Dr LeCrone
03-30-2006, 12:41 PM
Once upon a time many years ago, there lived a king who ruled a beautiful and much-envied kingdom. Everyone in the kingdom was happy and prosperous. After the kingdom functioned well for many years, the people arrived at the consensus that they had the perfect kingdom, one in which improvements, innovations or changes were unneeded. Since they had grown complacent, they feared change would produce more work for all who lived contentedly in the kingdom. They just wanted to live happily ever after.
It may have been in such a kingdom that the phrase “Don’t rock the boat” originated.
Everything went well until one day someone discovered there was another kingdom nearby where people were doing things differently. The kind held court and heard that those people seemed to be not only happy, but also excited and enthusiastic. They had sent out town criers to spread the word about their kingdom, loudly proclaiming its accomplishments.
Soon jealousy, bickering and dissatisfaction began to develop among the people of the old established kingdom. But the thought of changing anything or even looking at another way of doing things caused discomfort, and the people became apathetic. With all the unrest, the king and people had forgotten their earlier feelings of contentment and happiness. Change had become a dreaded and negative word. T hey reinforced the walls around their kingdom.
Recent psychological research has shown that individuals who seem more stress-resistant embrace change. They see change as a challenge rather than as a threat, and believe that changes are normal and present interesting incentives to growth. These individuals are usually innovative and undaunted by roadblocks. As a friend once remarked, “I go over or around roadblocks; I don’t let them stop me.”
Change presents a problem to some individuals because of their perfectionistic tendencies. Because they seldom feel they actually have succeeded at tasks in the past, new challenges and the fear of not achieving 100 percent at every task produce anxiety and threaten their self-esteem.
Change is part of normal life. Change is future-oriented. Those who view change as a challenge don’t cling to the past. Rigid, stereotyped thinking can lead to lethargy, self-centeredness and difficulty in adapting.
Viewing change as a challenge is a goal all of us should strive for; it is a cornerstone of maturity and good mental health. And it will keep the “kingdom” functioning well forever after.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1988
It may have been in such a kingdom that the phrase “Don’t rock the boat” originated.
Everything went well until one day someone discovered there was another kingdom nearby where people were doing things differently. The kind held court and heard that those people seemed to be not only happy, but also excited and enthusiastic. They had sent out town criers to spread the word about their kingdom, loudly proclaiming its accomplishments.
Soon jealousy, bickering and dissatisfaction began to develop among the people of the old established kingdom. But the thought of changing anything or even looking at another way of doing things caused discomfort, and the people became apathetic. With all the unrest, the king and people had forgotten their earlier feelings of contentment and happiness. Change had become a dreaded and negative word. T hey reinforced the walls around their kingdom.
Recent psychological research has shown that individuals who seem more stress-resistant embrace change. They see change as a challenge rather than as a threat, and believe that changes are normal and present interesting incentives to growth. These individuals are usually innovative and undaunted by roadblocks. As a friend once remarked, “I go over or around roadblocks; I don’t let them stop me.”
Change presents a problem to some individuals because of their perfectionistic tendencies. Because they seldom feel they actually have succeeded at tasks in the past, new challenges and the fear of not achieving 100 percent at every task produce anxiety and threaten their self-esteem.
Change is part of normal life. Change is future-oriented. Those who view change as a challenge don’t cling to the past. Rigid, stereotyped thinking can lead to lethargy, self-centeredness and difficulty in adapting.
Viewing change as a challenge is a goal all of us should strive for; it is a cornerstone of maturity and good mental health. And it will keep the “kingdom” functioning well forever after.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1988