An unrushed Sunday. What does it look like for you?
Mine started with little snowflakes and the possibility of more. As the snow slowly glided past my window, I asked my son with excitement if he wanted to go on adventures with me. For me, going on an adventure means choosing to do whatever you are most interested in. Curiosity and creativity overflow as you become completely immersed in the present.
Once prepared, we journeyed to one of my favorite spots on the lake. The last time I was here was for a paddle boarding session in early October. Today, the sky was gray. The water levels were so low they revealed a rocky bank. In our winter boots, we walked along it. Seagulls soared overhead as the wind blew and snowflakes hit my exposed face.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, reminded that not all beauty looks the same. Some beauty is found in worn and weathered rocks, shells, and sticks. Muted colors, lacking pigment. My son showed me a brown shell he had found. Snow partially covered it, and his hands were pink.
“Let’s warm up,” I said, as we ran to our warm car. Heat on high, our numb hands thawed.
Once home, my youngest, Ruby, greeted us with happiness. We snuggled on the couch under a heavy blanket and read from our favorite magazine, Highlights for Children. One of the pages was on Mix & Match Messages. We cut out three sets of pink, purple, and red hearts. On the first set we began with “I love you more than…” On the second, we wrote an adjective. And on the third, we wrote either the name of an animal, food, or thing.
After writing on all three sets, we mixed them up and spread them across our coffee table, revealing silly messages like: “I love you more than… Fast Taco!”
After laughing at the messages we wrote—and coming up with even more silly ones—it was time for hot chocolate and chocolate-shaped spoons. Ruby loved her warm beverage and smiled after every sip.
Glancing at the time, I realized I’d better get started on dinner. Tonight’s menu included something I’d never tried before: chayote squash. The first time I heard of this vegetable was on Beat Bobby Flay (one of my favorite cooking shows on Food Network!). Loving all types of vegetables and not being a meat eater, I couldn’t wait to taste it for myself.
First, I needed to know a little more about this squash:
“Chayote is a mild, pear-shaped squash from the gourd family, often used as a vegetable in cooking despite being a fruit, and known by names like mirliton or vegetable pear.”
Below is what you’ll need:
• 1 whole chayote, cleaned and dried
• Olive oil
• Salt, black pepper, garlic seasoning, and Italian seasoning
Directions:
Set oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the whole chayote into cubes (optional: remove seeds). Drizzle olive oil over the chayote and season to your desired preference with salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Place on the middle rack in the oven and cook for 25 minutes. Enjoy!
It’s funny how I began this writing by describing an unrushed Sunday. After reading the day above, you may think we were rushed because of all the things we did—but we weren’t.
For me, unrushed means allowing the day to unfold on its own. You react, plan, and execute based on what is presented to you. In many ways, it’s about allowing the day to be exactly what it is, just as you give space to others to be exactly who they choose to be. And lastly, it’s giving yourself permission to show up exactly as you are.
Stop fighting what is. Take it, receive it, and run with it. Allow others to be who they are while giving yourself the same acceptance. I promise, when you do this, you’ll feel more content, happy, and unrushed.
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