Making Room for What I Didn’t Choose
—Share 4 Somethings August 2026

Some changes we create ourselves. Other changes may be imposed upon us by other people’s choices. And some changes happen to us because, well, that’s just how life works.

This month, my focus for my yearly word Shift has been on accepting the last two kinds of changes—the unchosen shifts.

I’ve tried to consciously notice how I respond to unchosen changes—ignore them? fight them? judge them?—and see what happens if I simply accept them before deciding what to do next.

Each month I link my Share 4 Somethings post with Jenn.

I also share here my One Second Everyday video from the previous month.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

1. Something I Love

• REDISCOVERING WHAT I LEFT BEHIND

When I was younger, I did a lot of cross-stitching. Somewhere along the way I stopped. It’s been years since I’ve done any kind of needlework.

So I didn’t know how much I would still enjoy it until I attended my daughter Jenna’s embroidery workshop at a local flower farm near us.

With a piece of lavender in front of us picked straight from the farm, Jenna did a great job leading us to create our own lavender needlework piece. I was surprised that I especially liked creating alongside other people because typically I only do creative projects on my own. I’m hoping to attend her September workshop, too.

Doing embroidery again showed me that not every shift has to be resisted. Some changes can simply remind us that we can return to something we once laid down, in a new season and in a new way.

my imperfect but finished embroidery

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

2. Something Sustaining Me

• UNEXPECTED TIME WITH FRIENDS

Sometimes I make intricate plans weeks ahead of time. Other times, things just happen. That’s how this month worked out with friends.

With no more than a day or a week’s planning, I ended up getting one-on-one meals with six different friends this month. And I loved it!

I appreciated the conversations with each friend, hearing their unique goings-on in their lives and learning to see the world a little differently through their eyes.

I’m grateful the month unfolded this way without my foreknowledge (my introverted self might have nixed such a crazy plan as much too much!).

Sometimes making room for short-notice gatherings allows us to appreciate the gifts from spontaneity we might otherwise have avoided.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

3. Something Carrying Me Forward

• NEW PLACES FOR A CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE

My husband Jeff and I took a short trip to St. Augustine, Florida, last week, and discovered it wears the “oldest” title in many areas in the continental United States: oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement, oldest masonry fort, oldest public street, oldest known planned Black settlement, and much more.

It was a lot of new knowledge about old things.

Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, built 1672-1695

Dr. King preached several times at St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine, FL, in the 1960s, originally founded in 1873

We have a different kind of trip planned for this month: a return to fill up our spirits at the annual Wild Goose Festival.

I keep finding that when I put myself in different places and among different people, my world expands in ways I couldn’t plan for or intentionally choose.

A change of scenery often sparks a shift in perspective—and sometimes that’s exactly what I need, even when I don’t realize I need it.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

4. Something I’m Making Space For

• CHANGES ALREADY UNDERWAY

This one isn’t as fun.

I’m trying to learn more about data centers.

Along with the rest of the world, data centers are becoming more of an issue in my state of Alabama. I want to understand them better so I can make educated decisions when I have opportunities to vote or speak up.

We’ll be electing a new governor on November 3. One candidate has announced he’s eager to multiply our data centers while the other candidate suggests we slow down and decide on guard rails first.

A few weeks ago I attended a local presentation at my library on the environmental impact of data centers. I learned that data centers are already operating in my area, with additions being considered. I also learned what questions to ask to better compare the different types of centers.

The world continues to shift in this direction, whether we’re ready or not. (I’m not.)

Accepting change doesn’t mean we have to like the change. But it’s helpful to face what’s happening so when we do have choices to make, we can choose wisely.

What are you making room for that you didn’t choose? What was a highlight of your August? Share in the comments.

I’m linking at these blog parties

• ← See Your Word Through Someone Else’s Eyes