Here we are in the dog days of summer and it seems like this season has flown by. It’s been full of great things: a family celebration, an amazing wedding, a graduation party. There’s still lots coming up, like a concert in Chicago, a short anniversary trip, and (hopefully) lots of beach time, but it really feels like I better not blink or I’ll miss it.
I always feel a little bittersweet this time of year, partly because I sense the ending of my favorite season, partly because I love spending time with my kids and they will soon be busy with school. This year is even more bittersweet: my youngest moves into college mid-August and we will soon be empty-nesters. I panic that I need to soak up every last minute!Then I remember this post by Glennon Doyle I read over 10 years ago. She describes how the concept of carpe diem doesn’t really work for her. And I have to agree: it feeds my panic and makes me feel like a failure if I miss a single moment. It’s unrealistic and not sustainable.
A more life-giving thought pattern for me is to let Kairos moments, (those magical moments in which time stands still) soak in when they happen. And they DO happen if I don’t strive for them and just take time to notice them. The giant family photo at the family event. Mandy walking down the aisle. My son hugging me after his party. But also the evening swim with my kids on an ordinary evening. Taking an hour off to relax in a pool with friends. Chatting with my ladies about our lives. All Kairos moments, like snapshots in my head. They make me tear up with happiness.
Take a moment and see if you can find any “time stood still” moments for yourself.
Carpe a couple of Kairoses, friends,
