I’ve learned over time that transition has three parts: an ending, a messy middle, and a new beginning.
For the last three years, life has been one long series of endings.
Leaving full-time work. Family losses. An abrupt move. Health changes.
Lately, I’ve been wondering if I’m finally working my way through the messy middle.
Last week, Marcia and I were hiking in the Sierras toward a small waterfall.
A sign near the trailhead told us the regular path was closed; we’d need to detour. Some sections of the detour were marked. Others weren’t. We had to stop, look around and figure out where the trail went next.
Reorient.
We climbed through switchbacks, scrambled across rocks and stopped more than once to catch our breath at 7,000 feet.
Sometimes we were alone on the trail. Occasionally, younger hikers passed us quickly on their way up.
We also met people coming back down.
They’d already been where we were going and told us it was worth the work.
Then, something changed.
I heard rushing water.
I still couldn’t see the waterfall—wasn’t sure exactly how much farther we had to go.
A quarter mile later, we rounded the next switchback and there it was. We watched it flow—caught our breath.
Then I turned to look out over the path we had just climbed. I saw its beauty in a way I couldn’t with my head down, picking my way through the switchbacks and boulders, cursing silently.
And occasionally out loud.
The last three years haven’t been a straight path. I’ve spent most of them adapting, changing direction, finding a way forward.
Reorienting.
After 20+ years of marathon running, there are no races on my calendar.
I’m not pushing myself to build something new professionally. I’m even letting some of my credentials expire.
For years, those markers helped me find my way. Without them, I feared I would lose the identity I had built. Now I’m wondering if I’m making room for something else.
I can’t quite see the new beginning yet, but I think I’m starting to hear it.
And for today, that’s enough.
If any part of this feels familiar, I’d love to hear your story.
Just hit reply.
I read and respond to every message.
— Mark Wigginton
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📬 MarkW@FocusingOnResults.com
🌐 www.focusingonresults.com
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P.S. If this message resonated with you, it might speak to someone else too. Forward it to a friend who’s ready for their next chapter—you never know what kind of shift a few words of encouragement can spark.
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