Finding Identity During Transitions
This picture is of Marcy’s dad as a young man discovering his true essence and love for entertaining others.
Finding our identity in transitions.
Are you at the brink of transition? So may questions may be rolling around in your head.
1. Where do I go from here?
2. What do I do?
3. What do I love?
4. Who am I now that the house is empty and work is done?
5. Why should I make a change?
These questions can be answered when we examine ourselves fully…when we adventure inside ourselves.
Joy, freedom, flow and peace all come when we live from this place of being our authentic selves- the person we are deep down. By living from this space we allow ourselves to be fully human and our true self to shine. This feels good.
When we bring our light into our new reality, life will be easier. We experience flow and ease. There is no swimming upstream. (In the above picture, you can see Marcy’s dad, Richard, at a young age discovering that he loves to entertain others. This is is essence shining through. He listened to this and entertained everyone he came across with his jokes and anecdotes.)
So study yourself. Learn who you are. Study the river in front of you. Jump in and get wet. Know that there may be some discomfort yet have faith that the river is flowing just as it should. Begin to experience the fun of the ride. See the beauty around you and welcome who you are becoming.
Through this transition you are developing and learning in each eddy. You are bumping into rocks but making it around them. You are finding peace in the stillness. Then finally you come to an open ocean in which to experience endless possibilities.
The world is yours!
Here is a practice to try:
Sit quietly…breathe into your belly…as much as you need.
Pay attention to how your body feels and any areas of holding.
Now tune in to your heart…listen to the messages that come
The first step is to accept who you are- fully. Honor the good and the “bad.”
In your mind, go back in time and remember joyful times in your life.
See how you look: your smile, how you carry yourself
Feel the emotions again.
Smell those favorite smells.
Hear the “music”- nature, laughter, a whisper, a voice inside.
Get a taste of your essence.
Breathe in… inhale all of this joy and light.
Breathe out… Exhale that which you want to let go of.
Breathe as long as you need. Notice now how your body feels.
This is your essence.
*You may want to write down your discoveries…
Transitions can be both scary and exciting. These may feel the same in your body. Notice it. Don’t push the change away because of the discomfort. Don’t put it off anymore- because with change comes growth.
Allowing the ‘old you’ to inform the ‘new you’ will keep you grounded as you discover your next path. You can learn to trust the voice inside yourself- your guide. Take the leap into your new self!
You are beautiful. You are enough. You can do this.
