I just got a “project of a lifetime.” It’s a small in-home childcare. Years ago, when my kids were little, I specialized in design for children and dreamt of doing a school. Never got a chance or was selected. Until now, that is. An empty nester, I have all the time in the world to devote to it.

A lucky chance to design a creative hub for young children I would’ve died for in the past. It simply fell into my lap a couple of days ago, when I was least expecting it. It’s puzzling. Poetic justice? Actually, looking back, it’s not so hard to connect the dots.

It didn’t happen when I really wanted, but years later when I was available. After I’ve completed the most important and intense assignment in life — raising two daughters. Truth be told, for approximately 20 years, the family completely overshadowed the architectural career.

Motherhood was my path to self-discovery, a foundational job, which gave me an opportunity to awaken as a human being. I wrote about it in DIY Like a Hummingbird.

A dream project shows up at my door. An empty nester, I’m ready to take it on — I have all the time in the world now!

I must’ve gained the experience necessary. Perhaps it’s a reward for staying true to my own values when no one else could see the value in it, for being brave enough to go against the grain.

It’s a reward for rejecting the materialistic culture, for refusing to be caught up in it, like many of my colleagues. I’ve earned it for staying true to myself. Now, as I embrace the things that give me pleasure, I can collaborate with an enlightened, creative client! Somehow, it’s ideal for now, as it resonates with where I am at this particular moment.

Even though I never learned how to ride a bicycle, this quote makes sense to me as an empty nester: “Like riding a bike, living a balanced life comes easier to you as you gain momentum.” An opportune project comes along when my life is all about the freedom of doing less. Now, that I have all the time in the world and have adopted a “no rush attitude.” How liberating!