Happy weekend! Today I have music playing, a candle lit and am watching the snow fall heavily outside. It’s a day of space and grace, which has looked differently for me in all the chapters of my life.

Growing up my brother and I played all day, every day, inside and out. Time was endless and it was so much fun. In high school, it was all about friends and having fun and adventure. College days seemed to mimic early career, except there was far less structure and a lot more play. The early career days were some of my favorite, the world was big, bright, and shiny and we were spreading our wings!

During our early married years we worked hard and would decompress from the week with fun filled weekends to watch sports, ski, hike, bike, or camp. And there was always a new home project, like painting, landscaping, or an adventure with friends. When we were home during the fall/winter season, I would enjoy cooking or baking something new, spa (in my own house), peruse a new book or a few magazines. I still made space for new Ideas and dreams and be creative.

Then we had littles! We intentionally started our own business so that we could be home with them. We did everything together and there was a lot of play. It was such an amazing time in our lives, a priceless gift. Then came their activities. School and sports filled with the days and weekends, with schedules and games. That was wonderful time with our family, always together, a lot of grace and less space. The reverse happened when they hit high school, they could drive and had ots of activities hanging out with friends.

I’m now in a new space, and it’s divine. I have the freedom to do whatever I want on my weekends and love the grace of each moment. It’s still an exhale from my week and I savor it, it’s rejuvenating. My house is sprinkled with things that I love and that bring me joy. I marvel at the gift of time right now and know that it is likely fleeting. My life has never been more balanced or manageable. A lot of grace and a lot of space, I have come a long way!

Most of my life has been the exact opposite of what it is now, it’s been full and fast paced, so this is very new to me. I’ve had to learn to settle into this space and take a pause and it’s made me a better version of myself. This moment in time looks different now, but the constant is that I always take time to rest, reflect, and restore, no matter what season of life I’m in.

The speed of our world now more than ever is “always on” and that concerns me. My parents modeled grace and space in their weekends, perhaps that’s why I do what I do. They didn’t have work on the weekend, they tidied up home projects, spent time outside, went to church, maybe out to dinner, and rested. It was slow and simple. Life now is “always on.”

We desperately need time to take good care. I try to imagine what my daughter’s world will look like and how it will evolve. Right now, they manage it well, one is skiing and the other is hanging out with friends in their cozy apartment. Maybe I’ve done my job?! My wish for them is that they continue to give themselves space and grace and let the whispers of life guide them.

I hope that you find moments to do the same for yourself and the people important to you, in your own ways. We would love for you to share, and you never know when your comments inspire someone else!

Have a great weekend!