Jude G.

Photography by Mason Schlopy

If you're reading this, finding comfort in change is possible.

Growing up in Lebanon, I spent all my early years in a place I called home, surrounded by family and friends. However, in the 9th grade, I was forced to move to another country due to political instability, economic inflation, and deep-rooted corruption. The Beirut Blast on August 4, 2020, was a pivotal moment for my family, and we had to leave everything behind unexpectedly.

At first, the sudden move was overwhelming. I felt uprooted, lost, and deeply unprepared for the changes ahead. I didn’t want to make new friends because a part of me felt like I would be forgotten by my friends who resided in Beirut. I also didn’t want to explore what the new country I moved to had to offer, because I thought nothing could compare to Lebanon and what I’ve been surrounded by my whole life. Looking back at that time in my life, I believe I was in denial that starting from scratch was my new reality. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the book Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson that I began to see things differently. I began to face this new reality and decided that I needed to put effort into settling in and finding happiness in a place where I thought it couldn't exist. The book’s message about adapting to change, letting go of the past, and embracing the unknown resonated deeply with me.

In Who Moved My Cheese, the author presents a simple yet powerful allegory. The story follows four characters—two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two tiny people, Hem and Haw—who live in a maze and search for “cheese,” which represents what we want in life. When the cheese disappears unexpectedly, the characters react differently. Sniff and Scurry quickly move on to find new cheese, while Hem resists the change, hoping things will go back to how they were. Haw, after struggling to adapt, finally realizes that holding on to the past prevents him from finding new opportunities and fulfillment.

This story was particularly meaningful to me during my own journey. The names of Hem and Haw came from the idiom “to hem and haw” which means, to hesitate. In the beginning of my move, I saw myself in the two tiny people, hesitant to change and find their cheese (what we want in life). Moving to a new place, whether it be a new school, a new home, or even a new job, is not just about adjusting to a different environment; it’s also about grappling with feelings of loss, identity, and fear of the unknown. I learned that change is an inevitable part of life, and our willingness to adapt, just like Sniff and Scurry, can be a powerful tool for emotional resilience and happiness (finding your cheese).

I believe that sharing these personal experiences of coping with major life changes could resonate with others who feel similarly lost or unprepared in their journeys. Sometimes, we just need a small shift in perspective to begin moving forward and finding our cheese!

Jude G., Syracuse University

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