Readers may think the title of this post –“Small change” — relates to a fear I blogged about last week:
Quarterlessness-o-phobia, the fear of not having the correct change.
It doesn’t.
Two days ago, in Random Numbers, I speculated I might be returning to work today.
I’m not.
There has been a small change in that plan. The revised Estimated Time of (Work) Arrival is Monday.
Regular readers might assume THAT change is related to a change in my recovery rate, from illness.
It’s not.
It has to do with red tape.
Readers unfamiliar with the term “red tape” might now be picturing something like this:
(I found that image here)
I’d like to make a small change in that image, like so:
(image found here)
Red tape is an idiom that refers to excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making. It is usually applied to governments, corporations, and other large organizations.
I need to have a meeting with Employee Health, at work, before I can return.
The language of that Wikipedia definition is somewhat judgmental, especially
excessive
rigid conformity
redundant
hinders or prevents
With that language, plus the image I chose above, you might well assume that my facial expression — and feeling — is down, right now.
Actually, I’m neither down nor up. To the best of my ability, I am letting go of anxiety, expectations, and my own assumptions about changes ahead.
Here’s a wish, for myself:
I wish, when I return to work, that all changes — both within and beyond my control — will appear small and manageable.
I like that wish. However, let’s make a small change in that, too:
I wish, from now on, that all changes — both within and beyond my control — will appear small and manageable.
I love that wish. I wish I had my magic wand with me, to give that wish more power.
I don’t. The wand is at work. I’ll have to wait until Monday to see it again.
Hold on! I’d like to make a small change in my wish assumptions, here. Maybe the image of that wand …
… is enough.
Before I end this post, I’d like to show you recent photos of change, nearby. Nine days ago, I showed you this:
Yesterday, I took a photo at the same spot:
We could judge those changes. We could miss what’s no longer there.
We could see what’s there, with new eyes.
Yesterday, with a small change in location …
… I saw new things.
Thanks to those who change their perspectives in any way, to tape of any color, to magic wands, to people at work, and to you — of course! — for reading today.
So we have the same day. I also have to wait until Monday expecting a change.
Let’s stand together, good soul.
Ninou
Now I feel even less alone. Thanks, Ninou!
Re-thinking momentous – so I will face the thing that I can’t keep from changing differently. Thanks
Thank YOU. Your comment is helping me, also.
Ann, I love how you find the wonder and awe where ever you go — and how you embrace what is here with such grace.
Hugs — sending you love and light and all good thoughts for Monday — and everyday.
Love you my friend.
Love you back, Louise, and I love what you see where you go (including here).
Excellent! You get to enjoy one more day off – and then start fresh next week! Enjoy the last Friday of freedom! 🙂
I hope to take freedom along with me when I return next week, Kate! Thanks for this great comment.
😀 😀 nice wand, indeed 🙂
Thanks, Niko!
🙂
On Monday, you start anew, my friend. Not really, though. You still have all that stored up smarts that will kick into gear the moment you sit at your desk. It will only be as new as you want it to be.
That’s the thing about change, too, that I fight all the time. Except for the meter-feeders rattling around in my pocket, it’s so hard to attach the adjective small to the word. Change of any sort is so big in my mind.
Thanks for today’s reminder that it really is a matter of perspective. And thanks, too, for that graphic of the guy bound in red tape. Hilarious!
Enjoy the weekend getting ready for some change you’ve been anticipating.
Thank you for these big insights, Mark, which will be rattling around in my mind, when I make my return.
You returning to work won’t happen until it is meant to happen… It always does… Peace..,
This comment — with insights and peace — was very helpful for me, today. Thank you.
Work return will happen when it’s supposed to. You’ll be ready, too. Again, another though-provoking, yet fun, entry. So enjoy reading here! I’m glad you are feeling better though – that is huge! 🙂 (and, I hardly ever have the right change!)
I’m so glad you enjoy these posts and find them thought-provoking and fun … that’s exactly what I’m going for! Thanks for the great comment.
I wish, along with you, that starting right now, any issues would be small and manageable for you!
Diana xo
I wish the same for you, dear Diana.
I loved the wordplay in your title, Ann.
But I hope that you know that in the blogging world, you are no small change. 🙂
Thank you, Maureen! I thought of responding to your second sentence with “That depends on who you ask or what criteria you use, blah blah blah…” but then I thought, “No! Maureen is correct!”
And I always appreciate the way you use words, too.
Ann, I laughed out loud when I read, “That depends on who you ask.” Who would I ask but me? I’m your target audience! All your readers are.
Phew! I thought you might have laughed because I used “who” instead of “whom”!
Who instead of whom? I laughed so hard I choked on my rice crisps. No joking!
I never use whom unless in the presence of people granting me a degree. Life is too short for that. I wear sandals in synagogue, too. And luckily, I know that you’re going to be non-judgmental about all that, as it’s kind of a promise you made in the title of your blog…
Making you laugh that hard is NOT small change, to me. And I shall wear sandals wherever I want, from now on, thanks to you.
I promise never to say, “I toed you so.”
You nailed it!
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