If we take a photograph of our lives every 10 years, we may see a very different person in each one. Change is natural, it comes with time, experiences, knowledge and life. It is usually gradual and slow, and we may not even realize it until we take a step back and really think about who we once were. Yet, most of us dread change.

We fight back against it and dig in our heels. This only slows us down. Life will go on and continue to change whether we want it to or not. It is better to jump on the change wagon as soon as possible, rather than be dragged along for miles. There is a lot of good that comes with change and once we understand that we'll then see why change is a good thing, and why we should embrace it rather than fear it.

Try to understand why something is changing

If you were to analyze what is changing and discover exactly why that change is happening, it can help you understand and accept it better. For example, if you got let go from a job, perhaps it was because the company is downsizing or not doing as well as they were before. It is good to get out from that situation and find a better one for you. It is less likely that your career would advance in a failing company. This can help you move on from the loss and understand that while it is hard and scary to lose a job, it is really for the best.

Whenever you know change is coming, or even when it happens suddenly, if you take the time to try and understand why, it can help with the change.

Discover what you will learn with this change

Every time something changes, there is something to learn from it. You can learn a new skill, learn how to adapt to a new situation or even learn something about yourself. It may be hard to be asked to change. You may have been doing something one way forever, and the thought of doing it differently can be scary or overwhelming. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Can you imagine if we still used rotary telephones today? While it may be hard to adapt to something new, I don't know where my life would be without the ability to carry my phone around with me in my pocket.

When you know change is coming try to learn about it right away. Read books on it, take classes or volunteer to be in a beta group. The faster you learn, the faster you will adapt to the change.

Use it to progress in life

With change comes progress. Progress is vital for any society, and any person for that matter. We have to accept change in order to progress. Going to college is not vital to a person's life, but it definitely helps you progress faster or more assuredly in the work force. Without a degree there are limitations, with a degree more doors are opened to you. Making the appropriate changes to go to school and get your degree can be hard, certain sacrifices have to be made, but seeing how it will help you progress can help ease the change process.

If you want to be the exact same person you are right now in life, then avoid change. But my guess is that you hope the person you will see in 10 years is someone who has progressed in life.

Don't forget to record the past

Change is important, but it is also important not to forget where you've come from. Take a moment to write down, photograph or video what your life is like now. How you feel before you become a parent for the first time. What you currently do in your job, or how you look before you start a new journey in life. That way when you do look back on your life you can see just how far you've come.

Change is not something to dread. Even in a situation where you feel there is nothing good about the change coming. It may be hard, it may be difficult, but you can learn, grow and progress. These are good things and experiences you should want to embrace.