For the first two decades of life, we devote the majority of our time to learning. To absorbing knowledge. To broadening our horizons. To complimenting our growing bodies with an expanding, curious mind. But as we get older, there’s a shift. Learning morphs from joyous and inquisitive into undesirable, embarrassing and taxing.

In conversation this week I was reminded of the Golden Rule. You know the one: Treat others as you’d like to be treated. When it comes to interacting with others in any scenario — work, personal, or somewhere in between — I think it’s a pretty good north star. It reminds us to see ourselves in others. And to keep common decency and humanity in mind. But I have to be honest. I also think something is missing.

Over time those gentle whispers from the universe to never underestimate the power of my thoughts got louder. And louder. Eventually they were full fledge screams, and I was forced to listen up — and listen good. I finally thought, “Well hell. What do I have to lose?” 

Whether it’s your 10th or 100th time going through a transition, you’re always going to learn something new about yourself. What triggers you. What makes you tick. What you’re really having trouble letting go of. What you’re (surprisingly) able to throw by the wayside as you move right along.

Truth? I hate bad weather. Storms (snow or rain — no bias here!) and extreme temps have me hiding out in my apartment, waiting for it all to pass. As it relates to times of transition however, I’m the first to admit that this isn’t the best approach.

I recently heard a beautiful analogy in a guided meditation class about our thoughts, and it was so good that I had to share it: think of the mind as something akin to a snow globe.