Transitions & Decisions

Transitions can be a strong challenge to manage in our lives. Life's 'rule of thumb' is that you and I should never have more than one major event or challenge per year. For example, buying a house and accepting a new job are two major life events. Marriage, death, medical illness, the birth of a child or a major purchase like a car all qualify for one of 'life's main events'. It would be easy to manage life if we could control these factors or elements. If we could apply the breaks to a fast moving life I can think of several situations where I would have done so. I can also think of moments where I wish that applying the gas pedal was available too. Following the 'rule of thumb' is beyond our control for the most part. As with all things in life there are aspects that we control but for the most part life is an experience where managing the tempo or events is something we basically experience as life decides to hand out the assignments and challenges. Making decisions, picking and choosing our aspects of control in transitions I have discovered is best practice by making the most correct decision at the time. With so many variables and options in even the smallest of decision, these choices can have an impact and consequences that last for years in some circumstances. These challenges can provide positive impacts that effect not only we as individuals, but our family and friends too. One of the mistakes I believe is most often practiced is our attitude. Our attitude, without any effort at all, develops when things change or transitions take place. This attitude is heard in the way we speak about the change or choices and our attitude is also seen in our gestures and mannerism. Appearing to be disinterested is the same thing as saying "I don't care what you say or think". While this could be taken to the extreme the truth is that new ideas, thoughts, or opinions should always be heard. (I would recommend when sharing your thoughts they be thought-out, and don't ramble when sharing your opinion, get to the point) Sharing ideas with each other, or in clubs, groups or organizations will always be a challenge but these moments are necessary. When we are immediately combative to new ideas regarding issues or solutions it is apparent we are reacting to change and not ideas. Doing things the way they have always been conducted is in and of itself not a bad idea, but there are moments in which a better way of doing things are evident. It could also be that changing a pattern or a tradition not only will better serve a situation but possible might allow for greater service or a farther reach, especially when dealing with programs and events. Jesus Christ said that He was the same yesterday, today and forever more in Hebrew chapter 13:8. I have witnessed Christians take the position and interpretation that because He is the same that we too should be never changing. Honestly this interpretation is a misapplication of scripture. Jesus Christ is the same in that He loves us. He is the same in that He has a plan for our lives and He is the same in that He wants for us an abundant life filled with mercy and grace. These truths are not unfilled with challenges and obstacles. There is an opinion among some that if you are a Christian there is an avoidance of problems, hurts or even wrongs. The key to these situations is that Jesus Christ is the same and never changing. His forgiveness is always readily available. The opportunity to begin again and correct errors or bad choices can be accomplished by admitting our short falls, attempting to make things right with others that might have been hurt or confused by our actions. Jesus is never changing in this area and this fact should provide us with mountains of encouragement to keep pressing on and moving forward. Transition can at times leave people behind. This I do not believe is ever the intent in change but rather is can be a driving force for re-evaluation, re-considerations, and a re-focus on things that matter. One of the challenges that we as individuals face when a transition takes place is that we are required to respond, we cannot just sit back without an opinion. This attitude in and of itself is also a signal or attitude that can easily be detected by our actions or a lack there of. Choices and transitions. They are a part of our lives. Until then