I share my mom's sage advice all the time, "Enjoy the stage you're in as you'll never be there again." I think of that advice all the time as I make life plans. I'm also thinking about that advice as I support, care for, and spend time with loved ones. I want to appreciate the stages they are in too.
For example, this past weekend, my family spent time in the mountains. My children are at that high-energy twenty/thirty-something stage when you can go at full speed from early morning to late at night. We rented a good place for that energy--energy they used to hike, play games, and adventure. Today, I'll visit my parents who are at a very different stage--a stage with less energy and a greater desire to stay home. For that stage, I want to support a best possible home situation with comfortable, pretty spaces, good food, and nice times.
When I consider my own stage--it's a stage where family and other loved ones take center stage. I'm all about creating a welcoming home, good times, and lots of loving support. Healthy living is also a focal point because I want to be energized and healthy for all the good family times to come. I'd like to contribute on a greater scale, but it seems that I'm called to be a supporter on a smaller stage right now--that feels just right.
So as I consider my mom's advice, I'll continue to consider what stage I'm in, how to enjoy that stage, and what stages my loved ones are in, and how to best support, respect, and acknowledge their stages too. Onward.