“Change is that uncomfortable ailment that requires a prescription of patience, love and self-awareness. “ ~Angel Carlton
When we think a cold might be coming on, we may feel a headache, stuffy nose, cough or sore throat. When we recognize something out of the ordinary with our health, there are certain symptoms that alarm us that something might not be right. At that time, we might typically consult a doctor if our health doesn’t improve. The same goes for our emotional health during times of turmoil or transformation in our daily lives. Yet, when was the last time you sought help to recover from life’s unpredictable circumstances?
When we begin to recognize the symptoms of the transformation cycle, or signs of changing times, we can administer a prescription and navigate that change in a healthy manner. However, if you continue to ignore the signs of a misalignment in life and choose to white-knuckle through the process, the diagnosis may worsen and so might your level of stress which leads to disease and illness. This type of stress has a domino effect where it impacts your productivity at work, and that may lead to yet another layer of unwanted stress. When change is not dealt with properly, you can see how things can easily spiral out of control.
Unexpected change is why 45% of our society lives under extreme stress, according to a study conducted by Forbes. Statistically, that is nearly half of our circle of friends, our neighbors and co-workers! We know from watching the news what unaddressed stress can do. It can be very dangerous! That is why it is imperative to recognize the symptoms associated with change so that we can diagnose the issue, release the stress and prescribe a healthy remedy of self-awareness.
Whenever a tragic event occurs, like a job loss, broken relationship or death in the family, we are initially jolted into a state of shock, what I call the Realize Stage. These events often serve as directional signs, pointing you to take another direction in some aspect of your life. If you’ve ever been there, you can easily identify with what I am talking about. It’s when we begin to ask those profound questions about life’s purpose. These phases are a cyclical pattern of human personal evolution, and, when we are aware of them, they can bring a sense of peace and harmony to the trials and tribulations that life delivers. When we learn to identify the lessons from life’s rollercoaster ride, we gain a healthier understanding of our journey, our relationships, and most importantly, ourselves.
It is important to know what transformation (or some might refer to as “an awakening”) feels like so you understand what you’re experiencing is perfectly natural. It also helps to get a penthouse perspective of your path, by reviewing where you’ve been, where you are and where you’d like to go. Let’s take a look at the first of The 6 Stages of Transformation and a few examples of the symptoms you may experience as you respond to the change or event happening in your life (these may vary depending upon the type of event or circumstance).
- A feeling of lack of purpose
- Close relationships begin to feel unfulfilling
- Feeling disconnected from the “norm” and a sense of not belonging
- A strong desire to be alone and self-reflect; isolation
- An interest in understanding death, and what happens to our soul when we die
- Searching and seeking answers for the true meaning of life
- A (An) unexpected loss that generates a sense of “life is never going to be the same again”
- A calling to do or be something totally different and out of the ordinary
- A feeling like you need to contribute to something greater; an urge to make a difference
- An attraction toward books, videos, seminars, webcasts, and other material on holistic/spiritual/metaphysical topics
- Music begins to speak to you; lyrics seem to bring messages
- Signs begin to show up in unexpected places—as numbers, for example
- People, sometimes strangers, show up as messengers during this time
- “Coincidences” occur more regularly and are more noticeable
- You feel a strong desire for a fresh start
- A sharpened sense of self-awareness and perspective of life
Whether you resonated with one or all of these symptoms of personal change, remember to be kind to yourself as you move through any difficult time. Become the observer of your life journey and recognize when others might be going through difficult times. Rest assured, life’s ups and downs are a reflection of the natural order of everything. So, take your doctor’s orders…embrace change with a healthy curiosity, apply a dosage of patience and follow up with self-nurturing kindness.
Angel Carlton is the Author of 2 books, Staying Afloat During Tides of Change, and Dedicated to Destiny, the Founder of Power Up People! Inc. (PowerUpPeople.net), Motivational Speaker and Transformation Coach. Angel also serves as a Sales Director for the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp.com), a human capital research firm that discovers the people practices that drive high performance.
Wisdom for Wayshowers 