| Are you in a transitional time of your life? If you aren't | | | | didn't cry at recess today. Embracing the positive gives |
| now, you will be eventually. Read these tips to help | | | | us the energy to muddle through the lows. |
| you or anyone you know through any life change. | | | | Accept the Muck |
| Everywhere I turn, moms are in transition. Of course, | | | | How about that duck in the truck who's stuck in the |
| the most obvious transition many of us are facing right | | | | muck? It's pretty yucky in the muck, but certainly a |
| now is back to school. But transitions are all around us, | | | | necessary and normal part of transitions. If we don't |
| some of which are more recognizable than others. | | | | wade through the muck, how can we appreciate its |
| These are some of the transitions that have touched | | | | opposite - getting clear? Confusion is often a part of |
| my life, directly or indirectly, over the past month: | | | | transitions that most people would rather avoid. But if |
| § Learning to be a single mommy and divorcee | | | | you can relax and accept the confusion for what it is, |
| § Navigating through menopause | | | | clarity will come. Use the confusion to search your soul |
| § Developing a new business vision | | | | and discover new things about yourself and life. The |
| § Starting a new job | | | | mucky water will soon become crystal clear. |
| § A child entering a new developmental phase (i.e. | | | | Make it a Lesson in Learning |
| the terrible twos) | | | | What can you learn from a transition? As you struggle |
| § Getting remarried | | | | to deal with your two year old's newfound |
| § Finding out that a 2nd child is on the way | | | | independence, what are you learning about yourself as |
| § Changing preschools or daycare providers | | | | a parent? What do you know about two year olds, |
| § Questioning a current career | | | | and what is yet to learn? Transitions are great |
| § Moving into different living arrangements | | | | opportunities to learn more about who we are and |
| § Entering a new phase of marriage | | | | who we aren't. It's a chance to grow and stretch |
| Sometimes we ease into a transition, but others times | | | | ourselves. Sure, it can be uncomfortable at first, but the |
| we're thrown in, leaving us struggling to find the life | | | | end result is a better you, a more mature outlook, an |
| preserver. Some transitions are short, while others | | | | expanded vision of life, or a transformative revelation. |
| make us wonder if the end will ever come. Transitions | | | | A transition is merely another chapter in your life's |
| can be unwelcome and unexpected; transitions can | | | | lesson book. |
| also be a planned breath of fresh air. No matter how | | | | There is a Light at the End of the Tunnel |
| we get into a transitional period of our lives, here are | | | | Transitions do not last forever. It's true we can get |
| some tips to help us navigate our way through | | | | stuck for awhile, but eventually there is a light at the |
| transitions. | | | | end of the tunnel. A two year old turns three. The pain |
| Ride the Wave | | | | of divorce goes away. The learning curve at the |
| A transition is like a roller coaster, with its ups and | | | | beginning of a new job fades and is replaced with |
| downs. Get your balance and integrate the changes | | | | routine. The new house in the new town becomes |
| into your daily life. Take it slow so you don't fall down | | | | "home". And you don't have to wait until the transition is |
| and overwhelm yourself. Give yourself some time to | | | | over to experience the "light". The "light" can come in |
| get used to the wave - we don't learn to surf | | | | the form of support throughout your transitional time. |
| overnight. And you won't transition in one or two days. | | | | Your light is your hope that things can be "normal" |
| Expect the waters to be a little rough at first; this will | | | | again. Reach out to loving family members and friends, |
| help you adjust your expectations. | | | | professionals and mentors that can help you through. |
| Look For and Embrace the Highs | | | | There is one thing for sure. If you're not in a transition |
| Every transition, wanted or not, has positive moments | | | | today, you will be eventually. So ride the wave, |
| or outcomes. Your job is to search for and recognize | | | | embrace the highs, accept the muck, and capture the |
| them. There have been tears during my son's | | | | lessons. Transitions are a normal part of life, and you |
| kindergarten transition, but we celebrate each moment | | | | will get through them. |
| of progress and joy. He made a new friend or he | | | | |