Everybody's Changing

Do you feel like you're a significantly different person than the person you were yesterday? Do you find your life to be dramatically different than it was a day ago? Do you think you have changed as a human in the past 24 hours? With the exception of some radical life event, my guess is that you would answer no to each of these questions. But what if I asked you to observe any differences over the past three years? You've probably experienced some significant change in the last couple years, but how did it happen? Our beloved comic strip philosopher Calvin raises questions such as these to his buddy Hobbes, forcing the audience to think a little deeper.


Cartoon by Bill Watterson.

Do you feel that Calvin's analysis holds true to your life? The process of internal transformation is one that Calvin is wise to investigate; it is quite peculiar. If our day to day life seems to be constant routine, with each day being similar to the last, how do we turn into a different person? I personally believe I have changed over recent years, as I feel we all do, but I find it difficult to pinpoint the exact causes. As Calvin says, one day you're just not the same person you used to be, whether you decided to change or not.

Although most of life consists of routine, I do feel that we face certain critical times in life, brief moments that have the power to leave a lasting impact on us. However, I am not entirely sure if those moments are solely responsible for the changes I see inside of me and in my life. While they've played a crucial role in shaping me into the person I am today, I think a large portion of the differences I see ultimately stems from the ordinary, not just the extraordinary. So the question remains: how exactly does this change occur? I'm trying to come up with a better answer than "It's just the way life goes", but I'm struggling to. Calvin might just be on to something here.

I feel that the answer must be rooted somewhere in the values of learning and experience. I believe the acquisition of knowledge has the power to change who we are, as do the experiences we partake in. However, the same dilemma arises when I try to trace the exact things I learned and the exact experiences I had that ultimately made me a different person. Perhaps this style of reflection is best saved for many, many years down the road, which may be what makes it so difficult for someone like me or Calvin.


Quote from Donald Miller.

Turning our focus to the second half of the strip, Hobbes deserves credit for throwing his signature subtle jab. After Calvin's profound examination of life's inexplicable transformations, Hobbes is ready to deliver a witty remark on Calvin's character. However, I believe that Hobbes should have taken advantage of this opportunity to weigh in with a more meaningful and insightful opinion; I think Calvin's ideas have some value behind them.