Hello, dearest of Smidgen Press friends, JacQueline here to encourage you to think about schedule vs. rhythm. We are grateful for you taking a moment to chill out—or, for those in the Southern hemisphere, snuggle up—with us. Over the winter, we reflected over on our new-ish Substack how even the weather can draw us closer to one another by providing us with unexpected breaks in our routine.
And while most of us enjoy our neatly scheduled lives, it’s in those out-of-routine moments that the magic of connection often happens.
But, most of you reading this probably provide the equilibrium for your family on the daily—and especially so when out-of-routine things happen, whether that’s a snowstorm, a tsunami, or a summer trip to go see faraway loved ones.Yes, even wonderful interruptions can throw things out of whack. And do things ever go back “in whack”? Oh sweet and sassy mamas (and maybe some dads too!), whack stays whack until you find a new rhythm. And that’s what I’m going to encourage all of us—including myself—to find.
Smidgen Press cares about its catalogue of carefully curated books. And while bringing each publication back into print with attention to beautiful details is our aim, we care most about YOU.
So: Are your details being paid attention to?
During a recent Q&A, success coach Becca Syme recommended that “schedule” was not as important as rhythm.
If you’ve ever studied large compositions of music, there are several movements within a single piece. Much like the seasons of our life. Each movement creates a new set of rhythms. The change in rhythm carries us along with wonder and awe. And, when the composition is good, great even, the rhythm will not let allow boredom to creep in. The rhythm changes, teaching us something new. And then it returns to reflect on the earlier rhythm, but then changes again. We are pulled along by this tide, allowing the changes and familiarity to wash over us by turns, carry us along at others. Always, always capturing and nurturing our imaginations.
Schedule vs. Rhythm: What if We Consider Rhythm and Flow Instead of Regimented Schedules?
Is it so different with our need for rhythm rather than regimented schedules? What if we gave ourselves (and family and friends) grace and embraced the FLOW and RHYTHM of life, rather than trying to plan each rigid little box? What if we gave ourselves that chance to hold expectations loosely, with unclenched fists, so that we have to opportunity to be delighted by life, to be capable of spontaneity again?
Perhaps this is nothing you struggle with, but in case it is your struggle and you are carrying the weight of uncompromising expectations, we invite you to breathe in a deep breath. To know you are doing well. To believe that what needs to be accomplished truly will get done in the right time.
And if the order is wonky? Let’s celebrate that it did happen at some point.
As the quote goes, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven …” Ecclesiastes 3:1
We hope that reminder helps. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter! Find us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Substack) or be part of our newsletter list, and tell us what you think.
Book Spotlight
And as we in the Northern hemisphere celebrate all things sunny and bright, we would love to remind you of one of our delightful books, The Real Fairy Folk, an adventure in summer streams and fields, which was our bestselling book in 2023. You can find more about it on our blog here, or hop right over to our shop to get your beautiful copy now.
Image Credit: Jungle Tales (Contes de la Jungle), James Jebusa Shannon, 1895, on view at The Met Fifth Avenue.
