Why is it that change is so often viewed as a bad thing? It seems the quickest way to ignite someone’s temper is to challenge “what has been”. I think as people, we are built to naturally gravitate towards what is comfortable, explainable & relatively easy...& there’s nothing wrong with that. However, it’s what happens to us when those things are questioned, challenged or changed that I find interesting. Often times, we find ourselves getting defensive & fighting with all our might to retain a semblance of what once was; so crippled by the fact that things are changing that we may miss other open doors that present themselves along the way.
Every Christmas Eve, the neighborhood I grew up in would line the streets with luminary bags. At dusk, the tiny candles inside these simple brown paper bags would be lit. I remember as a kid, coming home from whatever Christmas Eve activity we were attending, pulling into the neighborhood and seeing the soft glow of candlelight. It was beautiful, peaceful & almost reverent in a way. It’s one of those memories & traditions that I correlate with the holiday season. However, several years ago, things started to change. Gradually,as new families began moving into the neighborhood, you began seeing street sections in front of some houses left dark. Each year, more homes chose not to participate. I remember feeling cheated & a little heartbroken. This was, after all, one of those little things that helped make Christmas FEEL like Christmas! This year, however, the neighborhood association decided as a whole to no longer do the luminaries. I remember pulling into the neighborhood a bit saddened, but looking back...the lack of the familiar glow of those little candles did nothing to dampen Christmas in the Kirkley house.
You see, change is a part of life; it’s ALL around us! When things change we greave what we’ve lost, but it doesn’t take away from what we have right in front of us. We should look forward to change...it’s almost like God’s way of adding bits of excitement to our everyday. Or, we could simply bury our heads in the sand & miss out on what could be waiting for us. I love this quote by Helen Keller:
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change & behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.”
As each new year roles around, I think it’s only normal to take an account of our lives. We ask ourselves certain questions: Where are we? Who are we?, Where are we going? Who do we hope to become? Asking these questions in & of themselves bring about the idea that change may be on the horizon. 2011 was a very pivotal year when it came to answering those question.
For me, that process has led to some exciting possibilities. If you follow me on twitter or facebook, you may know that I recently relocated from Nashville to New York City. In fact, I’m literally writing this blog on Day 3 in the “Big Apple”. Some of you may be wondering why I decided to make a move so big...but this is hardly the first time I’ve made such a move. It was, in fact 12 years ago this week, that I made a move from SC to Nashville. But back to New York; over the course of last year, I kept finding myself reflecting on something my pastor once said: “every opportunity has a shelf-life”. Every opportunity...it’s there in front of us...and if we don’t act...it’s gone! Ultimately, if we choose not to take a chance...we miss out on what could be an exciting ride. Years from now, when I look back on my life (probably on the 1st day of a new year)...I want to say I lived with NO REGRETS! I would rather have tried & failed at something then regret never acting because of fear.
I’m still humbled by what God has allowed me to do with my music & who He’s brought into my life along the way. In fact, one of the many things I will miss about Nashville are the people there I’m lucky to call my friends. I want to make it clear that this move in no way means an end to my writing, recording or touring (in fact look for a new album later this year). Hopefully, it’s a way to expand on what I’ve been blessed to be a part of thus far. Sometimes you rediscover dreams from your past & when the chance comes to act on those dreams, you should take it! I believe that God has directly orchestrated events that have made this move possible. One of which was becoming an independent artist. One of the advantages of being an “indie” is I can base myself out of anywhere (as long as there’s a convenient airport & a good WIFI signal - lol). As with my move to Nashville, I come to NYC with determination, confidence & a handful of dreams. Whether things pan out exactly the way I would want or if I have to deal with disappointment...I’m going to enjoy this ride.
As you enter 2012, my prayer is that you ask yourselves those same questions that have led me to where I am today. Be willing to shake things up a bit; move outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes allowing ourselves to remain comfortable breeds fear of change & complacency. So ask those questions...seek those answers. I know that God not only speaks to us in those times of reflection...but he leads us as well! Now maybe what you discover (or rediscover) about yourself won’t lead you to change cities, but it will lead you somewhere...& that process refines who we are as men & women. We should all strive daily to be better versions of ourselves than we were the day before. So don’t fear change...don’t fear failure...embrace the unique dreams that God has taylor made & planted into each of you...because going after them may just be the most exciting & rewarding ride of your life! I also ask for your thoughts & prayers as I set out on this new season in my own life...& I say THANKS in advance! Blessings my friends... Here’s to a wonderfully blessed & amazing 2012!!!
Sincerely yours -
Daniel K.
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