Change is hard. We all know that it’s inevitable, but most of us like the sense of safety and control that comes with a reasonable amount of sameness.
Remember when we were hunters and gatherers? Predictability often meant a greater chance of survival, so change unnerves us—whether unplanned or planned.
And, it often comes as a surprise to people that positive change can be as hard for us to embrace as a challenging change. As we move toward a positive change, most of us imagine all the joy that awaits us.
We make plans based on a belief that something positive will come of the new job, the new house, the relationship, the new boss, the start of school, etc. Yet, along with all of the positive comes the ripple of change into other parts of life in ways both planned and unexpected.
So we were struck by this quote about transitions:
It’s not the beginning of the end,
But it is the end of the beginning.
If during that change, we resign ourselves to it being the beginning of the end, we prepare for the end and condemn ourselves to live a life half lived. In preparing for the end, we can miss the opportunity to lose ourselves in a beautiful sunrise, a moving piece of music, the laughter of children, the love of family and friends.
When faced with change, it’s helpful to think maybe this is the end of the beginning. That there are many stages in your life and while you may be experiencing the end of one stage, it’s also the start of another stage.
Frankly, until death we will move from one stage to the next in our lives. Understanding that can free you up to embrace and explore this new adventure. Approaching each stage with curiosity goes a long way to creating a life filled with hope and joy.
This week we encourage you to scan your life for the changes that are coming your way and allow yourself to acknowledge the end of one stage so that you can fully embrace the start of the next.
What stage are you in?
Your Coaches at Carpenter Smith Consulting
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