Healthy Living

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How to Navigate the Changes in Your Life
by Dan Langerock

Life is full of changes, some good and others we would rather do without. The question is, how do we know when we are doing the right thing before we make the choice?

When you were in the workforce, you had to choose which job you wanted that would benefit you and your family the most. Maybe there was no choice involved because you needed the money, so you just took what came. Here are some questions you might have considered:

If I have a job already, what type of environment is at the new place I am considering?

How will it enhance my overall career to take this new position, or is it just a new set of circumstances. Therefore, I must consider why I am thinking of taking this new position?

What new items will I have to learn to be proficient at my new position? In my current set of circumstances, am I able to learn these things due to time constraints and other factors?

Do I need this added stress in my life of learning new things, adjusting to new people etc., or can I be content with my current position?

Have I found out from people who work at my prospective employer what the working conditions are like? If there are no clear-cut answers, why am I still considering this move?

Is there any increase in salary or benefits that will be an incentive to me to change? If not, why hasn't more been offered? Will more money or benefits make me happier than I am now? What is the trade-off in extra stress and other factors I have no way of knowing at this time?

How will this change affect my family regarding schools, a spouse's job etc? This will add more stress to your life if they are not in agreement with what you plan to do. Are you equipped to handle this? In what manner will you resolve it, a way that mandates or builds bridges?

Will you have the same or better resources for entertainment and other modes of existence that you need as a person and as a family? Culture shock will set in if this is not the case.

What are the schools like in your new area? Do they afford opportunities for your children for sports and other activities they enjoy now or may later?

Will your new position jeopardize the closeness of your family if you are more involved in the new job than in your present work? What kind of consequences will result?

Are your parents going to need added care in the near future that you will be required to help with? How will this affect your new opportunity? What resources are there in your new environment to help you cope with this potential added responsibility?
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Now let us consider another major change we all may face in the future, that of down-sizing into a smaller place--perhaps even a retirement home or something similar:

What are the reasons I need to consider this change in my life at this point? Do circumstances such as inability to stay alone, Alzheimer's Disease, or other illnesses make this a mandatory item to consider?

What type of place would make me happy or reasonably so? At this stage when you figure out what you would like, check out places like this in your area within your budget. Visit the ones you select for cleanliness, how the staff treats the residents, the food quality, whether it smells consistently when you visit etc?

Will you have a private room or be with a roommate in this new environment? Ask if you are dissatisfied with a roommate if you can change rooms and get it in writing along with the name of the person in authority that said it?

How much of your belongings will you have to get rid of and how will you accomplish this task? Do you have family and friends who can help? Can some of your cherished belongings be put in storage or given to family who will treasure it as you have?

How soon must you make a decision in this matter due to availability of a place at my chosen residence or other factors? What type of deposits etc are required and other fees. Get these in writing when possible so you won't be surprised.

Do you want to live away from your family and friends or close by? Some people are just as lonely when their family is near as when they are far away for whatever reason.

Is living with one of your family an option you could explore? In this case, I would spell out your needs on paper and make it a sort of contract of what you need and expect as well as what your family expects of you. Otherwise there will be more potential for conflict and misunderstandings.

These are but two of the scenarios in our lives that require change of some kind, there are many others of course. The important thing is to evaluate the change in a way that will help you decide what is best for you without depending on luck, your feelings at the moment, or other criteria. If you will take the time to think about these and other questions, it will be more likely that you will have a successful transition to the new environment, whatever it is.

Have you neglected God as a resource for wisdom in the things you are considering? Do you want his help and input into what you are planning? He can see the pitfalls of our choices far better than we can. He loves you. Will you ask for His wisdom?

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