lot one street from us. I felt sick seeing the initial plans to build several high-rise apartment buildings. This development would change my neighbourhood forever.

Change was in the air, and initially, I chose to look the other way as though what was happening did not bother me. I loved where I lived and was locked into staying put.

However, as author JackCanfield says, “Take 100% responsibility for your life.”

I was undoubtedly blaming the city and the developer for disturbing my peaceful way of life in my old neighbourhood.

It took me some time to realize blaming others for my circumstances would not improve the outcome.

I had to take 100% responsibility for my future.

After several conversations with my wife, we decided to sell our home of long-standing and move to the West Coast.

Moving to a new province eleven hundred kilometres west of our home was a significant change.

In the past year, my world has changed in ways I never would have imagined if we had not decided to go west.

It is unnerving to be on a path without a clear direction.  However, I chose to fully engage in the journey, using all aspects of my nature to meet and solve the challenges of moving to a different part of the country.

Being present and taking on the challenges has given me energy and a sense of creating a new life.

At age seventy-eight, I have reconfigured my life to a more vibrant, energetic, physical, emotional, and mental state that makes every day exciting.

I wake up daily aware that whatever the day brings results from my attitude and actions.

You may not have to shake things up as I have, but if you want a more vibrant life, choose to change it and take 100% responsibility for it.