As the World Turns

Here's the thing: People generally change over time. If you just suddenly are noticing that someone has changed, you stopped paying attention as they were growing, evolving, and changing. It's likely if this is a person you are close to, that they tried to bring you along on their journey. If you are surprised, then you must have declined the invitation. That is on you, not the person who has grown.

It's amazing sometimes the way things change as you get older. Some things change for the better. For me, one of the things that has improved in my adulthood is that I am now able to stand up for myself more and hold back less. I won't passively sit seething and boiling inside or cry myself to sleep while doing nothing to change my situation. I've made goals for myself and taken steps toward achieving those goals. I've rearranged and even replaced my priorities. They call it "growing up." If it's "up" and not "down" it's good, right? Not always.

At times those that knew you in the past prefer the old you. Those people prefer not to deal with your opinions, feelings and goals- they never had to before, so why change, right? Accustomed to just doing as they please with your time, feelings, and thoughts, these people are taken aback by the now "rude" and "bitchy" new person you have become! I mean, the audacity of disagreeing! What nerve! To act differently that the rest of the general population! Why on Earth would anyone not "go along to get along?" Do what you're "supposed to" do?

Relationships take work on the part of all parties. If you close your eyes and expect everything to remain the same, you just might get blown away by the winds of change. Change is normal and healthy. Evolution says so. "Survival of the fittest." Evolve- or else...