The Journey

Today marks the official entry into my third year of blogging. I began in August of 2007 with the goal to "learn how to blog" and have a good time. My original first post was an introduction of my concept.

Blogging has been a delightful journey. Along the way I have been:

• Improving my technology skills
• Making new friends
• Finding out new ideas and concepts
• Learning that blogging is a great way to express one's very being

In addition to the above, I have taken a few courses and even given a presentation on the concept of blogging to my fellow non-fiction writer's group.

Last year, I also began a second blog Terry's Thinking. This is a blog that keeps you up to date on trends, thoughts and issues regarding productivity, organization and general business practices.

This being the start of my third year of blogging, I want to let you know I will continue to explore the in's and out's of change with you on an almost weekly basis. I will also take some time to help us enjoy the journey during transitions whether they are by choice or by chance.

P.S. I am also open to suggestions regarding content within the realm of the topic.

Stuck and Stagnant

Life sometimes pulls us into the dismal pond of stagnation.

Stagnation is painful, messy and like quicksand can suck us down into the depths of despair. Stagnation happens to everyone at some point or another. The pond is usually stinky and the time spent in it is not pleasant. Remember it won't be forever, although, it may seem like it at the time.


How can we get out of the pond of stagnation?


1. First, realize we are in the pond!

2. Take stock of the good things going on, despite the mess we are in.

3. Take the focus off ourselves and pay attention to the world for a while. We can do this by reading a book, researching something new, by walking and taking in the scenery.

4. Smile even though we may not want to. Our smiling disposition will likely bring more positive attention to us rather than the continuity in our negative state.

5. Seek out and utilize a variety of help and guidance. This may include reconnecting to our faith, trusted friends and even seeking out the help of professionals.

How have you handled stagnation?

Listen to Grow

Change is hard, listening may be even harder. When we are changing we may find ourselves having to find more time to listen. Listening takes energy.

Finding the right people to listen to is not easy. Missteps are usually found along this path. The best method for selecting good "listening" is to go with your intuition. Listening to a person who is soothing might be good, yet they can lull us into a stasis, state of complacency or even a paralysis of indecision. Listening to someone who causes us major anxiety may not be a good choice either. However, sometimes the individual's who causes us minor anxiety and inner turmoil are helping us develop new thoughts, thinking patterns and helping us change.

Listen to learn, listen to grow. Change will come.

Who do you plan on listening to?

Transition Your Life - Seniorhood

This is the fifth in the series of posts on transition times. Let's visit the transition periods that often occur in senior adulthood (age 70 - 90).

Transitioning to a smaller home or retirement living
Transitioning to grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Transitioning to loss of a loved one
Transitioning to patriarch or matriarch of family
Transitioning to retirement
Transitioning to part time or volunteer work
Transitioning to evolving spiritual or religious beliefs
Transitioning to a new or chronic health condition
Transitioning to caretaker role for adult child or grandchildren
Transitioning to having married children/grandchildren and in-law relationships
Transitioning to financial gain/financial loss
Transitioning to changing relationships with your children (adult to elderly parent)
Transitioning to common aging conditions (vision and mobility concerns)
Transitioning to family historian
Transitioning to new hobbies and changing interests

See also
Transition Your Life - Adulthood
Transition Your Life - Early Adulthood
Transition Your Life - Middle Age
Transition Your Life - Golden Age

Keep Calm and Carry On

Sometimes we need a mantra to get us through the day. The slogan Keep Calm and Carry On was developed at the start of World War II.

You can find out more about the poster and it's history from the British bookstore that found it in a dusty box of books purchased at an auction.

Liminal Times

When we transition we will likely go through the liminal phase. Liminal being part of Limen which is the Latin word meaning "a threshold".

The word Liminal has at least three definitions:

1) of or relating to a sensory threshold
2) barely perceptible
3) of or relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase or condition

When have you experienced a liminal state or phase?

Transition Your Life - Golden Age

This is the fourth in the series of posts on transition times. Let's visit the transition periods that often occur in adulthood (age 60 - 72).

Transitioning to a smaller home
Transitioning to grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Transitioning to loss of a loved one
Transitioning to approaching retirement
Transitioning to retirement
Transitioning to career change
Transitioning to job loss
Transitioning to evolving spiritual or religious beliefs
Transitioning to a new or chronic health condition
Transitioning to caretaker for parent(s)or grandchildren
Transitioning to having college age children
Transitioning to having married children and in-law relationships
Transitioning to changing relationships with your parents (adult to elderly parent)
Transitioning to financial gain/financial loss
Transitioning to changing relationships with your children (adult to adult)

What other transitions do you think happen during this time period?

See also
Transition Your Life - Adulthood
Transition Your Life - Early Adulthood
Transition Your Life - Middle Age