‘Who moved my cheese?’

In thinking about the changes our beloved CNMI is undergoing and its pains as it tries to adapt to these challenges, I thought of this marvelous book called Who Moved My Cheese? After reading the story consider if we shouldn’t also seriously consider “who moved [our] cheese” and learn the same lessons some of the characters did.

Who Moved My Cheese? discusses an amazing way to deal with change in our work and in our life. It was written by Spencer Johnston and published in 1998. The book is intended to be motivational and is written in the style of a parable or business fable. It describes change in one’s work and life, and four typical reactions to said change by two mice and two “little people,” during their hunt for cheese. The book was an instant New York Times business bestseller since its release and is still read widely by millions of people. Below is a synopsis of the story Who Moved My Cheese? taken from Wikipedia.

Allegorically, Who Moved My cheese? features four characters: two mice, “Sniff” and “Scurry,” and two little people, miniature humans in essence, “Hem” and “Haw.” They live in a maze, a representation of one’s environment, and look for cheese, representative of happiness and success. Initially without cheese, each group, the mice and humans, paired off and traveled the lengthy corridors searching for cheese. One day both groups happen upon a cheese-filled corridor at “Cheese Station C.” Content with their find, the humans establish routines around their daily intake of cheese, slowly becoming arrogant in the process. They consider this cheese as entitlements.

One day Sniff and Scurry arrive at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left, but they are not surprised. Noticing the cheese supply dwindling, they have mentally prepared beforehand for the arduous but inevitable task of finding more cheese. Leaving Cheese Station C behind, they begin their hunt for new cheese together. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C only to find the same thing, no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demands “Who moved my cheese?” The humans have counted on the cheese supply to be constant, and so are unprepared for this eventuality.

After deciding that the cheese is indeed gone they get angry at the unfairness of the situation and both go home starved. Returning the next day, Hem and Haw find the same cheeseless place. Starting to realize the situation at hand, Haw thinks of searching for new cheese. But Hem is dead set in his victimized mindset and nixes the proposal.

Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry have found “Cheese Station N,” new cheese. Back at Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw are affected by their lack of cheese and blame each other for their problem. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for new cheese. However Hem is comforted by his old routine and is frightened about the unknown. He knocks the idea again. After a while of being in denial, the humans remain without cheese.

One day, having discovered his debilitating fears, Haw begins to chuckle at the situation and stops taking himself so seriously. Realizing he should simply move on, Haw enters the maze, but not before chiseling “If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct” on the wall of cheese Station C for his friend to ponder.

Still fearful of his trek, Haw jots “What Would You do If You Weren’t Afraid?” on the wall and, after thinking about that, he begins his venture. Still plagued with worry (perhaps he has waited too long to begin his search…), Haw finds some bits of cheese that nourishes him and he is able to continue his search.

Haw realizes that the cheese has not suddenly vanished, but has dwindled from continual eating. After a stop at an empty cheese station, Haw begins worrying about the unknown again. Brushing aside his fears, Haw’s new mindset allows him to again enjoy life. He has even begun to smile again. He is realizing that “When you move beyond your fear, you feel free.” After a stop at another empty cheese station, Haw decides to go back for Hem with the few bits of new cheese he has managed to find.

Uncompromising, Hem refuses the new cheese, to his friend’s disappointment. With knowledge learned along the way, Haw heads back into the maze. Getting deeper into the maze, inspired by bits of new cheese here and there, Haw leaves a trail of writings on the wall (“The Handwriting on the Wall”). These clarify his own thinking and give him hope that his friend will find aid in them during his search for new cheese.

Still traveling, Haw one day comes across Cheese Station N, abundant with cheese, including some varieties that are strange to him, and he realizes he has found what he is looking for. After eating, Haw reflects on his experience. He ponders a return to see his old friend. But Haw decides to let Hem find his own way. On the largest wall in Cheese Station N, he writes:

Change Happens
They Keep Moving the Cheese
Anticipate Change
Get Ready For the Cheese to Move
Monitor Change
Smell the Cheese Often So You Know When It is Getting Old
Adapt to Change Quickly
The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese
Change
Move with the Cheese
Enjoy Change!
Savor the Adventure and Enjoy the Taste of New Cheese
Be Ready To Change Quickly and Enjoy It Again
They Keep Moving the Cheese.

Cautious from past experience, Haw now inspects Cheese Station N daily and explores different parts of the maze regularly to prevent any complacency from setting in. After hearing movements in the maze one day, Haw realizes someone is approaching the station. Unsure, Haw hopes that it is his friend who has found the way. And so on the story continues.

I strongly recommend getting the full text or an audio CD of the book. Though I have listened to this story several times, every time that I listen to it again, I am motivated to rethink my fears and consider the changes I must make to keep ahead. The book or audio can be found on Amazon.

What else can I add that Who Moved My Cheese? hasn’t presented? So much in that short parable fits closely to many of the concerns we are faced with today in the CNMI. We must change and stop relying on handouts whether from the local government or from the U.S. government. Only our determination and will can help us. There are ways if we wish to find them. Let’s be like Haw and seek new ways. Let’s stop thinking like Hem. We are entitled to no entitlements except the ones we earn.

Ladies and gentlemen, please take seriously the situation we are engrossed in. It is not a time to point fingers or hurl insults at one another. Let us put aside our personal differences and join arms to accept the fact that someone moved our cheese. It really doesn’t matter who moved it, but the fact is that is has been moved. And unless we curb our fears and seek new cheese stations, we will continue to decline.

We have golden opportunities awaiting us. Our land can be our salvation. Our desire to work and produce will help us. Markets are waiting for us to supply them. Let’s go back into the maze and seek new cheese stations. Follow me and let’s hold hands so that we don’t get lost. This will add to our strength while we search.

Remember a big warm SMILE is the window to our hearts. Let’s open the window and let our friendship shine through. Have a great week!