Embracing the Beauty of Change

It was a gorgeous summer morning, full of sunshine and warmth. Tara and her family decided it was the perfect day for an adventure, so they set off to explore the breathtaking Crowder Mountains. With her daughter behind the wheel, the car was filled with cheerful chatter and laughter during the two-hour drive. 

As they arrived, the scenery took their breath away. The mountains were blanketed in lush greenery, and the air was fresh and invigorating. Excitedly, they began their hike, soaking in the beauty of nature all around them. Birds chirped melodiously, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. 

While hiking, Tara’s phone buzzed; it was her dear friend Kavya calling. Tara greeted Kavya with a warm "Hello," and Kavya responded, "Hi Tara, it’s me, Kavya. How are you?"  

Tara smiled and said, "Hi Kavya, I’m good. How about you?"  

Kavya sighed softly, "I’m okay, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I have some questions. Do you have time to chat?"  

Tara nodded eagerly. "Of course, Kavya! Ask away."  

Kavya hesitated for a moment before saying, "I’ve been thinking about change. I don’t know why, but I really struggle with it. I don’t like change at all."  

Tara gave her a reassuring smile. "Kavya, you’re not alone. Most people resist change because it feels uncomfortable. But change isn’t impossible. It’s something we can all adapt to if we give ourselves the chance. Remember when I got married? I had to adjust to a new family, a new culture, and even a new language. And when we moved to the USA, I had to learn English all over again. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it."  

Kavya looked thoughtful and asked, "I’m having a really hard time making changes to my diet. It feels like such a struggle."  

Tara nodded in understanding. "Changing your diet is tough because your taste buds are so used to certain flavors. Sometimes religion or tradition can make it even harder. Let me tell you about my experience. Before marriage, I never ate spicy food or various types of food. But after marriage, I started trying different foods. It wasn’t easy at first, but over time, my taste buds adjusted. If you stay consistent and patient, your body will adapt too."  

Tara added, "Oh, Kavya, let me tell you, as a parent, it has been such an incredible journey of change for me! I used to hover over my kids like a helicopter, always trying to control every little thing. But now, I've learned to step back and give them the space to take on responsibilities. It's amazing to see my children, how much they flourish when given the chance to make their own decisions! So we should keep evolving."  

Kavya sighed again. "What about exercise? I’ve never been into working out, and now my doctor says I need to exercise every day."  

Tara chuckled softly. "Oh, Kavya, I hear you! I wasn’t into exercise either. But now I do all kinds of workouts, weightlifting, yoga, everything! At first, it was really hard because my body wasn’t used to it. But after a couple of months, it became part of my routine. The key is to start small and stay consistent. You’ll see the benefits soon enough."  

After a pause, Tara added thoughtfully, "You know, Kavya, growing up in a Hindu family, I learned so much about Hinduism. But after moving here to America, I started learning about Jesus Christ and reading the Holy Bible, too. It completely changed my perspective on life and helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Change can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to learn and grow."  

Kavya nodded slowly. "That makes sense. But what about my career? The job I had back home isn’t something I can do here in America. I don’t know how to start over."  

Tara leaned forward with an encouraging smile. "Kavya, starting over is hard, but it’s not impossible. When I moved here, after a couple of years when my kids started regular school. I went back to college in my mid-40s to earn a degree with a full-time job and start a new career from scratch. It was scary at first, but I focused on finding something I enjoyed doing. You can do the same! Think about what excites you and pursue that."  

Kavya looked a little more hopeful but asked one last question. "What about sudden or unexpected changes? How do you deal with those?"  

Tara’s expression grew gentle as she replied, "Unexpected changes are the hardest because they often come with loss or pain, like death of loved one, losing someone we love or facing a chronic illness. But life is full of uncertainties. Remember the Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom: ‘Whatever is yours today belonged to someone else yesterday and will belong to someone else tomorrow.’ We come to this world alone, and we leave this world alone. We come to this world empty-handed, and we leave this world empty-handed. Everything we have is borrowed from the universe. Accepting this helps us find peace during tough times."  

Kavya smiled softly. "Thank you, Tara. You’ve really helped me see change in a new light. I think I’ll try to be more open to it from now on."  

Tara reminded her friend. "You’re stronger than you think, Kavya. Just take it one step at a time."  

As Tara and her family reached the peak of the mountain, a sense of accomplishment and peace washed over them. The view was absolutely breathtaking, rolling green hills stretched as far as the eye could see, kissed by the golden sunlight. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of nature, and the sky above was painted in the softest hues of blue and white.

Tara turned to her family, her heart full, and then glanced at her phone, thinking of her conversation with Kavya. She felt grateful for the chance to share her experiences and perhaps inspire her friend to embrace change with an open heart. Life, after all, was a journey, full of challenges, growth, and beauty.

As they stood together at the summit, Tara realized that this day wasn’t just about the hike or the view. It was about connection; connection with nature, with loved ones, and with oneself. With a deep breath and a smile, Tara whispered to herself, "This is what life is all about." And in that moment, everything felt just right.