Next steps. The next chapter or season in life can sometimes be character building transitions. Some are easier than others. Each require elements of faith. One thing I have learned is that there will be inevitable transition period in life that are not easy, nor were they meant to be. This is a time of transition, but also growth. Growing pains can strengthen us or distract us, the choice is ours. Next steps and new seasons can stretch, challenge us in amazing ways if we allow them to. The decision as to HOW we look and receive all of this is ours.

Growing pains can strengthen us or distract us….

The next step is scary. I’m uncomfortable. I don’t think the change of the unknown is something I can handle. Our mindset as to whether we can or can’t is wildly important. The decision to keep our eyes open or closed in receiving what is next in life can greatly influence the direction an individual takes. How do we keep our eyes closed? Well, we convince ourselves if we don’t think about what is next there’s nothing technically next. We then essentially trick ourselves into a type of ‘treading water’ state that nothing will change and we won’t be impacted by whatever challenge or switch of season comes our way.

Change is out there

Change is a part of life whether we like it or not. It can be subtle. Or it can be dramatic. It can be difficult at times to adjust to. All of this is true. What is also accurate is how we opt to face this. There may be a change of season when we least expect it. When must remind ourselves that change is part of life and that it does not deflate or defeat us.

Growing pains happen. Sometimes growth is expected and sometimes it is inevitably put right on our lap without warning. It may be a change in career, an unexpected loss, an end of a relationship or a move. The winds of change can switch when we least expect it.

The growing pains game plan

There are things in life we can plan and others, obviously, that come out right field and can knock us off of our feet. What makes an impact on how we respond? Here a few ways to have growing pains strengthen us rather than distract us:

• Our inner circle: The top five people we spend most of our time with influence how we respond to life and whether we’re positive or negative. Our inner circle is a choice and it influences SO many aspects of our life it’s crazy. As long as you’re breathing it’s never to late to adjust the inner circle.
• Reflection: It’s ok to take time in the car, before going to bed or when you wake up (or whenever fits your schedule) of where you’re at, where you were and where you’re going. It sounds simple enough, but rarely do we take time t
  o process change. We can be so distracted by what’s going on around us we wait until it hits us in the face and then we go from responding to reacting.
• Prayer: One aspect of life that keeps me in check, humbled and from crumbling at times is my faith. The reality that God knows what is in store for me and is directing me is what sustains me. Prayer, the action of asking for direction, peace and wisdom is crazy powerful and life altering.
• How we approach life:  Either we wait for it to come to us or us going to it holds tremendous value. I wrote a post awhile back on this that’s definitely worth a read.

Game changer

Growth, season changes and new chapters happen whether we are open to it or not. That doesn’t mean it is always easy, nor was it meant to be. The truth is how we approach this is a choice we must make and that choice will influence the paths we take. Life is short. Growth can be tough at all times if we convince ourselves of this. Or growth can be a step towards us being stronger and further doing what we were intended to do, live fully and intentionally.

Wishing you a week of peace, love and growth!