Old wooden sign saying "Change" hung on a green door
Change

We are each unique, with a background story that often defines how we think, act, and respond. When we mingle and think about others, we must consider our differences. Act accordingly!

Some enjoy Dr. Pepper, and others don’t. Or smooth peanut butter, but I want mine super crunchy! Skip the watermelon and other tubular vegetables and give me Green Beans, Lima Beans, and Field Peas any day.

Since DNA analysis was made available to the masses, many flocked to the tools to determine who they were, where they came from, and to find a hint of their migratory path over the centuries.

I did.

When we were younger, we were told we had North American Indians to claim as part of our genetic pool. Cherokee is on one side, and Commanche is on the other side. I think. But my DNA analysis disproved the tale. Mainly an Englander (with a smidgen on the French coast), then Scotlander, Wales, Ireland, and now they say 5% from the German portion of Europe. (It used to say Denmark.)

Why the change? The analysis says, “Your DNA doesn’t change, but our knowledge does. As our data increases over time, our analysis improves, and we update your results.

So, I suspect there’s a chance that these origins could change. Again.

Emigration to the North American coast, at least through my known ancestors, landed in Kentucky and Tennessee and migrated through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Texas, oh, Texas, how wonderful and grand... Don’t get me started singing!

Since I like Cold Weather, I suspect most of my DNA makeup comes from Scotland via the Shetland Islands in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.

That’s why I love Alaska. Up north and full of good cool temps!

Here’s my thought this morning: As we go through life, we keep tweaking the edges of our likes and dislikes. We grow and change. As the cultural climate changes, we either sink deeper into our roots or adapt to what we can accept, enjoy, or embrace. What we like today is hated tomorrow. Who we tolerate becomes a better friend. A second ago, we said, “Yes!” Then, we changed it to a solid NO. Turn life upside down, and a smile becomes an instant frown.

We are so fickle! Of course, I’ve not walked a mile in your shoes, so who am I to judge what affects you?

Change. We are affected by everything, and some things change us. Or not. It’s up to each of us to stick by our guns or embrace the brave new world ahead.

Imagine for a moment. God has been around far longer than we can imagine or understand. He’s seen the changes to His creation, and we have changed quite a bit from how we started. Of course, scripture tells us He never changes. (Malachai 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)

I know I’ve changed, and I hope I have changed for the better. But I’ve watched many change in the opposite direction. Something happened, and they no longer wanted or needed what they had once enjoyed.

I asked ChatGPT for a short poem on accepting and rejecting change. You may merge the two and come up with a new outlook! (I’ve modified the words a bit according to Grammarly, another AI tool I enjoy using.)

No Changing!

I stand here rooted, firm, and still,
Resisting time’s relentless will.
The world may shift, the seasons sway,
But I wish things would stay this way.

Change knocks loudly on every door,
Yet I cling to what I knew before.
In familiar ground, I find my peace,
Letting go feels like a release.

Accept the Change

Change arrives like autumn’s breeze,
Whispering gently through the trees.
Leaves let go, the colors fade,
Yet, the promise of new growth is made.

Seasons shift, and time moves on,
Each end is a step where life is drawn.
Embrace the flow, let old things part,
For change renews the waiting heart.

Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!

(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!