What if the things we call "goodbyes" are really just "see you laters?"

In Episode 32 of the Beard Winner Podcast, Darin reflects on how perspective can completely change the way we experience endings. Coming off America's 250th birthday celebration, he shares why the Fourth of July no longer represents the beginning of the end of summer, but instead serves as a reminder to stay present, embrace the weeks still ahead, and resist the anxiety of living too far into the future.

This episode explores the people who enter and leave our lives, the lessons they unknowingly leave behind, and the clarity that often comes only after the dust has settled. Sometimes relationships end. Sometimes friendships grow distant. Sometimes life simply carries people down different paths. Rather than holding onto regret or resentment, Darin reflects on choosing gratitude, wishing others well, and recognizing that every chapter helps shape who we become.

He also shares the deeply personal story of reconnecting with a longtime friend affectionately known as "Doc." After years without speaking, one phone call became a reminder that tomorrow is never guaranteed and that reaching out to the people who matter is always worth it. Their conversation became a powerful lesson in friendship, mortality, and making the most of the time we're given.

If you've ever struggled with letting go, feared change, wrestled with anxiety about the future, or wondered how to find peace after life's unexpected goodbyes, this episode offers an honest and hopeful conversation about living in the present and appreciating every season for what it is.

In this episode:

Why perspective changes everything.
Learning to live in the present instead of fearing the future.
The difference between a goodbye and a "see you later."
Finding gratitude after relationships and friendships change.
A heartfelt story about reconnecting with a lifelong friend on hospice.
Choosing hope, growth, and grace through every season of life.

Because sometimes the people we say goodbye to never truly leave us—they simply become part of the story that helps us become who we're meant to be.

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