The Times They Are A-Changing

 

For the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on change. It struck me that we are living in times of constant change. I often say that no two days are the same. Every day is a new experience and filled with blessings and challenges. When I was speaking to a friend the other day, she said that she was having a pity party for herself. In the midst of her pity party someone told her that she should practice having a fifteen-minute pity party followed by fifteen minutes of gratitude. What a fabulous practice. Imagine if we all tried that. I think our world would be a different place.

When I was reflecting on change Bob Dylan’s song came to mind. Perhaps it has some wisdom for us as we navigate these never-ending changing times.

The Times They Are A-Changing

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
And you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'

Songwriters: Bob Dylan