Here is your Thursday STORY on: ADAPTING TO CHANGE: Is change an important part of your life? It is integral! It is like the wind in nature; let me explain: GREAT BARRIER REEF Most people would be aware of the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1, 800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. "I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colourful, " a traveller observed. "Why is this?" The guide gave an interesting answer: "The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms - surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces." Then he added this telling note: "That's the way it is with every living organism." (Unknown Author). That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness. If you want to feel the wind through your hair a little more often, then be ready for the changes in life. These changes are more certain than even the very things we expect to happen. "Be good at dealing with problems and with change. Little is more certain to happen, both today and tomorrow!" QUOTE: "Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs." (Dr. Maxwell Maltz, 1899 - 1975, Author).