If there is ever a time to let the screens go dark,
It’s when the twinkle lights go up.
If there is ever a time to bury the to-do list,
It’s when mitten-clad hands invite you to build a snowman.
If there is ever a time to live in a glorious mess,
It’s when pieces of wrapping paper cover the floor and holiday sprinkles decorate the kitchen.
If there is ever a time to ditch the scale and embrace the curves,
It’s when the table is lined with beloved family recipes and “Only Love Today” are the words you choose to hear.
If there is ever a time to take pause and give a real kiss,
It’s when the air is brisk and mistletoe is abundant.
If there is ever a time to belt out “Silent Night” no matter how bad you sound,
It’s when your singing child looks up at you and gratitude fills your eyes.
If there is ever a time to make amends with yourself or someone you love,
It’s when you can't carry the burden of resentment one more day.
If there is ever a time to offer a warm meal, a few bucks, or a gentle touch,
It’s when your feet stop along a busy sidewalk and you realize, “That could be me.”
If there is ever a time let go of past regrets,
It’s when the clock strikes midnight and a new year stands before you with open arms.
If there is ever a time to live in today,
It’s when you realize that the hardest part is behind you.
If there is ever a time to believe life can be different today than it was yesterday,
It’s when your daily choices begin to reflect what truly matters to you.
Today let us remember the power of ‘Just One.'
One extended hand
One “Yes, I can play”
One loving gaze
One face-to-face conversation
One “I’m sorry”
One “I forgive you”
One ‘Power Off'
One decision
One choice
One blessing
One wish
One prayer
One possibility
It starts with you and me.
Peace, hope, and love
It starts with you and me,
And then it trickles down to those who are learning how to live by watching us live.
If there was ever a time to believe things can be different,
It’s today. It’s right now.
It starts with one choice.
If there was ever a time to stop managing life and start living life,
It’s today. It’s right now.
It starts with one choice.
Let us begin.
***************************************
My friends, 2013 has been such an amazing year for this little blog. What began three years ago as a way for me to stay accountable to my Hands Free journey has become a supportive space where millions come to learn how to live less distracted and more connected. The Hands Free message could not have reached international exposure without you, The Hands Free Revolution community. Every time you shared a post, told a friend, or emailed a story to your loved one, this little blog grew. And now there’s a book inspired by your stories and your questions that will help even more people transform their distracted lives. The book release is January 7th—thanks to all who have already pre-ordered!
In January, it would bring me great joy to thank you in person. My publisher has planned a few book signings. I’ve been told that if there is a good turnout at these signings, they will consider adding more. I hope you will come see me if I am in your area. I will be coming to the following cities:
*Birmingham, Alabama
Thursday evening, January 16
@ Books-A-Million
757 Brookwood Village
Birmingham, AL 35209
*Atlanta, Georgia:
Tuesday evening, January 28
@ Sweet Spirit
1205 Johnson Ferry NE
Marietta, GA 30068
*Indianapolis, Indiana: TBA
*Austin, Texas: TBA
* All times, dates, & locations can be found on my ‘Events’ page starting in January.
Thank you for walking alongside me on this journey and supporting my writings through the purchase of my book, the Live Hands Free bracelets and prints, and through loving comments and emails. Your encouraging words are my lifelines!
And now it’s time to power off; my screen is going dark until January 1. See you in 2014, friends.
* Please accept my apologies for an old post (“Taking Away My Daughter's Smile”) being emailed to those who subscribe to receive new posts. I am perplexed as to why that happened over the weekend.
The holidays really are a great time. And with the new year just around the corner, it is a time to make changes!
The first part of your post reminded me of a post I just read about trying to detach from the internet and not being so tuned in. That seemed to be one of the blogger’s goals. It resonated with me.
Rachel,
Moving from managing life to living it – what a great reminder! I look forward to meeting you when you come to Austin.
Sandy
“Moving from managing life to living it” is so well stated. It really resonated with me. Thank you!
Thanks for such heartfelt, beautiful posts this year Rachel. Your posts never disappoint. Congratulations on your book, looking forward to reading it :-).
“And then it trickles down to those who are learning how to live by watching us live.” This is the crux of all of this. Our kids are watching us. I have said this a thousand times to parents and other adults for many years. I appreciate your writings so much. I am Pops to our 27-year-old son, Murphy to our church youth group and Richard to my beautiful wife of 30 years. With love at Christmas! Oh, I saw a sign in a restaurant which states “No wifi here. TALK to each other!” 🙂
Merry Christmas, dear Rachel!
