Good Beginnings

I’m sitting here, thinking about the Ravens winning the Super Bowl, and considering the important experiences in our lives. There are those profound moments that we never forget. Those of us who are Ravens fans can probably remember where we were and how we celebrated their first Super Bowl victory. We remember that experience of excitement that consumed our senses and put an extra spring in our step. We remember the hope of the next year and the pride we took in the victory won for our city.

There are many profound moments in life that deserve that same kind of attention and reflection. There are many, however, that we fail to mark the way we mark events like the Superbowl. For instance, how many of you have marked or remembered a point of reconciliation with a loved one that led to a closer relationship? Or, have you ever celebrated the moment of realizing you matured beyond a bad habit?

There are important emotional markers that are integral to our development. These emotional markers often get overlooked. They come at transitional intersections, where there are important endings and equally significant new beginnings.

In my office, I often talk about the importance of ending well and beginning well. Transitions should be approached with a great deal of mindfulness. Transitions give us cues to our level of maturity, our spiritual development, our emotional well-being. These transitions are worth celebrating. They are the internal milestones that propel us forward and help us to be more maturely engaged in our world.

Consider these milestones for yourself, today. How can you celebrate these experiences and develop gratitude for those in your life who have shaped that maturity in you? If you travel that road, you’ll have a unique opportunity to know yourself and your loved ones more deeply. After all, it’s not just about ending well it’s about the important beginning that unfolds afterwards.