When You’ve Got Nothing Left – Managing Transition in Life

This is the first year I have ever truly embraced fall. Historically, I could live with or without it. Living in the south, much of the transition to winter is subtle and does not actually take place until winter is in full swing. The temperature is still in the 80s and 90s. Occasionally, I consider wearing a jacket outside in the morning, but I quickly dismiss the notion recognizing that even if the temperature stays as is, as warm-blooded as I am, I will do just fine without one. I just never saw the excitement in embracing a season of transition. I appreciate sunshine. I appreciate snow. The rest is of little consequence. I have no strong opinions one way or another.

This year I have fallen in love with all things fall. From pumpkin spice lattes, to hayrides and pumpkin patches, to cool mornings followed by bearable heated afternoons. Perhaps it was Felicity Bee’s Fall Family Challenge. I decorated my house. I surrounded myself with touches of fall. My son, my daughter, and I collected acorns and pine cones. Maybe that did it. Perhaps it was my journey to minimalism. I put away my summer garments, and I pulled out sweaters, long sleeved shirts, and boots. A few new pieces added something extra to my wardrobe and consequently my overall look and confidence.

The more likely culprit, though, for my most recent love affair is my current state of being. Fall perfectly represents how I feel about life right now. I am in between seasons. I am and have been living life in transition. When one part of life settles, another part kicks up a fuss. Just when routines get comfortable, a new element strolls in and creates disequilibrium (gotta love college and its fancy schmancy words).

Each day I wake up in the morning, and I am tired before it starts. Each morning, I wake up, and I pray the same prayer:

“Dear God, I’ve got nothing left.”

And I hear the line from the movie Angels in the Outfield, “You’ve got an angel with you right now.”  The line has ingrained itself in my mind.  I actually heard it over and over in a preview for one of my favorite Disney movies growing up, and from the first time I heard it, I loved it.  I loved it then.  I love it now.

A player tells the coach, “I’ve got nothing left.”  The coach responds, “You’ve got an angel with you right now.”

“You’ve got an angel with you right now.”

I have spent the last two months oversharing on my favorite social media.  I do this not because  I want the world to see how great I am, how great my life is.  Instead, I want the world to see my angels.  I want everyone to see those moments in life that meant the world to me.  I wanted to share the times God took the time to remind me He has it all in control.

The first sip of a pumpkin spice latte.

A finished Pinterest project gone right.

A hayride around a beautiful City Park.

An imperfect family photo.

Date night.

A win on Friday nights against seemingly insurmountable odds.  A kid’s song stuck in my head as soon as I wake up in the morning with the lyrics, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”  An evening game of “Go Ape.”  A day off from my toughest class replaced with hearty laughter at a professional development meeting.  A glimpse at how my ordinary is extraordinary.

I leave you with three thoughts for what to do when you have got nothing left.

1.  Remember you have an angel with you.  Sometimes those angels are friends, family, and loved ones.  Sometimes they are the miracles, coincidences, breakthroughs, and “right place at the right time” moments.  Sometimes they are the calm voice, the beautiful song you needed you cannot get out of your head, the internal whisper that everything will be all right.
2. Be grateful.  Practice an attitude of gratitude.  Freeze those instances you wanted time to stand still.  Write them down.  Take a picture.  Do whatever you need to do to document that, “This just happened.”  Right when you needed it most.
3. Just wake up in the morning.  Let God take it from there.

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What are some things you do to cope when you’ve got nothing left?  How do you handle transitions in life?

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Here of some of my favorite bloggers who keep me going.  I want to thank each of you for how much you impact my life daily.  Some of youhave nominated me for awards to which I say thank you!  Check them out when you have got nothing left or when you need a little encouragement.

1. Confessions of Reborn Girl
2. Exploring Mama
3. Woman on the Ledge
4. Mitch Teemley
5. Beauty Beyond Bones
6. The Felicity Bee
7. Married by His Grace
8. Be More with Less
9. Counting My Blessings

And last but not least – my mentor, my rock.  She has truly been a blessing to my life since I was 16 years old. I do not know what I would do without her.  Words cannot express the tremendous impact she has had on my life.  I love you.  And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for always remembering me, looking out for me, encouraging me, and praying for me.  You have no idea how much you mean to me.

10.  Pics and Posts