Transitions: Moving Through Change With Grace
MOVING THROUGH CHANGE
Creating any major change in our lives can also create feelings of discomfort. Tiredness, confusion, and uncertainty are among the many emotions that can be experienced. Moving from one way of doing things to another requires a transitional period. The transition is the middle ground that is required for evolution to occur. It's the place between where you were and where you are going. Usually this middle ground feels unpaved, unstable, lopsided, jagged, and stony. We stumble along with unsure footing wondering if we will ever feel confident again. Our transformation depends on trusting the road will eventually smooth out. Trusting that we are safe even in the midst of change, in the darkness of uncertainty.
I certainly don't have all the answers for how to proceed through change. But my life experiences continue to teach me that change is growth, change is empowerment, and change is life itself. I continue to realize how to embody the process of change with joy even as fear and confusion are present. The strategies below are steps I take to help ground me when I'm scared during a period of transition. Maybe these strategies can also give you a few ideas that can provide firmer footing to navigate a solid path towards your future possibilities.
ACCEPTANCE
Take a moment breathe deeply. Realize you accepted this transition. No one forced you to change or can force you to complete the change. Although it may not be an easy journey, trust that you will be much better off on the other side. Verbally acknowledge and accept the journey that you determined for yourself. You could say something like, "Universe, I am now ready to accept this journey." Doing this invokes your personal power to successfully achieve your outcome. Now is the time to open your heart energy and ask, "Universe, how are you going to support me in this?"
GRACE
You may feel uncertain while in transition. Here is a question for you - Are you going to curl up, continue to pretend you are powerless (can't have what you want), and desperately seek someone to rescue you from the middle of the road? Or are you going to gather up all your courage and gracefully walk on your own two feet? Two very different ways to experience the moment. It's okay to stumble and fall, we all do it. It's even okay to lie there in the dirt for awhile. We all run our own stories and everyone has had the experience of a temporary pity party. Or as my friend called it the other day - I was on my 'weepy wagon'. She said it was okay. However, she wasn't going to get in and join me in my weepy wagon of self pity. Instead, she would stay with me and pull the handle until I was ready to get out. It was a weepy wagon of old lies and untruths. I'm walking again - much stronger for having fallen.
CHOOSE FAITH
"Feed your faith, not your fears." Everyday I look at this quote taped to my computer screen. There are only two choices. The greater our fear, the tighter our grip. Do a reality check. Is it time to let go and move into the experience? You will most likely have to move forward while still feeling fear rather than waiting for the fear to pass. Eleanor Roosevelt eloquently stated, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I've lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
GET SUPPORT
For each of us, we must walk our own path. No one can save us from this journey. No one can pick us up and drop us off on the other side. The journey itself is what offers strength, insight, and wisdom. So we must walk our own road - but that doesn't mean we can't bring some friends along to walk with us for awhile. Meet with a nutrition therapist, coach, friend, or advisor on a regular basis to keep you grounded. These people can help you though the periods of self-doubt and instability. We all need someone to lean on and support us through the bumpy parts.
WORDS ARE POWER
Be acutely aware of the words you use. Do they empower you or leave you feeling powerless? Observe your spoken language and the self talk in your head. Is it positive or negative? Is it detrimental or helpful? Is it rooted in fear or love? Does it stay centered in the present moment? Positive, self-affirming, resourceful, and loving language - spoken or thought - is what allows us to make the journey. Look into your own eyes in the mirror and support your journey.
TAKE A RISK
Change requires us to move from our smaller, confined circle of comfort to one that is larger and more expansive. The edges of the smaller comfort zone need to be faced. Like Columbus sailing off to explore the edge of the ocean, you too are exploring unknown (and feared unsafe) new territory. Choose what feels right for you to safely feel the stretch of growth. Ask yourself each week, "What risk have I taken?" "What success have I experienced?" Make it okay to be a beginner again. It's how we grow and transform. You will inspire others and find strengths you never knew you had.
