A Season of Transition

 The week between Christmas and New Years is always tough for me.   Why?  Because it’a s transition week.  I am not completely “off work.”  I don’t go on vacation, so I go to the office on days we are open.  There are usually some things that need attending to.  There are calls that need returned.  On the other hand, I am not really “on” either.  Many, if not most, of my clients are off.  The HMC team is mostly taking the time off.  So even if I wanted to be working “full speed ahead,” it would be tough to do that.  So while I get some things done, I am never working at a pace that feels productive or satisfying.   It’s a transition week.  Most of us are just waiting for the New Year to put the hammer down. Seasons of transition can be challenging in life.  We spend a big portion of our life working to create one reality.  Then when it goes away, it come be tough to adjust.  You hear about it a lot from people that retire.  Studies show this can be one of the most challenging transitions in life (believe it or not).  Frank goes to work for 30 years to the same job.  He reports to the same area and makes the same widget.  He has a purpose.  That is who he is.  When retirement comes, and no one is telling him where to be and what to do, he loses his meaning.  Though I have heard many people say “that will never happen to me,” it happens more than you think. Transitions are tough.   Parents understand this all too well.  You work to raise the child (or children) so they can become independent.  Then they become teenagers.  That is a season all it’s own.  Then they grow out of that…and enter a new season of their own.   If you are in a season of transition (as I am in a few areas), I think a few things help. Be Patient:  These times are challenging.  But remind yourself that it’s only a season.  Sometimes these seasons last longer than others, but on the other side of this week comes the New Year. Be Grateful:  Times of transition give me a great deal of stress.  I am a person that wants things “yesterday.”  So when I find myself waking up in the morning with that anxiety, I take a deep breath and mentally list the things in my life I am thankful for.  It sounds simple.  But it helps me reconnect my day. Be Joyful in the Process:  If you are in a season of transition, then you have the chance to create the next season.  Be intentional about creating it.  Spend some time thinking about the life you want to create.  Take the time to make it something you are excited about.  In a sense, it’s like creating goals for the year.  Do it on purpose. If you are living through one of these seasons, understand that you are not alone.  Many of us go through them at different times and in different areas of your life.  But get ready, the next season is coming.   Thanks so much for reading!  Make sure you never miss an update.  Sign up for our VIP list here.