Transition

Shifts, changes and flux.
I believe that’s the mix that makes life interesting.

The irony is, we all go through some level of transition at various times of our lives. It’s like we get thrown into situations that allow us the opportunity to grow or perhaps, we can choose to stagnate until the shift comes again.

“Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis.” -Martha Beck

I’ve been through several transitions and I felt like I was going deeper and deeper into a rabbit hole. I ask myself … did I order this for my life? In retrospect I recall in my early 20’s after experiencing the world through the eyes of a police officer I knew I wanted more connection with the ‘Creative Force’, I wanted my life to be a spiritual experience.

I knew I could not change the world, yet I realized that I was changing every day. Creating for me a surreal reality as if the world was changing. Soon, I discovered that most people that embark on personal discovery or attempting to find a spiritual path or cultivate the Virtues are in for a big surprise.

This unfolding of the human soul does not happen in calm waters.

There is usually extreme discomfort in the process.
The sea of life is no different then the ocean. Currents come, some are mild others are strong… there is a cycle to the ebb and flow of the tides.

…and with the transitions of life it is no different. Let’s surf together.

Here is the first stage.

Stage 1 – Discomfort: Get ready, a change is coming on.
This is weird, because the events that begin to happen in this stage are very palpable, you can feel it but you’re not quite sure what the change is. The sooner you embrace the change, the quicker you will move out of your discomfort stage.

As much as I had enjoyed being part of the culture that comes with being a police officer- once I made my declaration of this personal spiritual journey I was introduced to some major life lessons. I made some major changes that felt like the rug was pulled from under me. I wanted a different life, and boy! The Universe delivered. It was sink or swim. Amazing how quickly we can learn to swim.

How do you know you are in this stage? When you begin to distrust your decisions and your intuition- you best get ready… change is coming. More than ever you need to move towards small victories and to create habits that nurture you without calling up your willpower.

Stage 2 – Going Internal: During this stage it’s not unusual to become protective of yourself from the discomfort; you may become more detached and withdrawn.

I think we do this to protect ourselves from the discomfort and go internal. We detach from our “old” self in order to allow for our new change or transition. I remember I just wanted to be by myself for the longest time. I did not want to have anything to do with anyone or anything that was not honoring the person that I was. Being with my new born son was the greatest joy because he reminded me of all that was pure and right with the world. … and reminded me that change is a part of this world. When I embraced this understanding I then embarked on my journey of awakening.

So, this ‘going internal’ phase is when you need to connect with your inner-self, become more spiritual, hike, garden, do anything to immerse yourself with nature. All this will help you heal.

Stage 3 – Exploration: When you begin to heal from the discomfort by nurturing your mind, body and soul you start to feel like you have some direction. You are ready to learn more and give birth to this new change. Now you are open to new possibilities it is important to allow yourself to experiment.

You’ll know you are in this stage because things begin to feel like I best describe it: a ‘Spring’ day.

Stage 4 – Renaissance: The new you is emerging and you are committed to the change. You know that the have crossed the portal of transition because now everything is possible mentally and physically.

Each transitional stage can last from weeks to months. Renaissance, feels like it will last forever. Sadly it doesn’t.

Transition is part of life… honor yourself as you go through your stages. Transitional stages are cyclical, ask yourself:
“What stage am I experiencing right now?
How long have I been in this stage?
What have I learned from this experience?
What do I need to do right now for myself?”

What ever stage you are going through… remember, this is a part of the process – to make it to the other side you must walk through the process. Honor the stage you are experiencing and remember this thing called life – will be okay.

Daisy Says: Unfurl your wings my little butterfly.