It’s been a long couple of weeks for
our family. And it’s not because of
the weather or the post-holiday
letdown. No, what’s challenging
our family is the beginning of a new
year—pacifier-free.
Riley, our youngest, recently turned
three. Her dad and I decided that it
was time for her to give up her pacifiers—or “binkies,” as she called them.
Each night, she would count the
binkies as she placed them on her fingers
like rings. And if on that particular
day she managed to locate more
binkies than her fingers would hold,
the extras would be strategically placed
on her blanket.
When we first presented Riley with
the idea of going binky-free, her dad
and I explained that, with her third
birthday looming, she was on the verge
of becoming a big girl. And big girls, we
said, don’t use binkies. She didn’t buy
it at first, and when I thought about it,
I can’t say I blamed her. I’d probably
have a similar reaction if someone told
me I should give up my caffeine. It was
Riley’s first taste of the fact that, like it
or not, life is one long lesson in learning
to adapt to change.
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 Letting Go in Order to Grow
This month, I bet a lot of us are thinking
about change. Part of that could be
because of the inauguration of Barack
Obama, our newest president. But it’s
also a pattern that seems to take place
every January—new month, new year, new resolutions. For most of us, those
changes focus on improving ourselves
and our lives. It is about letting go of
old ways and making changes in our
lives.
A lot of times, those changes mean
letting go of something that we are
accustomed to or that brings us comfort.
Maybe it’s food, a relationship, a
grudge or a particular habit. But what
they all have in common is the fact
that in order to grow, we have to learn
to let go. Sometimes, like for Riley, that
change can be scary. Other times, it
can be new and exciting.
In other words, being open to
change often requires taking a leap of
faith. Luckily, our faith teaches us that,
as long as we have God on our side,
everything will turn out all right. Of
course, that doesn’t mean things will
always turn out the way we hope. But
it does mean that, no matter what, God
will be with us.
As we begin this new year, here are
some ways that you and your family
can welcome change in your life with
open arms:
Take stock. Take a look at your life
and figure out if there are some things
that you need to change. Do you want
to find more time for prayer? Would
you like to find a volunteer opportunity
that can make a difference in someone’s
life? Do some soul-searching and
then commit to making those changes.
Make some family resolutions. Discuss
what’s important to the members
of your family. Then draw up some resolutions,
such as trying to eat dinner
together more regularly, attend Mass
together, eat healthier, exercise more or
just spend more time together. By
engaging the whole family, the chances
of success with your resolutions are
much better.
Remind yourself. Sometimes what
we need to make those changes in our
lives is visual reminders. Here are a few
quotes to cut out or write down and
place somewhere where they can serve
as an inspiration. Use them as gentle
prods for prayer and reflection.
“Be the change you want to see in the
world.”—Mahatma Gandhi
“How wonderful it is that nobody
need wait a single moment before starting
to improve the world.”—Anne
Frank
“Things do not change, we change.”
—Henry David Thoreau
“The whole course of human history
may depend on a change of heart in
one solitary and even humble individual—for it is in the solitary mind and
soul of the individual that the battle
between good and evil is waged and
ultimately won or lost.”—M. Scott Peck
As for Riley, I’m happy to report that
she’s been binky-free for a while now,
and she is happy to tell anyone who
will listen what a big girl she is. Change
is good.
Now we’re on to potty training.
Prayers would be most appreciated.
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