Why hesitate in making the next step
Easy Life Transitions Become Less Quick and More Difficult as we get Older
It’s not easy leaving the familiar behind
I’ve left the familiar before, and it was easy then. In one week, I went from a full-time position at the office to retirement.
My supervisor gave three social interactions in my honor. First, he honored me before my fellow staff people. Then he gathered the ministry people I oversaw to celebrate me. Finally, he recognized me in front of the church’s congregation.
I enjoyed every one. I felt appreciated for my years of service under my supervisor’s leadership.
Then the transition into retirement began the following week.
I’ve had many transitions.
- The time my first wife left me.
- The factory shut its doors for good.
- My marriage to Fran fifty-one years ago.
- Entering retirement.
I’ve had a lot of practice doing the transition thing, but why is this one so difficult now?
Acceptance, though difficult, is the key
I knew I had to accept the change and move forward. I must adjust to the new normal.
Transition is never easy
Since we know where we are but are not sure where we’ll end up, we’re out but not in yet. It’s the twilight zone. Or, you could call your transition place the ‘Neverland.’
Moses wrote about the two steps of transition in Deuteronomy 6:23. He’s addressing the deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt:
Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers.
It took the Israelites forty years to get past the leaving to the entering part.
How long do we stay in ‘Neverland?’
The transition from one job, house or friend to another should only take two steps. You leave, then you enter, right? But that’s not true, since we dilly-dally between the leaving and the entering. I don’t know about you, but I’m sure doing it now.
I keep writing about my decision and how I’m perplexed. That’s right; I’m stuck! I know I should move into a Life Plan Community (LPC), but I keep living in Neverland and never making a needed move.
I connect with Moses on this hard transition thing. He sent spies into the place God wanted the people to live. Ten spies said, ‘no way, we can’t do it.’ Two said ‘we sure could do it.’ You know the story. Well, I’m living it right now. My daughter and I toured the Life Plan Community and she said, ‘Yes, dad, you should move.’
But, I hesitate.
Why?
I’m sure you know why I’m a vacillating mess. I’m in love with the familiar. We’ve lived in this house for the last twenty-six years. Yet, I know the opposite is true. We can’t live here for the next twenty-six years, and we’re in our eighties.
I suppose whenever you go through periods of transition, in a way, it’s a very definite closing of a certain chapter of your life. I suppose those times are always going to be both very upsetting and also very exciting by the very nature because things are changing and you don’t know what’s going to happen — Daniel Radcliffe, English actor.
Mr. Radcliffe is on to something here. I’m not ready to close this chapter of my life. I love this chapter of my life too much. But, one chapter is only part of a book. Am I ready to live the next chapter?
It’s not about the money. We’re not wealthy, but we saved and can afford to move into an LPC. We do not have any debt, so it should be a no-brainer. Although it’s not.
I’m overwhelmed.
Have you ever been there? You know what you should do, but you’re not doing it?
I’d like to hear from you if you made a move into a Life Plan Community. How did you decide to move? Are you happy with your decision? Kindly let me know.
I have to accept what Willie Stargell, Baseball Hall of Fame player, said.
Life is one big transition.
Well, if it’s to be, it’s up to me. Richard.
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