Editorial: Change is difficult. How do we embrace it?

By all accounts, the renovations at Wrigley Field are magnificent, sparkling modern improvements that enhance rather than detract from one of America's most sacred sporting fields.

Yet, as traditionalists, we and many others can't help but mourn the loss of the bullpens that used to cozy up to the outfield foul lines, the ones that provided the home nine strategic advantage by enabling hecklers to try savagely to unnerve visiting relievers.

Yes, change is hard.

Ask Donald J. Trump as he tries to reinvent the way government operates.

And change is scary.

Ask any Democrat who voted against Trump. Or, for that matter, any independent or moderate Republican who did so, too.

When it comes to change, people don't embrace it just because you assume they will.

Ask Paul Ryan when it comes to health care reform.

And they don't do so just because you think all logic and reason stands behind you.

Ask Bruce Rauner.

Truth is, change is often a challenge.

Ask any 70-year-old who tries to get his body to do something that was simple to do when he was 30.

And it's uncomfortable.

Ask any of us trying to cope with the idea that they can now be accepted as singular.

(No, strike that. There are some places we refuse to go! And the singular they is one of them! Yes, some changes must be resisted.)

Some changes are positive and downright exciting.

Ask anyone who's lost weight.

Some changes are overtly negative.

Ask anyone who's lost a job.

Change can be excruciatingly painful.

Ask any of us in a legacy business who've been forced to come to grips with the digital revolution.

And unfortunately, change in some cases is heartbreaking.

Ask any widow or widower.

Change is such a complicated matter, in fact, that it has prompted its own field of study, change management.

In other words, as scary and uncomfortable as it is, change often is necessary.

How then, do we make it as smooth and successful as it can be?

Because one thing is certain: As much as we are creatures of habit, we'd still be living in caves and foraging for food if our ancestors hadn't been courageous enough to change.

And without change, of course, the Cubs would still be lovable losers.