Finally, a break in the hot, humid temperatures that we’ve all been victims to the past 3+ months.  Along with these cooler tempts comes a new season, renewal of the soul and the world outside your window.  While kids and teens everywhere mourn the loss of their summer freedom, their parents rejoice in a small reprieve from the chaos that accompanies summer.  Goodbye summer!  Hello fall!

Change.  It’s inevitable.  There’s nothing constant in life except for that fact that it changes.  People generally fall into two camps where change is concerned.  Those who love it and those who fear it.  I’ll admit I tend to wander towards the fear camp.  I resist change.  It freaks me out.  (Probably even more than public speaking.)  I’m comfy right where I’m at.  Why change something that’s not broken?

My summer project, besides writing, traveling and weddings, was to revamp my blog.  It was time.  It had looked the same since the day I started it.  I loved the format of it and the look was still pleasing.  But, it was not fresh anymore.  It had run it’s course and it was time for a change.

Like so many others who resist change, I couldn’t quite get myself to do it.  I logged onto my blog in June while I was on my summer hiatus, thought about how I could make a few tweaks, and immediately closed it up again.  I made up some excuses for not doing it at that time.  “The dog needed a walk!”  Or, “Clark was hungry (when isn’t he) and I needed to make him a sammie… (Of course, I kid).

The stalling went on for months.  Most of summer, actually.  In the back of my mind, I knew that I was working with a retired theme and that if I actually changed it, I would lose the option to revert it back again.  That thought terrified me.  One press of the button and Poof!…everything I was accustomed to at my WordPress home would be lost for good.  My beloved blog would look completely different to me.   No more pink wallpaper.  No more clip art header.  It was like saying goodbye to one of my babies.  Soooooo unnecessary!

But, it was necessary.  It was a change that was desperately needed.  Last spring I had an awakening regarding the design of my blog.  I suddenly felt like the homeowner on the block that still had the 60’s themed home – Shag carpeting, avocado appliances and big, flowery wallpaper.  Plastic laminated counters and cabinets, formica kitchen table and chairs.  (Groovy!)  It was still very comfy and everything worked fine, but it was as if I was stuck in a time warp.  (For my insensitivity with the time warp comment, I apologize to all of you change resisters who may still be stuck 5 decades in the past.)

So, I bit the bullet and convinced myself that change COULD be good.  I wasn’t going to fear it.  I knew that with change and by its very definition, it was going to mean separating and departure from the past.  While change can bring on a feeling of loss of control and excessive uncertainty, I knew that with a well thought out plan and clear, simple guidelines, I would still be in charge.  I could conquer my fear and resistance to change!!  Departing from the past and looking forward to something new could be exciting!!  After all, we do it every single year, several times, when the seasons change.  And, we tend to love it!

Yes, it’s cool outside today.  Fall is here.  My favorite season.  The air is crisp and fresh.  It’s more enjoyable to be outdoors.  Soon, mother nature will be showing off her gorgeous array of autumn hues.  We’ll walk out our front doors to the beauty of blanketed, leaf covered lawns, streets and parks.  We’ll soon start to dig out our favorite warm sweaters and jackets from the seasonal clothes we carefully stow away in the spring.  We’ll put away our shorts and pull out our favorite, comfy jeans.  And, closed towed shoes and fashion boots.  The sun will gradually begin to greet us a little bit later each morning and say goodbye earlier each evening.  And, that’s ok.  Change can be good!  It can greet us with a big, friendly, warm familiar feeling.  It can also tease us with a feeling of something exciting and new in the air.

If you haven’t already done so, take a peek at my main blog page, Being Margaret,  here – scroll through it, make yourself at home and let me know how you like (or not) the change.

Perhaps there’s a change in store for your life just lurking around the corner.  Embrace it.  It just might be the most exciting thing you’ve experienced in a while.