Isn't that the way change happens much of the time? No warning? Change can be perceived as good, or bad, and effects all aspects of our lives; health, career, family, financial well being, etc. It has been in our lives from the beginning, and will continue until the end, at which time I assume there will be no further change.

I was introduced to a little hard cover book about 8 years ago which has helped me deal with change a little differently than I used to. The book is called. "Who Moved My Cheese?". An international best seller, (10 million copies in the first two years), written by Dr. Spencer Johnson. "Who Moved My Cheese" is a cute little story with a profound message about change. It is simple enough for a child to enjoy and a very quick adult read. Dr. Johnson claimed that the story helped him at a time of difficult change in his life, and that the little story taught him how to take his changing situation seriously, but not take himself so seriously.

The story is about four little characters that live in a "Maze" and look for "Cheese" to nourish them and make them happy. "Cheese" is a metaphor for what makes you happy. When they discovered that their "Cheese" had disappeared and life had changed, two of the characters accepted the change quickly, another a little later, and the fourth character refused to change.

Recently my "Cheese" was moved and I was faced with a difficult and challenging change in my life. Here are some of the messages in the book that I find motivational and inspiring. I hope they'll do the same for you.

"Having Cheese Makes You Happy."

"The More Important Your Cheese Is To You, The More You Want to Hold on to it."

"What Would You Do if You Weren't Afraid?"

"When You Stop Being Afraid You Feel Good."

"Imagining Yourself Enjoying Your New Cheese Leads You To It."

"Change Happens". "They keep moving the cheese"

"Anticipate Change". "Get ready for the cheese to move"

"Monitor Change". "Smell the cheese often so you know when it's getting old"

"Adapt to Change Quickly". "The quicker you let go of old cheese the sooner you can enjoy new cheese."

"Change". "Move with the cheese."

"Enjoy Change". "Savor the Adventure and enjoy the taste of new cheese."

"Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again and Again.". "They keep moving the cheese."

Each time I read "Who Moved My Cheese", I can't help but ask myself these questions;

Which character are you most like?

Which character would you like to be most like?

May all your future changes bring you "New Cheese".