being present

The Hope I Couldn’t See Five Years Ago

Five years ago, I found myself leaning on my child. I’d recently had foot surgery and was confined to a…
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Hard News Can Wait When Your Presence Is Love

On the morning of my daughter’s high school graduation last spring, I received difficult news. Staring at the text message,…
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The Softest Parts of Ourselves Don’t Need Erased

“Come on in,” the gray-haired gentleman waved from the middle seat of aisle 10 on my flight headed home. I…
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This is How We Stay Human: Two Short Stories

Lately, I’ve been noticing how the most ordinary moments can hold something steady and life-giving when I need it most….
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I Will Not Leave You Stranded

It was my 22-year-old daughter’s first Vrbo reservation. With no hotels near the half Ironman site, renting a small house…
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What If the Last 21 Days Could Change Everything?

Tomorrow begins the final 21 days of the year. A small window of time… and yet, I’ve recently witnessed how…
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I want to make memories, not to-do lists. I want to feel the squeeze of loving arms, not the pressure of over-commitment. I want to get lost in conversation with my favorite people, not consumed in a sea of unimportant emails. I want to be overwhelmed by sunsets that give me hope, not by overloaded agendas that steal my joy. I want the noise of my life to be a mixture of laughter & gratitude, not the intrusive buzz of mobile phones & text messages. I’m letting go of distraction, perfection, & pressure to grasp what really matters. I’m living Hands Free. Will you join me? (Read More)

“After attending one of Rachel’s speaking events, I am finding myself pausing more and re-setting my reactions to my spouse and children as a result of reflecting on the situations and lessons Rachel shared. Her decision to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly, and what she’s learned as she’s worked to transform herself, has lasting impacts on her audience. Rachel’s lessons are like ripples in the ocean as they help others like me move towards choosing love and coming as we are. Rachel works wonders by helping others work wonders.” –A Hands Free Mama in progress