The in-between spaces.

“Your Daily Dose” is a quick two minute read packed with bite-sized wisdom from all the great teachers. But you could also choose to turn it into something more… a powerful daily practice for personal growth. Give it a try!

A message from today’s meditation:

We’ve all been there – that uncomfortable space where we know the old patterns no longer serve us, yet the path forward remains frustratingly unclear. This liminal space, the threshold between who we were and who we’re becoming, often feels like the purgatory that Dr. Suess described as the waiting place – a period in our life that feels like endless waiting, threatening to swallow our progress whole. But what if this in-between time isn’t a place of being stuck, but rather a sacred space of preparation?

Today’s thought from Iyanla Vanzant is my very favourite piece of her wisdom. Her message is about being in that space where I know that the old doesn’t serve me any longer, but I don’t quite have the clarity of what the next steps look like…

“You must be ready in mind, in body, and in spirit before you can make a change. People cannot convince you to do it. You cannot force you to do it. Everything you think, say, and do until that happens is just preparation. So love yourself right now. Honor yourself right now. Keep talking to yourself in encouraging ways. Keep thinking ready thoughts. In the meantime, try to remember you will not be ready until you are ready.” – Iyanla Vanzant

Our journey of “growth” doesn’t jump from A to Z but moves through layers, both inward and also outwardly.

The inward journey:

Our inner journey is a slow process of coming to an understanding of who/what we really are. And then from understanding, making our way to acceptance. Acceptance of the past that created our thought processes. Acceptance of our past need for certain coping mechanisms in order to feel safe. Accepting our past SELF for not knowing any better, and now – one step at a time without blaming our old self – making those new choices to create a future we want to be a part of.

But we only become ready for each of these steps one at a time. 

The outward journey:

And so it is too, with the new that we want to draw into our lives. Making changes to our careers, to our relationships, and perhaps even relocating. Our journey outward also happens one layer at a time creating new habits, new routines, new patterns, new responses, taking steps forward.

And again, we become ready for these new layers, one at a time. 

The problem is…

… how we deal with the in-between times when it feels like we are stuck. When it feels like, “yes there’s been some growth, but now I’ve become stagnant…?”

Sometimes we’re just not ready yet, and how we see ourselves during these liminal times is a huge factor in how we navigate the next steps. 

This is where the above wisdom from Iyanla Vanzant can help support you… love yourself right now, honour yourself right now, understand that you are busy preparing, keep encouraging yourself and keep thinking ready thoughts. You will not be ready until you’re ready. But in the meantime you are getting ready to be ready.

There is a space between “no longer” and “not yet”, the sensing that something is coming to an end without having clarity of what’s next. This can either become the quicksand that you lose your life in, or a powerful time of preparation.

For any change to take place what we need most is patience, and today’s meditation is a great tool for practicing patience. Learning how to BE with exactly where you find yourself right now, without losing hope if the progress feels slow.

Mantras for navigating the liminal space:

• “I am not stuck, I am preparing.”
• “I am getting ready to be ready.”
• “Self-compassion and patience is my anchor.”
• “The in-between space holds the potential for profound change.”
• “I trust the process, and I trust myself.”

By embracing the liminal space and approaching it with patience and self-compassion, you can transform this seemingly stagnant phase into a catalyst for positive change. Remember, even the most magnificent butterfly needed a period within its chrysalis before it could take flight. So, breathe deeply, be kind to yourself, and trust that your transformation is unfolding exactly as it should.

– pierre –

Today’s LIVE meditation is: Come to your senses.

Today’s LIVE meditation

https://youtu.be/xSMsL6NWD68 2024

https://youtu.be/7FZOsWnfx2U 2023

Practice the “Daily Dose”

Let’s put it into practice! Choose what works for you – daily, once a week or whenever inspiration strikes. Putting pen to paper wires the neural pathways that will create your new habits.

1 – Affirmation

Write down your favourite affirmation on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you’ll be able to see it the whole day.

• “I am not stuck, I am preparing.”
• “I am getting ready to be ready.”
• “Self-compassion and patience is my anchor.”
• “The in-between space holds the potential for profound change.”
• “I trust the process, and I trust myself.”

2 – A moment of reflection

Use today’s question as a journal prompt. If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, just take a moment to reflect on your response.

