Finding Inspiration In Times Of Transition
Ever since I was a young adult starting out in my teaching career, I have loved quotes generated from the wisdom of others. I have grown and matured personally by incorporating these nuggets of wisdom into my own life.
I first taught at the very school I attended as a child. The large wooden desk in my 5th grade classroom had a glass top on it to protect the wood from scratches. Under that glass top, I’d often put inspirational quotes to reflect on throughout the day. I found these quotes especially helpful when I was challenged by a situation I was facing, a relationship issue with family or friends, or a personal transition. These inspirational quotes helped me navigate whatever I was going through.
In fact, as I write this newsletter, I’m looking at several quotes on my office desk in Tampa. These are some of the long-time inspirational quotes that keep me going during difficult and challenging times.
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
—Thomas Edison
Do you know what happens when you give a procrastinator a good idea? Nothing.”
—Donald Gardner
Remember, what’s happened to you is not nearly as important as what’s happened inside of you.”
—Unknown
If you have been reading my past newsletters, you know I often use quotes to highlight a theme or topic I’m writing about that’s related to change and transition. This month, I’d like to share some inspirational quotes about the three stages of transitions I’ve been writing about for years. No matter where you are in your life and what you might be going through, I’m hoping you’ll find a quote that will fortify you as you journey through it. If it inspires you, make a copy of it and put it somewhere where you’ll see it every day to remind you there is hope and a reason for what is happening in your life!
THE ENDING: Letting Go
The key to letting go is to allow yourself to go through a transition that requires you to grieve the loss of what used to be. That includes the situation as well as the identity that went along with a specific position, setting, or event. For example, whether you liked your pervious work or not, leaving it (through layoffs, retirement, etc.) may require you to adjust to losing your colleagues, your financial security, and your identity with your role. Even if your marriage was failing for a while, you still must grieve the loss of what you had before your relationship began to dissolve and what you had expected of your future together. After the birth of your first child, you’ll be excited to be starting your family and creating it out of love. But, at the same time, you’ll also grieve the lost sleep and the freedom you once had to go where you wanted whenever the mood struck.
Although it’s hard to do, letting go-done well-can make the rest of the transition process much easier. It’s more challenging to move forward in your life if you have not let go of the past. Here are some quotes to inspire you towards a successful letting go.
The truth is— unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”
—Steve Maraboli
Some people believe holding on and hanging on are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”
—Ann Landers
Without freedom from the past, there is no freedom at all.”
—Krishnamurti
Forget what hurt you but never forget what it taught you.”
—Shannon L. Alder
In the process of letting go you will lose many things, but you will find yourself.”
—Deepak Chopra
THE NEUTRAL ZONE: The Fertile Void Of Reflection And Preparation
William Bridges, author and the creator of the three-part transition model I use, said we can’t determine this forward direction until we spend sufficient time in what he called the Neutral Zone. By his definition, “sufficient” time might be anything from a couple of days to several years. It is a mysterious and personal process that is unique and different for every person.
This nebulous space has various other names. The phrase that resonates with me personally is “The Fertile Void.” Exactly what is this Neutral Zone or Fertile Void anyway? Simply stated, it’s the unknown and mysterious space between The Ending and a New Beginning.
As we see change happen, it’s almost always visible, external, and tangible. You might be experiencing a negative life-changing event like a serious illness, a grave automobile accident, or even the loss of a loved one. Conversely, you might be experiencing a positive change, like being promoted, changing careers, getting married, or having your first child. In each of these situations, there will be an internal, psychological shift that is vital to a healthy transition. While going through this neutral zone of transition to transformation, here are some inspirational quotes to support you through it and keep you on course.
One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.”
—Andre Gide
Some changes look negative on the surface, but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.”
—Eckhart Tolle
Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis.”
—Martha Beck
Those times of transition are great opportunities to look for reoccurring patterns in your life and make adjustments to build on the good and reduce the bad.”
—Dan Miller
Change is situational. Transition, on the other hand is psychological. Without a transition, a change is just a rearrangement of the furniture. Unless transition happens, the change won’t work.”
—William Bridges
NEW BEGINNINGS: New Opportunities
After going through “The Ending” and “The Neutral Zone” of quiet introspection, you began to wonder if this transition would ever end. Would you ever find yourself happy and content with your life again? Despite your anxiety and misgivings, you wake up one day to realize you have arrived at your new beginning, the final stage of your transition.
What life has taught us is new beginnings can be complex. This part of the transition can be slow and subtle, taking its good old time. That’s because starting something new usually has its own transition process. There is a distinction between starting something new and experiencing the psychological aspects of a new beginning. You can start a new job or relationship after a loss and still go through an emotional adjustment.
I have a close friend who had been job hunting for a long time and finally was hired by a good company. Even though he was well trained for this new endeavor, he went through substantial adjustments which, at times, have caused him to question his decision. Over time, however, he has realized the benefit of learning new protocols, a new job description and responsibilities, and the names and personalities of colleagues. It was all just part of the transition into his new beginning.
In your transition, allow for adjustments during this new beginning stage and seek inspiration from the following quotes.
There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the time for a new beginning.”
—Louis L’Amour
Don’t be afraid to start over. It’s a new chance to build what you want.”
—Pinterest.com
The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but building the new.”
—Socrates
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
—Seneca
New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”
—Lao Tzu
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.”
—Henry Ford
Seek inspiration in whatever way works for you. It will help you through difficult times and move you forward to a healthier and more exciting life.
Dee
Dee Cascio
Author, speaker, Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Life Coach, Retirement Lifestyle/ReCareer Coach, and Life and Work Transitions Strategies Coach.
As you face changes and transition in life and work, I welcome the opportunity to assist you through corporate presentations, group seminars, and community workshops. Please . contact me.
Find more inspiration for your transition
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You’ve joined a great group — people who plan to make successful transitions in life and work. May you be inspired to use your strengths and skills to grow in this season and may each transition be your best ever.
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