Respite Reflections’ purpose is to help people push the “pause” button in their transition work — to take a break from the thinking, researching, networking and preparing for interviews. Taking a moment to center yourself, ponder a positive thought, and focus on a broader perspective is invaluable during a time of transition.
“Today is your day,
Your mountain is waiting,
So get on your way.”
– Dr. Seuss
Whatever mountain it is we are attempting to climb, the important thing is to be on our way and keep climbing. Anticipating a journey of any kind often brings as much apprehension as excitement, often causing the obstacle to appear more challenging than it actually is. Every climb is equipped with unexpected obstacles but also with delightful surprises. Unanticipated twists and turns have at least a 50/50 chance of being positive and may lead us in directions never before contemplated.
We can be sure of a few things – the sun is going to shine; buds are going to appear on trees and flowers will bloom, even if our lives feel completely frozen over. A bountiful array of vibrant colors emerges every Spring from brown, muddy earth. Our lives can do the same.
Being on our way brings a sense of newness into whatever situation we are in. Beginning each day looking in the mirror and allowing a grin to show up on our countenance may not fix everything but it might “lighten the load” and help us lay our burden down for a bit.
– Connie Popp
Dr. Connie Popp is a board member for The Center for Life Transitions as well as an active facilitator for the Center’s Life-SHIFT and Job Search Courage programs. She is also the Director of Campus Ministry at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Read more.