One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is to hold the things I value, lightly. This doesn’t mean we don’t treasure what we have. We can absolutely cradle those precious things in the palms of our hands. 

But it does mean we don’t grasp the things we value with a death grip. Such that when they’re wrested from us, we lose a layer of skin. Or worse.

So how does it look, to hold things lightly?

I adore my job! But if I lost it somehow, I wouldn’t be left devastated or empty. Because I hold it lightly- though with great respect and a sense of responsibility. Yet, I don’t cling to it, inextricably linking my personal identity to it.

I love my boss. He’s amazing. But I’m trying to hold that relationship lightly, too. I don’t want to esteem him beyond what’s reasonable, only to watch my starry-eyed expectations come crashing down like a Jenga tower when we have our first disagreement.

This one’s the hardest: holding my daughter lightly. I want to hug her and never let go. I want to cuddle her at night and brush her fragrant hair in the morning. But this most precious little bird is learning to fly. And I’ll crush her if I do.

So I’m learning to hold her lightly, too.

Photo credit: deeannturner.com