Change

by Angela Sanford

What is something we carry with us daily, both literally and figuratively? Something that, at any given moment, we may have a lot or a little of it and while it may be easily forgotten it can also weigh quite heavy on us? It can be bright and shiny or dull and lack luster. It comes in various shapes and sizes with differing values. Change.

    Sometimes it’s a single coin while other times a pocket may feel full, ready to be used up so the owner is no longer bearing its extra weight. The change in life is no different. As the change builds up in a “pocket”, the change in life seems to be extreme – coincidence – probably, if one believes in such, however, it may be a representation of the weight we are facing at that point in time, also.

    Change is both literal and figurative –frequently, we don’t have complete control over the amount of change we carry It’s not like we plan out how much change we are going to have with us and similarly, we have limited control over the change we experience in our day to day lives. 

    Change can make us feel rich or can leave us feeling broke. People share change with us regularly and often we forget to pay attention to the change we are receiving, and we just accept that whatever we are handed is what we are warranted. We share change to help others, or, occasionally, we benefit from collecting it from wherever we found it. Still other times, it is necessary to count every last dime to ensure we can make the most of what it has been saved for. 

    Regardless of the long lifeline of coinage, the coins we carry have physically changed over time, often in recognition of a group or an historical moment or figure, or other reason. However, the units of our monetary system have remained the same despite the fluctuation in their value on the market. Aside from all of the general parallels between the coins and the change we experience in our lives, each individual coin represents change in other ways:

The Toonie – Boasting a gold centre with silver outlier, we, too, are gold at the core of our being and are protected by our outer shell. Unfortunately, just like the occasional toonie, sometimes our core falls apart and we are left with only a shell in which to return the missing piece. It can be done with a little extra effort and the will to do so, awaiting the effort needed to change the course of fate.

The Loonie – The loon floats on top of the water, seemingly in stride, swimming away from the island in the “right” direction. Like the loon, eventually we must leave the grounded surface of our island and head in our “right” direction and hope that the waters are smooth. The loon itself also resembles a reawakening of dreams, hopes, and wishes. 

The Quarter – Our lives are divided into four quarters – childhood, teen years, young adulthood, and adult. The quarter prompts us to be mindful of the quarter we are in and how we have changed as we have arrived upon this stage in our lives. Each quarter has its share of changes – physical, emotional, spiritual, and we would not be who we are today without facing change in each quarter to learn from and build on as we face lessons in the next stage.

The Dime - The Bluenose sails on the same waters as the loon but the seas are not so calm and the sailboat requires a wind to carry it on its journey. It has faced storms and is still able to achieve its purpose, reach its goals, and find success. The dime symbolizes the change we face as we strive to be better, to reach our goals and aspirations, and to stay strong in the face of a storm. 

The Nickel - Just like the beaver builds its home, tirelessly and with fervent demand, we too must face change headstrong and with a purpose. We chew away at the possibilities, determining the best means to address the adjustment and then build upon it and move forward. 

The Penny  - First, why include the penny since it is obsolete?? – Well, in what one finds obsolete another may find treasure. The penny is no longer a fixture in our current system, but it wasn’t that long ago that it was a common coin among change. Just like life, one of the biggest changes we face is the loss of something (someone) that had value in our “system,” that which was plentiful and memorable for us and now, mostly, holds only a memory of days gone by. 

     Change can elicit strong emotions. It may be offered, sought, or bestowed upon us, giving to us as much as we can give to others, playing a powerful function for those with whom we share it. So, whenever you handle any change, consider each piece and the value you place on it as it so nicely symbolizes our value in the face of change.