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Maria DiGiorgio is a lifelong New Yorker, who currently resides in Commack, with her family. She is a devoted wife and mother, an educator and designer. Maria is active in her community, as a PTA mom and Girl Scout leader. She has a passion for interior decorating and loves to garden. She is an avid reader, and enjoys writing about life experiences and parenthood, as well as her personal observations about the world around us.
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| Greek philosopher, Socrates, is attributed with this thought-provoking quote. Although it was first uttered thousands of years ago, it still bears repeating, and more importantly, reflecting upon. There’s something exhilarating about trying new things, in life. It can be little things we engage in, to shake things up a bit, like new foods, a new hairdo, or a new style of dress. It can be more significant, like a new career path, a new location to live or a new relationship to embark upon. Although there is much possibility for growth, happiness and adventure, we can still find ourselves feeling frightened by these new prospects. Change is scary; even change for the better. We become somewhat complacent in our lives and in our outlook on life, and when there is an opportunity to challenge that complacency, we can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, cautious and even resistant to the possibilities that may lie before us. We can count on the expected, but we somehow fear the unknown. Change is fraught with “the unknown.” Even though we may be feeling unfulfilled in our lives, in our careers, in our relationships, we seem to convince ourselves that this state of mediocrity is acceptable. We buy into the notion that we do not have a right to seek something more or something different for ourselves. Perhaps, there is a part of us that has just become a little lazy. After all, complacency is certainly nothing, if not an exaggerated feeling of laziness. Change requires effort, sometimes, Herculean in nature. We don’t always feel “up to the challenge.” Here is where we need to be fully honest and open with ourselves, and meet our fears head on, but in an intelligent, responsible and realistic way. In order to make changes in our lives, whether it be little or big, we need to assume the role of “coordinator.” By this, I mean, we need to think through all of our goals and design a plan of action that will bring us closer to our desired destination, while still safeguarding the security we’ve built for ourselves, up to this point. Simply voicing our desires, our needs, our very dreams (be it on paper, or out loud to others) is the first step in making positive and lasting change. It helps us crystallize our notions, which aids in mitigating the fear that comes with loss of boundaries. We then need to decide how we might approach some subtle changes that will ultimately lead us in the direction we wish to go. “Slow and steady wins the race” is never more apt a philosophy, than when applied to change. We want to feel proactive, but not be moved to procrastination, as a result of taking on too much, too soon. Talking over our plans with significant others in our lives is also critical in providing us with perspective, motivation and support. When we share our feelings and experiences with the people who are important to us, we can gain much needed insight into our motives for change, and sound advice in achieving our goals. Here, again, we help mitigate fear, which can escalate when we take an active role in procuring change. With the proper supports in place, realistic expectations and a generous helping of patience (from within and from others), we can achieve great satisfaction, meaning and excitement in our lives. Nothing could be more fulfilling than that! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 