Pause: Time to Lead and Live with Love

Today was a long, busy day for me. No different than most other days. I like busy. I welcome busy. The busy I have chosen for myself is full of mindfully created experiences to serve in ways that offer value to my family and community. I embrace my busy. Yet even amidst this love for these experiences, I often crave experiences that I want just for myself. I own that completely.

I recognize the simultaneity that while I want to serve my needs, a significant portion of my time is spent making sure those around me have their needs met. Whether they are fed healthy food, can get rides where they need to be, get emotional support, can schedule an appointment in my office, get answers to business questions, receive my writing by deadline, or simply hear back from me about the workout they want to drop in on at my gym, I tend to prioritize those needs first. I’ve designed it that way because that feels best for me. I do that knowing I will also make time for my wellness.

After a bumper-to-bumper day, I had my free moment. Throwing on my workout clothes I knew I missed making it to Beacon, so I opted to hit a trail run instead. I was hustling out to make that happen before the mosquito brigade arrived when I saw my elderly neighbor walking his dog. He looked up and smiled a mostly-toothless smile. It was almost the evening after all, so perhaps he opted to…