TRANSITION.....

A series of essays.....

AS CERTAIN AS THE SUN SETS IN THE EVENING.....

.....MAY THE FEELING OF 'HOPE' RISE UP WITH THE SUN IN THE MORNING!!!

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

TRANSITION.....

.....is a form of adjustment between two independent states or time periods. A serious attempt to blend as seamlessly as possible from one perspective into another while causing minimal harm, confusion, or disruption of the normal state of affairs. 

Most of us strive to make a smooth transition into a neighborhood we've recently moved into, the act of changing from a high school routine to the rigors of a college curriculum in a matter of a few months, or conquering the adjustments to be made while exchanging one job and entering another one. Without having to make extraordinary life sacrifices or changes, most of us expect to have to make a few concessions while accomplishing these human tasks. So, with an open mind we charge forward into a world of the unknown and openly adjust to its social and business acumen in order to humanly mix our train of thought and beliefs with those we have recently placed around us. We have willingly transitioned from one particular world into another producing minor shock waves along the way.

Certain transition periods are not of our own making and the change or cause to change from one state (stage) to another can occur, not in a blink of an eye, but in a matter of time that is pleasing to the system and comforting for the soul. 

Mother Nature caresses us with soft summer breezes and conditions us to the crisp smells and sounds of summer's gentle decay come autumn. We may even enjoy the thrill of skiing down snow powered slopes on a bright winter's day and sipping hot cocoa later by a warming fireside. The genuine anticipation of the profusion of color poking through the remnants of melting ice and snow in the form of hearty flora seeks to delight our senses like nothing else imaginable in the springtime of our seasonal changes. The transition from one season into another eases us from one miraculous stage to another. Human nature accepts these changes as markers denoting our personal life cycles ranging from childhood to the final breath we take here on Mother Earth. 

Creatively, we embrace our own 'rite of passage' as we celebrate or mark our change of status on a significant occasion. This may be the onset of puberty, the entry into a select group or service, or any other act or event marking a passage from one stage of life to another. Most cultures, religions, and societies embrace some form of these rituals as standard practice and appeal. It is customary to assist the individual involved by offering a smooth transition from one point of their life into the next. 

So, it might be buying a friend a mug of beer with a cigarette chaser on his birthday. It might be painting your body in bright colors and walking down the paths of your village parading before Elders and fellow villagers. If you celebrate the Catholic Faith, you may feel you are a living part of a significant religious rite of passage by asking yourself to remember your First Communion. Obtaining your first driver's license, a first kiss, new boyfriend/girlfriend and, who can forget the ancient transition into adulthood by being asked to attend your first (and only) snipe hunt.....these are all traditions that segue or transition us into a whole new world, often with the help of family, friends, and members of the clergy.

One week after the highly disputed election for President of the United States, insiders within his transition team are agreeing that Donald Trump is already botching the transition of power associated with the exit of one administration and the establishment of an incoming administration.

Somehow, this hardly comes as a huge shock.

Despite his rabid Twitter campaign where he states that "I am the only one who knows who the 'finalists' are in my Cabinet decisions," the confidence many Americans have in this man, and all of the people who surround him at this moment, should be shaken and distorted. Reality television at its finest! It is most worrisome to experience such lack of true leadership and common sense when it comes to engaging in a very important transition that will, ultimately, affect all of us.....in this country and around the world!

"In another sign that Trump was caught flat-footed by winning the election, his transition team has been slow to engage with the outgoing administration," writes POLITICO. Even though the Obama administration is offering all of the help they can to Trump's team in order to create a smooth transition of power, it does not seem to be enough to iron-out the massive 'kinks' that plague a group of people who favor infighting over cooperation.

And, you can be certain that whatever Mr. Trump throws at us off of his Twitter feed in the form of explanation can and should be given a one-hundred and eighty degree twist every time. Much like throughout his entire campaign, while smearing each of his opponents, the lies about them could be seen instead as the truths about himself and his own lifestyle and beliefs. 

Let us be totally and unequivocally honest with ourselves here as we discuss the transition of power in the case of the Trump family and related businesses. To do this we must think more along the lines of incorporating and harnessing the powers of this great office for the enhancement of personal gains for the family who will be selling their shiny bracelets and bobbles, their resorts and golf courses, and their towers made of gold to the world. Pure Profit and Greed at the expense of the betterment and safety of all of the people of this nation, whether they voted for him or not.

#Stephen Bannon, #White Supremacy, #KKK, #American Nazi Party, #Total Fear, #How Much Is Too Much Power?......

And, the list could continue on and on and on until the American people attempt to understand what this new administration stands for and how little we, as citizens, stand to gain in the next four years of a Trump administration.

It is my belief that most of us will understand this dilemma much sooner rather than later, if not already. Especially when we see that government spending will quickly reach unimaginable heights with his five-hundred and fifty billion dollar (recently reduced from one-trillion dollars - has no clue) infrastructure spending package, 'magic' wall, and the realization that those new/old factory job opportunities that our fore bearers coveted upon high school graduation will not be forthcoming as promised. Via the application of robotics and economic restructuring, they are yesterday's news and   incapable of being resurrected again because......the times they-are always a-changin.' 

Okay....

This story is about transition. This story is about making transitions from one point, tradition, and time to another as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. It is about adjusting well throughout these transitions and becoming a stronger, more knowledgeable human being (country) on the other side. 

In order to get critical points across in terms of explaining ourselves, we often must present opposing examples with the hope of comparison in mind. Unfortunately, looking at the folks on the Trump transition team this past week, it's easy to see that the words 'smooth' and 'transition' do not blend well together. 

Now comes the difficulty with any transfer of power: knowing how to govern the people well. Especially those who have thrown one hundred percent of their life's blood and trust into a president-elect who isn't a traditional Republican in any sense of the term but the new leader of a populist movement that broadly disagrees with party leaders on a multitude of important policy issues.

Thus far, so much for stanching the flow of blood pouring from this wounded nation and her people. So much for eliminating confusion and mayhem while you seek sanctuary from your public responsibilities and enjoy a steak dinner with 'the family' at the 21 Club two blocks from your golden tower as the New York elite sing your praises and you promise to lower their taxes for them even more. 

Lastly, so much for eliminating the disruption of the government's state of affairs as you and your team continue to blunder, argue, and stumble through what should be lots of hard work at the most and basic cooperation among one another at the least in order to make this transition as smooth and cohesive as it can be.

Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes

All rights reserved