starting over

Many of the people I care about are in a transitional period.

Transitional periods are usually time people become reflective. They use their reflection to promote growth or change within their life. But is this a healthy process?

Transitions already are loaded with pains, uncertainty, and change. Why must we be masochistic by bringing entire new worldviews into our lives? This question comes from a realization that their is only a limited change which can occur in one's personality. True change is never so drastic or immediate. But we think we can do it on the drop of a hat. Then, we become disappointed when it does not happen in the immediate desire of change. Eventually we return to our previous disposition without change.

What is the answer here? Why do we keep doing this? Is change ever permanent?

Starting over happens every day; and yet, it never really happens.