A Chapter’s End? Or a Chapter’s Beginning? 

Here Tynley and I sit, soaking in life by the water mere steps from where we rest our heads at night, as I look toward our next chapter. You see, several months ago, we somehow snagged a chance to live in the exact location I’ve always dreamed of being in, an experience that is now coming to a close. The horns of the drawbridge sound as boats, kayakers, and paddle boarders glide by. The salty breeze feels just right as the smell of seafood becomes present and seagulls audibly make their presence known. The sun beats down as a nearby fish bites a hook and one happy dog decides on another roll in the sand. Life fills the air.

In a few days, we leave this beautiful location and will be lucky enough to move to another one very similar. While we won’t be far away and it still won’t take long for our toes to reach the sand, the location is new and even a simple change can sometimes mean butterflies in the stomach; the unknown can be intimidating. That being said, we have to remember to learn from one experience to succeed and grow in the next. So, as Tynley and I prepare to turn to a new page, I ask an important question.

As humans, when we change our direction, what do we take with us? Do we simply move forward without thought, or do we stop to absorb? I first take the realization that none of us can know what is around every next corner and while slightly daunting, isn’t this what makes life so wonderful? We thrive during times of change because this is when our strengths kick in and we get to know more about ourselves. In these times when we learn more about who we are, we can expect the resulting growth to help guide our purpose. As I look toward the transition into my new place by the sea, I stop to think about how I’ve grown from this part of the story.

First, I have been reminded I shouldn’t take things for granted. It’s easy for us to get caught up in daily life and walk around like robots, letting routines and to-do lists become top priority. Before you know it, we wonder how all of those days got away from us so quickly. So, I’ve learned it’s good to pause and think about what is important to you once in a while. Appreciate what you have created and surrounded yourself with so far, make sure you’re setting new goals for yourself, and then realize them, whether big, small, or in-between. New things to appreciate will follow.

Secondly, don’t equate the end of a happy chapter of life with sadness. Instead, refocus your thinking to realize the end of one part of the story can only mean the beginning of the next. How exciting is it when you shift your way of thought to view your course with a new lens?

Whether planned or not, change is going to happen. It’s inevitable and a good thing. Learn from it and make the most of each part of your personal narrative. Every component of the story has a purpose, whether we grow to understand the reason for each one or not.