I've been reading The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman. The book is about making decisions and creating space for your soul to breathe and I don't know about you, but I can always use the reminder that my soul needs to breathe.

I'm learning that sometimes this is the reason why decisions feel difficult. This is why we feel overwhelmed or uncertain.

As we enter the season of Lent today, we're reminded about the importance of stripping away, paring down, and doing without to make space for the things that matter.

Sometimes that means giving something up and learning to live without it for a while. Sometimes it means taking something on—a new habit or practice or commitment or pledge.

Sometimes it means holding space for those who need it (like the people of Ukraine 💙💛).

We know that saying yes to something means saying no to something else. It works the other way, too. When we say no to something, it frees us to say a more intentional, whole-hearted yes somewhere else.

Emily P. Freeman writes, “Choose your absence so that your presence will have more impact.” For many of us, we have the privilege to decide what that looks like.

Where will your presence matter the most in this season? Where can you make a difference? Where will you choose to be absent for a while?

I'll leave you with a benediction, of sorts: the wise, poetic words of Morgan Harper Nichols:

“When there are no easy answers,
may we choose to live with the questions. . . .
When we don’t have the right words to say,
may we choose to listen.
Uncertainty does not have to equal apathy.
Despite all we do not know,
may we choose to be present with
love, humility, and compassion.”

Read the full text here.

I hope this brings you peace, clarity, and a spirit of determination in the days and weeks to come.