‘Micro moments of awe’

During her 2021 sabbatical, Elizabeth Ripley focused on a simple goal: to spend more time with her friends and family. Previously, the president and CEO of the Mat-Su Health Foundation found that her work occupied the majority of her time and focus. So, for four months, freed from work demands, she rebalanced to those she loved and her faith.

In her sabbatical final report, Ripley described spending time one-on-one with each of her parents, enjoying road trips and adventures with her husband and other family members, and — the highlight — rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for 18 days with her best friend. “This adventure restored my soul,” she said.

In addition, Ripley cultivated an attitude of gratitude and explored the meaning of the sabbath and how to truly honor it. She developed habits to carry forward into her work, especially learning to mute what she calls the “taskmaster” in her head.

While that remains an ongoing challenge, Ripley has compiled a list of sabbatical experiences to help her remember to stop and notice the “micro moments of awe” that bring such joy. Her list includes swimming with dolphins and listening to their chatter, watching her grandson taste watermelon for the first time, and “laughing ourselves silly” after swamping a canoe with a good friend.

When her sabbatical ended, Ripley found herself eager and excited to return to work. Her focus has been sharpened, she wrote, and she’s “rested and restored” for the journey ahead.