I finished reading The Year of Magical Thinking a couple of days ago and it made me think about all the negative “Ordinary Instant”(s) that cause us to lose our balance and spiral out of control such as the death of a loved one, company wide layoffs, or the end of a romantic relationship. Some of us leave these life moments, bitter, jaded, and cynical for the rest of our lives while others emerge like phoenixes, forever changed and ready to take on the world.
I gleaned two insights from these “ordinary instants”.
First, although quite harrowing and unfortunate, we do not get to choose which “instant” we are presented with. The luck of the draw determines which “instant” is assigned. However, we do get to choose how to respond to tragic events, how we reframe the story. Essentially that reconstruction becomes the new reality. That is why life changes, in my opinion. David Chang from Eat a Peach also points out that Change is inevitable, but growth is not guaranteed. Life is just a series of either forward or backward moving choices depending on the person that version of you created in your mind.
Second, life doesn’t only have to change only in the negative instances. We shouldn’t need an excuse to change for he better but often comfort is a warm place to leave and humans need a sign – something something so disheartening, revolting, catastrophic to jolt them out of their complacent (and toxic) mindsets. In actuality, every day is a reason to start again. Signs are overrated. Look within yourself and your life can change today:)