CREATE A RITUAL TO HONOR THE CHANGE
Take the time to symbolically acknowledge the journey you are on. It is a stage of growth, new learning's, and a new attitude. A ritual can be anything metaphorical that has meaning to you. Perhaps it might be setting something free, cleaning your closet, throwing out your diet books, a celebration of the journey with friends, or even listing all the things that have been holding you back upon little strips of paper and burning them. Take physical action in your life to acknowledge the path you are moving along and to open up to new possibilities that await you just around the corner. Simple daily rituals that nurture your soul will respect the transition that you are in. A ritual may help you close a door that needs to be closed. Honor what has come before, learn from it, and let it go. Acknowledge the present, and give thanks for your future. Receive support from your higher self.
EXERCISE
TRANSITIONAL OBJECT
It might help to carry with you a transitional object that reminds you of your success so far, and helps keeps your vision on your overall goal. The object could be something you touch that reminds you of your journey. Or it could be an item that provides comfort. Think of a baby holding onto a teddy bear or a favorite blanket. Or the function of rosary beads. Link your sense of touch to the feeling of success. Touch, stroke, or handle your item with each small (or large) sense of achievement. Then when you gain strength to go on, touching your object again will remind you of your goal. Here's a list of potential transitional objects you could easily carry in your pocket or on your body:
Small smooth stone
Crystal
Special necklace
Ring for your finger
Sea shell
Symbolic lapel pin
Copyright 2005, Dr. Annette Colby, all rights reserved.
Dr. Annette Colby, RD
Nutrition Therapist & Master Energy Healer
Annette@AnnetteColby.com 972.985.8750
"Opening Creative Portals to Success"
For free inspirational newsletter, articles & info visit: http://www.LovingMiracles.com
 Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:05:30 GMT Wal-Mart acting on shifts in consumer spending - BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek - By CHUCK BARTELS If the mood on Wall Street is grim, then consumers must be feeling even more bleak, right? Fuel prices remain high, inflation has hit food prices hard and consumer confidence is down. August another disappointing month for retailers Lower-cost stores gain from US shoppers' thriftiness Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:48:39 GMT McCain takes stage, turns down heat - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - By Joanna Weiss For a man at the top of a presidential ticket, John McCain had an unusual task last night: to remind the nation that he was the star of his own show. Palin Assails Critics and Electrifies Party GOP welcomes McCain with enthusiasm Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:20:31 GMT Rice set for historic Libya visit - BBC News
BBC News - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to begin a historic visit to Libya as part of a North African tour. She is expected to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as part of the trip, which will also include visits to Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Rice set to begin historic Libya visit Rice set to make history in Libya Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:41:55 GMT Data on defective genes make tailored remedies possible - Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun - By Frank D. Roylance Researchers cataloging the genetic codes of deadly human brain and pancreatic cancers say they have found several dozen defective genes that appear to work in concert to set off the tumor growth that eventually kills their victims. In Long-Awaited Maps of Cancer, The Breakthrough Is the Problem What You Need to Know About Mapping the Cancer Genome Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:24:12 GMT Schwarzenegger: Palin delivered 'fantastic' speech - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News - AP SACRAMENTO—Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday said Sarah Palin hit a home run with her acceptance speech for the Republican vice presidential nomination. Video: Governor To Californians: Bug Lawmakers About Budget California nears record in spending plan stalemate Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:14:17 GMT Boeing Workers Are on the Brink - BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek - Despite being offered a relatively generous package by management, Boeing machinists are ready to go on strike. Here's why by Joseph Weber When a stunning 87% of Boeing machinists voted on Sept. Motown Blues for Boeing? Boeing, machinists union meet with mediator Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:54:59 GMT '1967 lines not up for discussion' - Jerusalem Post
Jerusalem Post - By JPOST.COM STAFF The July 4, 1967 lines are not up for discussion and are the very foundations from which direct talks between Israel and Syria will start, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Friday. Video: Sarkozy in Syria : the press is divided Syrian sets terms of role on peace Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:32:39 GMT Increased Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Many people think of coaching solely as a management technique.... Read More The other day I was having a interesting conversation with... Read More The surprising answer is "probably". Most individuals don't realize that... Read More I met Sean a year and a half ago in... Read More A few months back I had a disturbing dream. In... Read More What does it mean to forgive?One of the first things... Read More Many people have asked me why I wrote my book,... Read More Judging by the extraordinarily positive reader response to Po Bronson's... Read More As a manager you are constantly being asked to do... Read More Three steps to your Personal Transformation:Awareness and PerceptionLaw of Cause... Read More The book Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by... Read More The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More Most types of psychotherapy involve exploring feelings, being validated, finding... Read More Helen Keller once remarked that there was one thing she... Read More Imagine stepping into the gym for the first time in... Read More But people love being coached. It's respectful and considerate of... Read More My name is Greg Ryan. For the last twenty years... Read More Why should you bother to spend your valuable time learning... Read More If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More "I can't wait!" she exclaimed over the phone. The anticipation... Read More Coaching has become a very popular way for people to... Read More "Don't shoot... We're on the same side."Contrary to popular belief,... Read More Life is all about choices. And so is the way... Read More As a Life Coach I quickly identified most individuals wanted... Read More Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More
Adsense
websites
Coaching Skills for Peers: Extending Influence
You Have The Right
Could You and Your Business Benefit from a Business Coach or a Consultant?
