The InBetween

Do you remember the day you graduated from high school or college? The day had finally arrived, years of study and labor had finally paid off. You sat in your seat listening to the speakers, but not listening to the speakers. The only thought on your mind was that diploma with your name on it. You walked proudly across the stage, smiled, shook hands, took photos with family and friends, smiled more and drove home. There you sat on your bed when it hit you, “What am I going to do now?” Or what about the day you left the job you were a part of for years? You cleared your workspace, filled a few boxes with personal belongings, loaded the car, and on the way home it hit you, “What am I going to do now?” And then there’s the day your first child, or perhaps your last child, left home. In each case you felt lost, empty and confused experiencing the loss of what you left and confusion about where you were going. 

In that moment, in that transitional place of the “InBetween,” we step from what was to… And therein lies the problem, the silent uncomfortable pause in our life story. The loss we feel is connected to the loss of the Identity we created from what we left or what left us. One moment we are secure in our direction, plan, and purpose. The next moment we feel lost, abandoned and confused. 

This uncomfortable pause is the place of the “InBetween.” It was never meant to be a place of struggle, but a place of rest, reflection and revision. Every year, season’s change and the place where seasons exchange one for another is in the place called the “InBetween.” When was the last time you saw a tree gripped with fear not knowing what it should do next? When was the last time you saw the mountains shudder with anxiety not knowing how the winter snow will effect it? It’s because they stay focused on who or what they are, not what they were.

The “InBetween” is a place for pause and preparation, not fear and confusion. Don’t focus on what you lost, but what you’ve gained. Don’t focus on where you’ve been, but on where you are. Don’t focus on what you had, but on what you have. Keep in mind that you came through that season because of who you are, not because of who you are not. 

When you find yourself in the place of the “InBetween,” remember that this is a place of rest, reflection and revision. In the place of the “InBetween,” focus on who you ARE, not who you WERE. When you do, I’m willing to bet you will quickly discover that you are no longer who you were and realize a new season is coming. In the place of the “InBetween” start where you’re at because you have more than you had. Use what you have because you have more than you thought. And do what you can because the next season is about to bloom.