Someone was inspired to action by something I wrote on a blog, and in their reply they said this: Work never ends, it will still be there when I’m done.
Apart from being intensely moved by what they wrote, I knew what I needed to write about for this week.
It’s school holidays for my kids. They are old enough to do their own thing, and they will probably spend a fair bit of time doing exactly that. But I want to be around for those moments when they want to just come be with me for a minute.
You know that way that teens do it: come flop down on a chair next to you, not really say anything, tell you they are tired, hungry, bored. Then briefly share an intensely important part of their life with you, then wander back out of the room.
In “A Year of Yes” Shonda Rhimes has a lovely chapter on how she got closer to her kids and the kind of Yes she always gives them. The whole book is worth a read.
That’s what I want to do for them: be around.
Plus, I want time for me to have more of those moments where I can just be. Enjoy the warmth of this autumn sun as I look at my garden and wait for it to be ready for me to but it to bed for the winter.
To go to that fabric market and get that (ever-growing) list of supplies for my embroidery and sewing projects.
Spend time with my friends and family.
Cook and eat good food.
Then I can come back to my work with a renewed joyful energy.
And continue building a whole life that I’m excited to live.
What kind of break do you want?
This is part of my Thought Piece Series, where I explore topics related to leadership and provide both answers and questions. My intention is to start meaningful conversations that help us move forward. Want to connect? Click here.