by Cathy Brennan

Created on: June 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 20, 2008

Change is inevitable; some of the small day to day
changes that often go undetected, to the major
transitions that mark the milestones of our lives.
When I reminisce I recall, the major events by bursts,
marriage, career changes, deaths, and graduations.

All of these events were transitions in my life, and
likely yours as well. Some were eagerly planned for,
others abrupt and sudden, yet they all had a certain

amount of stress, worry and adjustment. The joy of
bringing home a baby is mixed with the stress of not
enough sleep, the worry about doing it all right, and
the adjustment to a brand-new schedule. Some
transitions you do not actively seek, and others you
initiate consciously.

Transitions are like chapters in your life. When you
transition to a new chapter your story becomes richer,
fuller somehow. How you manage these transitions
largely determines how well you adjust to the change.

This is where some of the awareness techniques from
previous articles command. When you have a strong
personal foundation you have the necessary tools to
navigate through your transitions. You are also able
to tune in quicker and easier to the internal shifts
that indicate you're needing a change.

Just as the changing seasons start with subtle changes in
temperature weather and nature, your desire for change
does as well. When you can tune in early, you allow
yourself the time and space to explore what type of
transition will best serve you.

Often the subtle hints or ignored until it becomes
something you simply cannot ignore. Many of my
clients express a variation of the same thing.
"I don't know what I want. I only know that it's
not this." by this point, everything seems wrong to
them.

One client came to me with that exact issue. She
wanted to quit her job, divorce her husband, and move
far, far away. She said that this had been brewing
for a couple of years. Her youngest had recently
started college and she felt the time for action was
now.

Over the course of the next few months we worked
on discovering what her best course of action would
be. She began developing a personal practice that
helped her tune into her inner wisdom and took the
inspired actions that came up for her. As her
frustration level decreased she was able to see more
clearly, what kind of life she wanted to create.

Her relationship with her husband improved. She
started a small part-time business and cut down her
hours at work. She also moved to a smaller home
closer to the city, so she could more readily enjoy
all of the things she loved to do.

When we ended our work together 10 months later,
I asked her what the most valuable lesson was for
her. She replied. "When I learned to listen, to
really listen to my intuition. Everything just seemed
easier."

You can practice tuning into your inner wisdom by
spending a couple of minutes each day in a quiet spot,
closing your eyes, takings slow deep breaths and
clearing your mind. At first your mind may fill with
thoughts, simply let them pass through and stay focused
on your breath. With practice you will be able to
quiet your mind and tap into your inner wisdom or
intuition too.

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