What is it that we trust as we face change? Do we trust in ourselves, a higher power, a therapist, luck of the draw or the numbers?   All of the above?

I received the following from a friend of mine - I was suppose to forward it to 12 people but don’t get me started on that….  When going through change and transitions it is easy to doubt yourself.  You can find yourself asking, “Have I made the right decision?”, “Is this really what I should be doing?”  Trusting yourself ca be a challenge.  I think this would be a good wish for any of us in transition.

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”

It is easy to relate grief to a sad or tragic event - death of a loved one, loss of a essential paycheck, cutting a beloved program - but grief can and does occur with events that are thought of as positive. 

I went to a baby shower last week and listened to the mom talk about her loss of freedom and independence.  She didn’t use those terms but that was what she was talking about.  Her baby is beautiful, healthy and wanted but the mom still has a period of transition from no baby in the house to one.  She is grieving the loss of that freedom. 

Years ago I left one job and went to another - my dream job.  I wanted this change and was so excited about it I could hardly stand it until I started.  But there was still loss for me and a grieving process as I transitioned.

When organizations make changes, there is loss and grief.  Just as some people don’t want to admit the loss and grief so do organizations.  Organizations are even worse - rarely have I seen one how will acknowledge that there has been a loss.  They spend all their energy taking about the change and forget that there is a transitioning process.  I believe organizations would be healthier if they would allow their employees to acknowledge the loss and grief instead of ignoring it.  It’s like that old saying about ‘not opening that can of worms.’  Seems to me that can of worms is still there and we might as well deal with it instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.