By Henrylito D. Tacio
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Author unknown, commonly misattributed to Charles Darwin
I was already asleep last night when I heard my mobile phone ringing. As much as I wished to disregard it, I found myself unable to do so. Therefore, I reached for my phone, which was conveniently located near my bed. “This must be important,” I reassured myself.
Well, it turned out to be a forwarded message. I was puzzled as to why my friend chose to send it to me in the middle of the night. Although I did not consider it particularly important, the message lingered in my thoughts the following day.
The message conveyed something along these lines: “If you fall in love because someone brings you joy, what occurs when you no longer find that person amusing? If you love someone for their beauty, what happens when that beauty diminishes? If you wish to marry someone because they can fulfill your desires, what occurs when they lose their wealth?”
It added, “Love transcends laughter, beauty, and wealth. These are merely superficial. Therefore, if you aspire to love and cherish someone for the entirety of your life, ensure that you are prepared to embrace the challenge known as change.”
Change – that word struck me. The word, I was told, first emerged in the 13th century in Middle English as chaungen, signifying “to alter, make difference, or substitute one thing for another.” This term originated from Old French changier, which meant “to change, alter, exchange, or switch,” and was derived from Late Latin cambiare, meaning “to barter or exchange.”
When I was still in high school, our English literature teacher always used the phrase, “change is the only permanent thing.” It was not until I was in college that I learned the man credited for saying those words was the Greek philosopher Heraclitus.
He famously remarked that “nothing is permanent except change,” highlighting that all things in the universe are prone to transformation and flux. This viewpoint encourages us to accept change instead of resisting it, as it mirrors the continuously evolving nature of life and existence.
With change, expect the unexpected. Lao Tzu, on accepting change as part of life, emphasized: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them—that only creates sorrow.”
Frequently, I encounter numerous individuals expressing dissatisfaction regarding their financial status, their inability to obtain their desires, and the multitude of issues they face in life. Similar to all television series, these concerns and difficulties will eventually fade away.
John A. Simone, Sr. said it clearly, “If you’re in a bad situation, don’t worry, it will change. If you’re in a good situation, don’t worry, it will change.”
The phrase “Gulong ng palad” is how Filipinos illustrate the ups and downs of life. Everything is subject to change, as “hindi natutulog ang Diyos” (“God is not sleeping”). Jawaharlal Nehru aptly stated, “The wheel of change moves on, and those who were down go up and those who were up go down.”
In a Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown posed a question to Linus: “Perhaps you can provide me with an answer. What would you do if you felt that no one liked you?”
Linus responded, “I would attempt to view myself from an objective standpoint and consider what I could do to enhance myself. That is my response, Charlie Brown.”
Upon hearing this, Charlie replied, “I hate that answer!”
There are several reasons why many of us, similar to Charlie Brown, resist change. Indeed, resistance to change is a common phenomenon. Recall the story of Galileo Galilei? Utilizing his telescope, he validated Copernicus’ theory that the Earth is not the center of the universe. The Earth and the planets orbit around the sun. However, when he attempted to alter people’s beliefs, he was imprisoned and spent the remainder of his life under house arrest.
Change is inevitable. No individual in this world can escape change. If there exists a person who is unwilling to embrace change, they will inevitably be left behind. Pauline R. Kezer reminds, “Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.”
Nevertheless, there are people who completely reject change. What fate awaits them?Let these words of W.H. Auden serves as a reminder, “We would rather be ruined than changed; we would rather die in our dread than climb the cross of the moment and let our illusions die.”
Mignon McLaughlin, in his book, The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, has identified people who don’t want change. “It’s the most unhappy people who most fear change,” he said. Actually, these people don’t resist change. What they resist, according to Peter Senge, is “being changed.”
“Change has a bad reputation in our society. But it isn’t all bad – not by any means. In fact, change is necessary in life – to keep us moving, to keep us growing, to keep us interested. Imagine life without change. It would be static, boring, dull,” wrote Dr. Dennis O’Grady.
In Holland, two substantial windmills were situated on the same dike, grinding grain into flour. They had become an integral part of the landscape, and their operation was a routine aspect of daily life. However, with the advent of electricity in the area, it became possible to grind grain more finely, cheaply, and quickly.
Modern methods posed a threat to the existence of the two windmills. Yet, each responded to this threat in distinct ways. The first windmill underwent a complete reconstruction. An electric motor replaced the large waterwheel that had previously powered the mill. The latest grinding machinery was installed, allowing that mill to continue grinding grain and fulfilling its intended purpose.
The second windmill remained unchanged, having ceased its grain grinding operations as it was deemed unprofitable. However, it continued to rotate, serving the purpose of attracting paying tourists.
The proprietor of the first windmill felt a pang of regret as he exchanged his time-honored machinery for more efficient modern technology. Nevertheless, he found solace in the fact that his mill continued to fulfill the original purpose for which it was constructed.
The second windmill continued to turn without any real function, having abandoned its role in grinding grain. It appeared to be engaged in its traditional task, but in reality, it was merely catering to the curiosity of tourists.
“Any institution which cannot adjust, cannot change appropriately with the changing times, is going to end up as a tourist attraction,” Lutz Hoffman concluded the anecdote.
“If we don’t change, we don’t grow,” said American author Gail Sheeh. “If we don’t grow, we are not really living.”
Meanwhile, the Bible communicates that change is an inevitable part of life and a crucial component of spiritual growth. It encourages believers to embrace transformation, both within themselves and in their environment, as an integral aspect of God’s grand design. Change goes beyond mere situations; it often represents a deep, heart-level renewal that aligns believers with God’s purposes.
Change, as illustrated in the Bible, includes both external and internal aspects. It may relate to life circumstances, such as moving, new responsibilities, or personal development, as well as spiritual revitalization, which involves turning away from sin and embracing righteousness.
Christians are urged to trust in God, stay steadfast, and view challenges as opportunities for growth and maturity. Biblical stories, such as Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle, demonstrate that significant change often requires both divine action and human participation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
