. Transition Times

I am going through a period of transition in my life.  Things are changing in my exterior world and inside my heart.  It is confusing and definitely challenging.  We all go through these periods:  birth within our home, death of family or friends, job changes, moving, illness, and natural catastrophe all take their toll on our soul.

As I am going through this period, I have learned several principles which are helping.  May I share them with you?

1)  It is essential to cling to daily routines.  Prayer, scripture study (I am a member of the L.D.S. Church and find this particularly helpful when while my heart heals), exercise, and making myself pretty every day provide a foundation to my “house of cards” (my way of visualizing transition periods in my life).

2)  It is vital to focus on today’s needs.  I have little capacity to think out a week, a month, or into the year ahead.  But I can handle today.  Clean out a clogged downspout, take a small gift to the friend having scary surgery tomorrow, pick up the weekend messes, and file my paperwork.  I can function in today.  Tomorrow will have to take care of itself for now.

3)  It is important to have a non-judgmental, understanding friend to confide in, one who won’t give you answers, but will listen, love, and hug.  Such a friend is priceless during personal change.

4)  It is imperative to keep going, plugging through the difficult hours, keeping busy during the long evenings, and planning what to do to keep your hands and head busy while your heart figures out this new terrain.

5)  Transition periods are significant for they prove we are pliable.  Writing down my thoughts, studying through my emotions, and letting the feelings sit with me until they are ready to leave is all right.  You don’t rush change.  It comes, you embrace it, let it hurt or heal, and you go on.

Transiting is part of me right now.  It will be of part of your life, too.  Look forward, hold steady with daily habits, keep your body moving, and soon the foundation of your soul will settle again into capacity and growth.  It has always been so with me.  It will again!

Find more helpful ideas in my House of Order Handbook.