Happy Sacred Sunday!
This weekend was my first sonās seventeenth birthday. Thereās something about that number that hits different.
A couple of years ago when Orlando and I celebrated our seventeenth wedding anniversary, it inspired me to create a series ofĀ 17 lessons weāve learned over the course of our marriage.Ā Our tenth anniversary was probably the most impactful, but seventeen was the one that invited the most reflection.
Orlyās seventeenth birthday was no different. Iāve spent the last few days in deep reflection, getting choked up at unexpected moments. My husband has felt the same, and we were both surprised by the emotions this milestone stirred up in us.
āYouād think last year wouldāve hit harder,ā Orlando said. āThat was the year we got Orly his first car! But this one just crept up on me.ā
My theory is that there are milestones you prepare for. We planned for Orlyās car for months. It was a year of execution, logistics, saving, scheduling, and teaching, so we were ready. Next year, weāll be preparing for college, another milestone that demands focus and action.
But seventeen was different.
Just like our anniversary, this was a year that required nothing of us. Instead, it landed softly in our laps, giving us the rare gift of stillness and the chance toĀ notice.
Notice how much heās grown.
How muchĀ weāveĀ grown.
How far weāve all come.
This year gave us permission to savor rather than strive.
And thatās exactly the theme of this weekās podcast episode.
I share the story of a coaching client who was craving more playfulness yet, like so many high achievers, was getting caught in striving rather than savoring.
Itās not about being perfectly playful every day.
Itās about collecting sparksāthose core moments when you choose presence and connection. These are the memories that shape the story of your life.
Orlyās seventeenth birthday reminded me of that truth.
Every day of his seventeen years hasnāt been perfectly harmonious, meaningful, or playful. But when we look back, we rememberĀ momentsāthe ones we marked, documented, and cherished. The long days have condensed into short clips that play through my mind: riding bike together around the neighborhood, the years we walked to school together, eating white rice in bed at 3am when we were in South Korea, and so many more.Ā Ā (Scroll down to see a picture my mom captured without us knowing and you wonāt see anywhere on socials.)Ā
As you enter this week, I invite you to pause.
Give yourself the gift of gentle reflection.
Remember the moments that have brought you sparks of bliss.
And if you want to explore this balance between ambition and progress,Ā tune into this weekās podcast episode.Ā Ā
Wishing you a week filled with sparks of clarity and joy.
Sending you so much love today and always.
