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“‘No!” Hem quickly
responded. “ I like it here. Its comfortable. Its what I know. Besides
its dangerous out there!” page 41
As
I read Who Moved My Cheese, I really identified with Hem.
I hate change and would rather stay in a known situation than move to an
unknown place. I spent most of my life transient.
I was raised in an eighteen wheeler from the time I was three months old until I was almost five years old; my stepfather was a long haul truck driver. I never lived in one place for more than one year at a time, usually just for the school the year and I was off again. This lasted until I was twelve and a half. Then I lived on the streets of Portland Oregon, under the Burnside Bridge for almost a year and half. At the age of fourteen, started a long series of foster home moves until I went off to Bible College for a year in Dallas, Texas. I had lived in Portland for a total of six years; the longest I had ever stayed in one place. After a year at Christ for the Nations, I returned to Portland for a short time and then headed off to LIFE Bible College. Even after I got married, my life still continued to change at a rapid pace. I HATE CHANGE! But after reading Who Moved My Cheese? and 7 Habits of a Highly Effective People, I realized I needed to embrace the impending change, so I quit my job and now I am sniffing out new cheese…
. Looking back on my workplace I can see
people who resembled the characters in this story. All the people's
names have been changed to protect them…
Max was a prime example of a Hem. He had
been at our site for about two years and then because of some issues, painfully
Max moved on... for a while. What a hard thing for Max because he
was single and isolated from his family. Max had a lot of debt. At
first, Max was optimistic and finding some new cheese, but as time passed
Max could not find work. Soon Max returned to our site and began working
a various odd jobs and part time elsewhere. When I left school, Max was
still looking for work.
Sally was a Sniff. She had lots of change
in her life. Sally worked at several jobs over the course of the past several
years. Sally was a very optimistic person and very upbeat. She knew the
“smell of change” and when her cheese was moved she was already on the
lead of several jobs.
Mabel was a Scurry. Mabel was an easygoing person and very organized. Mabel was a creative person who was warm friendly and wise. She was liked by all. Mabel anticipated change or trouble and adapted to it easily and quickly. Though Mabel never actively sought new cheese, she was ready to go quickly if her cheese was moved.
Mason was a good example of Haw. He was a single family parent who worked long hours at a job that he had had for nearly 20 years. When the economy dropped here in Silicon Valley, Mason lost his job. Mason was set back and upset. After spending some time at home with his son, as the unemployment monies were coming to an end, Mason set out to secure a job. After searching for a while, Mason took a less desirable job and continues to seek a more satisfying employment.
Looking back at the situations, I knew that at the time of their change, I would not be able to help them. I had to first learn how to help myself cope positively with change . Coping with change is a personal area of growth, at least it has become one since I have gotten older. In my opinion, the ones that need the help would be those people who resemble Hem and Haw. Today I would recommend the books that helped me to change and try to act as a sounding board for those who felt comfortable with me. I would take time to discuss how it is applicable to their there life and hope that they would begin to see how change can be positive and manageable as I have recently learned.
I evaluated my life and saw that all my “irons in the fire,” were melting, and my health was breaking down. My cheese has become spending time with my husband and working in a job that I can only work twenty to thirty hours a week doing something with teaching and technology. It is time to slow down. I have several personal goals that I covered in my mission statement that I want to take time to accomplish.
Well looking back, nothing positive can
categorize my reactions to change. However of late, after this major decision
of quitting my job, I realized ( through my readings) I had choices to
make. I feel that I have dealt with the recent change better than
I have before. I think it was because I realized that I did have limitations.
I realized that I did have a lot to offer and that I needed to slow down.
This realization did not come easily.
It was about a two month process of discussion, with my hubby and a few
close friends, and hours of reflection Certain things I heard in the audio
tape rang true and began to help my out-of-focus life suddenly become much
clearer. The more I heard the reactions of Hem and Haw, the more I realized
that was I them. I identified more with Hem at least in my job situation.
Usually Dennis and I call change approaching “Here we go on another POZZI ADVENTURE.” Often when there is major change occurring in our life, we find ourselves discussing it in phases. Sometime the phases are intense and we back away then negotiate and discuss it later. We often go to family and talk about the change and they often help us to see it differently in a new light. I feel and important part of change is discussion. I can now say that I can see change in a more positive light.
-Heather Pozzi
CADRE 3B