Do you click pictures of sunsets?

I'm sure you do. We all do.

I like the colour variations and how it suddenly makes us pause whatever we're doing. Something powerful there about yielding that kind of influence without really trying, no?

I guess that's what beauty does - doesn't try.

But sunsets also signify the day's transition. A sunset makes that transition look good. Sometimes it is not as colourful or breathtaking, but we don't mind it.

We understand that it can't be a great show every day.

Shouldn't our reactions to personal transitions be similar too? It can't be a great show every time.

However, we fear transitionary phases endlessly. I think it is because we have labels like "confused," "lost," and "useful/useless." What these labels do is conclude the transition.

We don't do that when we look at sunsets. We acknowledge how pretty it is for as long as it is so. The moment it is dark, we continue with the day.

We don't try to ascertain how long the sunset will be pretty. We could probably do the same while undergoing personal transitions - resist conclusive labels.

I'm sure you're thinking - "Oh! this is easier said than done," and I agree. It isn't easy to have grace for oneself.

But maybe we could extend the behaviour where we document sunsets to documenting personal stages where we feel gripped by uncertainty.

And by documenting, I mean capturing your thought process in a way that helps you make better conclusions.

Better conclusions would be more actionable than simply declaring 'I'm lost' or 'I'm confused.' You stop answering the 'So what?' questions once you stick with the I don't know any better phase.

Remind yourself of a sunset. Who knows what beauty might emerge in your transition? What if it's like a beautiful sunset? Wouldn't it be nice?