Transitions

As I looked over a group I was meeting with this week, I realized that practically everyone there was going through a time of transition—sending children back to school or launching them into world; dealing with birth or death; supporting aging parents or considering one’s own aging; beginning a new position or leaving one; celebrating good health with new activities or recognizing the limitations of changing health; beginning a relationship or ending one.

Change and transition are not the same. Change is an external event or situation that takes place: a new job, a new life situation, a change in lifestyle. Change can happen very quickly. Transition is the inner psychological process that people go through as they internalize and come to terms with the new situation that the change brings about. Recognizing that we are in transition leverages change for significant growth.

When you touch an artistic mobile, equilibrium is changed. The mobile goes through a period of rebalancing or transition before new balance is achieved. The resulting configuration is not necessarily the same.

Empathetic leaders recognize that change can put people in crisis, but crisis can be an opportunity for growth if transition is handled effectively. The people of Israel experienced two events of significant change that embraced transition. One was the departure from Egypt and the time spent in the wilderness. The experience of forty years in the desert created the people of Israel and their dependence on God. Another time of transition for Israel was the years in Babylonian captivity. Those who came out of this exile had a new understanding of God that was more universal and less tribal. In both cases, the people of God did not just change, but they came away with new perceptions and commitments.

What sustains us during transitions?

Relationships. We either strengthen our relationships with significant others or sever some relationships and create others.
Values. The virtues, concepts, and ethical standards that are important to us may be sorted and reprioritized in transition, but they tend to survive and provide a north star for our orientation to the way out.
Faith. An understanding that God walks with us through times of change and the ensuing time of transition should be encouraging. Throughout history, God has been present with God’s people in triumph, exile, persecution, expansion, and opportunity.

One thing I know for sure, if you are not in transition right now, you soon will be. Whether you will take advance of the opportunities it offers is up to you.

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