Picking up on Gary's comments, I think the way we use language might
bridge and unite the 2 points of view expressed: In the broad sense,
change exists. It is a constant that has a life of its own. In the normal
course of events, we really can't stop change from happening...(time
marches on, so they say). Then, for the most part, if we cannot stop
change, can we as individuals create change? Or do we facilitate change?
In the same vein, stress is a part of life. Neither good or bad in itself,
stress is a normal reaction to any change, weather, aging, winning the
lottery. We don't avoid stress, we manage it. Facilitating and managing
provide more power for effective action than "creating" or "eliminating"
allow.
GSCHERL wrote:
>
> Rol Fessenden said:
>
> > We talk a lot on this forum about creating change. In general
> > change is viewed as a positive development. However, for most
> > people, creating change or obliging them to cope with change,
> > automatically creates stress...
>
> While in Boston over the weekend, a number of members got together and
> had some good discussions. We discussed change at length and found
> that everyone was dealing with it. Change is the one constant thing
> we can be assured of today, and everyone was interested in helping
> people deal with change more constructively.
>
> IMHO people react to change with stress because they do not feel in
> control of the change, and feel it is being imposed upon their lives.
> They feel they have no choice but to accept the change and live with
> it.
>
> > If creating stress is bad, does this imply that pushing for change
> > is to be avoided?
>
> It's not clear to me that all stress is bad. To me, that means
> pushing for change should include helping people understand, deal with
> and benefit from the change.
>
>
> We appear to have contradictory or unclear feelings on this issue. --
--Carol Sager, Sager Educational Enterprises http://www.erinet.com/patterwc/CLIIN/ Critical Linkages II Newsletter; 21 Wallis Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167; V.(617)469-9644; Fax(same)-9639
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