What does change means to you?

Change means different things to different people. To Ben, it means growth. Growth, he says:’ I believe that if I do not grow, I have not changed’.

‘Don’t resist change’. Said Ben to Me

It is true that each day people experience change but how many times have we reflected over those experiences. Once more, I found myself speechless in the salon, having being posed the question – what does change means to you? For a moment, I paused and re-asked myself the same question. The scene may have sounded silly but it turned out to be one of my special moments within the week.

It was Saturday 18th June, 2011 at about 4pm; what a glorious day. I went to the salon to do my hair. For a long time now, I have been keeping the same hair-style, simple week-work style. I am always so unenthusiastic to wear on very technical and time consuming hair styles. For very simple reasons; firstly, I never would want to be trapped in a confused state of mind each morning, especially on very early hours, struggling to re-fixed (re-do) my hair, rather than doing some other stuffs. Secondly, I think I am a lazy hair style keeper. Therefore, I always try to style my hair in manner that I can manage without stress. Except on very special occasions and most often I am psychologically prepared for the engagements involve.

Interesting, this time around, my visit was the opposite from the usual. My entire discussion in the salon was about trying on a new style. The stylist continued time and again asking me questions like; what style would you like? Is there any style from the catalogue you would like to try on…? As usual, my normal reply is No. Yet, the debate went on-and-one between myself and the stylist …blablabla, while he carried on with the shampooing and washing of my hair etc.

Suddenly, he asked me the question-‘What does Change means to you’? I bloated despite the fact that I wasn’t eating. Change! Change? I echoed. In few words, I said, I believe change means ‘to be different’.

Change as we have seen is different to different people, depending on the context of the discussion. But as a scholar, activists, an individual…what does change means to you in your personal, social, cultural, religious and or professional life?
The lesson I learnt today was that of CHANGE from a personal view. This immediately gave me a quick insight into my personal and how these invisible factors are sometimes a reflection to the global scene; especially on the issues of the social struggle for change. In this regard, I observed that the social is personal and vice. Therefore the outcome of social change is a reflection of the personal.

I would say, the little time I spent at the salon challenged me to rethink over the issues of stereotyped and the ability to leave out of the comfort zone(s). Using myself and the salon experience as an example, I was able to deepen my thought as I compared the situation to the intensive outreach advocacy and public reform programs that has been taking place over and over the years, worldwide.

And so, if in a similar sense, I felt reluctant to leave my comfort hair-do zones; likewise, I supposed, some people might be unwilling to embraced change in their life. Positive change!

Just as I was convinced and finally did accept to put on a new look, I are more than steadfast and very confident in all the efforts (voluntary and non-voluntary) aimed in building a safer world for all. I believe change is happening already.
Thanks

I look forward to your feedback on what change means to you.

Ziwoh