The Space Between Chapters

When was the last time you walked through a door not knowing what was on the other side?

On this side of the door, there is familiarity and comfort. On the other side is the unknown. We may think we have some idea of what it will look like, but the picture is still unclear—untested and unfamiliar.

Sometimes walking through the door means retiring from a beloved career, entering an empty nest, or experiencing a change in a relationship. This side of the door represents the life we know well. The other side ushers us into change.

Sometimes that change feels frightening. Sometimes it feels exhilarating. Often, it feels like both. Either way, stepping through the threshold can bring a tingle of anticipation.

But what if we stayed present in the threshold?  Instead of rushing to the other side, what if we lingered for a while? What if we explored this space and noticed what is changing?

What are we leaving behind?

What do we want to carry with us?

What might we be ready to let go of?

Launching Arise has me walking through a door of my own. There is uncertainty and anticipation as I step into this new chapter. Lingering in the threshold has given me the opportunity to think about what I want to leave behind and what I want to carry forward.

It is both scary and exhilarating.

And maybe I don't need to know exactly what is waiting on the other side. Maybe, for now, it's enough to stand in the doorway and pay attention.

What if the space between chapters isn't something we have to hurry through?