What's Next?

Change is inevitable.  Whether you are 18 or 70 or anywhere in between, we all go through transitions in our lives.  Some are joyous and anticipated for years such as weddings and births. Others are very painful. Some of that pain comes from letting go of the previous stage of your life.  Can we prepare ourselves for the transitions that come in our lives, making those transitions easier?  H. Norman Wright believes we can and even goes so far as to say that "transitions are opportunities to apply our faith".

Written with the baby boomer generation in mind, What's Next?: Navigating Transitions to Make The Rest of Your Life Count  gives the reader wonderful guidance regarding how to not only make the best of but actually thrive and excel in the second half of your marriage,  midlife, an empty next, becoming a granparent, retirement, and even loss among other things.  I have always considered my parents to be more in this stage of life than I am.  However, I'm approaching these events in my life and long to do so with joy and anticipation, not dread and tears.

I particulary enjoyed Mr. Wright's suggestions regarding the second half of marriage having been married to the same man for 26 years and nearing the point where it will be just the two of us again.  Mr. Wright states that it is "far more important to be the right person than it is to marry the right one", and "our marriage is like a car that every now and then needs a tune-up".  Too many times, especially in the midst of careers and caring for children, we neglect our marriage and find ourselves not really knowing who it is we're married to.  Unless we have truly committed ourselves to that marriage, we will run the danger of not seeing marriage for what it truly is and, instead, will be looking for someone to satisfy all our needs, ignoring the needs of our spouse and running the risk of never having a vital marriage.

Again, whether you are a young adult or older adult, there is much to be thought about throughout this book.  As a young adult, by reading, you will be better prepared for life's transitions and better understand the transitions your parents are experiencing.  As an older adult who may be experiencing some of these life changes, Mr. Wright gives you the steps and Godly wisdom he has gained in making it through those experiences.  While I did get the book to add to the church library, I think I've changed my mind and will keep it to refer back to again and again.

I did receive this book free from the publisher and was not obligated to leave a positive review.