Thank you for sharing your stories with the world. I hope you have a wonderful time tonight!
Xoxo
Virginia
Thank you so much for your blog I find it so inspiring. I hope one day you make it to Australia, I would love to meet you in person!
I have really enjoyed your posts embracing the most important priorities in your life. Happy Holidays.
Thank you for the gift of authenticity. And the gentle reminders of what is important. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Your old blog post was emailed out because some of us – me – needed to read it 😉
🙂 love that, Chiara.
Come to Houston, pretty please!
Thank you for changing my life and my kids lives forever. Happy new year to you!
Thank you for your candid writing and beautiful messages. ♡ I look forward to each posting and will be ordering your book soon. Please consider coming to Canada, particularly to Calgary, Alberta, where I live. I would love to meet you and thank you in person. Much love and Merry Christmas ♡ xo
What a beautiful way to wrap the Christmas holiday up with the sentiment that NOW is the time to act. It makes me think toward my resolutions for the New Year. Thanks again for a beautiful lesson Rachel. You always teach so much with out shouting orders at your audience.
Your words make me stop, think and smile. Wonderfully inspirational. Best to you and your love ones in 2014.
Beautiful! I especially like the verse about ditching the scale and embracing the curves during holidays. 🙂 I’m looking forward to reading your book, Rachel! Please come to Columbia, SC! 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas, and God bless you and your family!
The old post was emailed out because at least one of your readers, specifically me but perhaps many more – needed to read that very touching post again. That’s all.
Merry Christmas and thank you for inspiring me to do better for my amazing kids.
Hi! I just started to read your blog and wanted to let you know the accidental sending of your old post is what my soul needed to hear. I am glad I got it! Thanks for speaking from your heart!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful, gentle reminders of how we can be better people.
I truly LOVE This blog, it makes my heart happy, I love to share your posts and I truly admire you and will strive to be the best mommy I can be for our two daughters. happy New Year and Merry Christmas and thank you for helping all of us! You probably don’t realize how impactful you have been and will be to many!
Love,
Heidi
You are such an inspiration to me! My children are grown and gone. I get wistful and kinda teary eyed for all the moments I missed because I was so involved with my “to do” list. At the time, every day often seemed like a week, and now the 36 years I spent raising children seem almost like a day.
God bless you for sharing your mission with all of us.
So beautiful and moving. I am so glad I found you Rachel, thank you for all you do. My very best wishes for 2014!!
Loved today’s article. Muchas gracias. I really needed to read it today :). God is speaking to me through you
Rachel, the picture with the post was so wonderful. When we were young parents, our friends would tell us that when our girls were out of the house and we had an empty nest we would feel so free and be so undistracted and unfettered. But there has never been a day since they moved out on their own that I did not miss them and ache to have them both in my arms at the same time. The Hands Free philosophy will go a long way toward building relationships that will make kids want to snuggle into your arms when you have that ache even when they are grown up. Reach out and hug your kids, spouse, and loved ones every chance you get and tell them fiercely how much you love them.
Ah, this is beautiful and gave me chills. Thanks for always reminding us.
This was the most inspiring read I have seen in a long time. I stopped and took a long breath and realized life is and can be hands free and that is what I want. Thank you sooo much for showing me what has been a part of me this entire time. I want to try to go to a book signing and the best of wishes in 2014
Rachel,
Thanks so much for touching so many hearts with all of your beautiful words in 2013. You continue to make a difference in the lives of so many people. May 2014 bring an abundant amount of happiness to your family and you. God’s blessing!
I like your writings, they are give me good insight for being mom, (by the way i am new to your blog) and I am now expecting, it is 33 weeks age.You are one of the resource i feel to bookmark, I like the pictures you have especially when you have a social media hover effect on it, i direct myself to search how to do it for my blog. Best Regards
I have no words other than, You Are Simply Amazing! Thank you!
I am so amaze with the book, i am afraid that I have miss all your post, but I surely will like to give your book at my annual seminar, please let me know how to get it. Love Olga
I just wanted to say that I love your blog and am so excited about its growth! I do a lot of different “experiments” on my blog and this month has been 21 days Living Unplugged. It’s only been 10 days and the impact on my family has been amazing. Not having my phone in my hands most of the day, literally being “hands free,” and having the TV turned off has taken away a distraction that was much greater than I realized. Thanks for the inspiration! I’d love for you to check out my Hands Free experiment this month!
Erin
What a beautiful post! I have recently stumbled on your blog and love your message! Congrats on the book!