Flying Solo

"People change and forget to tell each other."

Lillian Hellman

While in attendance at a reunion, it is easy to discern how people have changed over a certain amount of time; but, when people change right before our eyes, we do not necessarily notice.  In fact, those we stand closest too, may change slowly.  We might sense something is a bit 'off', but nothing dramatic.

In the best of situations, we will have a kindred spirit or mentor in our lives whom we can share every step of our transition.  By trusting them, they can witness our changes.  They become a safety net until we are ready to fly solo.

Human nature allows us to hide our newly found changes when we return to family.  We slip back into old roles whether we want to or not.  Attempting to announce how we are no longer the same may seem monumental and therefore, we go with what is familiar or expected.

Those endeared to us may be shocked when they learn of our transition into a different style of life whether downsizing or expanding.  If they feel threatened or experience a great loss, they may not be very supportive.

As we evolve in personal or professional ways, we experience a shift in our thinking or living space or quality time.  To align ourselves, we may have to leave some relationships, but not out of judgment.  There is no need to think of our transition as discarding, but  embracing.  Change simply triggers adjustments that will not always please others.   The journey often times is traveled alone.