Tom Merriman @ Well Here Goes wrote a story called ‘Nebula Three’. A story about ‘Change’ and the resistance to it. To read his post click here. His story reminded me of the book called ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ and inspired this post. Thank you, Tom.

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I’ve had a copy of ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ on my bookshelf from the first time I borrowed it from my library. To ensure that I could read it from time to time, I purchased a copy. I read it to all of my children and have recommended it to many friends. On occasion, I’ve given it as a gift. It’s a simple little book written by Spencer Johnson which has sold more than 10 millions copies.

The book is filled with a powerful message that inspires remembering. I believe this story with its lessons has a great deal to say about change. With each new day, we must change. Change opens new doors. When we resist or don’t see the doors opening before us, to new opportunities, we become motionless. Our beings cease to be more than they could be.

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Who Moved My Cheese? Keep Moving the Cheese!

The story is about two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two “Little People,” Hem and Haw, who live in a maze of cheese stations, some filled with cheese and others empty.

When Cheese Station C runs out of cheese, the two mice immediately search the maze for another cheese station, while Hem and Haw overanalyze their situation, convinced that one day the old cheese will return to Station C if they keep on going there.
Eventually, Haw leaves Station C, realizing he’s going to starve if he doesn’t start looking for a new station.

Along the way he writes messages on the walls like:

“Movement In A New Direction Helps You Find New Cheese”
and
“The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Find New Cheese,”

which serve to motivate him in his search for new cheese and to remind him that going back isn’t the solution. Also, they were markings for his buddy, Hem, should he decide to follow.
After a little while in the maze, Haw stumbles on a station with a few chunks of new cheese. Even though the types of cheese are strange-looking, like nothing he has ever seen before, he immediately devours them. He puts a few pieces in his pocket to take back to his buddy, Hem, who is still stuck in Station C.
As stubborn as he is starving, Hem turns down Haw’s offer of cheese. “I want my own cheese back,” he says.
“Suit yourself,” Haw says, as he begins to let go of the past (good times at Station C) and adapt to the present.
He inscribes the maze wall with more bits of wisdom, like

“Noticing Small Changes Early Helps You Adapt To The Bigger Changes That Are To Come.”
Finally, Haw discovers Cheese Station N, the tallest mound of cheese he had ever seen, where his mouse friends Sniff and Scurry welcome him and invite him to eat from the abundant supply. Their full bellies tell Haw that they have been there awhile.

On the largest wall of Cheese Station N, Haw draws a large piece of cheese around all the insights he has gained.

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So … What did he learn???

Change Happens: They Keep Moving The Cheese. Just like the weather, we can’t continue to stand in a brazen immovable stance. Go with it.

Anticipate Change: Get Ready For The Cheese To Move. Be prepared for things to divert from your anticipated plan. Sh-t happens. It’s how you handle your sh-t that counts. Don’t let yourself be pounded by it, accept it and go on.

Monitor Change: Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old. Keep track of your life – every hour of every day. Oh, not in a way that makes your head hurt from thinking about it. No – in a curious: ‘ I want to do curious way’. Be nosy about yourself. Keep track of what you do? How much you spend? What you spend money on and how many times? You might be surprised at how much money is being waisted. Leading to stress and interrupting your calm.

Adapt To Change Quickly: The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese. Strangely, we enjoy buying new clothes and jewelry to make ourselves look altogether from head to toe. There isn’t a hair out of place. We don’t think our old clothes are stylish or fashionable anymore so we get new ones. Well, what about those old thoughts that are keeping you from enjoying the new thoughts? Time to trash those; time to move on to the new thoughts.

Change – Move with the Cheese: Don’t be stubborn about going forward and letting go. We feel anxiety and nervous about going forward and making these positive changes.

Enjoy Change! Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste of New Cheese!
Think of these changes as a vacation. Have you ever been on vacation at a place you’ve never been before? It’s called an adventure.

Take the Plunge – the waters warm and so is the new voyage.
Be Ready to Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again and Again. They Keep moving the cheese. Remember that there isn’t a solid road on this journey you’re on. Hills and valley’s; rocks and holes; will be there to derail you. Stay on track. Keep yourself steadfast. For on solid, committed and reliable ground your path will keep you calm.

When we search for new things in our lives without fear we are enjoying our lives everyday.

Are you moving with the Cheese????

2015©Isadora DeLaVega

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Becca at On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea
hosts Nurturing Thursday. To join click here.