This season of life is a time of transition for many of us as the school year ends, as life opens back up, as new opportunities become available, and as many people relocate. Any transition involves ending one chapter well in order to step into a new beginning.

My wife and I have had much experience with transitions. We were born and raised on different continents. She is from Europe, and I am from South America. We met in North America and have now lived in North Africa for the last 10 years, where we have enjoyed growing our family and making new friends.

As we prepare to leave North Africa and transition again to the U.S., I'm saying goodbye to a place that I have learned to call home. Even though I have plenty of experience saying goodbye to people and places, transition is always difficult.

My heart aches to know that I will not be able to visit the local convenience store and chat with the owner about his family or that I will no longer see the butcher who often provided a bone for my dog in exchange for conversation about life, politics, and faith.

Saying goodbye to friends, especially those whom I call brothers and sisters and have become like family, will be most difficult. I have a habit of growing attached to people easily, which makes saying goodbye that much more difficult.

As I begin the process of transitioning, I am planning to do so in a special way.

Here are 4 tips I have learned to transition well:

1. Say goodbye to favorite places. Some of my favorite places are the "El Jem" Roman amphitheater, the city of Sfax, and the beach in Kelibia. And who can forget the Sahara Desert? My family and I look forward to honoring places where we've created memories of play, laughter, and peace.
   
   
2. Enjoy the present moment. Give yourself permission to be present in this moment without getting lost in the past or rushing ahead towards the future. I am enjoying playing games with friends, exploring together on a hike, watching sunrises and sunsets, spending time on the beach, and singing together around a campfire.
   
   
3. Celebrate friendships and community. Laugh and cry together. Transition creates a special opportunity to reflect on the significance of relationships and the meaning and value of each friendship. Reflect on favorite memories together and look forward to ways of reconnecting in the future. Take time to celebrate special times and people and how they have impacted who you are today.
   
   
4. Embrace the adventure of life. . . one step at a time. Change is inevitable and part of the adventure of life. Change creates new pathways internally and externally. Intentionally enjoy the ride as well as the destination.

I am learning to adapt and to find home wherever I am in the world. With the grief of one chapter ending comes the excitement of a new chapter beginning.

What is your new chapter?

About the Author: Tony is the IDEAS Director of Project Operations. He and his family reside in Tunisia and enjoy calling this their home. Enjoy other blogs by Tony, such as How Hope Opens New Possibilities.