Transitions
Its apropos in the new year I would be thinking about transitions. I’m also going to be starting a new job in the new year. But this isn’t about me its about you! Well, its about all of us :)
Lets start with the most obvious, the transition from birth to death. The cycle of life some cultures fail to acknowledge because its so scary. But we are just in one big transition, in the blink of eye. There is transition between day and night, sleeping to waking, unconcious to concious. Our bodies transition from youth to middle age to old age. When we eat our bodies go through a digestion and elimination process of transition.
We start new jobs, we form new relationships, some transition into different phases, some end, some deepen. We transition through the seasons, fall to winter, which affect our land, food availability, and our lifestyle. We are constantly transitioning. Sometimes it seems to conflict with presence, because we never arrive it seems, we just, as Ram Das so eloquently explains it, row row row our boats and flow gently down the stream.
It can be easy to get caught up in the rowing and not enjoy the flowing. Then maybe you gently come to a stop and there is beautiful scenery but you’re so focused on the rowing you don’t even notice or relish in it. Or you get stuck and the flowing stops. This is why I think its important to reflect as you transition. So here are some questions that could be considered. I encourage you to make it your own. Only you know how to transition into this new year best.
- What were some of the hardest things I went through this year? Did it work out like I thought it would? Are there things that I’m still not able to face? How can I soften around the edges so that I may find a way through?
2. What were my favorite parts of this past year? What about them made it so wonderful? How can I have more of this in my life? What might I need to let go of so that I can experience more of this in my life?
3. What am I most proud of this past year? How did this pride help me with my confidence? What does this feeling of confidence allow to happen in my life?
4. What do I want to be the theme of next year? What did I learn this past year that will help me into the new year? How will I treat myself this next year in a kind and loving way? How will I treat others this way? What do I need more of and what do I need less of?
Lastly, consider your values. Maybe it is your first time thinking of them. Or, you already know your values, but its a good time to reflect on them.
- Are you living in line with your values?
- What choices have you made this past year, and were they for your long term happiness?
- If you made poor choices, what did you learn from them?
- What part of yourself or life are you neglecting? What is missing?
- How can you be more intentional with your life? What is standing in your way?
Then say a little prayer or go on a walk and tuck your notes and your thoughts away. Let go of the results and breathe. Let your intentions settle into your bones and let the spirit of the universe or the breeze and the cycles of life guide and move you. Whether you fall back or move forward, know that nothing is wasted. You are unfolding perfectly and its going to be okay.
‘Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.’ -John Lennon
