Change is inevitable and adaptation is necessary. We can either be stubborn and resist adaptation or embrace it head on.
There are, of course, many steps in between such as slowly adapting, all the while kicking and screaming. I am somewhat that way with newfangled technology. In other areas, adaptation comes more readily. In a few areas, I am pretty set in my ways and work to keep things the same, although that doesn’t necessarily work.
Change is a two-sided coin. On one hand, it enables progress that can make life easier and more interesting. If nothing ever changed, many aspects of life wouldn’t move forward.
On the other hand, adjusting to environmental differences can force us out of our comfort zones for a short time or, in some cases, much longer, until the “new” situation begins to feel “normal.” It is good that, by and large, we humans are adaptable creatures. Even if some of us take to it slower than others, we usually eventually come around. Sometimes changes in our lives are abrupt and there is no choice but to adapt as quickly as possible.
A couple of weeks ago, we traveled to Australia, where some aspects of life are very different than those to which we are accustomed here in the U.S. We knew it would be different, but I hadn’t considered all the changes to come.
Once we arrived, we had no choice but to start adapting immediately. Things that are the “norm” there definitely felt “weird” at first. What would usually be simple routine transactions took much more concentration.
For instance, the currency was different. The bills were simple enough to figure out, but the coins were a little confusing. And, there were hitches in communication due to some words having different meanings. We found this more fun than frustrating, although it definitely slowed down the communication process at times. The electrical system was different, making it necessary to use converters or adapters to utilize the outlets with electrical items we brought from home.
Even the weather was different due to opposite seasons. Some mornings were frosty, and we wore jackets every day.
Another notable difference was the use of the metric system for measuring.
Adapting to all these differences and others took some thought alright, but didn’t cause too much difficulty. But, in a couple of other areas, more drastic adaptations were required.
Take time, for instance. We were suddenly in a location where the time was 15 hours ahead of our clocks back home. That meant that 7 a.m. there was the equivalent to 10 p.m. at home. Our sleep patterns eventually got on track but it took a while.
Driving, something Earl took on but I had no interest in attempting, was also vastly different. Vehicles travel on the opposite side of the road and steering columns are on the “passenger side” of the vehicle. Traffic flows the opposite directions in roundabouts and speed limit signs that say “100” are referring to kilometers per hour, not miles!
By the time our vacation had ended, we had acclimated, at least to some extent, to the changes in our new temporary environment. What seemed so strange at first was beginning to feel “normal.” Then it was time to readjust to life back home again.
A few days after returning home we made a trip to my little hometown of Kingston. As I stood on the tiny grass covered square and looked at the buildings surrounding it, I reflected on how few changes have occurred in this little spot on earth over the years. With only minor exceptions, the old store fronts are the same as they were when I was a kid and for years earlier.
Traveling to places where things are different is fun and interesting and something I always look forward to. But there is also something nice about slipping back into places that are familiar, comforting and welcoming. Both were good trips.
Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 4 on 07/10/2013