Between Now … and Then

Weekly Column by Anne (St. Louis) Gingras

Hi everyone!

It's been a busy few weeks and today, I finally took a few moments to reflect on some crucial decisions my family and I recently made. I've found solace in this practice, especially when I know others have been through similar situations. It's a way for me to objectively analyze events or motives, helping me process things more efficiently and timely.  

As humans, we go through many stages of transition throughout our lives. These transitional stages, or liminal spaces and moments as anthropologist Victor Turner called them, occur between two well-defined stages of life. They are periods of ambiguity and disorientation where we are no longer the same as before and have yet to integrate fully into the next stage.

Liminal spaces and moments, such as adolescence, marriage, childbirth, divorce, and even retirement, can occur. We must confront our fears, doubts, and uncertainties during these transitional stages. It can be a time of significant discomfort and anxiety but also a time of immense potential for growth and transformation. We are forced to question our beliefs, values, and identities in these liminal spaces and moments. We must redefine ourselves in light of the changes that are occurring.

As a result, we are pushed out of our comfort zones and into new territories. Despite these challenges, liminal spaces and moments are an opportunity for personal growth and development. By embracing the discomfort and uncertainty of these periods, we can emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. We can learn to adapt to change and find new ways of being. 

So, if you find yourself in a liminal space or moment, trust the journey and embrace the process. Remember, it may not be easy, but through these transitional stages, we can grow and transform into our best selves. You're not alone in this, and there's always light at the end of the tunnel. 

Have a great week,

Anne

BIO

Anne (St. Louis) Gingras is a neuro-diverse individual who is also a wife, mother, teacher, writer, author, blogger, composer, international public speaker, life coach, energy worker, intuitive coach, mentor and death doula who also enjoys spending time in her miniature worlds.  She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Education (honoris causa) from Nipissing University in North Bay.

 Anne (St. Louis) Gingras est une personne qui célèbre sa neuro-différence.  Elle est entre autres une épouse, maman, enseignante, écrivaine, blogueuse, compositrice, conférencière internationale, coach de vie, travailleuse en énergie, coach intuitive, mentor et doula (accent sur la mort), qui adore passer ses moments libres au sein de ses mondes miniatures.  Elle est récipiendaire d’un doctorat honorifique en éducation (honoris causa) de l’université Nipissing, de North Bay.