Resistance to Change

We humans are intrinsically resistant to change and fearful of the unknown. The anxiety we feel when we begin to change or venture into the unknown is actually our protective mechanism, and it can cause us—at least initially—to misinterpret or fail to recognize what is, in fact, a true core desire.

To see how this works, imagine that a stranger is ringing your doorbell. The family dog becomes instantly alert and is ready to jump on whoever is about to come into your home. The stranger represents change, and the dog is your protective mechanism. Consciously, you may think that the stranger is there for a good purpose, but subconsciously, your instinct is still to be afraid. The key, then, is to calm your dog down so that the person can safely come in.

After a while, if the person is truly well intentioned, the dog will get used to him and will no longer try to attack him. But if, on the other hand, you were wrong in your initial assessment, the dog will know it and will continue to try to protect you. If that happens, your original plan of action may need adjusting.

So, being aware of how your protective dog works will enable you to venture into change smoothly and safely.