I’m not sure how I became a person who has learned to appreciate change. I haven’t always been that way. I credit my hubby for letting me know sometimes, in subtle and not so subtle ways in the past, that maybe I am ‘too careful’ or ‘too slow’ or am ‘too content’ without seeing the positives that can come from change. I also think I shunned away from some changes because they had dollar signs connected to them, and I didn’t want to seem greedy, using our ability to pay for change when others could not. An example: my first Iphone. Hubby had an Iphone way before me. I hemmed and hawed and did not see the reason to get one. He kept urging me to try one. Well, you know now that I have one (actually I am on my 3rd one) and I could not live without it. I appreciate the ability to stay in touch with people through threads and text messages, and I love checking into emails when I am away from home. I love taking pictures and sharing them. I love playing word games with friends.
Change is a state of mind. That too I have learned. It is making a choice that something new is worth trying. Obviously not everything new works out. And, some new inventions or new products don’t last long. They are fads. They are overnight wonders that quickly fade away. But, a person who believes in change is willing to ‘go for it’ and to look forward to something else new on the horizon.
We need people who love change. We need dreamers, and those who put their time and effort into creating something new. Look back in history at ALL the changes. I think about just in my Dad’s lifetime – how he saw the start of TV, black & white – to color – big furniture boxes to flat screens – and now streaming and Wi-Fi viewing. And, again – phones. Party lines, and one phone connected with a cord in a home. Then to bulky cordless, and now to Iphones that do everything and still answer a phone call. But, who calls anymore??
Lately the innovation that has both the people interested in change and those who do not want to go there – is the e-car. Again, I credit my husband who has been watching the way electric cars have become the new thing – and why. He researched. And he likes cars. He took a chance and bought a used BMWi, a really cute little car that is electric, but has a 2 gallon back-up gas tank. I immediately fell in love with the car – and it has become mine to drive. After a few months of owning it we went ahead and sold my reliable Honda CRV. Why? Because I love this change! I love moving forward. I love the quiet, and smooth ride. I love knowing that I am doing something ‘green’ in a sense. Ok. This is where people are going to say – but what about those big nasty batteries?? (Versus the big nasty gas car parts – and oils, etc. that can also be toxic.) But yes, there is an environmental concern about what to do with e-car batteries once they no longer are useful in vehicles. I get that. It’s an issue that needs to be addressed. I believe in forward thinkers – so I have faith that the smart scientists from around the world will work hard on 1. making batteries that will be safer, and 2. will one day be re-used for another purpose. Some people I know, and many I see on social media, are vocal about never giving up their gas cars – even during this time of high as prices, and they seem to like putting down the new option of electric.
Are they like me? How I was? Were they slow to get an Iphone? Well, I bet they all have them now.
The United States used to pride itself on forward thinking – of being the young country with all the talent in the world! The innovators. The industrial revolution happened here. But… Now, who do we think is always on the cutting edge? Japan perhaps.
Earlier I said change is a state of mind. It is. Learning to acknowledge that change can make us all better, and that we live with improvements that make life easier, and that we are happier with them – once the kinks are worked out. It’s a way of living!
Some things are ‘old and reliable’ and don’t need change. At first I was going to say a Q-tip, but even it has been made better over time. I marvel at all the baby items and paraphernalia that my daughters had for their newborns. Much more than I had – just one generation before.
So – I wonder WHY are some people naysayers? Even if something might not be ‘for them’ why put it down? I feel like I have to defend that I like driving an e-car. Silly, isn’t it? Hey, airplanes are not my favorite mode of transportation (because I don’t like not being in control, and how does that huge thing fly through the sky?!?!) but I see the value of planes, and I know for some people they will fly before taking a long road trip anytime.
Thank goodness we have all kinds of ways to travel. So many inventions have got us here. I am pleased that Pres. Biden has allocated money for better electric cars – for innovations in the industry, and for high-speed modern trains, and for highway improvements.
I think…
Change is good!
Marla’s Musings 