think opportunity

[Tran-zish-uh n] noun

1. Movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change.

From elementary school to middle school to high school. High school to University. University to professional athlete. To joining the real world, not that my world isn’t part of the real world, but at times the life of an athlete feels completely different. And maybe some of you can relate.

 Transitions are such a normal part of life, and yet I’ve always been nervous to go from one stage to the next. It’s not a lack of confidence, rather the thought of having to learn and adjust to a bunch of unknowns gives me all sorts of anxiety.

If you haven't guessed it, I'm an overthinker.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable 

Though I will preach this sentiment forever, I often find myself shying away from the things that do exactly that. Call it being flakey, call it being an introvert. Call it what you want, but we all have our insecurities of not feeling cut out for whatever is to come. And that’s because nothing is better than my bed and a bowl of ice-cream. It’s actually because I really enjoy the comfort in things staying exactly as they are.

Seriously, I bawled for days after my family left from moving me into my dorm for my first year in University. I bawled a few days before I left for Germany my first year overseas. I even bawled when I had to get my wisdom teeth out, and when my mom (jokingly) asked if I wanted to turn the car around and go home I pleaded with her to do so. I also bawled when I woke up from that surgery to realize that she made me go through with the removal of my teeth much to my dismay.

Okay, so maybe you can call me a baby. I’ll give you that.

But, I think I'm starting to come to terms with this whole transition thing. In fact I’m almost welcoming them with open arms, though I still tend to panic at the initial thought of change. I started my first job that's not sport related, I’ve been challenging myself to improve my coaching habits, reading a little more, looking to go back to school and preparing myself to be ready and open for change. Because as much as I hate it change has continued to follow in some very difficult ways over the last year, so might as well be prepared to tackle that change head on.

The truth of the matter is I was making my issues bigger than they are and forgetting the importance of being practical. For seeing challenges for what they are, instead of seeing everything that I am not. I often need a little reminder to approach ventures in life with a little perspective. Nothing makes us feel a certain way; we choose to give into those feelings. 

There's no hiding from transitions and changes in our life, if you do you are a mastermind, but whether you like it or not they will almost always find you. Embrace that change. Enjoy the journey. And remember that the obstacle is always the way.

During times of transition, where everything in life seems to be in flux, old patterns are no longer, and the future seems daunting take a moment to pause and think of the opportunity ahead rather than the changes you must got through.

The Way Through Them

Objective judgement, now at this very moment.

Unselfish action, now at this very moment.

Willing acceptance - now at this very moment - of all external events.

That’s all you need. 

- Marcus Aurelius