Although I am the Fitness Expert here at 50+Fabulous, in this column I chose to extend my reach beyond the physical. We live in extraordinary times in a changing world and I hope this will help you all cope a little better and a little easier with the changes to come.
Best, Candace.

An Army Brat’s Guide to Change
My father, a career army officer known to all who loved and feared him as “The Colonel,” reminded us before every new posting that we were being given a unique opportunity. Each new environment offered unexplored avenues to excel. He taught us that when we meet change with an open mind and a willingness to work hard, we could accomplish great things.

Decades later, we are all navigating a world in flux, set on unfamiliar paths that twist and turn on their way to destinations unknown and unknowable.
Because I cannot know what the future holds, I am often reminded of the lesson my father taught me so many years ago. Change – profound, frightening, life-altering change – is often the fastest and most effective way to grow, an opportunity too precious to ignore. If we pay attention, change can be the crucible in which we forge our best selves.

These childhood lessons serve me surprisingly well to this day.

An Army Brat’s Tips for Surviving (and Thriving In) Changing Times

1. Make Family a Priority. When times are tough and you’re not sure of the future, your family is the one thing you can count on. Be there for each other. Care for each other as if your lives depended on it. Be the best spouse, parent, sibling, or child you can be.

2. Wake Up with a Goal. Even if it’s a simple as cleaning out a closet or updating your resume, accomplishment is an anodyne to discouragement. It’s also self-perpetuating. The more you do, the more you can do.

3. Help Someone Who Needs It More Than You. When the going gets tough, it can be hard to see beyond our own problems. Keep in mind that there are people out there whose needs far exceed our own. Find them and help them in any way you can. Write to a soldier serving abroad or help the family he or she left behind. Bring a hot casserole and conversation to the elderly couple down the street. Volunteer at your local shelter. Other people’s misfortune tends to put our own lives in perspective.

4. Be a Good Friend. The effort you put into maintaining friendships pays off tenfold during times of change. Like family, good friends can be a constant in turbulent times.

5. Take Strength from the Past. Sometimes the best way to deal with change is revisit familiar territory. Spend an afternoon organizing family photo albums. Investigate your family history online. Reconnect with a friend you’ve lost touch with.

6. Exercise More and Eat Smarter. People experiencing great change often experience great stress. Stress can be toxic if it isn’t managed properly. One of the best ways to combat its effects is with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Exercising with a friend can double the benefit.

7. Believe That You Can. The power of positive thinking is mighty. When a situation is unfixable, massive change may well be the only answer. Believe in your ability to make change work. Believe in the power of good intentions, hard work, and intelligent leadership.

My father warned me that change is often the only constant in life. He taught me that if I embraced it with a cool head, an open mind and an intrepid spirit, no change would present an obstacle too great or a challenge I could not meet. Reflecting on his legacy has left me with an optimistic vision of a future filled with endless possibility.

Candace Karu is the Consumer Lifestyle Commentator at Cabot Creamery of Vermont where she writes and speaks about health, fitness, and wellness. She is the former Editor at Large at Running Times magazine and has run 19 marathons and over 200 road races. She can be reached at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).