Life in the Slow Lane

I’ve been reflecting on transitions—especially liminal spaces, the “in-between.” Last month, I wrote about the tension of Winter giving way to Spring, one season clinging as another emerges. Uncertainty naturally creates tension, and I see these transitional spaces often in my clients’ lives—especially in intimate relationships, whether with others or with themselves.

In relationships, the question that often surfaces is:
Should I stay or go?

Within ourselves, especially in middle age, it becomes:
Is there something more I’m meant to do—creatively, professionally?

In both cases, urgency builds. But without a clear answer or path, it’s easy to feel stuck and hopeless. Sitting still feels almost impossible when the desire for change is so strong. Yet, rationally, we know that forcing anything rarely yields sustainable results.

 After talking about this with a dear friend, she sent me a quote from Melinda Gates that stayed with me:

 “I never thought that when I got to 60 that I’d be so vibrant and wanting to work so much and wanting to take on new things,” she says.  “It’s actually really, really exciting.”
“Make yourself pause and see the clearing.  What is it I really want to do next?” she says.  “We have to be purposeful enough to let the pause come and not be afraid of it to rush to the other side.”

Melinda’s words brought back the memory of a note my mom attached to a gift for me many years ago:

“Dear Child,
How could this wait til Xmas when clearly it stole your heart now?  Don’t want you having to wait for ALL your favorite things—just the REALLY IMPORTANT ONES!”

Timeless wisdom.

“I’m so happy I have to regret that”, said no one ever.  Maybe you needed to hear that today, as much as I did.