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Change is not always easy. It can also be complex – both scary and exciting, and it can certainly take you by surprise. I’m not always the best at dealing with change.

I often think back to the circumstances surrounding the birth of my youngest daughter. I had a c-section with my first-born and was bound and determined to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) with my second. It was an experience I wanted to have and knew we weren’t going to have any more children. I’m a first child and we tend to be planners. I had made a plan and I was going to stick to it. But life threw me a curve ball, as it’s notorious for doing, and I ended up having an emergency c-section due to preeclampsia. A circumstance that I hadn’t planned on.

Of course I felt that the health of my baby girl and me was most important, but I had a tough time coming to terms with the fact that I didn’t get to follow my plan and have that experience that so many other mothers get to have. I was angry and disappointed that the choice was taken from me, although I knew it was in our best interest. However, I can accept it and have found my peace in the fact that I was blessed with my healthy baby girl. THAT was what was most important and made it completely worth it. It is what it is, and that’s that.

Big life changes can also bring feelings of uncertainty. I just accepted a new role in my company, working in a different department, with new people, doing completely different work, and it scares me. I’m excited, but nervous about making such a big change. I’m comfortable where I am now, but I know that isn’t enough of a reason for me to stay. After all, don’t the best things in life often come from taking risks and making changes?

Making such a big change in my work life has made me even more empathetic to what my daughter has been struggling with during the start of her school year – full day kindergarten in a new school, with new peers, a new teacher, a new (long) schedule. It’s only natural to feel anxious, scared, and shy when you are removed from your comfort zone. I’m only too happy to report that she is doing SO much better since my last blog post two weeks ago. Can I get an AMEN!? She’s making new friends, learning all kinds of new things, enjoying new experiences, and is back to being her typical happy-go-lucky self. Well, minus the occasional 5-year-old meltdown.

My daughter has once again reminded me of another important life lesson. One that I’ve known all along but the reminder couldn’t be more timely for me. You can find peace during change. It may not be instantaneous, and may take a little time, but you will. I know this new career opportunity is the right move for my family and me. Sure I might feel anxious/scared/shy/uneasy in the beginning but I’m confident that my peace will soon follow, and I’ll certainly appreciate it even more once it does.