Transcending transitions
Transitions, regardless of its breadth or frequency, have always brought about feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and meaninglessness.
Think of a woman who has finally decided to end her relationship with her partner of three years, or five months, whom she caught cheating. While one can say that the woman is better off without an uncommitted man, the woman will always, if she had truly loved the man, feel like she has lost the world.
In a similar fashion, a family losing one of its members will have to face the complex process of moving on and carrying on with a life without a dearly beloved. Some will grudgingly seethe vengeance, especially if the deceased was a victim of injustice, while others will radically call on God and ask him the imminent question, “Why?”
Moving into an unfamiliar place, while positing inklings of a new and better life, can be scary if not distressing.
An employee holding his office for years, when laid off by the company he has served for almost half of his life, is likely to experience self-pity and deterioration of self-image. All his skills and accomplishments become nothing to him.
Even fresh graduates, who feel like they can change the world, as they hope for good employment options, are not exempted from the discomfort of waiting. I don’t think anyone is.
Not even I or my friend Pierre is safe from these transition blues.
So I deem it a good idea that we finally decided to meet last week. Not only does my friend, having isolated himself from the world for weeks, need a break from his daily routines, but it will also do me good to experience new things. (Oh, believe me, there were a lot of first-time experiences!)
^ He prepared the best-tasting tinola for lunch! (And I am not exaggerating here.)
(Photo by Pierre Lalin)
Transitions are tough. We may feel lost, but surely, as the song goes, with a little help from our friends, we can find the light at the tunnel at the end.
On a random note, here are a few things I keep reminding myself to keep me from losing sanity and to make me level-headed.
Think of a woman who has finally decided to end her relationship with her partner of three years, or five months, whom she caught cheating. While one can say that the woman is better off without an uncommitted man, the woman will always, if she had truly loved the man, feel like she has lost the world.
In a similar fashion, a family losing one of its members will have to face the complex process of moving on and carrying on with a life without a dearly beloved. Some will grudgingly seethe vengeance, especially if the deceased was a victim of injustice, while others will radically call on God and ask him the imminent question, “Why?”
Moving into an unfamiliar place, while positing inklings of a new and better life, can be scary if not distressing.
An employee holding his office for years, when laid off by the company he has served for almost half of his life, is likely to experience self-pity and deterioration of self-image. All his skills and accomplishments become nothing to him.
Even fresh graduates, who feel like they can change the world, as they hope for good employment options, are not exempted from the discomfort of waiting. I don’t think anyone is.
Not even I or my friend Pierre is safe from these transition blues.
So I deem it a good idea that we finally decided to meet last week. Not only does my friend, having isolated himself from the world for weeks, need a break from his daily routines, but it will also do me good to experience new things. (Oh, believe me, there were a lot of first-time experiences!)
^ He prepared the best-tasting tinola for lunch! (And I am not exaggerating here.)
(Photo by Pierre Lalin)
Transitions are tough. We may feel lost, but surely, as the song goes, with a little help from our friends, we can find the light at the tunnel at the end.
On a random note, here are a few things I keep reminding myself to keep me from losing sanity and to make me level-headed.
- Take the time to rediscover yourself. Where do you want to be? How will you be the person you want to be? Know your worth; you are meant to be victorious.
- The only thing permanent and certain in life is change. This, too, shall pass. In the meantime, do something productive. Never stop learning and creating new things.
- Believe, even if it seems against the odds. Hope, even if it pains you. But keep your feet grounded and be realistic. Explore your options. To keep hoping does not mean to stop living.
- Go out and be with people. It helps to be with a supportive group who can provide you with a different perspective on whatever you are going through. Remember, too, that you are just going through this; it does not matter how long it will take you to overcome your adversities, as long as you do not stop there. •