Maturation

     Throughout life, we sequentially assume self-concepts that more and more accurately embrace life's complexity, and are better and better able to bring us real peace and joy. There's an intimate relationship between self-concept and worldview - both evolve if we mature normally.

     If we stop playing the piano on starting professional studies, our piano-playing skills progressively diminish 10, 20, 40 years down the road. The same holds for our inner life, if all our time and energy is directed outward to our career. "What you don't use, you lose."

     After devoting essentially everything we have to our career, how could we feel even remotely adequate at any other tasks? Is it surprising that many of us "will never retire"? A colleague's physician father was extremely upset recently because his research grant had not been renewed. He's 90 years old. It requires deep reflection to distinguish love of work from fear of moving on.

     Undergoing life transitions IS stressful, but we have no choice. Avoidance is not a healthy, satisfactory option.


     "To transform a transition from a threat to a learning opportunity, medical education should assist students and doctors in developing the coping skills they need to effectively deal with the challenges presented by new environments.”
       Teunissen PW, Westerman M. Opportunity or threat: the ambiguity of the consequences of transitions in medical education. Med Educ 2011; 45(1): 51-9.

     See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2013/02/286-human-journey-from-simple-facts-to.html
 

KIROVBILBAO   www.dpreview.com