Most people want something in their life to change, whether it’s their job, their personal relationships, or their ability to live authentically. And sometimes, unwanted change comes all too swiftly. In The Only Constant, celebrated poet and educator Najwa Zebian guides her reader through the changes we must make (or those we need to endure) on the journey to our most authentic lives. She quiets the noise, teaches us to accept ourselves as we are now, and focuses on the necessity and beauty of those messy transitional times.

This is a profound guide to embracing the impermanence, and celebrating the fact that change is what puts the life in life. Written with poetic wisdom, Najwa shares her personal experiences with change (for example, rejecting her culture’s definition of what constitutes a “good woman” so that she could live more honestly). She guides us through the changes we choose, like embarking on a new career or setting boundaries, and changes we don’t choose, like the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a job.