Change is Cheesy

There is a great book about change and how change can create fear in our lives. It seems appropriate to revisit since change is constant and will always be with us on earth.  Who Moved my Cheese? An A-Mazing Way to Deal With Change in your Work and In Your Life, written by Spencer Johnson, M.D., is an allegory about two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two people named Hem and Haw. The characters in this book deal with a serious problem: the of lack cheese, which is a symbol of livelihood.  In this blog I would like to focus on the character Haw “who learns to adapt in times when he sees changing can lead to something better” (1998, p.11).

One of the truisms discovered by Haw is “when you stop being afraid, you feel good” (1998 p.55). Fear can be paralyzing and counterproductive in our lives. It comes in many forms that are both healthy and not healthy: fear of things which keep us from danger and overcoming fears which can lead to freedom and new beginnings.  President Franklin Roosevelt’s famous saying the only thing we have to fear is fear itself that fear in the face of change only makes things worse.

When Moses revisited the law in Deuteronomy to the people of Israel they were on the precipice of change that would lead them to into their promised city. Fear was very present and he spoke saying. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (31:6).

I want to challenge you that when change happens and actions are needed, assess your fear factors, prioritize, show respect to the fears that could lead to harm, and sacrifice the ones that keep you from moving forward in your quest for CHEESE!

 

Johnson, S. (1998). Who moved my cheese? Abbotsford, British Columbia: The Braille Superstore.

 

One thought on “Change is Cheesy

  1. Great Book! Looking forward to more “cheesy” insights. Haw’s lesson is a good one for anyone, but especially good for students who are tackling new experiences while balancing work and home. These pressures can certainly generate a certain amount of fear of failure. Haw was able to look past the immediate circumstances and the fear, to the opportunities present in the same circumstances. Thanks Greg.

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