Changes, the alterations or modifications of familiar routines, are part of life. They are inevitable and it is generally wiser to go with the flow than to swim against the current.
But many people, especially older individuals, are fearful of changes. Over the years they have grown accustomed to do things a certain way and they are generally reluctant to modify familiar routines.
It is mainly the fear of being bypassed and being unable to cope with new procedures (or technologies) that makes people balk at changes.
People are afraid of what they don’t understand, and their fears are fanned by wild rumors propagated on the Internet by opponents or religious fanatics.
To conquer their fear of change, people should familiarize themselves with new trends before passing judgment.
The Internet can play a crucial role in helping the public decide what to do.
But you have to be careful.
All kinds of wild rumors are floating in cyberspace and you have to carefully filter what you gather before making a decision.
Some parents for instance refuse to have their children vaccinated even though it has been abundantly proved that vaccines are highly effective in preventing some diseases.
Is this love or stupidity?
When investigating a product, keep your ears and your eyes open. Read as much about it as you can. Experiment. Seek advice from knowledgeable friends.
Not every new thing under the sun is praiseworthy mind you.
Automated phone calls (robocalls) for instance are my “bêtes noires”.
Among the things that I could do without are: social media, sexting, selfies, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, Bluetooth headsets, leaf blowers.
When it comes to changes, I like to quote Alfred Edward Perlman who made the following comment in 1958.
He famously said:
“After you have done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully.
After five years, look at it with suspicion.
And after ten years, throw it away and start all over.”
Contrarily to what you might think, he was not talking about relationships… even though it might be a good idea to keep his comment in mind.
If you are adamantly adverse to change, please consider moving to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and settling in an Amish community.
The Amish people are staunch conservatives and have changed very few things in their lifestyle for the last two hundred years.
Their way of life might please our compulsive naysayers.
Alain