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Lifestyle Changes

February 17, 2023

The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, is quoted as saying “change is the only constant in life.” I believe he’s right. Some lifestyle changes we make on our own while some changes are forced upon us. Lifestyle changes can happen when we change jobs, move to another community, decide to marry, retire, live a non-consumer lifestyle, get rid of the TV, new eating habits and more. Yet, there are some changes that come upon us unexpectedly and unwanted, such as divorce, death of spouse, parent, child, natural disasters, health issues, war and more. Each time we face one of these changes we are given the opportunity to make choices on how we respond. How we respond to them is the bigger question. 

I’m at a place where I’m facing lifestyle changes due to health issues. The reality of my mortality is very real today. Since the present is where I must live, I’m given the opportunity to face these lifestyle changes and make choices that can be rewarding. My hope is to live life with a new and positive attitude, no matter what. Pretty sure I’m preaching to the choir but I needed to write it and maybe it is a thought provoking post.

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

15 Comments

  • Gary

    February 17, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    I’m turning 70 this year and have had a few lifestyle changes myself. They weren’t always easy to accept, but eventually I adapted to them. Well, most of them. The key, I think, has been exactly what you have just written – “to live life with a new and positive attitude, no matter what”.
    Best of luck to you, Monte.

  • Earl

    February 17, 2023 at 5:56 pm

    I’ve never been comfortable with quick/immediate change. It’s a joke with Bonnie that I need three days to contemplate, and then I’m good. I prefer to think I’m like an aircraft carrier; they don’t turn on a dime, but they get there.
    Still, for all of that, I firmly believe change is life. I hope your changes bring positivity to you in all ways. You deserve it!

    • Monte Stevens

      February 17, 2023 at 6:22 pm

      Thanks, Earl. I also am not comfortable with those quick and immediate changes. Three days is also a good number for me. I’m leaning to go by intuition and gut feelings rather than any hasty thoughts from my head/ego. I like that, “change is life.” Thanks for you encouragement and your friendship.

      • Mark

        February 18, 2023 at 6:26 am

        Can you guys please let me know the secret in getting three whole days to contemplate? Then how to convince others that is just what it takes?

        • Bonnie Moore

          February 18, 2023 at 2:20 pm

          Great questions, Mark. Let me see if I can help. When we were dating, Earl said “yes” to everything without much hesitation–shopping, dinner with friends, week-end getaways. After we married his first response to many things became an immediate “no.” Like most of us, his dating behavior was different than his married behavior. This easily led to lots of unnecessary disagreements. So I wised up and followed up my requests with “just think about it for a few days and then let’s discuss.” For the record, he wanted six day to ponder. My powers of persuasion got us to three. May the force be with you!

  • Faye White

    February 18, 2023 at 5:26 am

    You are approaching these changes with exactly the right attitude – stay positive and live a rewarding life. Be well, Monte.

  • Geri Oster

    February 18, 2023 at 9:05 am

    Dear friends, I so appreciate your thoughts. They are wonderful guides and encouragement to just stay in the game. Last year, having to face once again, my recurring physical limitations in yet a new way, the journey to peace became all about trust. Learning to trust that it’s not all up to me, that there truly is something greater than me that has the strength and knows the path, and that it’s okay to ask for help. Then the peace comes, and with it the grace. Now if I can only remember all of that five minutes from now! Bless you, Monte, with serenity.