{"id":1686,"date":"2017-08-14T12:27:39","date_gmt":"2017-08-14T12:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/craigfinnestad.com\/?p=1686"},"modified":"2017-08-14T17:36:50","modified_gmt":"2017-08-14T17:36:50","slug":"four-ways-navigate-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craigfinnestad.com\/?p=1686","title":{"rendered":"Four Ways to Navigate Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"

I dropped David off at school today. Summer is over. As of today, he is a fifth grader. I observed a bunch of parents at the other end of the school. The moms and dads dropping off their boys and girls to Kindergarten for the first time. Some of the kids didn\u2019t want to let go of their parents. Some of the parents weren\u2019t thrilled about letting go of their children. Life is different now.<\/p>\n

I talked to some young adults leaving to college this week. I sensed simultaneous excitement and anxiety. I expected nothing else. I\u2019ve been praying with a few of the parents who will be taking their children to college for the first time. They are both fulfilled and melancholy. Life is different now.<\/p>\n

Transitions are a part of life. We go from healthy to sick, single to coupled, young to not-quite-so young, east to west, here to there. Quality and blessing in life isn\u2019t about maintaining Utopia<\/em> and avoiding the expected and unexpected transitions that will happen. Quality and blessing come from successfully dealing with transitions.<\/p>\n

Here are four ways to help you navigate transitions:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Celebrate and Reflect on Your Past<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Practice gratitude. It changes everything. Be thankful for laughter and tears. Victories and failures. Intimacy and healing. For times of prosperity that created celebration and times of trials that created growth.<\/p>\n

    Reflection leads to learning and development. So reflect. Ask questions to yourself. What worked well? What didn\u2019t work so well? What would I do again if I could? What has happened that is going to prepare me for this next chapter in my life?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    1. Accept Your New Normal<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Don\u2019t oppose an unavoidable change. Change happens. It\u2019s hard to let go, especially of something good. Your desire to dwell in the past will prolong your pain and extend your adjustment period. Acceptance makes recovery, healing, and progress possible.<\/p>\n

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      1. Work Though Your Grief<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        You can deal with your grief or your grief can deal with you. It\u2019s not easy. But the most rewarding things in life are not easy. Find somebody going through the same thing or somebody who has been through the same thing you are going through. Learn from them. Accept their support. Share your feelings with safe people who are good listeners. Express your grief. Cry, yell, listen to music, write, paint, or do whatever it is that will help you express your pain. It takes time to work through grief. Be patient. Keep persevering.<\/p>\n

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        1. Move Forward One Day at a Time<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Don\u2019t worry about tomorrow. Today\u2019s trouble is enough for today. When you get overwhelmed, realize that you are only responsible for your next step\u2014not the future of the entire world. Have courage and take that next step even though you probably don\u2019t see your destination. Set small and attainable goals that will move you forward in the right direction. And enjoy the journey of healing or adapting or blossoming or whatever expedition you are taking.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          I dropped David off at school today. Summer is over. As of today, he is a fifth grader. I observed a bunch of parents at the other end of the school. The moms and dads dropping off their boys and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1683,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,73],"tags":[180,77,188,172],"class_list":["post-1686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coaching","category-spiritual-formation","tag-courage","tag-gratitude","tag-grief","tag-transition"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n