Transitions

Transitions are the major milestones that mark your path through life.

Ancient societies intuitively recognized and honored major life milestones, such as coming of age from childhood to adulthood. Unfortunately, contemporary societies rarely mark life transitions the way the old ones did – even though people continue to experience them. Only a few traditional societies continue to mark the process of maturation with “rites of passage” – rituals in which youth enact death and rebirth or a ceremonial new beginning. Such commemorations often involve taking a new name to symbolize a new identity. 

A transition is not simply a change. A change is a modification of your external situation. Its meaning is clear. You go on a diet and lose weight. You leave one job and take another. You pack your belongings and move to a new city. You get married.

In contrast, a transition is an internal, mostly psychological reorientation that requires adapting emotionally to new circumstances. The nature and boundaries of these organic transitions are not obvious but emerge and solidify as you go through them. Transitions usually involve painful groping...