The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind. William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
Change can be difficult but it is inevitable. Think of yourself. You are constantly changing whether you know it or not.
There are trillions of cells in your body, but the cells that you have today are not all the exact same cells that you had yesterday. Over time, cells age and become damaged, so your body’s cells are constantly replicating, creating their own replacements. [Does The Human Body Replace Itself Every Seven Years?]
Not only are you constantly changing, you are continuously moving even when you think you are completely still.
… although it may look as if you are just sitting, you are actually moving at great speed around the Earth, around the Sun, around the Milky Way, and through the universe. [How Fast Are You Moving When You Are Sitting Still?]
When philosophers first became aware of the ubiquity of change in our lives, the Ship of Theseus paradox was conceived. Imagine a ship where every plank and oar is replaced or repaired over time as they wear out. Is it the same ship after the replacements and repairs have been made? (We wrote about this in an earlier blog HERE)
Not only are we changing and moving over time but our memories and opinions are changing as well.
One is allowed to change the past: the present is so stubborn. Jorge Luis Borges
One characteristic of change is that it moves from the past into the future. This is the so-called Arrow Of Time. The arrow of time seems to be the result of entropy, a fascinating concept that gives rise to the second law of thermodynamics. [Read about the Arrow Of Time by clicking on the blue link.]
Change can be upsetting, stressful and threatening but also exciting, hopeful and liberating.
There are many kinds of change: physical, mental, economic, cultural, political, religious and more. We are changing in many ways sometimes quickly and sometimes slowly. Each of us at different rates and with different reactions.
How all of this will turn out in and how it will impact a democratic society, whether it will be benign or deadly, beneficial or catastrophic–is a work in progress. We wrote about this in an earlier blog Possibility in an Impossible World.
Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future. Niels Bohr
In America we reach an inflection point every four years. This year on November 5th. However you vote remember this one thing. Nothing stands still in this world. You are constantly changing, constantly moving along with everything else. Whether this disturbs you or comforts you, it’s a fact.
Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to never was there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it. Flannery O’Connor, Wiseblood