Bell choirs ring the changes and end up with beautiful music but for most of us change has nothing musical about it. Some changes are simple and easily effected. We change our oil, or our toothpaste with impunity and with little or no fear. Changes on the next level are practical. When we have a knee replacement we look for a single story house; when we cook for 10 we need a bigger pot. Again, this change level is virtually without great fear. There is a whole level of change, however, that can be transformational…transmutation, conversion, mutation… all describe the type of change that is terrifying.
Abraham Maslow – he of the famous hierarchy of needs – described our choices when the big changes come: ” In any given moment we have two options. To step forward into growth or step back into safety.” as I get older, I see the validity of stepping in both directions.
The 92128 Gang handles changes in unique and often creative ways. Often the changes are small amendments to our daily lives such as more exercise, better diet, more travel. Often we step toward safety, we don’t water ski or race cars. We are like kids who are unable to get off the roller coaster of life so that change has become the norm and a strange new comfort zone. Time forces us to accept our growing limits and at the same time time gives us a perspective on events. We are less reactive and we barely care about how we are perceived by society at large.
This does not mean that our hearts can’t be broken. Friends die, children move away and some food has lost its flavor. As a rule we still step towards growth. We are constantly advised to try new things to stave off dementia. It seems that real dementia is more likely if one careens from one new experience to another. I do not despise those who step towards safety.
I will not learn to play scratch golf in my remaining days but I will ride a camel in the Jordanian desert. What does this mean?
I think it means that I-and the 92128 gang- are game. We are ready to take on life’s challenges and we reserve the right to step back into safety at any time we see fit. We ring the back bells. Back bells are the ones that are heavier and they limit the speed of the composition. We ring the bells of family, volunteerism, book clubs and wine parties. We are not tired of the tune but we choose to ring at our own pace.
We believe the words of Barbara Kingsolver…” the change we dread most may contain our salvation.”
Olio Folio 