Transition and Change

I’m standing in the mirror, tears streaming down my face; I’m looking at myself intently with my electric toothbrush pressed vigorously against my braces and tooth enamel.  I’m telling myself, it’s okay, you have plans; God has things in stored for you, stop crying… 

 

How did I get to this point?

I was sitting in Ron’s big daddy chair and the phone rang.  It was my sister on the other end; she gave me my niece’s phone number to her dorm room at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  As she gave me the number, I felt the tears traveling up my throat but I was able to hold them back.  I took the number but I wasn’t much on conversation.  When we hung up, I thought, Blaze is in her dorm–Monique is next.  That’s when the tears started.  My daughter will be moving into the dorms on Wednesday.  I thought back to a brief conversation I had with her on the on the phone the day before.  She called to share some information with me and then she said, “Just think, in less than a week, this is how we will be communicating.”  As soon as she said that, reality kicked in.

So here I am, alone, at home, and fighting back the tears. 

 

For months, I knew this was coming and I was excited about the transition and change that would take place.  I started to envision what life would be like without her being at home.  Oh, I had all kinds of visions in mind.  I was okay at her graduation.  Even up to last week, I was doing great knowing that transition and change were around the corner.  My attitude was good, and yet, at this moment, I find myself bemoaning the transition. 

 

You see, no matter what you envision, most of the time, it does not occur quite the way you planned.  The older I get, the more surprises life seems to throw at me; it is life’s way of reminding me that I’m not in control. I used to get very frustrated at the curve balls; but now, I just roll with the punches.   However, it really does help to have goals and plans. 

 

So, I as was looking in the mirror, my coping skills kicked in.  Below are a few things that came to my mind while I meticulously polished the metal in my mouth.  Trust me when I say, that I was mentally deploying as many of them as possible.  I teach the stuff—I might as well practice it.  Here we go!

• Do not suppress your feelings–find a good outlet for them.  Share your thoughts with a friend or write them down.  Better still; write an article on your blog about your thoughts on transition and change. 
• Review your plans—remind yourself of the positive things to come.  Plans help direct your present; however, they do not determine the future.  
• Do something constructive like brushing your teeth…ha ha ha.  I’m being funny but if it works, do it.  
• Remind yourself about those upcoming projects that bring you excitement.  If nothing else, it may save my tooth enamel.  
•  Think positive about the new growth and opportunities that are ahead for you.
• Focus on your blessings—not your deficits.
•  Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more; it is like medicine to the soul.  

You may not be able to relate to my specific experience but transition and change comes in many forms.  These principles can be applied to various circumstances, it up to you to determine how, where, and when to apply them. Oh, remember, it’s okay to cry.  A good cry never hurts anyone; it removes the clouds from the mind.