When Endings Become Beginnings – By Dr. Bill Fix

The Moment Everything Falls Apart

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle

You’ve probably had a moment where life yanked the frayed end of your rope. It leaned in close and whispered, “That’s it! Curtains!” Maybe thoughts screamed “I’m done! I’m fired! I’m found out!”  Culminating with the end of the road classic and dramatic encore:” I’m dead!” There are different words, but the same punchline: “this is finished!” Sometimes, that’s true. Maybe it is the job, the relationship, or the plan. It could even be the version of yourself holding everything together with caffeine and sheer stubbornness. But here’s what nobody tells you when you’re panicking. The thing may be finished, but you are not.

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

Seeing Opportunity in Closure

When one door slams, we don’t just stare at the splinters in our nose. We notice the hallway, the side gate, and the window. There’s a brand-new road that we couldn’t even see until the old one ended. What now? What is next? Where are my talents, gifts, personality, experiences, and passions needed? It is time to look beyond the shadows of the past. We must also see past the shock of the present. Let us move to a time of contemplating the possibilities of the future. This is time to think.

It is not a time to doubt your own abilities and possibilities. Training may be needed to start something soon, but remember, you have had continual training anyway. You are a perpetual learner. At the end of every day, you should hear the song “Pomp and Circumstance.” You should also receive a virtual diploma for what you have learned and accomplished that day. Identifying your next move requires contemplation and learning. Do not fear this, embrace it. Go for it.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” Muhammad Ali

Your attitude needs to be the attitude of a winner. You can do this. Who wouldn’t want to hire you with the tremendous commitment you offer to your future. You are power in a small package like TNT. Dwell on your capabilities. As you contemplate your future you will get to a point where it is time to transition from thinking and planning to action.

Action

You have contemplated what you need to do next. Now it is time to get busy. It is time to knock on doors, make suggestions, make phone calls, and confidently go for it. Leave no bush or brush pile unchecked. It is like the hunter who tried to stay warm in his deer blind for eight hours straight. Finally at the end of the day, he walked behind his blind where he noticed a small thicket. Suddenly the thicket came alive with four deer running out the back of the thicket. You never know where the next opportunity will come from. Conduct a thorough search. This way, your next opportunity will not escape.

When the word gets out that you are looking for your next opportunity, one will surface. Leave no stone uncovered. When the time is right your journey will continue in a different direction.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”  Nelson Mandela

I encourage you to see the end of the rope not as the end. It is time to grab the next rope. Like being in the jungle with Tarzan. He moved swiftly through the jungle. He swung on one vine, let it go, and grabbed the next one. He never stopped until he reached his destination. When you are at the end of something and you hear, “You’re finished,” don’t believe it. Something else is just ahead.

I encourage you to see the end of the rope not as the end. It is time to grab the next rope. Like being in the jungle with Tarzan. He moved swiftly through the jungle. He swung on one vine, let it go, and grabbed the next one. He never stopped until he reached his destination. When you are at the end of something and you hear, “You’re finished,” don’t believe it. Something else is just ahead.