Evan Renaerts

Transitions

October 30, 2007

The leaves on the Magnolia tree, blood-red centers with pale yellow-green edges, shine in the soft autumn light.

It’s been a busy week with lots happening on many levels. My older daughter Sue gave birth to a baby boy this past Thursday; standing at her bedside, watching her cradle this newly arrived being, seeing the love in her eyes and I was struck by the realization that this daughter I was seeing was completely new to me – a different person than the one I had known before the baby.

Birth is, of course, one of the major life transitions and what I notice about transitions is that even when they are expected and awaited they can change things in ways we never imagined. Every significant transition, whether in relationships, business or geo-politics can be seen as both a death and a birth, whatever was previously existing must give way to what is emergent.

Humans seem to like the idea of birth, of newness and novelty, and the entire concept of growth is held in especially high regard. Oddly enough we aren’t as open to the idea of change as we are to birth and growth (even though they do go hand in hand), perhaps it’s because we realize that change means letting go of what has been, even what we have loved.

In some cultures there seems to have been an understanding that large scale change and transition contain both risk and opportunity; that there is very little chance of moving forward in life without an element of risk.

One of the best ways to move up to and through transition points is to combine a vision for your journey with some real reflection about what has worked for you and what is working now. The vision acts like a magnet pulling you forward, while an acute understanding of your strengths can help you see how to move through the risk and uncertainty.

Chances are that the core abilities that have brought you to a change point in life can also be used to navigate the change. One example of this would be the stay at home mom or dad who is now ready to return to the work force.

It can seem to this person that they have lost their edge for business and have little to offer, unless they take the time to note the skills they used to run a household and function as a parent. Their abilities: to be flexible, multi-task and manage time and budget, are the same ones that will move them through the next big change – returning to the workplace.

New babies, new partnerships, new careers, they all ask us to change, to open up and become “more.” A deep appreciation of our selves and our current abilities may be our greatest asset in a time of transition.

Evan Renaerts
604 314 0835
evan@evanrenaerts.com