Abundant with possibility
August is a threshold month. We find ourselves no longer in the full bloom of summer, not yet fully immersed in the crisp call of autumn. It is a space that could be thought of as the in-between—a time of somewhat longer shadows, more subtle mornings, with little hints of change on the horizon.
And isn’t that what much of our professional and personal lives are, too? A series of in-between spaces: transitions, pauses, and waiting rooms of the soul.
This August, may you embrace—not resist—the in-between.
Welcoming the In-Between
Career professionals are often conditioned to measure life by achievements: promotions earned, goals completed, deadlines met. Yet the truth is, much of life is lived in the liminal spaces—the stretches between what was and what will be.
These are not wasted intervals. They are fertile ground.
Think of August itself: the gardens ripen, but harvests have not yet fully taken their course. The air still holds summer’s warmth, but autumn whispers its approach. In the same way, the in-between offers ripening—quiet preparation for what comes next.
Instead of rushing to the finish line or clinging to what’s fading, what if we leaned into the mystery of the middle? What if we trusted the in-between?
For mid-career women, the in-between often shows up as:
- Transitions at work: shifting roles, changing teams, or stepping into leadership.
- Inner realignment: realizing old definitions of success no longer fit, yet not fully knowing what the new version will be.
- Seasons of recalibration: caring for family, health, or personal projects alongside professional growth.
These are not detours. They are part of the path.
Sinking in with ease into the in-between doesn’t mean losing momentum—it means honoring the recalibration that ensures the next step is aligned and focused, not forced.
Here’s a brief but powerful way to honor the in-between space you find yourself in.
- Find stillness. Sit comfortably. Place your hands gently on your lap, palms up. Close your eyes.
- Breathe deeply. Inhale through the nose for a count of four, exhale through the mouth for a count of six. Do this three times.
- Visualize. Imagine yourself standing at a bridge. Behind you is what has been—perhaps a project, a role, or even an identity. Ahead of you is what has not yet arrived. Beneath your feet is the bridge—the in-between.
- Illuminate. Picture a soft lantern in your hand. As you stand on the bridge, lift it and allow the glow to illuminate the path just enough for the next step—not the whole journey, just the step you need right now.
- Affirm. Whisper to yourself: “I am safe in the in-between. I trust the timing of my life.”
When you’re ready, open your eyes. Carry the calm and clarity forward into your day.
For Your Consideration:
August reminds us that beauty exists in transitions. The sunsets lengthen, the cicadas sing, and we realize: life’s richness isn’t only in beginnings and endings—it’s in the becoming.
This month, give yourself permission to honor the spaces that don’t yet have a name. Trust that even in the uncertainty, light is present. You don’t need to know the whole map. You only need to carry the lantern that lights the step you’re on.
The in-between is not empty. Rather, it is abundant with possibilities.
Okay, your turn:
Where in your life or career are you in an in-between space right now? How do you tend to respond to the unknown—by pushing forward, or by embracing the stillness? What gifts might be waiting for you if you chose to relax in the “not yet” instead of anxiously rushing ahead?
I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!
© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
You can weave a number of short activities into your work day, throughout the week, or on the weekends. Here is a list to keep handy, of some examples to try, that are easy to do up to six minutes at a time:
The benefits to be gleaned from these brief and empowering uses of time are many, and include: