TToT – Catching Up, Transitions, and Change
I can’t help but think lately that life is a constant string of transitions.
We spend most of our lives moving from one phase to another: from youth to adulthood, from school to work, from one relationship to another, from one job to another…our movement is constant and sure. That’s not to say that we don’t enjoy each phase as we live through it. But eventually, we have to pick up and move on. We cannot stay in one place forever – at least not if we intend to grow and develop as human beings. Standing water only becomes stagnant and the path not traveled is a lonely one indeed.
![20140725_175103[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140725_1751031.jpg)
These transitions often seem to crop up just when we’ve gotten comfortable where we are. But maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it’s best if we don’t let life catch up to us for too long. Maybe it’s best if transition and change happen before we’re quite ready to move on. I have a mug here on my desk that tells me “Life begins outside your comfort zone.” Maybe it does. If we aren’t prompted to move along through life, it is much to easy to settle into the right now and see it as a final destination, rather than a stop along the journey.
And life really must be a journey.
Many of the transitions in my life over the last few years have been ill-timed (or so it seemed) and thrust upon me suddenly. A few have happened far too late, it seems. In the end, I think they all happen with purpose, even if we cannot see it right away. And so I suppose I’m thankful for these changes, no matter how ill-timed they may seem because they all move me forward. Perhaps change finds us because it is time. Perhaps it isn’t life that changes at all…perhaps we change.
[tweetthis]“Things do not change; we change.” ― Henry David Thoreau, Walden[/tweetthis]
This weekend, I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep. I don’t know that we ever quite “catch up” but at least I was able to get a significant amount of it, something that has not been true for many weeks.
I am glad to be caught up on all of my contract work. It’s a nice feeling to be “finished” for the moment. Of course, there is always a bit of fear beneath the surface that the next job won’t come…but I’m trying not to think about that.
I am thankful for friends who offer support and advice. Sarah, Kristi, my Sister…thanks for your input and for just being a sounding board.
Yesterday was a gorgeous spring-like day. Today is a darkish rainy day. Both are awesome.
I am thankful not only for the restorative effects of good sleep, but also for the restorative effects of tea and good food.
Cats. Believe it or not, I’m thankful for the Rottens. They keep my feet and my heart warm and they are great nap partners. They help me work, too, which is kind of nice. Although I am starting to think that I spend far too much time alone with cats here during the day…
![20160131_203302[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20160131_2033021.jpg)
I’m thankful for my family. Even in weeks when things aren’t going as smoothly as we’d like, we are able to work through the rough spots somehow and come out better for it on the other side.
I am thankful for the 1000 Voices for Compassion movement. I’ve talked about that here in my post for this month’s link-up in which we are celebrating one year of compassion. Give it a read and then click over to the link-up to check out more. http://www.themeaningofme.com/celebrating-one-year-compassion-1000speak-post/
I am thankful that this list is finished and that there is a frozen homemade dinner in the freezer for tonight. I’m off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday afternoon.
[tweetthis]“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ― Neale Donald Walsch[/tweetthis]
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Your turn: What are you thankful for this week? Do you think it’s possible to “catch up” on sleep? Do you think we make our best progress when pushed out of our comfort zone to forge ahead? Are you ready for spring?
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interesting notion, “Life begins outside your comfort zone.” made me remember this fairly weird description of movement as ‘controlled falling’…. (that from my t’ai chi instructor)… and it kind of makes sense, (also to what you said about stagnant water… motion (in time or space) can be anything but stable.
good to have rest… not only the obvious anti-sleepy rest, but the rest that comes from not making a continued effort. rejuvenates.
Yeah the “controlled falling” does kind of make sense. I think the comfort zone quote makes sense to me because when I think about how long I stayed in places that were not good for me, I realize that I stayed in those circumstances out of familiarity, comfort, and expectation. Deciding to step outside of that comfort zone ultimately proved to be wise.
Rest is indeed good. I’m off for more of it very shortly. 🙂
I’m rarely ever comfortable these days, not for long anyway.
Trying to enjoy the journey, be in the moment, but looking back and ahead of me is just too flippin tempting at times.
🙂
Glad you got some of the kinds of rest you’ve been sorely needing lately. That’s what weekends were invented for.
As always, love your quotes.
I understand those feelings of discomfort and impatience, Kerry. And it is a challenge to be in the moment for many of us. I often worry too much about one or the other (or both – ugh) but I am really working to be more of an in-the-present person.
Glad you love the quotes! I do, too. 🙂
First of all that cat picture is magic. Like one cat in a flip book. Can I take a screen shot and use it? More importantly I relate strongly to your response to transitions. I have been working on reframing transitions from interruptions to the journey itself. There is no way to be in the now if we are looking back or forward. This is a daily struggle/opportunity. Like you experienced each days weather as awesome that is what I am trying to do. But I still scream profanities when I spill my tea. Literally and figuratively.
Hmm…I’m usually not one to give out permission for my photos, but if you’re serious, send me a message and I’d have to consider it.