Why?
Think Twice Before Youre Nice
Bringing Forgiveness Down To Earth
What Does It Take To Have It All In Life?
Searching For Your Calling ? Quest or Curse?
Can You Say No?
Cause and Effect! Choose a Path
How to Kill Fear When Dealing with Aggressive People
Mind the Gap
Solution-Focused Therapy
Not Blind, Just No Vision
What Is A Personal Trainer
How To Improve Your Selling Skills -- With Coaching Skills
How to Make $100,000 Dollars as a Personal Trainer ? Part A for Attitude!
12 Reasons to Develop Exceptional People Skills
How to Crack a Daunting Task!
Your Silent Voice of Experience
Choosing The Right Coach
Corporate Coaching and Employees: One Step Ahead
3 Easy Steps to Low Stress Communication
Whats Wrong with Life Coaching?
4 Amazing Tips To Successfully Persuade Anyone
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Your Mindset Determines Your Success in Life
To keep at the top of your game you have... Read More
9 Guidelines For Spiritual Coaching
Spirituality coaching is more than creating goals and holding someone... Read More
Communicating Anger Compassionately
Whether it is irritability or unmitigated rage, anger is an... Read More
What To Do? Lifes Big Question
We've all experienced the same thing at important crossroads in... Read More
What The Buddha Says About Coaches
There is a Buddhist saying that goes like this: "If... Read More
Becoming An Information Filter And A Knowledge Sponge
As the title states, "Become an Information Filter and a... Read More
What Do You Have To Give?
"Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly... Read More
How to Make $100,000 as a Personal Trainer
In the movie, "The Gladiator," Emperor Commodus' rose to power... Read More
Our Perception Determines Our Experience
Not long ago, I traveled back east to Ohio and... Read More
Free Advice From Albert Einstein
What If You Could Ask Anyone For Help?Have you ever... Read More
Going Beyond Life Coaching
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
How to Give Yourself a Check Up From the Neck Up
When was the last time you did some dedicated physical... Read More
The Problem with Blame? If You Fix the Blame, You Ignore the Problem
Have you ever found yourself in a hurry to leave... Read More
What in the World is Life Coaching?
In my speaking engagements I have often compared coaching today... Read More
Controlling Behavior, Loving Behavior
When Zack and Tiffany started counseling with me, they were... Read More
The Biggest Loser
I am a "Loser". You're gonna learn from this writing... Read More
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: How Do You Change the World?
Recently, I saw an exhibition of paintings by a very... Read More
How Stella (Laurie) Got Her Groove Back!
Being a Life Strategy Coach doesn't mean I'm always on... Read More
Nourishing Your Network
It takes less effort to keep an existing customer than... Read More
Make Progress Now: Take the Hand Brakes Off Your Life!
Do you find yourself striving upward in life yet making... Read More
Can Versus Cant
It is my personal opinion that there are two words... Read More
Walt Disney, the Inspiration to Form a Better Life?
You, like many others, may have come to this article... Read More
Six Steps for Creating Work-Life Balance
Today an increasing number of us are experiencing burnout, low... Read More
Truth About Life Coaching School Accreditation
With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More
You Have A Choice
I'm a relationship coach and, unlike most, I deal with... Read More
Coaching |