A Work in Progress

Whether it’s childbirth, terrible twos, adolescence and puberty, going off to college, marriage, midlife crisis, divorce, job change, relocation, illness, death or some twisted combination of any of the above, transitions are going to happen in your life, and they’re usually stressful. In actual fact, midway through a transition, life generally sucks. I know because…

Whether it’s childbirth, terrible twos, adolescence and puberty, going off to college, marriage, midlife crisis, divorce, job change, relocation, illness, death or some twisted combination of any of the above, transitions are going to happen in your life, and they’re usually stressful. In actual fact, midway through a transition, life generally sucks. I know because I’m right there in the thick of it even as we speak.

The scariest part of a transition is that moment when you have multiple options. If you’re like me, you’ll agonize and second-guess yourself within an inch of your life before finally settling in and adapting to your new circumstances.

We are all works in progress. When I was young I thought there would be this point, some magical moment in the future, when I’d be “done”, and all my problems would be solved, sort of like an existential graduation. With maturity I realize that life tends to be cyclical, and these transitions will come and go. Somehow, though, rather than depressing me, I actually find comfort in this insight. The more rough patches I survive, the more I learn that they’re survivable, and that gives me confidence.

So pardon my dust. I’m under renovation. It’s only temporary. I’m looking forward to being new and improved. I just wish, for the love of GOD, that this current project would hurry up and reach completion.

Life underconstruction.

10 responses to “A Work in Progress”

  1. I could swear you are a Libra. I always tell myself during these times… Deep Breaths and Baby Steps. Most of the times it works, but you can’t tell that it’s working untill the dust in your mind settles. At 70, These transitions still happen, not as frequent or as traumatic as in youth, or maybe age dims the severity of everything. Let the Sun shine in.

  2. I just heard something on the news… There is a light at the end of the tunnel or it may be a train.

    1. I see that train in my nightmares.

  3. I have long been a victim of the I will get “done” syndrome, as well as the dreaded “Permanent Record” threat, as in “This is going on your Permanent Record!” Let’s cycle together. Nobody gets out alive, may as well enjoy…

    1. Sounds like a great idea to me. I hope all the good that you do is going on your Permanent Record, too.

  4. I love it when you talk in generalities… and specifics… oh, just keep talking.

    1. You’re probably the first man I’ve ever heard say, “just keep talking”.

      1. I am just better than all the other men obviously.

      2. That goes without saying.

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