It’s not a commonly used word. Transition – We’re all in transition of one kind or another, changing, going from one stage of life to another, transitioning. Changing the subject matter of a discussion, moving on to a different thought. Transition is the link connecting different thoughts and ideas. My Miami Memoirs podcast story (see lewisress.com), involves changing from the military to the civilian life and being told to do something that I knew was unethical. I just couldn’t do it. What about the Russian soldier who was ordered to shoot the Ukrainian civilian? He said that he was just following orders. If he disobeyed, he would likely have been shot. The Ukrainian military court didn’t buy it. Life in jail.
One of my acquaintances was a full colonel in the Marines and as a doctor, in charge of running a hospital. The commanding officer, also a full colonel, ordered him to empty out the hospital, to discharge all of the patients. As a doctor, my friend refused to follow what he felt was an illegal order. My friend was relieved of his duties and reassigned to Alaska the very next day. He resigned his commission and ended his career.
Of course, there are many transitions in life, from being single to being married, from being a student to graduation and working, from being a child to becoming an adult and there are sexual transitions. What about becoming a parent? Or what about transitioning to another sex? That’s a hot subject. What makes a person a woman or a man, their intent? Should a woman transvestite be allowed to compete in athletics against other non transvestite women who are less physically strong? Well, Rene Richards did it in tennis some time ago. What about swimming or wrestling? Some women are complaining.
Governments are transitioning with the transfer of power after an election. Just ask Mike Pence. When Napoleon became Emperor, he crowned himself during the transition ceremony at the cathedral. Institutions go through transitions. The United States Supreme Court is transitioning backwards toward the dark ages. The final transition is leaving old age behind.
Stay happy ~ Lewis