Note: December is Word-of-the-Year Month at Christine’s Blog. As we roll into another New Year, each day will feature a new guest blogger who chose one word as a way of setting intention for her whole year. Today’s guest is Irene Corbin. More about Irene below.
Transition
Definition: The act of passing from one state or a place to the next.
There is so much I could say about transition. However I want to just give you a sample, and let you recognize your own transitions.
On a daily basis we go through different transitions. Most of them are simple and not even noticed. That changed for me not long ago.
Recently, I lost my brother. That changed me in the deepest way. In front of me stood a challenge and battle I knew my brother would lose. The day we were told about his cancer, I made a choice. That is where my transition started. I knew that nothing would be the same. With this shift I had the choice to cave or grow.
I chose to grow.
I walked with my brother in a way that brought peace, calm, strength, determination and clarity. Do not get me wrong though. There was also a lot of sadness, anger, frustration and pure hopelessness. I wanted this time in my life to be different. I did not want to be afraid.
I saw my family change and grow. I saw my strength and my willingness to be here in the moment.
With every step I took, I wanted more out of life. I shifted my wishes, desires, dreams and priorities. Today I am still working on them all. I want to make a difference for anyone I touch and myself.
A transition can be attached to a job, family, friendship, love and anything else one can think of. In reality we are the ones that make the decision of the switch, modification, alteration or way we want to put it out there.
My belief is that our transition takes place when trauma, loss, disappointment comes along. There are times we are fortunate to have transition in joy, expansion, discoveries and simply being here in the moment.
We do not know what tomorrow will offer. Enjoy every moment.
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My name is Irene. I love writing poetry and stories. I listen to music, read different books and love sports. I love walking in nature.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so, so sorry for your loss Irene. I know that my words cannot begin to understand what this loss has meant for you. And yet, I truly felt a saddened heart as I read your words here today. And it all relates, very much, to the idea of transition. Times of sorrow really are a time when we “look deep” to see if we have “changed”. This can be a healthy process, if we really allow our heart to speak to us during these times.
I’ve been bouncing the idea of transition around lately. And, what I do find hard – is how difficult the idea is to me, since I don’t have a big negative in my life right now, pushing me in this direction. I’m looking at transition while things are very good – and that is difficult for me. And scary for me. So, I think you make a really very good point, Irene, about transition being more likely during times of difficulty.
Transition is good (if it’s done for the right reasons). Thank you, Irene, for sharing your story so openly here. I can only imagine how difficult this was, and yet, I’m guessing it was also a very freeing experience. Your honesty is very appreciated…
Thanks for sharing, Irene. You were thrust into transition in a rather cruel way, and chose to use it as a time of growth. This speaks to your courage and maturity. Thanks for showing us how it can be done.
I love this post.
It reminds me of a time a couple of years ago when we almost lost our daughter. (She had a near drowning and stopped breathing. CPR saved her life.) The experience terrified and changed me. I felt that sense that I could either expand and grow or completely shut down. I deliberately chose to stay open, to live without being paralyzed by fear (though of course it was a process.)
I’m glad you made that same choice.
Also, both your biography and your words here make me feel like you might be a bit of a kindred spirit…so I’m happy to have this chance to ‘meet’ you, too.
Irene, Thank you for your post. Transition is a powerful word. This past year and a half I’ve experienced so many changes my head spins! I have a new job, bought a new home and lost my dad. Losing someone changed me from the inside out. Recently, I’ve noticed that I am able to see things in a new way now. Trying to find peace and joy through a time of grief and sorrow…well, I didn’t think it was possible. Somehow it feels wrong, yet I experience moments of pure joy and I know I wouldn’t appreciate these moments had I not gone through the loss of my dad. Does that make sense? Reading your post made me think that you would understand that.
Your words will stay with me.
Thank you.
Happy New Year!
Irene, thank you so much for this. For choosing the way you did, for sharing this incredible experience and reminding us how each moment is truly a gift. Your love for your brother is evident in your words. So sorry for your loss and so inspired by your hope.
Lance, Thank you for your kind words. Yes, it was difficult and at the same time such a gift.
Thank you Patty.
Thank you Christi for sharing your event. We truly discover how strong we are in these times.