Getting Ready to be Ready: Iyanla Vanzant reminds us that “everything you think, say, and do until you’re ready is just preparation… keep thinking ready thoughts.” Much of preparation happens beneath the surface—internal shifts in perspective, subtle changes in self-talk, quiet moments of building courage, private decisions to try again tomorrow. What invisible preparation work are you doing that no one else can see? Journal about the internal changes that don’t show up on the outside yet: the way you’re catching negative thoughts more quickly, the small boundaries you’re experimenting with, the kinder voice you’re cultivating toward yourself. Honor this unseen labor of getting ready.

3 – Quotes to share

Send a quote to someone who needs it, or share them all on social media to spread the good vibes!

4 – Q&A for deeper learning

Read through the questions and answers and write down at least one “aha moment” that clicked for you.

Q1: How do I know if I’m actually growing or just making excuses for being stuck?

A: The key difference lies in your internal state and small daily choices. True preparation involves subtle but consistent shifts—perhaps you’re asking different questions, responding to triggers with slightly more awareness, or feeling drawn to new perspectives. Genuine preparation feels like gentle momentum, even if progress isn’t visible externally. Being stuck typically involves repetitive mental loops, avoidance behaviors, and a sense of mental stagnation. Ask yourself: “Am I engaging differently with my challenges, even in small ways?” If yes, you’re likely preparing rather than stuck.

Q2: What does it mean to “keep thinking ready thoughts” as Iyanla Vanzant suggests?

A: Ready thoughts are mental patterns that align you with growth and possibility rather than limitation and fear. Instead of thinking “I’m not ready for this change,” a ready thought might be “I’m becoming more prepared each day.” Rather than “I don’t know what to do,” try “I’m open to clarity as it emerges.” Ready thoughts focus on your developing capacity, maintain hope for positive outcomes, and acknowledge that timing matters in transformation. They’re not forced positivity, but rather thoughts that keep you mentally and emotionally available for the next step.

Q3: How long should I expect to stay in this in-between space?

A: There’s no universal timeline for liminal spaces because readiness is highly individual and depends on numerous factors—the complexity of the change, your life circumstances, previous experiences, and the depth of transformation required. Some transitions unfold over weeks, others over months or even years. Rather than focusing on duration, pay attention to the quality of your experience. Are you learning, growing, and maintaining hope? The in-between space serves its purpose when you’ve developed the internal resources needed for your next phase. Trust that your readiness will emerge organically when all the necessary preparation is complete.

Q4: How can I practice patience when everyone around me seems to be moving forward while I feel stagnant?

A: Remember that external appearances rarely reflect internal realities. Others may appear to be making rapid progress, but you cannot see their struggles, setbacks, or their own periods of preparation. Your growth journey is uniquely yours and operates on its own timeline. Practice returning your attention to your own path by celebrating small internal shifts, honoring your courage to grow authentically rather than superficially, and reminding yourself that deep transformation requires different timing than surface-level changes. Consider that your thorough preparation may lead to more sustainable, lasting change than rushed progress.

Q5: What’s the difference between healthy patience and passive resignation during these transitional periods?

A: Healthy patience involves active engagement with your growth process—staying curious about your patterns, remaining open to insights, making small experiments, and maintaining hope while accepting current timing. It includes self-compassion and trust in the unfolding process. Passive resignation, however, involves disconnection from your growth journey, giving up on possibilities, avoiding self-reflection, and settling for circumstances out of fear rather than wisdom. Healthy patience says “I’m preparing for my next step,” while resignation says “Nothing will ever change.” The key is maintaining engagement with your development while releasing attachment to specific timelines.

Q6: How do I handle friends and family who pressure me to make changes before I feel ready?

A: Set gentle but firm boundaries by acknowledging their care while maintaining your autonomy. You might say something like, “I appreciate your concern and support. I’m actively working on this area of my life, and I need to honor my own timing for making sustainable changes.” Remember that others’ urgency often reflects their own discomfort with uncertainty rather than what’s truly best for you. Share Vanzant’s wisdom if it feels appropriate: people cannot convince you or force you to change before you’re ready. Your readiness is an internal state that others cannot assess from the outside. Focus on surrounding yourself with people who can support your process without rushing it.

Q7: What practical steps can I take to make the most of this preparatory time?

A: Engage in practices that support inner development: regular self-reflection through journaling, meditation, or quiet contemplation; reading or learning about areas related to your desired growth; having honest conversations with trusted friends or a counselor; paying attention to your emotional patterns and triggers; experimenting with small changes that feel manageable; and practicing the mantras mentioned—”I am not stuck, I am preparing” and “Self-compassion and patience is my anchor.” Also, engage with your senses and present moment awareness, as suggested in the original meditation. The key is remaining actively engaged with your inner world while releasing pressure for immediate external results.