Theories of change

I don't know how widespread this is, but I, at least, have heard this "being sculpted" metaphor for change: the changee is the stone, and is being sculpted, with pieces chiseled off until they are just the right shape. As far as metaphors go, it's not bad. There's something inspiring in the idea that we are each becoming a masterpiece.

That being said, sometimes I feel more like I'm a blob--maybe of clay, but a little oozier?--and the artist is trying to shape one side but then the piece just bulges out somewhere else. Smooth that little bit into place, and the original side starts sagging. It's like whack-a-mole. There's always another flaw to fix.*

And sometimes, maybe I'm more of the mulberry bush that needs pruning. Sometimes, I need a LOT of pruning, and sometimes more of a trim to keep things under control. I wonder if mulberry bushes ever reach a state--or even if any of their branches reach a state--where you don't have to keep on trimming. If they are anything like life, probably not.

Life seems to be a constant race to maintain equilibrium. And that being said, change is probably more like a mulberry tree than a sculpture, at least on the scale of day-to-day. But I do think there are sculpture moments in life, as well. We have experiences that just change us: we leave home for the first time, go to school or get our first adult job, get married, have a kid, or maybe just have some of the crazy things like an illness or a job change, etc. that just change us. Hopefully. Seems like a waste if we go through those things and come out exactly the same. 

So, wherever you are at with change in your life, be it a blob/mulberry bush/marble sculpture moment, hang in there. And if you are feeling blobby, don't worry. Even blobs can become beautiful sculptures. 

*which, isn't as horrible as it sounds. It's possible that each flaw is a little smaller than the last. The overall arc is improvement. It can just feel tedious at times.