On 30 March, my father-in-law would have turned 83. Standing around the memorial plaque in the nearby graveyard, we remind ourselves not so much of his life in terms of the events that were memorable, but we remind ourselves how he lived it.

We weren’t aware of the powerful relationship then, but the abbreviation AGL first came into our lives when we noticed that Thijs was developing differently from other children. AGL stands for Activities of General (daily) Living, encompassing eating and drinking, dressing and undressing, bathing, etc.—all the daily tasks where Thijs needs assistance. It determines the level of care professionals can provide. When you look closely, it's about supporting and maintaining our bodies and physical well-being. What struck me then was that our mental and emotional well-being, such as through a hug, being together, or a listening ear, wasn't mentioned.

For almost two years now, Maartje, my wife, has added a deeper dimension to this. In May 2022, her father passed away after a very brief illness. When he was told what was happening, he said, "I've had a wonderful life; it's coming to an end now, and that's okay." While we, as immediate family, were still reeling from the news the doctor had just delivered, his clarity and especially his gratitude served as a powerful beacon.

In the days and weeks after his passing, I noticed Maartje exuded a beautiful, almost serene calmness. When I asked her about it, she spontaneously said, "Accepting what is, being grateful, and letting go; that's what my father did and what I must do, too." Every time she thought of him, she practiced accepting that he was no longer there, felt gratitude, and let go. Only later did we realize that she had found a new definition of AGL.

Perhaps Accepting what is, being Grateful, and Letting go are the most fundamental daily "activities" we are invited to undertake as humans. They are powerful tools for navigating whatever comes our way from a place of calm and trust.

This week (and beyond), I invite you to approach whatever happens in your life or whatever comes your way from this new definition of AGL. Consciously practicing Acceptance, Gratitude, and Letting go could bring you a lot.

I wish you much joy in discovery!