How often in life do we find ourselves transitioning? I don’t mean changing summer outfits to winter outfits. The transition I want to discuss is transitioning our mind to new and paradigm changing information. For example you are diagnosed with a chronic illness or break up from a long term relationship. How does this effect our mental and physical well-being?
One of the big transitions that I experienced was divorce. How do you suddenly function without this other person that has been by your side for years? All of us experience divorce differently. Some of us are happy that they no longer have to live with the unhappiness. Others are sad for the loss of companionship. I was somewhere in the middle. While I did experience a period of sadness for the loss of what could have been, I finally came to terms that the end was inevitable.
Coming to terms with the new version of my life was somewhat of a challenge. All of a sudden, I had a three bedroom house all to myself. It was my responsibility to do everything from paying bills, to cleaning, to mowing, and repairs. I was sad that it had come to this, but in the darkness of my post-separation I found that I gained my freedom. It took me a while to realize how much of my freedom we lose in some relationships. Over time we repress the little things so often, it does not occur to us we lose individual freedom as a compromise for peace. Transitioning from the sadness of the end of the marriage to the joy of freedom was a paradigm shift. I learned that I was responsible for my feelings. I am in control of my happiness. It sounds cliche, but I realized that happiness comes from within me and not others. It is important for all of us to understand that if we are not happy with ourselves, we will not be happy in a relationship. Looking for happiness by being in a relationship is not healthy.
Sometimes we need to endure challenges to understand who we really are as a person. Being comfortable should not be our objective for living. We should look for these uncomfortable situations that we avoid in order to grow and become the best person you can. We should not rest, because we only have this one life to live. Be a better person and seek out those transitions that will help you grow. You will be all the better for it.

Don’t ever give up.