Dear College of Education Community,
Transitions are common in life, some good, some bad, some bittersweet. We may be saying goodbye to some wonderful experiences that may never be quite the same again. And we could be letting go of some stressful times with relief and transitioning toward future experiences with unknown but potentially positive possibilities. So how do we navigate transitions? In an article in Mindful entitled “Finding Your Way Forward When the Path Is Not Clear” Dr. Jeremy Hunter, Founding Director of the Executive Mind Leadership Institute in Claremont, CA., states, “Instead of seeing time as a straight line, if we see life as a series of cycles of growth, maturation, and death followed by rebirth, we can better understand why endings are necessary for new beginnings.” He further offers, “The ground beneath your feet may be shifting, but mindfulness can help you find your way forward with skill and passion.”
Below are questions to consider when moving through change, transition, and endings.
- Do you have a pattern in how you deal with transitions in life?
- Have you experienced positive endings or transitions? How did you feel?
- Do you have a way to comfort yourself with difficult endings or transitions?
- What happens when you lessen your resistance and increase acceptance to not knowing the future when an ending or transition occurs?
- Have you created a system of support at an ending or transition?
To find out more about transitioning, go to
For a list of other self-care options, you can also go to our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at /eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
May we all find ways to transition successfully to new experiences.
Warmly,
Shari