During a Black History Month event called Celebration of Gospel, Jazz and Poetry that I attended last month, I listened as a singer threw his head back and crooned the wistful words of “A Change is Gonna Come.”
Written by Sam Cooke in 1963, it became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. The song makes you believe in change, for the world and for yourself.
Change, however, is not always welcome. When it comes upon us before we feel ready for it, we tend to struggle.
Dealing with change takes skill. One of the measures of psychological resilience is how well a person manages life’s unpredictable transitions. We can fall to pieces, retreating into a safe, impenetrable denial, or we can stand and face what is with courage and creativity.
Mark Harrison, author of “Change Your Life in 30 Days,” teaches that in order to manage change well three character issues must be present: a high ambiguity threshold, a constructive internal dialogue, and a good reservoir of energy.