I like your idea of re-framing transitions from interruptions to a purposeful part of the journey. That perspective definitely makes a difference.
I don’t do so well when things don’t go my way. I definitely see that as interruption and I’m sure it has a lot to do with my lack of patience! 😀
So glad you caught up on sleep and on your freelance work (more will come I know it). And thanks so much for the shout-out. I love chatting with you 🙂
Saturday was gorgeous here too and then yesterday was rainy and today cold…I’m so ready for spring already.
I am hoping that you are correct and trying not to freak out about it. So far, that has always been true. But it’s still a bit nerviating. (It’s a word. I say so. I like it.)
Always love chatting with you and so irritated that I missed vidchat Friday night! Ugh. That kid karate/dinner/bedtime thing is tough. 😀
I certainly hope it’s possible to “catch up” on sleep, although husband, who’s a physician who just attended a sleep lecture, says no. The lecture freaked him out a bit – our brains need restorative sleep to remove toxic chemicals and solidify memory. Lack of sleep has terrible effects on attitude and perception too. So, we’re trying to get our 8 hours more often.
It’s tough.
Great quotes! I’m also thankful for dear friends who comfort me when I haven’t had enough sleep and need “talking off the edge”.
I do believe your husband’s assertion that we can’t actually “catch up” but that’s frightening isn’t it??? I wish I could admit to 8 hours of sleep ever, but it just truly seems impossible. If you have a magic answer for how to make that (and all the rest of the things in a day) happen, let me know!
Is it bad that I wake up in the morning and wonder when I might be able to sneak in a nap later that day? It’s no wonder sleep deprivation is used to torture prisoners of war. Glad you got some and that you’ve gotten caught up on your contract work and the Rottens aren’t always rotten.
Um, I kind of do that alot… 😀 Maybe I just like naps.
I am definitely caught up and now in the interim panicking that the next round won’t come. 😀 Trying to be proactive in other directions. And yes, the Rottens are not all terrible. They’re actually pretty sweet when they aren’t driving me crazy.
What a lovely list of thankfuls! I’m thankful for #1000Speak too. It’s taught me so much
Absolutely, Liv. Absolutely.
Funny how I talked about the journey on my own blog and here you are touching upon the same theme here. It’s so interesting, isn’t it? We all crave security and predictability, but at the same time, life is full of change. It sounds like you’ve certainly had some changes but it’s cool to see how it all ends up: we end up right here, right now. I can say, for one, that I’m very glad I ended up right there, right now. You have brightened my day!
I am often kind of amazed when I see people touch on the same subjects. I think it definitely says we’re all very similar creatures. I do think it’s very cool to see how things turn out and you know there’s always that element of hindsight when you can look back and realize it all kind of makes sense.
So glad you came over and that I brightened your day! That is awesome!
Beautiful list! I agree with you that it isn’t good to get so comfortable in a spot that we lose the ability and desire to stretch in new directions. Life IS a journey, not a spot! Your whole list today is such a positive one, right down to the rotten cats. I feel the peacefulness of acceptance and a willingness to trust the natural direction life takes you. That’s a truly blessed place to be!
Well, thanks, Josie. I don’t know if I was feeling accepting and trusting at the moment I wrote it, but if that comes across then maybe I was in a better place than I imagined!
I used to always say “oh, they’ll be plenty of time to sleep when I’m dead!”. I don’t say that too often anymore LOL. Congrats on catching up on the z’s. I’ve been trying to increase my sleep time for the last month or so. I’m up to about 5hrs now 🙂
Very excellent that you’ve finished your contract work. You sound like an old hand at it already 😀 May there be many more!
I too love the pic of the Rottens 🙂
Isn’t it funny how kids never want to nap? Never want to go to bed? I seem to remember feeling that way once upon a time. But now? If somebody tells me I can go sleep, I’m all over it! 😀 I truly do not understand how people manage to get 8 or even 9 hours a night. Five is a big night for me, too, right now. But I am working on getting better about that.
I do hope that the contracts roll in again. I have definitely learned already that the work ebbs and flows. I just have to get used to that part.
Firstly I’m thankful that #1000Speak has brought me to a number of interesting blogs I would otherwise have missed. In a household with three small children, I’m thankful for every minute of sleep, yet I cherish the moments I’m kept awake by my little ones coming in for cuddles. I’m thankful for each moment of peace and quiet to contrast the vibrant moments boisterous giggles and chatter. I’m thankful for the violent flying cuddles and gooey kisses that leave me covered in random stickiness. I know these days won’t last, I want to cherish all the little moments.
I’ve definitely found blogs through #1000Speak! In fact, as I was reading some of the posts this week, I was kind of surprised to realize how many of my “regular” reads and friends came from the very first #1000Speak link-up.
I love the moments of thankfulness you’ve shared!
I’m thankful for some good time with good (long distance) friends lately. Just connecting in-person with these special people is so restorative.
That’s a good one, Pam, and so true.