Hello, my friends. We have a long weekend in Australia, and of course we’re enjoying summer. Lucky us!
At a beautiful dinner party last night, my friend Jenny made my favourite Summer Peach Salad…I’ll add the recipe for you below. Roasted peaches, pomegranate, toasted pine nuts, buffalo mozzarella: this is the salad of women’s dreams!
While we were talking at dinner about the future, and soon being empty-nesters and all the change that will bring, I kept thinking about this idea. It’s tied to gratitude and also to being present in the moment, but it’s slightly different than that, and even more subtle. I couldn’t wait to wake up this morning and share it with you.
I don’t know about you, but my brain is always so busy trying to sort out the next thing. I’ve been this way forever…I want the plan, I want the roadmap, I want the stability.
But strangely, this next life stage for all of us — the last half, the last third — is very different to the ‘building time’ we have in the first half of life.
Now our lives are more about taking stock and realising we have to be prepared for change. We get such a long run from age 20 to 50+ where we do our thing. We’re handling careers and building a home for ourselves (and sometimes a family). Then we step into a different stage.
I’ve been occupied (preoccupied??) with trying to figure out what that looks like. Will we move, and where? Do we have any idea where our children will live? (No, we don’t). And our childhood families are in Canada, while we’re here in Sydney. So…I’ve been thinking a lot about our next steps.
That’s why this idea gives me so much comfort.
Slow down. Want what you already have, Catherine.
Instead of wanting everything sorted out, want what you already have.
Want how things are now. Want the problems you’ve got in the moment. Want the ability to consider your options. Want midlife, and not knowing what comes next.
Want what you already have.
Why?
Because there’s peace, contentment and gratitude in accepting that we don’t know everything, and in trying to live (also) in this moment.
We’re here now. Things are changing. Those changes come for all of us. No one gets to say how life is going to turn out. Wanting what we already have feels like the key to appreciating now.
Let me know if you ‘try on’ this thought, and how it goes for you.
I hope you have a beautiful weekend!
Love, Catherine
P.S. The Fun Stuff!
Summer Peach Salad recipe - it’s so delicious.
Young Australian composer, Alexander Lau, has a new classical music release on Spotify. I’ve worked with Alex on my children’s books and he’s incredible. If you’d like to support his creative journey, please download. That’s all it takes to support an artist. Thank you!
Love Seed Heritage in Australia…so many beautiful pieces right now. Like this ring!
The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe is out March 4th! In Australia, preorders are here - best price is on Amazon. If you’re in Canada, America, The UK and elsewhere…stay tuned for info! You guys - I’m so excited for you to read my beautiful, fun book!