We’ve all been through the same cycle of highs and letdowns here, and I’ve never been one to take vague motivational posts as actual updates. That part has always been frustrating, and I’ve questioned it plenty over the years. At times it felt like people were thanking Doc for words of encouragement that didn’t really tell us anything concrete, and that never sat well with me.

That said, I also think it’s fair to acknowledge that some real groundwork seems to have been laid over the years, even if we haven’t seen the finish line yet. Whether or not it all comes together is something only time will answer, but it’s hard to ignore the sense that certain pieces are in motion now. The difference between blind cheerleading and cautious optimism is remembering the past while still keeping an open mind about the present.

I’m not saying we should throw expectations to the moon, but I also don’t see the point in acting like there’s zero chance of progress. The healthiest approach at this stage is to balance both sides: keep expectations in check, but recognize that the possibility for something meaningful is still there. To me, that’s a better path than constant negativity or empty hype. It’s a long road we’ve all been on, and if things finally do turn, we’ll be ready to acknowledge it for what it is.