As we stand at the beginning of a new year there is one thing to remember and to embrace — that change is constant. Or another way of looking at it is that the only constant in life is change. All life is movement, flow and change. Think about it. Seasons change, our bodies change and even the circumstances we encounter each day change. Our relationships change, work situations change, our beliefs change, our values change.

So much changes in our lives and we may not always realize it. It seems to just happen, but it was our choices, our beliefs or how we reacted to a force that caused change. There are also times that change happens from circumstances out of our control and we don’t like it, or we fear it. And there are times—like the beginning of a new year—where we consciously want to make change: lose weight, eat healthy, be more in the moment, help others, find a new job or find that something that makes us happy and impactful.

It is important that we re-orient our thinking so that we value change, and more importantly embrace it as a healthy and meaningful part of life, and to be conscious of change and how beautiful it is. It is through change that new opportunities present themselves. Change opens the door for us to be creative. It provides the stage for new roles. It pushes us to try new things and meet new people. It encourages us to learn new skills. It allows us to evolve our beliefs and to grow. It is a positive force in our lives.

It is also important to be harmonious with change and to mindfully participate in the flow or process of change. When circumstances present themselves that are not within our control, when set backs happen or obstacles are put in our path, we need to recognize and accept—and know—that we will learn and grow from these experiences.

Since change is a constant, know that there will always be fluctuations in life and we should not fear them. Through the experience of change, we find out something new about ourselves. We discover an inner strength. We reaffirm a belief or value or change a belief or value. Paramount is being conscious of and fully engaged in the process, and to let the emotions happen. It is essential to have an open heart and open mind, and to remain positive. When change is within our control, also recognize that this is a process and we also need to have an open heart and mind, and to be kind to ourselves and others as we go through the journey.

As we approach change, as we embrace it and as we live through change, it is important to look at change as a refining process that comes from within. It starts on the inside and works its way out. Regardless if your process of change is at the hands of a sudden or unexpected turn of events or a goal set by you, how and why you change comes from within you. It is a constant state of conscious self-discovery and choice, of healing, of forgiving and learning to love yourself. The way you think and what you believe turns into the life you build, and that starts with you.