Riding Transitions

Posted by LeeAnn on September 28th, 2009 at 01:57pm

Maybe it is the transition from summer weather to feeling the cool fall nights, seeing the moon hang low in the sky or the angle of the sunlight change on my desk. What I do feel and know is that transition is at hand. How do you navigate transition in your life? Does it take you by surprise or do you experience transitions as just a part of life?

I was talking with a mother over the weekend. She is struggling with “empty nest syndrome.” Having dedicated her whole life to her kids, now that they are off to college she finds herself without focus. A good friend is dealing with a parent in the midst of dementia and another who has decided to change careers. When I look at back at how we are prepared for living our lives fully, I realize that the outer world is really only interested in our “doing.”

Schools offer little in the way of real learning. Yes, we learn to read and write. We learn to study for the sole purpose of passing tests as though that will give us a clue as how to be better human beings. We come to believe if we only have the right piece of paper – college degree, marriage certificate or stock earning report that we are on the right path.

Yes, we “do” in the world. The question is – are we really in connection with our heart’s passion and desire? Transitions are perfect time to adjust our focus from doing to how we want to be. If we focus on our state of being, what we are to do becomes a natural next step.

Who are you being today? For me, I am choosing to be curious, engaged and connected. From this state of being, I am allowing my day to unfold. From my state of being, I find that transitions become a natural and normal part of life. Do I always like the transitions I am presented with? No. However the only thing I really have control over is my state of being. I chose to deal with “what is” – the transition before me – from choice. I can manage the transition or the transition can manage me.

In the horse world, I experienced many unexpected transitions. When riding a young horse, I could be going along and having a perfect ride when suddenly a buck or shy appeared. What I did next either brought both of us back to a state of being or created a struggle. Wisdom taught me to be curious and be with what is.

Today is an invitation. I know that I will spend in the day in countless transitions. How I chose to be with those transitions will make all the difference on my experience with this day. How I deal with the driver that just pulled in front of me. How I deal an employee who is not answering my question. How I deal with an unexpected interruption. How I deal with what I am feeling about whatever I am facing.

I invite you to stop and make a conscious intention about who you will be today regardless of what transition comes along. Take a moment and drop me a note about your experience with transitions. I’d love to hear from you.

By the way, if you would like to explore conversations such as this together – I am offering free Conversations for the Soul – Tuesday nights at 7pm PT.

>>> Click HERE to register <<<

– space is limited to 15.

Happy Trails

leeann_sg