Transitions are amazing little pockets of time in which we go through major changes.  Sometimes the edges of transition can be soft and undefined, other times they are very concrete.  Recently my family and I underwent some major transitions and I have been amazed at how one transition has just led into another until they have all blended together.

In February of 2010 my husband got a new job in our old hometown, something we had been hoping and praying for.  He decided to take the job and quickly packed up his belongings and moved back in with his parents.  The kids and I stayed on the other side of the state so the kids could finish their classes with friends and I could prepare our house so we could put it on the market.

What I had thought would be a few months apart quickly turned into 6 and a half months!  Living apart from my husband was a huge transition for me.  We learned things about ourselves individually and about our relationship as well. Over all it was a blessing for us that led to deeper conversations, better communication techniques and in general a higher appreciation for one another.  There were days however that seemed to last forever and in which I felt incredibly lonely. 

I had to adapt, change, and meet the situation head on.  I also had to allow time and patience to play a role in the change.  I had to know that it was okay to feel lonely, okay to hate living apart from him, okay to be tired of being alone....it was all okay.

Now we are all back together and living under one roof.  It is such a blessing to be back in our home town and to live close to those we love. The transition of moving has been very drawn out for our family and I would be lying if I told you I feel settled already.  It has been 4 weeks and I am still surrounded by boxes.  The funny thing is, during the time when I lived on the other side of the state than my husband did, I wanted nothing more than to be with him, and to be surrounded with family and friends like he was - instead, I was single parenting my kids and painting an entire house!  Now that we are all back together surrounded by loved ones and friends I find myself desiring a bit of space, a bit of quiet, a bit of loneliness...so to speak. 

Transitions can be funny that way.  Even if we didn't like our old reality we can find ourselves wishing for it to return just because it evokes a sense of normalcy or familiarity.  Change, any kind of change, can cause us to desire to hold onto what we know or have in the moment.  Change can be scary, lonely, hard, thrilling, exhausting, fun, and exciting.  I think I have experienced every one of those emotions in the last 6 months!

For me the constant is in the NOW.  Right NOW everything is good.  Right NOW I am content. This was my basic mantra during all the transitions we went through. By focusing on the NOW we release our mind from it's desire to find all the answers, see all the way down the path of the future, know every issue we May encounter and so on...

It is in the NOW that constant change ceases to reach us or knock us off balance.  As we focus on the moment and stay in the present moment, each breath flows into the next and before we know it...half a year has passed and we are in the arms of the one we love.

One transition into the next, one moment at a time, one breath at a time.  The universe is constantly changing, our lives are changing, our selves are changing.  Change is everywhere.  What we do with it and how we look at it and how we focus our attention during change can have a huge impact on our ability to deal with and perhaps even enjoy change.

Perhaps the one thing we can change during major transitions in our life is our point of view. By focusing our energy and mindset on the positive and the present moment, we can allow the change to flow through us and around us while still staying grounded during it.

Have you had any major transitions that left you feeling like you were being tossed around by the waves of life? Leave a comment and let me know!