"a slow, usually unconscious modification of individual and social activity in adjustment to cultural surroundings" (dictionary.com)Or in my words "responding to change around you". Two things come to mind when I think of adaptation.
The first thing is always that "Concentration" song. We used to play it all the time when I was younger, in the car and stuff.. Concentration, concentration is the game. Keep the rhythm, keep the rhythm just the same. Sub-ject: Animals. This might not make any sense in typing, but you'd sing this song while doing these 4 hand motions in tempo, and the motions were 1) both hands slap your lap, 2) hands clap together, 3) right hand snaps, 4) left hand snaps. And each action was done in tempo, and at the same time, you were singing the song, in tempo. So it'd be something like.. Con (hands on lap) cen (hands clap) tra (right hand snaps) tion (left hand snaps), concen (hands on lap) tration (hands clap) is the (right hand snaps) game (left hand snaps)... Like I said, I don't think that makes sense while typing.. But it was a fun game. After you decided on the "subject', you'd go around to all of the people playing the game, and they had to come up with something that fit into the subject, and they had to verbalize their choice in beat, but you had to say it while you were doing the two snapping actions.. Sorry, that probably only remotely makes sense if you know the song/game.
ANYWAYS.. That song comes to mind when I think of adaptation because you can easily slip the word "adaptation" into the song in place of "concentration".. Doesn't make any sense - I know.. Welcome to my mind!
The second thing I think of is second grade. I can't remember it for any other year of my education, but in second grade, we had a theme word for the year, and adaptation was the word. I don't know if it was just for the advanced classes at Ethan Allen, or all classes, or just our class.. But that was the word. I can still picture the word plastered all over the walls.. Written horizontally, vertically.. in red, black, and silver letters..
It's funny the things you remember.
I've learned in the last couple of months that I don't adapt well to change. I just don't. Someone mentioned it to me awhile ago (that I don't adapt well), and I took offense! "What? I'm the queen of spontaneity! How could I not LOVE change?"
But, after thinking about my response.. I do love being spontaneous. BUT, only when it's not interrupting something else that I've planned. If I have my mind set on something, and you decide to be spontaneous.. There's a good chance that I'll have a stubborn moment and throw down my foot.
This happened a few weeks ago. I decided I wanted to go to the movies with two friends, and as I was pulling into the parking lot, they called and said that they decided they really didn't want to see a movie. I had my natural reaction of completely shutting down. How dare they change their mind! I got out of my car, walked up to them, and we stood outside of the theatre trying to figure out what to do for like a half hour. I still wanted to see the movie.. And they were suggesting "Hey, let's go to Disneyland" or "Hey, let's go to the beach".. But nothing sounded even remotely enjoyable to me. After they saw that I had no desire to change my mind, they both said "let's just go see the movie". Which should have made me happy, BUT.. Because I knew they really didn't want to go see it, I didn't want to see it with them anymore. I KNOW, I'm such a freaking girl. (Have you read this post about me being a girl? Ugh).. I was almost to the point of me telling them to just go to Disney, and I'll go see the movie alone, even though they were willing to see it with me.. Talk about temper tantrum. And I'm not proud of it. But.. This is just an example of how I don't adapt well to change..
We ended up going to the grocery store and searched for green food for an activity later on.. Hahah.. Oh man, I love my friends and that they put up with me. <3
ANYWAYS... I don't adapt well.
Which some people can look at as "meh, no big deal. Some of us just don't like change". But I'm not going to write it off as that.
I'm looking at is as a root problem of selfishness. I wanted to go to the movies. I didn't like the situation. My plans were changed. Me, me, me.
There are plenty of Bible verses having to do with selfishness. And none of them say "God loves it when you are selfish. Remember that you are all that matters in this world"....... They are all quite the opposite..
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Romans 15:1-2
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:16
Selfishness is not an attractive trait in the eyes of Christ. And if He doesn't like it, I don't want it.
Easier said than done, I know. But it's something I do want to work on.
Maybe "my" version of the "Concentration" song should be what comes to mind... Adaptation, adaptation is the game. Keep this mindset, keep this mindset all the time..
It needs some work.
I need some work.
We all need some work.
