June is a month marking beginnings and ends – weddings, graduations, anniversaries.  It's not really about the occasion – it's what we do with it.  Although graduation refers to the end of one's scholastic journey, we use the term “commencement” which refers to beginning and starting – not ending.  When one's formal education ends – one's professional life beings. 

If only we had this attitude for all aspects of life.  Remember Closing Time by Semisonic? “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end”.  Let's think of some “beginnings” and “endings” in life – and how they relate to one another.

• Career change (voluntarily or involuntarily) --> opportunity to meet new people, learn new concepts, face new challenges
• Moving to a new location (city, state, even country) --> new perspective, test your resilience, appreciate your adaptability
• Marriage/Anniversary (being something greater than just yourself) learn to share your life, bask in the joy of another, reflect on accomplishments
  
• Birth of a child (end of personal freedom!) --> sacrifice for another, pass on traditions and heritage, feel proud to be a role model, experience unconditional love

Am I forgetting something? What endings have you found led to a new beginning?  Success in life is not based upon experiences, but how we handle those experiences.  Don't let your experiences lead to an end – have them create a new beginning.  The same holds true in the professional world.  When one door closes – another one always opens somewhere.

I'll leave you with Closing Time – and a link to our fabulous audiobook catalog filled with inspirational titles on living life to its fullest, maintaining the proper perspective, and learning from life's experiences. 

Semisonic - Closing Time

3Leaf Group Audiobook Library

Looking for inspiration?  Look no further.