I can’t believe it’s Thursday already!  Where do the hours and days go?  Is it a function of our time and place in life?  Perhaps it’s the result of our desires to accomplish much more in this 2nd season of our lives.

Yesterday I talked a wee bit about the phrase we use at AWP - “2nd half of the journey”.  What is it and what meaning do we attach to it?

I decided to continue in that vein this morning as I listen to “The Voice” (Russell Watson).  How his voice inspires me and removes the “dry times”.

Once we believe we’re transitioning to another phase, season or time in our lives, I think we do summon the courage and energy to tackle more.  We tend to add more to our ‘plates’.  Yes, I know when we were younger and parenting, the days flew by just as fast.  But now, as we grow more mature chronologically and travel a different path, we have other matters to attend to.  Matters that add a unique dimension to our lives - excitement, eagerness, urgency.  Things to accomplish.  Dreams to turn to reality - NOW!

I do believe a sense of urgency is particular to the 2nd half of our journeys.  Not necessarily because we think time grows short - but that we may have recognized what it is we truly want to do with our lives.

We’ve talked a lot about passion & purpose here as a ‘hallmark’ of the 2nd half of the journey.  But it is the foundation of our sense of eagerness, anticipation, excitement and urgency.

Thus we cram as much as we can into the days with fierce determination!  And I guess that’s as it should be. 

Unless, of course, we don’t stop briefly to notice the beauty of a jet stream streaking high across the sky (as I just did from my office window).  Or listen to an awesome CD as we work or take time to talk to loved ones who have nothing to do with our business agenda!

If the 2nd half of the journey doesn’t make time for the soft moments, then our pursuit may lead us to a success we didn’t ultimately seek!  Soft moments, those times in our days when we S-T-O-P & do a little more than just ’smell the roses’ as we pass by.

‘Chronologically maturing women’ in the ‘2nd half of the journey’ have reached more than a certain age or self-awareness.  We’ve developed, built and corrected awesome skill-sets.  We know how to make things happen and we know how to juggle.  It has come with our ‘territory’.

But have we learned how to stop at the rest stops on the path we travel?  Rest stops designed to nourish us in dry times.  Places of intimate relationship with those closest to us.  Places to reconnect with the spirit that resides in our deepest nature.

My encouragement for today is that you will take a breather.  Behold the sky and clouds.  Call a friend just to check-in.  See the jet streams streaking across the sky by looking up once in a while.

And when you return to the “to-do list” you’ll be refreshed.  And the “to-do’s” will get done quicker and more efficiently!  You just watch and see.

Have an awesome day with ample soft moments.

Linda