In today’s constantly changing world, we are experiencing new things in every domain. From technology, work, and globalization to skills, relationships, values, and meanings – change is the only constant in our lives.
Although each of these changes comes with the promise of a better future, more equal opportunities, a more efficient and connected world, and so on, there are also some downsides that come with rapid change, the biggest of which is anxiety and stress.
As individuals, we need coping strategies to help us navigate the ever-evolving landscape in our work and personal lives. This article takes an in-depth look into the different ways in which you can practice being stable in a constantly changing world.
Read on to discover the best practices you need to adapt in order to find and maintain your stability in uncertain times.
But first, let’s take a look at what stability means and why it’s so important.
What Exactly Does “Being Stable” Mean?
There are many ways to define what stability means.
Being stable means being able to live your life with purpose, heart, and meaning.
It’s about being able to flourish and find joy even in the most uncertain of times when faced with the tensions of our world.
Being stable is the ability to live peacefully in our constantly changing world.
Practicing being stable means anchoring yourself to something in a way that helps you create and live your life in the fullest and most expansive way.
It’s also about focusing on your values rather than your fears and reminding yourself of the things that are most important to you, such as:
- Family
- Friends
- Religious Convictions
- Professional Achievements
- Creative Expression
- Amazing Experiences
Why Is Stability So Important?
In today’s turbulent sea of change, should we really be pursuing stability, or would our energies be better spent on helping ourselves get used to the flux?
Many personal growth experts agree that a sense of stability is something that we all need and that it can be an extremely powerful buffer against the troubles and strife that we face in our lives.
If trees have shallow roots, they cannot grow and are easily blown over in a storm. Likewise, humans cannot grow unless they have stable morals and values.
You cannot raise healthy children when partners or parental figures are constantly changing. You can’t connect with people when you’re constantly on the move, and businesses cannot grow where there is unstable political order or laws.
As you can see, whether you’re building a house, raising children, connecting with people, or seeking personal growth, it’s extremely hard to build or grow anything when things are always moving.
Now that you understand the importance of stability, let’s look at the different ways that you can practice being stable in a constantly changing world.
1. Don’t Expect Stability
One of the main reasons why some people seem adept at stabilizing their lives in a changing world while others are mercilessly storm-tossed is that they do not expect stability.
Rather, they accept that change is here to stay – whether they like it or not – and learn the different ways to mould their lives so that they bend and not break during trying times.
Adaptive individuals view all changes as an expected part of their experience as human beings. Those that fail to adapt view changes as tragic anomalies that target and victimize unlucky people.
So, rather than feeling personally attacked by the evil government/boss/parent/partner/fairies of the universe, do your best to remain engaged in your endeavours so you can spot opportunities for growth and expansion.
2. Meditate
Whether you believe in God, the universe, ancestors, or smurfs, there is no denying that there is a power that is greater than ourselves. We all need to strengthen our direct experience of that power, and one great way to do that is through meditation.
Meditation doesn’t have to be about sitting in a seven-point meditation posture or chanting a mantra for hours.
It can be as simple as paying attention to your breath while sitting in your car, taking a shower, or walking to the coffee shop.
Meditation can also be about practicing mindfulness and being in the moment when you are playing with your kids or performing simple everyday tasks like washing the dishes. This means that your thoughts should be in the present, in that moment, and not in the future or the past.
To practice the art of meditation in your daily life, avoid spending your time and energy being consumed by your thoughts of “the good old days” or getting lost in thought about what’s to come. Instead, do your best to focus on your now.
3. Share Joy with Others
Our postmodern culture offers us very little stability, but we still have the power to find joy in every aspect of our lives if we choose to do so.
There is joy in you and all around you. When you find that joy, share it with others.
Keep in mind that we live in an era of global awakening and there is a lot of tension because not all of us are there yet.
To help bring more stability to your life in our ever-changing world, you must look for any glimmers of light or evidence of joy around you – and celebrate that.
4. Practice Renunciation
Another way to instill stability in your life is to practice renunciation. This is the art of not allowing yourself to lose your peace, regardless of what is going on around you.
If you are someone who likes to stay in the know, it’s okay to be informed about what’s taking place in the world – just don’t be inundated. If you let the news or whatever is happening in your home or workplace influence you in a negative way, you immediately become part of the problem.
A great way to remain unaffected by the things happening around you is through practicing gratitude and appreciation.
Change the way you look at and think about things so the things around you can begin to change. Instead of looking at the negative aspects of a situation, find the positive lessons that give you an opportunity to grow.
The more you look for the positive aspects of the people and circumstances around you, the more you will begin to notice more and more good things in your life. And since we get more of what we focus on, you will start to experience a happier, fuller, and more fulfilled life.
5. Find the Humor in the Situation
If you are facing a vexing problem, one effective way to deal with it is to try and see it from a new perspective.
If you practice finding the humour in your darkest situations, you will become adept at spotting funny moments during otherwise unfunny situations. You can use humor to lighten the mood or improve social interactions, just as long as you make sure it is inclusive and respectful.
Finding humour in this way will not only help you feel better, but it can also be extremely helpful for other people facing the same situation. Just keep in mind that other people’s struggles are never a laughing matter. Your own problems, however, can be a gold mine of comedic anecdotes.
6. Don’t Stress About Being Stressed
You must accept that change is an unavoidable constant in our personal and work lives. Sometimes it is within our control. However, for the most part, it’s not.
Things change in our jobs, homes, relationships, and social circles – and that change isn’t always for the better. But, regardless of what goes on in our lives, the fact remains that we must adjust.
So, instead of stressing out about being stressed, rather make a conscious decision to focus your energies on becoming more resilient.
If you are someone who believes that stress kills you, then it’s time to change your beliefs about stress. Rather, adopt a belief such as:
“Stress is a way to carry me over big obstacles and through challenging situations.”
When you feel yourself getting stressed, ask yourself the following question:
“What is my stress trying to help me accomplish?”
For instance, could the stress be trying to help you:
- Excel in achieving an important task or goal at work?
- Or maybe the stress is a call to action to focus more attention on your child.
- The stress could even be the means to push you to exit a toxic relationship.
Whatever the case, your beliefs about stress matter, and by changing the way you think of stress, you make it a lot less likely that it will affect your mental and physical health in a negative way.
7. Practice Acceptance
No matter what techniques you employ, one thing is certain – if you want to be successful in dealing with change, you must accept it.
Whatever happened in the past cannot be changed. To maintain your stability now and in the future, you must accept the past.
But, accepting the past doesn’t mean you cannot fight for the future.
Although we can never escape change, we have the freedom to decide how we’ll respond to it. So, stop fixating on limitations imposed by any change in your life. Instead, accept that change happens, and focus your attention on whatever comes next.
Conclusion
Just five minutes watching the news at night, and it seems like our world’s problems are insurmountable.
But, by practicing stability, your alignment with wellbeing will be stronger.
You will have the power to tune into the truth of your inner being and enhance your personal thriving so you can become a more effective problem solver in this constantly changing world.
What do you do every day to help you find your balance in your work and personal life? Let us know in the comments section below!
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