Arnold Bennett once wrote that, “any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.”
I’ve always find it reassuring to wake up each day doing the same routine of taking a bath, eating breakfast and going to school. Maybe because I already know what I should do the moment I open my eyes, and I sort of have the feeling of ease and comfort that nothing will turn out differently. But when faced with different environment and unlikely occurrences, I tend to overanalyze and complicate matters that don’t really necessitate much thought.
Have you read Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson? If not, it's an easy read, give it some thought. The story of the four characters in “Who Moved My Cheese?” was absolutely something we could all relate to. The “Cheese” is regarded as something that makes a person “happy” or “contented”, hence this thought varies among all of us, when asked what would make us happy, we may answer, “money”, “success”, “love”, or “security”. Imagine losing your “success” or “love” right smack in the middle of your comfortable way of living, what would you do? Have you been expecting the change all along just like the character of the mice named Sniff? Or would you bustle yourself into action to find another cheese just like Scurry? The other two characters named Hem and Haw are two little people living like the two mice. Hem and Haw are more intricate individuals entitled to their own emotions and intellects. Because of these characteristics, they are more likely to reassess change over and over depending on their choices of actions. Hem was described by the author as someone who “denies and resists change as he fears it will lead to something worse”, Hem has a cynical perspective of change, while on the other hand, Haw was described as someone who “learns to adapt in time when he sees changing can lead to something better!” (Johnson 4)
The flow of the story goes on as these four characters continue their venture on finding their cheese at the same spot everyday only to find out that the cheese has been moved and consequently lead the characters to decide on their choice of action. Since Sniff already anticipated change, he wasn’t surprised by the change and went on sniffing directions for the new cheese, same goes to Scurry who doesn’t complicate things at all so he moved on quite smoothly. But the little people has a lot of things going on in their heads, Hem ranted and ranted and never willing to accept change, on the other hand, Haw, although doubtful and fearful at first, gradually realizes that the easy way to face change is to move along and look for the cheese.
While I was reading the story, I realized immediately that I tend to be more like Hem when faced with inevitable and unforeseeable changes. I typically go on the phase of denial, blame myself or other people, and end up standing still grounded on the same spot. Although I am very much aware of that attitude, I still chose to remain pessimistic because I’m a coward most of the time, but it always depends on the kind of change I am faced with. Sometimes I can also be like Sniff, being a pessimist and sometimes optimist aid me to foresee changes whether it’s for the worst or for the better. I take things slowly so I can’t be described like Scurry, I admire the quotation, “slowly but surely”, so as not to commit errors by rushing onto things.
From simple places to more complicated avenues of life, we can relate the story of the four characters and ask ourselves who we are and why we chose to be that way. It's a choice, really, if we want to wallow on self-pity or guilt, it is still a choice. For what its worth, neither any of us will know when will our cheese be moved, and where it will progress, but if we keep an eye on it, move along with it, we can sense real early if change is going to head our way, and we can then face it with more enthusiasm.
(Assignment on PA130, edited it because a lot of it has something to do with OD, which I know isn't necessary for an ordinary blog post, haha)
1 comment:
GREAT post, and that story seems pretty good because it forces us to look at our own foibles. mebbe i'll check it out. thank you.
btw, this reminds me of what a great man who i follow once said: "Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river".
i've always taken that admonition to heart, even though like any human being my emotions tend to cause problems. it's so hard to keep still sometimes, to remain calm in the storm when buffeted by strong emotional undercurrents, even though i know only stillness will clear muddy waters and allow me to see the underlying truth.
To remain like a mountain one cultivates stillness and solidity, grounding and anchoring life in one's beliefs. And yet, at the same time, one must also emulate water, which flows naturally past obstacles on its voyage, yet is strong enough to demolish even stone when the right circumstances dictate.
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