Life is a series of beginnings and endings. Seasons change; trees blossom and then go barren, flowers bloom and then go dormant, day turns to night, years begin and they end, we are born and we die.
Endings are not sudden, nor are beginnings. They come about through the process of transition. Transitions, the uncertain spaces between the beginnings and endings of change, the pauses and processes of life, are inevitable. Life does not exist without transition; it conveys us through the many stages of life.
Many processes of transition are subtle, occurring fluently and without our awareness. Our bodies and minds easily acclimate to them. But change, whether good or bad, can also be very difficult. We feel off kilter when the comfort of the familiar and convenient becomes the discomfort of the unfamiliar and inconvenient, when we are forced to adjust our lives in ways that seem foreign to us.
We all view the transitions that occur in our lives differently. The way we perceive them is based on a variety of factors; our personalities, life experiences, emotional fortitude, coping skills, habitual behaviors, life styles, age, economic status, and more.
Transitions are stressful for everyone, but for those who are creatures of habit and very resistant to change, transitions may be extraordinarily so. Those who look forward to and welcome change more easily adjust to the process that goes along with it.
Change is an inevitable reality for all of us; it will come whether we are prepared for it or not. It is just another one of life’s challenges. A transition can either flow through its course or turn into a crisis. It is what we make of it.
It is normal to feel vulnerable, fearful, inadequate, and disoriented when the big question mark representing our future looms large in front of us. But transitions serve a very important purpose in our lives; they are opportunities for us to learn, grow, and gain a new understanding of ourselves. They show us what we are made of, what our strengths and weaknesses, assets and liabilities are, so we can evaluate our lives and set new goals. They allow us to edit the story of our lives and give ourselves a new beginning.
We not only transition in life, we transition between lives. Birth is a transition, death is a transition, our journey to the other side some call heaven is a transition. From our efforts on the other side our souls transition to different levels of consciousness until they reach perfection.
Transition plays a huge part in our spiritual growth. We are spiritual beings living in physical bodies, here to progress our souls. There is a much bigger picture and ultimate goal for our pain and efforts in the physical world. It is not about money, expertise, or recognition. The progresses we make and the people we help as we go through the stages of life propel our spiritual growth forward. If we do not change we don’t grow.
Transition is the way the Universe gives us the lessons we need to learn and keeps us on the path that is best for us. Faith plays a huge part in it. Believing that we are never alone and that we always have divine guidance will carry us when we find it hard to carry ourselves. As difficult as life sometimes seem, understand that there is a greater plan for everything that happens—have faith in the perfection of the Universe.
Though we cannot always choose our circumstances, we can choose how we deal with them. We can be victims of circumstance and give away our personal power or we can make the best of the hand we are dealt and steer the course of our lives.
Yes, transition is uncomfortable and difficult but nothing in life would exist without it. Insecurity and discomfort are part of the process. Acceptance of our reality is what will get us through it. Resistance and avoidance only hinder the process and get us stuck. Flexibility is necessary to making easier transitions.
Transitions have beginnings and ends. We just have to push our way through the fog until we reach the end of each one. The end will always come, followed by a new beginning. We cannot possibly know what is in store for us, but hindsight of our past will assure us that everything will work out for the best. The confusion will pass, our clarity will be restored, and our vitality for living will return.
Embrace transition as a positive process that you can trust, an opportunity for rebirth. Life has a way of always working out, though it may take time to see the positive outcome. We can choose to have a positive outlook, to welcome change as a growth opportunity, even if we do not understand the reasons behind the transition or are unprepared for the process. There is much in life that we do not understand. It is the big picture that counts.
Photo Credits
‘Believe’ and ‘Everything Changes’ – Randi G. Fine – All Rights Reserved
Butterfly by Delta Green on Flickr.com – Some Rights Reserved
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone – Credit Pending
Please Share Your Thoughts - Leave A Comment!