How to Survive–and Even Thrive–with a Transient Life

Today I’m over at my friend Ginger’s blog. Ginger writes about how the difficult moments in our lives can become our defining–and even shining–moments, if we can only see God in them. Join me there?

If you are in your twenties, thirties, or even forties, there’s a good chance you’ve survived a move or two, most likely for career-related reasons. More and more, military families are not the only ones relocating every three to five years. The average American today will move eleven times in his or her life.

Personally, I beat the average by a mile. At forty years old, I’ve moved more than twenty-five times since birth. But the majority of my moves happened in my twenties and were driven by changes in roommate, changes in general locale (not a move to a new city, but a move within the same metro area) and the like. I have only made four major moves. Still, four is more than plenty, and I’m pretty sure they’re not over yet by a long shot. At forty, I have yet to own my own home, which is dismaying at times. Do I long for a house of my own, one where I can record my girls’ growth on the door trim and see it there thirty years from now? One where I can feel free to dig up the yard for a garden? One with my own version of a picket fence? Sure. But I know I have to embrace what I have or I risk living with constant dissatisfaction.

So how can you not only survive, but thrive, when you are moving to a new city, state, or even country? After four moves (and with a number of military family members), I’ve gained some insights into making the transient lifestyle one you can not only live with, but love.

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