Resistance to Change in a Chaotic World

I recently returned to work from a week of vacation only to learn that my department had moved to a different part of the building while I was gone. I trusted that my coworkers would make sure my stuff was moved, but the prospect of not being able to find my new office, wandering among cardboard boxes in half empty cubicles looking for familiar objects like my picture of Scottsbluff National Monument and hoping that someone remembered to pack that extra stash of paper clips I had been hoarding, was stressful enough to undo all the relaxation of my time away.

On my weekly visit to Village Inn, Betty, the server, asked me if I needed to see the menu or would I have the usual. As if I order the same thing every Wednesday morning when I’m there. My coffee and large water were already on the table before I arrived. I may just surprise her and order something different someday.

It's been implied that I am resistant to change! Can you imagine? Why just yesterday, I was telling someone how flexible I am. This was after I told them about my 12th annual vacation to San Diego.

Is it so bad to be set in your ways? Perhaps I'm not as adventurous as some people, but I like knowing what to expect. It's a chaotic world where sometimes traumatic change is thrust upon us. My preference is to not be surprised.

I tried to explain that to a guy I've gone out with a few times who was thinking of different date activities we could try. It seems he was worried that we would get bored by always having lunch and watching a movie on Saturdays when we get together. Perhaps we might, he suggested, go to the zoo or take a drive in the mountains, and maybe we could meet some other day besides Saturday. But I like lunch and a movie, I explained. I know what to expect on Saturdays that way.

Lest you think I'm not flexible, I'll have you know that I'm getting ready to replace my entire home entertainment system with a better one. I've been talking about it for a year or so and I'm just about ready to start to think about ordering the components and changing the furniture to accommodate the new system. On the other hand, what's the hurry? What I have works just fine. So what if the TV is not HD and I can't read subtitles on the old glass screen?

I admit I am a creature of habit. Perhaps I could challenge myself a bit. Perhaps I'll think about it over dinner from the chicken teriyaki take out place - where I order the number one every Monday night. But see, sometimes I go on Tuesday or Saturday, so there.