Adapt, Adjust, Repeat

One of the most helpful traits that any living-thing on this planet can possess is the ability to adapt. Being capable of adjusting to shifts in the environment or in our lives, ultimately increases the chance of survival, of happiness. I have certainly had to cope with more than a few major shifts in my own life, it is sort of the constant variable, but I always manage to adapt. Much like evolution in nature, we all must learn to let go of what does not work for us and nurture those things that are to our benefit.

Personally, adapting and adjusting is somewhat of a necessity but that does not, however, mean it is always simple or pleasant. Change is difficult, even painful at times, it can test the very fabric of what makes us who we are. Things like beginning to use a wheelchair, needing ventilator or even wearing glasses were particularly challenging for me. The hardest part of these transitions was not necessarily getting used to the new but surrendering the old, leaving behind what used to be.

Exiting the realm of familiarity can be absolutely terrifying for anyone, but it is an inevitable part of life. In fact, none of us would even exist if that first amphibian did not crawl itself out of the sea into the blistering sun, conquering the unknown. Progress is often the result of overcoming an obstacle, moving forward is usually an uphill battle. Luckily, we are part of a species well adapted to solving problems, humans are masters of ingenuity after all.

Early Homo Sapiens on the plains of Africa were not particularly fast or strong, we didn't have claws or great night vision but we had tools and could work together efficiently (opposable thumbs are pretty awesome too!). Evolution made us able to use our brains to overcome our physical limitations; we could create a spear, build a fire and make clothing. In my own life I use assistive technology every day, there is certainly no shame in this adaptation. There is also nothing negative about asking others for help, teamwork is truly the cornerstone of human civilization.

I believe the key to surviving the changes that life throws at us, is to support our needs above how we expect things to be. The trick is to spend less time thinking about what your life is supposed to look like and more time actually living it, no matter what it looks like. When Charles Darwin used the phrase "survival of the fittest", it did not mean the strongest but the best at fitting within the environment. It is far better to flow with the current of change, rather than be drowned fighting against it. The only thing we can do when life begins to shift is: adapt, adjust, repeat.