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Just a couple of weeks ago, as I settled into my new normal of having way more time on my hands, I started going through a box of scarves that had belonged to my Grandmother, whom we called “Nana.” She lived 101 years on this planet and was fabulous!

As my hands glided over the various fabrics, and I studied the beautiful patterns, I realized something profound. This box of scarves had been sitting here for almost two years, and I was finally carving out special time to go through each one.

Settling into the process of careful (and loving) review, I felt creativity blooming inside, and it was then that I decided to convert a few of these sweet scarves into decorative pillows for my mom, my aunts, and my uncle.

“Where is my sewing machine?” I wondered, as I wandered through the closets with no luck. Finally, I found it in the corner nook between a dresser and the wall; abandoned there over a year ago when I ran out of time to finish a project.

Like riding a bike after many years of not riding, I found myself a little wobbly on my sewing machine at first; but like the real life example, I was soon zipping right along like a professional.

As I put these pillows together, I asked myself when was the last time I called my aunts? my uncle? While I speak to my mom every day, I realized that I had not allotted myself time for a real catch up in a while with my extended family.

Somewhere midway through the project, I paused and prayed. I asked for wisdom on how to be more balanced in my life; to find more time for the important things. To not wait two years to go through scarves, or put a project in the corner to collect dust for over a year, or, worst of all - to forget to take the time to call my aunts and uncles more.

I thought about water. How often we pass a body of water, and while we may look out and think how beautiful it is, we rarely slow down and watch the ripples, or the way the light moves across its surface.

Now, more than ever, we are presented with the time for threshold crossing to a life of simple joy, purposeful interactions, and meaningful endeavors.

Now is the time for all of us to slow down and take account of the things that are not working.

What is not supporting you? What are the things (and commitments) you fill (or filled) your life with that have caused you to sacrifice yourself? Your relationships?

What habits and patterns are unsustainable?

Take a moment, and consider what has not been working for you.

What is keeping you from being able to expand into what is next?

No shame.

Why do you keep making decisions that don’t allow you to grasp your REALity?

We need to be honest about what is not working.

Just be honest. . .

Look, I had to be real that I had to make some adjustments in regards to my aunts and uncle, my time spent on things that matter to me - like my family.

Let’s get real. Be brave and cross the threshold.

Pause, re-balance, and re-harmonize our lives.

Today, I got a call from my Aunt Carmen. She was so touched by the customized pillow. We expressed to one another how much we love each other. I promised to be in touch more. It was a good day.