It had been a long and busy work day. I was back in my hotel room on the NSW north coast working on emails. The “to do” list was long. I was feeling weary. I needed to declare a “momentary sabbatical”. I walked out onto the balcony and suddenly I was struck by the most beautiful sight as the sun was setting over the Richmond River in Ballina. I took this photo and then paused to savour the moment. Within minutes darkness fell. This was a much-needed soulful surprise. It was the result of slowing. It came as I gave myself space to be surprised.

I have a framed copy of this photo near my desk. Whenever I see it, I am reminded of my need to intentionally keep working on balance in my life. Slowing doesn’t keep easy for me, but the older I get, the more I know I need to declare momentary sabbaticals – as Leonard Sweet calls them – in our crazy 24-7-365 world.

Courtney Carver asks: “Do we over fill our lives and miss out on surprises – ordinary and extraordinary – all around us? … Do we plan to be surprised? … Do we create space for wonder and delight?”

This year, like me, do you need to create more space in your life, proactively and intentionally, to slow and experience surprise and delight, as you catch your breath and open your eyes to see beauty in people, places, spaces, pages, conversations, relationships and the presence of God.

Busyness can devour us all. It’s a thief, set to steal surprise, delight, curiosity, joy and wonder in our lives in the year ahead. I need to actively resist this prowling lion, because I know I need more surprise in life in 2025. I plan on declaring more momentary and creative life-giving sabbaticals and who knows what I will see, discover and learn about myself, others, the world and the Divine. Maybe we can share in this slowing, surprising resolve together.