David and I have just completed a full week of teaching, processing and unpacking life codes with the School of Communications Foundations in YWAM Restenas, Sweden.
One of the things that struck me the most during the week was the number of conversations that naturally came up around the topic of navigating transitions. With the teaching and the one-on-ones, I was reminded yet again how transitions are so wired into our being. There is no spiritual development and personal growth without courageously navigating the growth curves in our lives.
I’m also thinking of two friends who have shared on this blog before. One is Marjon, who is leaving South Africa this week after living here for about 13 years, and Caroline who just brought her adopted baby home!
In The core of who we are, we know that change is inevitable, but ironically, there remains in all of us a sense of being overwhelmed when going through times of change.
As I reflect, I’m reminded of two things this week:
Turbulence: This cannot be avoided. When change is taking place in a person, there is generally a feeling of one’s world shifting. The degree of turbulence varies, but this is something that cannot be avoided. It may be an internal turbulence or an external one, or both! You will either feel it in your inner world or observe it in your external world. Things may start to feel or look wobbly during a time of transition. It doesn’t mean that one is clueless or unprepared. As a matter of fact, no matter how prepared you are for change, you will still experience a form of turbulence. I have seen that in my life too, and as I sat and listened to many individuals this week during one-on-ones, I sensed their turbulence. In order words, when experiencing a feeling of being off-center, remind yourself that this is normal.
Inner Resources: This is hard to believe, but the truth is no matter the kind of turbulence one is going through, there is an adequate amount of inner resources available for the process. Being overwhelmed can sometimes make us doubt our abilities or resilience to deal with change. If you are going through a time of transition right now, I strongly believe that you have everything you need. It may not be easy, but you are equipped to go through it. As i think of my friend who recently brought her adopted baby home, I personally feel overwhelmed simply at the thought of picturing the adjustments in her life – sleep, time, nurturing and everything that comes with being a new mom. But on the other hand, I see a great strength and commitment in her, and I know that she will be a better, stronger, more loving person because of this change and hopefully she will write soon about her transition.
This is the truth about the two sides of navigating life transition.
This short post is to encourage you to tap into your inner resources, because you are much stronger, smarter and wiser than you think you are. Every question you may ever ask has the answer already in who you are. Life is not a blind mission, although sometimes it feels like we’re groping in the dark. Every answer to life is already installed in the journey that is marked out for you. God is a good planner. The process of transition is simply a time to get the answers to life uncovered.
How about you? Are you sensing that you may be entering into a season of turbulence or are you in the middle of it right now?
Written by Grace Samson-Song
Grace has been curious about transitions from a very young age. She currently consults and assists people to get unstuck in the areas of life purpose and calling, career choices and personal development. She is the founder of The Maximize group and the Author of Crossing Intersections.
