Beginning at the End

“What we call the beginning is often the end

and to make an end is to make a beginning.

The end is where we start from.”

~ T. S. Eliot

It’s been quite a ride! I started this blog in August 2010 as a way of encouraging readers to pursue their dreams. I thought that if I shared stories of people who were making their dreams a reality, it would inspire others to do the same.

This blog has done this and so much more. And I have you, my readers, to thank for that.

Knowing you’re there, waiting for the next installment, has motivated me to show up at the page twice a week (nearly 250 posts to date!).  Your comments remind me that I’m not writing into the Void – you really are enjoying the stories, tips and ideas, and making them your own.

Thanks to you, Dream Bigger has had over 8,000 views from 60 different countries. Wow!

And my book, Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease continues to sell well all over the world (again, thank you!)

It’s now time for me to dream bigger myself. I’m not sure what that dream looks like yet. I know that writing will always be a part of my life, however I don’t know what the next chapter holds. In order to find out, I need to start by bringing this one to a close. You see, it’s only in letting go of the old that you can make room for the new.

This will, therefore, be my last blog post here, although the archives remain available for you to enjoy for now.

I am continuing to offer coaching on life, relationship and money issues (by skype and phone) so if you’ve enjoyed my approach in this blog and in my book, you can always reach me through my website for one-to-one coaching.

Here’s to you! May your dreams entice you ever forward!

As for me, I’ll be exploring the possibilities that await. And you never know, another blog may emerge from my meanderings!

Taking the path less travelled …

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Transitioning

Many people I know are in transition these days, as their lives shift and change from the familiar to the unknown. In the dictionary, transition is defined as a passage from one stage to another. It can also be seen as a development or evolution. Sounds pretty positive when it’s put that way, doesn’t it? So why is it so difficult to go through?

I’m going through yet another transition myself, and I’ve been reading a book to help find some answers. I thought if I could find some quick tips I could get over this latest hurdle faster and get on with my life. Turns out that this is exactly the mindset that prolongs the transition process! Groan…

According to author William Bridges, life’s changes go through three stages: endings, the neutral zone, and new beginnings. Note that the new beginning comes at the end of this process, and there’s no way of getting from here to there without first passing through the other two stages.

In Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, Bridges explains that life is full of transitions. These include loss of relationships (death of a partner, divorce, friends moving away), changes in home life (marriage, birth of children, children leaving home, retirement, moving), personal changes (weight gain or loss, getting sick or well, starting or stopping school), work and financial changes (starting a new job, getting fired or laid off, taking on a mortgage, change in income), and inner changes (spiritual awakening, discovery of a new dream, setting aside a dream).

All of these changes have an impact on our view of ourselves, our health and our relationships, and may affect different people in different ways. You might be excited when your children leave home because it means you can renovate their bedrooms into an office or craft area. Your best friend, however, might be brought to her knees by this change in the family dynamic.

Bridges points out that, while change and transition go hand in hand, one does not always precede the other. Change may come first in the form of a marriage or a job loss, for example. Transition follows as you come to terms with the ripple effect of the change. Or you may be doing a lot of inner work these days, learning new things about yourself and discovering new dreams you want to pursue. That inner transition may lead to a change in career direction or a move to another community or country.

Looking back, what have been some of the major transitions in your life? Were some easier to go through than others?

Over the next few blogs, we’ll explore the three stages of transitions and learn what to expect as well as how to manage the sometimes rocky ride!

*****

NEWS FLASH! Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease is featured on Barnes & Noble Rising Star Special Collection page until July 31, 2011. Buy it there, and it will help get it stocked in all B & N stores! It makes a great gift for friends and family 🙂

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