"With a Conscience" - "Transitions"

 

                    Here we are, "spring forward..." It is that time of year where we lose an hour and yet, we get to feel the upcoming warmth ahead. Change is imminent.  I have discussed on many occasions the changes or transitions that have come my way.  With spring a few weeks away, I am becoming even more aware of how quickly time passes.  That, coupled with losing an hour has made me embrace whatever changes come my way.  

    Transitioning comes when we least expect it.  I mean, we can accept that there are changes ahead but not they do not necessarily come with a "heads up."  This is the challenge because whether we want a change or not, they happen.  

        One memory I have happened on the arrival to college. Pop and mom drove me up to the New York State College at Geneseo.  I had underestimated how far away the college was from my home.  I was officially anxious but this is what I chose.  This is what I wanted and perhaps  needed.  Pop walked me up to the dorm and as we walked around the campus, he told me, "Give it all a chance.  You can come home any time you want to but this will be a good thing for you Claudia."  I knew he was right.  It was time to transition.     

        In 2026, I feel many of us will be in the throws of change.  Whether it's retirement, children graduating, getting married, becoming parents, the world is opening up more doors for us.  The difficulty is knowing whether or not we are going to embrace those changes.  We can not fight the inevitable.  We don't have to love it but can accept the transitions and move ahead.  Easier said than done...I understand.  HOWEVER...As a change comes, it brings us growth and suddenly see options that were never visible until now. Growth equals joy.  Our rut or routine disappears.

        We transition when a loved one passes.  We are forced to change the way we were functioning now that they have moved on and transitioned themselves.  We transition when we move beyond what was comfortable.  What we thought was important in the past becomes well...part of the past.  We move beyond the status quo.  We see the truth and the need to move forward to something new. That is often the scary part.  Facing something new can be terrifying even though we know we need to face it or do it!

        We need patience to embrace change.  Some of our goals or dreams remain in limbo because we are simply no ready.  The universe has not aligned yet and this too is difficult.  When we are facing change, we must be honest with those we love.  They need to understand what we are experiencing.  OR...We need to warn them that the transitions or changes may not be easy.  The trick or skill here is to work through what needs to happen with kindness and love, not with anger or frustration. That will never work.  

        As we embrace or face the changes ahead, let go of the fear and find the joy.  There is joy in the transitions we face.  We just have to put aside the "what ifs" and take a chance.