Changes

All things change, so we are told. In other words, nature and human nature eventually change. We only need to look at photos of ourselves from years ago, compared to the present, to see evidence of our physical changes. If we look at our car, comparing the original performance and appearance to the present condition, the changes are obvious. So we must ask: Can we see changes in a person's psychology?

Most people don't want to change or want any changes in their lives. Other people invite change. The many psychological elements presented in past articles – complexes, personality, unconscious (hidden) psychology, consciousness, masculine and feminine sides, archetypes, shadow, ego identity and the Self, are all involved in psychological changes, or resistance to changes. Over the next few articles, I plan to present change, or lack of change, associated with several of these elements but for this article, let's simply look at change in a general way.

A person's psychology can change in a natural manner due to aging and/or life events. When this happens, a person has little to say about the changes occurring. Other than these natural changes, when a person doesn't want to change -- desiring to continue old ways, beliefs, values, behaviors, attitudes, habits, traditions, perspectives, and so on -- often a degree of control is needed. Control is the critical word.

Why would someone want to possess so much control? Typically, it is related to a fear of change, a fear of the unknown and a desire to minimize risk, which amounts to fear. People try to control themselves and situations to avoid changes that are too difficult to accept or meet.

Everyone has experienced being startled at one time or another. When someone is startled there is an immediate fear that rushes through the person. The fear is intense. This example of fear gives us a hint at what people are trying to control when facing change. Of course the fear accompanying change is not as immediate or intense but it is still fear.

We all know people who don't want to change, or want anything in their lives to change but resisting change can introduce problems -- physical or psychological problems, conflicts with family, friends and strangers and more. If change is inevitable, then we need to be conscious enough to allow ourselves to accept changes in order to live more peaceful and complete lives, with ourselves, with others and with life in general.