Last week when I attended the Sunday service at Our Lady Queen of Peace chapel at St. Ed's, Father Walsh said in his homily to "relish the transitions in your life—they will happen regardless." Usually, I would say, that people see change as bad. Take Ron Swanson from the show "Parks and Recreation" for example, he held the same job as Director of Pawnee City Parks and Recreation for years on end, and when offered a new, better opportunity, he declined it stating that he preferred things to stay the same. Although unlike Ron, we are not fictional characters who are allowed the chance to choose whether to continue our lives as we always have or not. As Father Walsh said, transitions come regardless, whether we are ready for them or not.
These transitions that come into our lives can either be seen as blessings or disadvantages, depending on how we look at things. For example, this week I have been granted the opportunity to go to Panama in Central America and discover the many beauties of the country. I consider this a positive transition and, although there are many things that could go wrong while on this trip, whatever "transitions" occur, I will accept accordingly. Two weeks in Panama may seem like a dream come true, but traveling to this new place is like traveling into the unknown, which can be an amazing yet scary change in perspective. Life is about change, and it is essential to think positively about them in order to keep negativity at bay.
Another larger scale transition was that of this past year when I was given the opportunity to attend college. It was a transition that was tough at the beginning, but one that was well worth the experiences and knowledge gained. This is one of many examples of change that at first may seem intimidating but in the end allows for a positive outcome.
And a shoutout to all those who have graduated or are about to graduate, life post-graduation is a life that will encourage new experiences and opportunities in the world. Graduation is a life-altering transition in which recent graduates may or may not take advantage of the events to come. Whatever comes with this lifestyle change may be positive or negative, so if you are a person who is all for variation or are more like Ron Swanson and prefer for things to remain unchanging, you must relish these transitions no matter what, because they will happen regardless, whether you like it or not. So saddle up boys and girls and appreciate all that life throws at you.
