“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~ Harriet Tubman

There are so many fantastic quotes about change and changes, I can’t begin to share them all here. My goal as I have said previously is: to do the most good for the greatest number of people I can in my lifetime. Sometimes that leads to big changes which can be a wee bit unsettling for the loved ones in my life.

Changes can be big — moving to another state to change jobs and careers

Changes can be medium – hospitality, offering a respite to others in the midst of the craziness of their own life

Changes can be small – a haircut, moving furniture around, increasing my running pace

Some of the changes may not seem like a big deal to me, but to others who aren’t accustomed to how I think and operate, it may seem like I’m over-reaching or adding more stress to my plate which makes me laugh. I’m past the point of being a “yes” person – I have no qualms about saying “no” to something I do not have time or energy to do.

Then there’s the narrative that others may have in their head. That isn’t on me . . .that’s on them. Life is ever changing, transient, and unpredictable. Circumstances and the thoughts about them can change. I am not a “set in stone” type of person. While I may feel a certain way about things at one point in time, circumstances can change which can change my thoughts, which then changes my feelings and the actions I may take.

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” ~ Albert Einstein

My decisions are not based on emotional whims. I matured and moved past that a looooong time ago. If I cut my hair, it’s because I wanted to . . . no other reason. If I change jobs or move again, it’s because it serves me best. I cannot live my life to make someone else happy. I have always been able to weigh the pros and cons and quickly make a decision – my jobs have required it. If a change occurs, it’s for good reason and I’m not required to explain my decisions to anyone but those closest to me. Even then, they don’t have to like it or agree. Toughlove doesn’t just apply to parenting, it applies to other relationships as well.

“Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are sure to miss the future.” ~ John F. Kennedy

This is another step in the year of being the terrifying, unapologetic me. If you want the watered-down, sweetened version of me . . . I’m sure there’s a Stepford wife out there just waiting to be found. For years, I danced about on eggshells watching every word, every look, second-guessing every action – but not any more. And so, on that note, I leave you with two more quotes:

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” ~ C.G. Jung

and, my favorite:

“I yam what I yam!” ~ Popeye, the sailor man