Moving from dreaming about the life you want to actually living it is an uncomfortable stretch. You’re building the new thing while still putting up with the way things are, and it tests your character — patience most of all.

Innocent gives patience a demanding definition: “It takes perfect patience to turn your dreams into reality; and perfect patience is never quitting.” Not calm waiting, then — just not stopping. Life won’t always cooperate; you’ll think you’ve done all it takes and find out otherwise. Surprises come, and sacrifice is asked of you, because a person sacrifices for what they value.

The discomfort is doing its job. That in-between place has to feel uneasy for you to keep moving through it — make it too comfortable and you’d simply settle there.