Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes

This is a statement that I came across recently and it felt so profound and relatable to me. Essentially, the main premise of it is change comes from doing something or taking action.

Looked in a different way, indecision is also a decision. And its effect can be far worse than making a decision that requires taking action.

Basically, risk is everywhere and the biggest risk is doing nothing. In such a case, we lose two fold. We lose on experiences/lessons from the actions we take and the possible rewards that could be earned from taking action.

By not taking action, we close ourselves off to potential experiences and learning opportunities. Stepping outside our comfort zone, even if it leads to failure, teaches us valuable lessons and helps us grow. Inaction, on the other hand, keeps us stuck in the same place.

When we don't act, we leave our potential unrealized. This is because taking action opens doors to possibilities and rewards that might never have been discovered otherwise. Inaction simply keeps these doors shut.

Image Source

Why Is It Relatable And Profound?

In my view, most of the regrets we have in life come from doing nothing instead of doing something.

For instance, I personally regret more not taking that chance to travel abroad when I was younger than taking a chance to pursue a creative passion and got ridiculed by it.

Looking back, the latter isn't much of a regret per se, as it is one of the best moments of my teenage years. It's just that I wished I first thought deeper about it before engaging on this creative passion.

However, thinking deeper can be detrimental if it leads to overthinking. Overthinking can trap us in a cycle of analysis, endlessly weighing pros and cons without ever reaching a decision. This can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation, as we get stuck in the endless cycle of 'what ifs'.

Thoughtful consideration is important, but in many cases, I think the most impactful decisions are guided by intuition and a willingness to take calculated risks.

"The opposite of a correct statement may be a false statement, but the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth" said Niels Bohr.

For me, why the statement 'nothing changes if nothing changes' seems profound is because it embodies certain universal truths when looked from a different viewpoint. Such as the inevitability of change or the impermanence of life.

Of course, in a strict sense, change will happen whether we take action or not, it is inevitable.

Image Source

Sure, external circumstances will always bring some level of change, but taking action allows us to play a part in shaping that change. Become active participants rather than passive observers.

It's akin to the difference between being swept away by the current and skillfully navigating a river towards a desired destination.

In a way, this statement signifies or is a reminder that we have the power to shape our own lives and experiences through our actions. Inaction or doing nothing, signifies surrendering this power and letting our circumstances dictate our future.


Thanks for reading!! Share your thoughts below on the comments.

Posted Using InLeo Alpha