Top 10 Quotes About Life’s Transitions

Have you had a major life transition lately?

Life is difficult, it has been said. Especially during life’s transitions, when we rub elbows with the unknown. But it is also a time of life that is rife with possibilities. During these times, we ask questions we seldom ponder at other times.

When moving to a new place, I always wonder where my people are. Where will I belong? Who will be my new best friend? Where will my new special places be? What will become important to me here? Who will I love? Who will love me?

If we’re lucky and paying attention, our lives contain many transitions. Movement from childhood to adulthood. Moving to new areas. Or returning to old ones. Graduations from school. Our first jobs. Our first loves. Becoming a mother, a grandmother, a grandfather or stepdad. Transitioning into retirement and a more creative life.

Have you made any big transitions lately?

Here are my 10 favorite quotes about life’s transitions. Which is your favorite?

• “It is when we are in transition that we are most completely alive.” – William Bridges

• “The future is always all around us, waiting, in moments of transitions, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.” – J. Michael Straczynski

• “Light precedes every transition. Whether at the end of a tunnel, through a crack in the door or the flash of an idea, it is always there, heralding a new beginning.” – Theresa Tsalaky

• “When shifts and transitions in life shake you to the core, see that as a sign of greatness that’s about to occur.” – Anonymous

• “Your life is a story of transition. You are always leaving one chapter behind while moving on to the next.” – Anonymous

• “Change is situational. Transition, on the other hand, is psychological. It is not those events, but rather the inner reorientation or self-redefinition that you have to go through to incorporate any of those changes into your life. Without transition, a change is just a rearrangement of the furniture. Unless transition happens, the change won’t work, because it doesn’t take.” – William Bridges

• “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

• “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – Tony Robbins

• “A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.” – Nikki Giovanni

• “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” – Henri Bergson

Humans often resist change because of the fear that the risk won't be worth it in the end. Other people resist change because it’s more comfortable and familiar to stay with what we know.

However, creativity and possibilities live in the thresholds of transitions. Change is the one thing guaranteed to make us come alive.

My favorite writing prompt of all time is one I used while teaching my Fearless Writing classes many years ago. If you feel like being creative, here ‘tis:

write about a time when everything changed.

P. S. As for me, my transition is going well. I will finish unpacking this week. I am seeing lots of possibilities and trying to simply let things unfold I think I’m going to love it here in Jonesborough.

I ventured to the library last week and I was thrilled to see that they had 5 of my books on the shelf!! I couldn’t ask for a better welcome.

P.P.S. Message for paid subscribers: in a couple of weeks I will begin a series called the 7 secrets of Susan. Secret 1 is something that the majority of you don't know. I told one of my oldest college friends this recently and she was shocked. “Well, Dang!” she replied to my confession.

I am a very private person, so this project is more than a tad daunting. But on more than one occasion, when I’m at a book club or signing, readers have asked for more personal details about my life. This always surprises me. I find my life quite uneventful. But secrets you want, secrets you’ll get.

Love you!

Susan