Entering into any transition presents us with choices that can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. However, when these transitions are accompanied by hurt, grief, or confusion, they become even more complicated. Each decision feels more significant and can have a profound impact, both situationally and emotionally.
Read MoreNavigating Transitions (pt.3): Who Journeys With You in Times of Change?
These series of posts have been about transitions and how to navigate them well. Transitions will come, but how we respond to them is what matters. Will we handle them well or poorly? My hope in sharing some of my experiences is to encourage and help those who are currently experiencing or going through a transition.
Having people in your corner who care about your well-being can make an immense difference when going through a challenging transition. Friends and mentors can offer vital emotional support by simply listening without judgement, validating your feelings and letting you know you’re not alone. Having even one person who will let you openly process all the complex emotions that arise, whether it’s sadness, anger, fear or relief, can help ease some of the burden during an overwhelming time. Knowing your support system has an empathetic ear and shoulder for you to lean on provides comfort.
Read MoreNavigating Transitions (pt.2): Learning To Grieve Well
Grieving well means acknowledging rather than ignoring hardship. It requires leaning into the messy process - facing discomfort head-on versus seeking escape. For when we learn to grieve well, we cultivate resilience, empathy and depth of character. We can translate pain into compassion. Our losses become teachers, equipping us to walk alongside others navigating sorrow.
Read MoreNavigating Transitions (pt.1): Embracing Vision To Master Transitions
Our vision serves as the rudder. It does not necessarily provide forward motion, but when there is energy to propel us forward (whether it is something under our control, like an engine, or elements beyond our control, like wind and waves), we move in some semblance in the direction we desire because we are working to point ourselves in a direction of what we want to see come about in our lives.
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