The space in between

What allows us to thrive in “the space in between”?

The space between now and later…
The space between our past and our future…
The space between the bullets on our resumes…
The space between our intentions and our actions…
The space between one world and another…

In this space in between, it can be easy to get stuck. It can be easy to feel lost.

This is because the space in between is the space of 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴.

In this tender space, we emerge from who we once were into who we will be. We unfold, we reveal, we resist. We look back. We look forward. We look around with confusion.

I am a student of this space in between, this space that is neither here nor there. The Aztecs called it 𝘕𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘢. In the liminal space of Nepantla, we find a limitless space for transformation.

If you are in the “in between-ness” of life, to you, I humbly offer one of my greatest lessons. It’s a lesson that came from my own stumbling and my own stuckness.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Beliefs become ingrained within us over time, and we can forget that we have the choice to switch them up.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻.

Here’s a place to play with this technique. Fill in the blanks:

• I used to believe  ________.
• Now, I choose to believe _______.

Past beliefs weren’t necessarily wrong, and you weren’t wrong for having them.

The space in between is the pause that gives you a chance to ask if you want to retain that same belief or select a new one. Some examples from my own life:

1. 𝙄 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 I was new and not yet knowledgeable. 𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 I have valuable experience and lots of knowledge to share.
2. 𝙄 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 money needed to be saved at all costs. 𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 that money can be saved, spent, and invested wisely.
3. 𝙄 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 that being a leader required inevitable stress and pressure. 𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 that leadership is an act of liberation that makes possible a felt experience of peace.

Belief is a powerful salve that soothes self-doubt. The key is to ensure your belief is aligned to the person you’re becoming, not just the person you’ve always been.

Eventually, with practice, your choice to 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 something new will actually 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 something new. Choice fuels belief. Belief fuels becoming.

Are you navigating 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯? If so, what belief are you ready to shed? How might this be your invitation to step into a new belief that will power your path?