"Paradigm Shift"-"A radical change in underlying beliefs or theory." (Dictionary.com)
Wikipedia tells me that this term was originally coined by Thomas Kuhn in the early '60s to apply specifically to the field of Science, but it seems to me that the term has evolved to having relevance in other fields as well, fields such as the field of Life.
My home is over 30 years old and it's getting a bit gray around the edges. About five years ago I began to daydream about remodeling my bathroom. I dreamily envisioned a lovely spa bathtub, a sleek, low toilet and perhaps a new privacy door. That bathroom never came to fruition and today I'm glad it didn't. That dreamy new bathroom vision resulted from the underlying belief that I would cruise into old age with all the ease I have experienced up until now. I would never have to face struggling over the edge of that beautiful spa tub or pushing myself up effortlessly from that sleek, low toilet. I would never have to face getting a wheelchair through that stylish privacy door.
The good news, however, is that I AM getting a new bathroom! Today my daughter, two of my granddaughters and I went shopping for my new bathtub....a walk-in tub with a safety bar for balance. We chose my new toilet, not low and sleek but high and approved by the American Disabilities Act. And the new privacy door? Sorry....no door. In fact the walk-in tub couldn't fit through it for installation, never mind the wheelchair that might be needed in the future.
Am I feeling sorry for myself? Absolutely not! In fact I'm smiling as I write this entry. How silly I am to think that things will never change. How vain to think that I will not be touched by the negatives of this life. And how grateful I am to the forward thinking man or woman whose inspiration led to the walk-in tub and the high toilet! This life is so full of wonderful things. Bring on the paradigm shifts!
"Even to your old age I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."-Isaiah 46:4.
Hey Barb,
ReplyDeleteFunny, your "paradigm shift" is what I have been fondly referring to as "the new normal". Only your words are bigger and better! :) Love You! Beth
Bigger words are not necessarily better words, Beth. In fact I'd bet on the reality that you use your term many more times than I use the fancy one:)
DeleteLove you!
Barb, I just found out about what you are going through and have been reading through your blog. Thank you so much for sharing and being so transparent. What a wonderful testimony to our Lord you are! My prayers are with you and I will be checking in on your blog regularly. God Bless you always, Love, Linda Davis
ReplyDeleteLinda...how great to hear from you! I'm glad you are following the blog. I hesitated at first, thinking that a blog might appear to be self-serving, but when I saw it as an opportunity to glorify God through the toughest of times, it was a no-brainer. God is indeed an Awesome God.
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