Choosing What Matters
As Steve and I prepared to leave for Norway, I made a decision that felt important to me. Other than staying in touch with my clients, I stepped away from work. I didn't schedule blog posts or social media updates. I left the emails, the notifications, and the endless pull to always be connected until I returned home.
It wasn't because I don't love this work. Quite the opposite.
One of the greatest privileges of what I do is walking alongside people during some of life's most meaningful moments. Those relationships don't pause simply because I'm traveling, and I wanted my clients to know I was still there for them if they needed me. But everything else could wait.
We live in a world where it's easier than ever to stay connected. We can schedule content weeks in advance, answer emails from anywhere in the world, and remain available every hour of every day. There is certainly value in those tools, but as I packed my suitcase, I realized that wasn't how I wanted to experience this trip.
The work I do through Peace in Grief is rooted in the belief that life is meant to be lived intentionally. I encourage people to slow down, to make time for the people they love, to notice the ordinary moments, and to be fully present for the life unfolding right in front of them. If I truly believe that, then I have to be willing to live it myself.
So that's what I did.
I immersed myself in Norway's breathtaking landscapes. I embraced the conversations and laughter that naturally unfold when you spend long days riding bicycles with people you've only recently met. I savored incredible meals, breathed in fresh mountain air, and treasured the quiet moments Steve and I shared together.
When I returned home, I realized the greatest gift of the trip wasn't simply seeing a beautiful country. It was being reminded how much richness there is in giving our full attention to the moment we're living instead of the one that's waiting for us next.
One of the things I admired most about the Norwegian people was their willingness to embrace the outdoors regardless of the weather. We biked through rain, kayaked in a downpour, and hiked while cold, wet, and undeniably uncomfortable. Had I been at home, I probably would have looked out the window, decided the weather wasn't ideal, and stayed inside.
Instead, it became one of my favorite days of the trip.
That experience reminded me that some of life's most memorable moments don't happen because conditions are perfect. They happen because we're willing to show up anyway.
As I settle back into everyday life, that's the lesson I hope to carry home with me. To be present. To embrace the unexpected. To choose experiences over distractions and people over notifications. Because this one beautiful life we're given isn't meant to be lived later.
It's meant to be lived now.
