The space between where you are and where you want to be is where the magic happens. It’s in this unpolished, often chaotic in-between that we discover who we truly are. Goals and dreams are easy to romanticize, but the space between—the part nobody posts about—is where we build the strength to hold those achievements once we finally reach them. It’s where doubts creep in, failures feel heavier than wins, and progress sometimes seems invisible. Yet, this space is where we grow, and it deserves not only our patience but also our gratitude.

Gratitude isn’t just for the finish line; it’s the fuel for the climb. There will be days when you feel stuck, like you’re running in place while the world speeds past you. But even in those moments, there’s a lesson or a gift hiding in the grind. It might be a skill you’re sharpening, a connection you’re making, or simply the resilience you’re building. Learning to thank the process—not just the outcome—shifts your perspective. It turns every setback into a stepping stone and every delay into a chance to prepare for something bigger than you imagined. This is the space where I built the muscle and mindset that allow me to “suffer well,” and life continuously ensures I need to flex these internal resources often.

The space between also teaches humility—the ability to fly close to the ground, even though you know you can ascend to 10,000 feet at will. Achievements can sometimes feel like they define us, but the truth is, they’re just the highlights of a much longer and larger story. The journey is what shapes you, humbles you, and keeps you grounded. When you stop to appreciate the struggle, you’re reminded that every win is born out of countless quiet moments of perseverance. Being thankful for those moments—whether they felt victorious or defeating—gives your achievements depth and meaning. I could never have learned to broaden my perspective to see how the dualities of success and failure dance across my life without first learning to appreciate both equally. Wins are where you gather your wealth, but failures are where you gather your wisdom.

But let’s be honest: the space between isn’t always glamorous or inspiring. There are times it feels endless, like a desert with no oasis in sight. These are the moments when gratitude feels like the last thing you want to practice. Yet, this is when it’s most powerful. Thankfulness isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending struggle doesn’t exist; it’s about finding small lights in the darkness. A kind word, an expression of self-appreciation, a moment of clarity, or even just the fact that you’re still moving forward—it all matters. And here’s something that took me years to fully understand, admit, and accept: wherever you are in life—personally or professionally—you are the one who put yourself there. No one is responsible for your progress, and no one has the power to move your feet. Only you can do that. Only you can be both the player on the field and the superfan cheering yourself on from the sidelines. My advice? Learn to play both roles marvelously and unconditionally.

The beautiful irony of the space between is that it’s often where the most profound joy is hiding. Achievements feel great, but they’re fleeting. What stays with you are the memories of how you got there—the people who cheered you on, including yourself; the lessons you learned the hard way; and the pride of knowing you kept moving forward even when everything in you told you to stop. When you start to embrace the journey as much as the destination, you realize the space between wasn’t a waiting room—it was the real adventure. And that is the key to unlocking the wonders of both the internal and external worlds. Here, distance isn’t the measurement; who you’re becoming along the way is. This is where we dissolve the disabling internal narration of shame, blame, and victimhood and transcend into the supernovas we are meant to be. God created us to be giants, but human conditions try to convince us we’re meant to stay small. I no longer wish to listen to the voice of my past. I choose only to listen to the divine wisdom that created me.

So, let yourself be thankful not just for the highs and the lows but for the spaces in between. These are the places where life’s richest stories are written, where your character is forged, and where the foundation for your dreams is laid. Every step, no matter how small, is a gift, and so is every time you stumble and fall. And when you finally arrive at your destination—wherever that may be—you’ll look back and realize it was never just about achieving the goal. It was about who you became along the way. Keep going, my friends. You deserve to live a big life.

-Danny