Michelle it does make sense since I go thru that each day. Yes, I truly understand.
Thank you Sue
Irene – your words are inspirational and without question heart felt. Your determination to face the tragedy of your brother’s illness and death is a beacon to all who face such sorrow. May God richly bless you and your family and give your comfort in your loss, along with the gift of your brother’s life.
Hi Irene,
I, too, am sorry for the loss of your beloved brother. How wonderful though that he had you by his side as he made his own transition to the world beyond this one. Giving your brother the gift of being in the moment with him ranks #1 in my life book.
Your post speaks to me because I feel we are always in transition, whether we realize it or not. Just reading your words has changed me, reminded me yet again to stay in the moment, further guided me along the road of making a difference in someone else’s life.
I wish you a 2009 filled with many walks in nature, a place teeming with transition.
Much thx. G.
This is true even when there is no physical death but a family member is lost to a disease process like mental illness.
Reading your post brought to mind the thousand and one transitions I have had to make this year when a family member chose to no longer take responsibility for their wellness. It has been a similar experience of grieving but yet different since they are still alive.
That said your statement:
“I knew that nothing would be the same. With this shift I had the choice to cave or grow.
I chose to grow.”
really summarizes my own sense, experience, and decision point in my own situation.
I will need a powerful word for 2009 and since the process that is underway will not be completed; so, transition is going on my short list of words under consideration.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful post.
You have reminded me of how truly precious life is, and how important it is to enjoy every moment.
I too am sorry for your loss.
I am grateful for all your kind words. I am touch to hear the changes taking place.
Deb my heart goes out to you. I will keep you in my prayers and support if I may as you go thru this process. Strength takes us a long way.
Once again thank you Sunrise Sister, Giulietta,Deb and Elaine
Irene, thank you so much for sharing this. I am so sorry for your loss. You really helped me a lot by writing about it. Last year on 12/10 I lost my Dad after watching him suffer many years with Parkinson Disease. My Mom died in 1999 of ALS. Last Christmas I was more or less in a stupor of grief and loss. This Christmas season I am feeling very deeply the loss of both parents, of that feeling of “home base” I had when I was with them. I have been cycling through anger and sadness and wondering how I will ever feel the same again. Of course I will not, and as I read your post I realized that yes, I am in transition, and the challenge is to remain open and walk through it, to look life in the face and say what is there. Thanks again, and peace be with you.
Irene,
Thank-you so much for your words and your courage. I would like to express my sorrow for your loss. Your words speak volumes of the depths and lengths of the human spirit, and I know that you have already been blessed with your choice to grow through this.
I lost my mom 2 1/2 years ago to cancer, she moved in with me in her last months and it was the hardest and most cherished time that I have experienced so far. You are so right about transition, especially one like this, there is no going back to the old you, there are traces of that person but the person you become is so much MORE…even though at times you still feel less…
Blessings to you.
Chris
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Irene this is so touching.Sis your great and so nice to know and have around. Merry christmass and thank you for expressing .
Alice thank you for sharing. You will find a new home base. It will take time however you will get there.
Christina thank you. You are right there is only traces of the old self and so much more. We are blessed in many ways without fully realizing it.
Bro thank you for being there. I am glad you like it. Ditto to you too.
Hi Tante Irene
That is very touchy and very nice.
merry christmas & happy new year
Dearest Irene, I am so saddened to hear about the loss of your brother. I know how much your family means to you and how much love you provide for each of them. Continue to allow your great light to shine and have a Happy Holiday Season with your lovely family, and know that your brother will always be there in spirit to celebrate each and every holiday season with you. Big hug.
Dear Irene, Thank you for sharing this me. I’ve read it many times as I think about responding and I still don’t know if I can capture the things that are in my heart, but it has been very helpful in doing just what you set out to do – helping me recognize my own transitions. I am so sorry for your loss. That is a beautiful photo of the two of you and I can feel the love and celebration of one another when I look at it. Thank you for sharing your faith and transition with me – you are amazingly articulate and speak to many of the things in my own journey – and my yearning for transition as I grapple with the “practice, practice, practice” part. You have made a difference in my life on two significant occasions – and this is yet another. I am grateful for knowing you and am holding you in love and compassion for your loss. Love Jan