Turning endings into new beginnings
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. You know
this, and yet when you’re in the thick of an unexpected or unwanted
ending, it’s hard to see where the new path begins. And that’s because
you can’t connect the dots of your life’s story looking forwards, you
can only connect them looking backwards. Nothing makes perfect sense
until it does.
My friends and i have been there several dozen times ourselves,
losses, failed exams, deaths of loved ones, and so forth – and
every time, after a needed period of grieving, we pressed forth and life
went on. We learned, we grew, and we now take so much less for
granted.
The truth is, it happens just like that. What seems like the end of the road is just a cul de sac. It feels like annihilation. It feels like rejection. It feels like failure. But it isn’t. You simply ran out of road on that route. Time to back up, turn around, and look for a new route to get where you want to go. And as long as you keep smiling and moving forward, the road ahead is going to be far better than you can imagine. Because eventually, through all its twists and turns, it leads to the authentic happiness and freedom of an enlightened mind.
So if you’re currently struggling, hang in there. Remember, sometimes the best thing that can possibly happen to you in the long run is not getting exactly what you want right now.
When life changes, and there’s no longer a reason or a way to continue, you must find a reason and way to start over. And there are three little words that can release you from your past pain, ideals and regrets, and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: “From now on…”
So, from now on...
1. Be Aware of Your Choices and Make New Ones
Especially when we’re in a situation that we don’t like and wasn’t entirely our own choice, like a relationship ending, a lay-off from work or a life-changing illness, we quickly begin to feel like a victim of our circumstances. I’ve been there, and that is a very heavy downward spiral.
Every choice we make in life creates and defines who we are, even the smallest ones. Whether we prefer coffee or tea, what color our hair is, the clothes we choose to wear, the books or articles we read, how we do or don’t exercise our bodies - these all define who we are. Start becoming highly aware of all the choices you do have in each day, and begin making new ones if you need a fresh start. This is the hard part when you find out who you really are
2. Be Open to Possibilities
Someone once said, “There are far better things ahead than what we leave behind.” It is so easy to forget this, but often painful endings are clearing out the debris and cobwebs, and making room for something more beautiful that serves our life better at this time. Make a list of what was good about the last situation, those things that you will miss, want to keep, or repeat. Then list what was uncomfortable or unpleasant, those things that you are better off without, and get intentional about what you want in your life moving forward. Just because something good ends, doesn’t mean that something better won’t begin.
3. Treat Every New Venture or Relationship as an Experiment
So often we go into our new beginnings full of expectations: what‘s going to happen, what it should look like, and how we think we’re going to feel. See if you can approach each new beginning as an experiment with this attitude: What is the reality of this situation?”. Once you can get clear on that and can be objective, you can make the decision of whether or not this is good for you and whether or not to continue or stay.
4. Decide to Do It Differently
Three little words can change your life: “From now on….”. Once you know what worked in the past and what didn’t, and what you really want moving forward, decide what you’re going to do “From now on…”. If there was a life-changing illness, you may need to make some healthier living choices from now on. A relationship, career or financial crisis also often triggers the need for change in that particular area of our lives.
It’s okay to mourn the endings in your life, but make sure to accept them as a necessary change and look toward the new beginnings you can create as a result. Being open to improvements and new possibilities will help you move your life forward toward the success, love, fulfillment or happiness you’re looking for.
The truth is, it happens just like that. What seems like the end of the road is just a cul de sac. It feels like annihilation. It feels like rejection. It feels like failure. But it isn’t. You simply ran out of road on that route. Time to back up, turn around, and look for a new route to get where you want to go. And as long as you keep smiling and moving forward, the road ahead is going to be far better than you can imagine. Because eventually, through all its twists and turns, it leads to the authentic happiness and freedom of an enlightened mind.
So if you’re currently struggling, hang in there. Remember, sometimes the best thing that can possibly happen to you in the long run is not getting exactly what you want right now.
When life changes, and there’s no longer a reason or a way to continue, you must find a reason and way to start over. And there are three little words that can release you from your past pain, ideals and regrets, and guide you forward to a positive new beginning. These words are: “From now on…”
So, from now on...
1. Be Aware of Your Choices and Make New Ones
Especially when we’re in a situation that we don’t like and wasn’t entirely our own choice, like a relationship ending, a lay-off from work or a life-changing illness, we quickly begin to feel like a victim of our circumstances. I’ve been there, and that is a very heavy downward spiral.
Every choice we make in life creates and defines who we are, even the smallest ones. Whether we prefer coffee or tea, what color our hair is, the clothes we choose to wear, the books or articles we read, how we do or don’t exercise our bodies - these all define who we are. Start becoming highly aware of all the choices you do have in each day, and begin making new ones if you need a fresh start. This is the hard part when you find out who you really are
2. Be Open to Possibilities
Someone once said, “There are far better things ahead than what we leave behind.” It is so easy to forget this, but often painful endings are clearing out the debris and cobwebs, and making room for something more beautiful that serves our life better at this time. Make a list of what was good about the last situation, those things that you will miss, want to keep, or repeat. Then list what was uncomfortable or unpleasant, those things that you are better off without, and get intentional about what you want in your life moving forward. Just because something good ends, doesn’t mean that something better won’t begin.
3. Treat Every New Venture or Relationship as an Experiment
So often we go into our new beginnings full of expectations: what‘s going to happen, what it should look like, and how we think we’re going to feel. See if you can approach each new beginning as an experiment with this attitude: What is the reality of this situation?”. Once you can get clear on that and can be objective, you can make the decision of whether or not this is good for you and whether or not to continue or stay.
4. Decide to Do It Differently
Three little words can change your life: “From now on….”. Once you know what worked in the past and what didn’t, and what you really want moving forward, decide what you’re going to do “From now on…”. If there was a life-changing illness, you may need to make some healthier living choices from now on. A relationship, career or financial crisis also often triggers the need for change in that particular area of our lives.
It’s okay to mourn the endings in your life, but make sure to accept them as a necessary change and look toward the new beginnings you can create as a result. Being open to improvements and new possibilities will help you move your life forward toward the success, love, fulfillment or happiness you’re looking for.
Comments
Post a Comment