The Gift of SAGE: The Pricelessness of Space and Grace

For the Tired and Those in Need of Encouragement (And That is Probably Most of Us)

Is it just me, or was it one hard year?

Yes, there are accomplishments to celebrate. There is much to be grateful for - and I am grateful.

And yet, there is also weariness—a sense of too-muchness and not-enoughness at the same time.

Am I the only one feeling this way? Somehow, I do not think so.

The specifics of our too-muchness and not-enoughness might differ, but they seem to stem from a world that hurries us along, throws at us more than we can carry and more than we can juggle, and then tells us, "See—everyone else is smiling. Nobody else is tired. You must be defective."

Such gaslighting.

And then we are expected to celebrate and give presents to each other. And that is not easy to do when we are tired. Stretched. Confused.

This year, I want to try different gifts. Gifts for the tired and the gaslit. Those with too much of what we don't want, and not enough of what we need. Gifts that cost nothing yet are the things I would love to receive. The gifts of inclusion that remind us of our shared humanity and help us carry on, together. The antidotes to the world's gaslighting.

The Gifts of SAGE:

• S: Space.
• A: Acknowledgment.
• G: Grace.
• E: Encouragement.

The Gift of Space. Space to think. Space to speak. Space to be. Space to heal. Space to speak when we are ready, or not to speak if we are not. A space to be without judgment and without pressure. A space to be without masking, fully, authentically. In privacy. And, when we are ready, in acknowledgment.  

The Gift of Acknowledgment. So many of us have felt invisible or unheard. Acknowledgment can feel like a lifeline. A simple ‘I see you,’ ‘I hear you,’ or ‘Thank you’ can let us know that we matter. Our efforts and presence matter.

The Gift of Grace. We make mistakes. We can’t please everyone, and we really should not try. But we often try anyway, and fail. Grace is the gift of patience and understanding. It is a gift of non-judgmental listening. It’s saying, ‘It’s okay—you’re human.’ Grace lifts others and reminds us to extend that same kindness to ourselves.

The Gift of Encouragement. When the challenges keep coming at us, encouragement is the fuel that keeps us moving forward. A kind word, a reminder of how far we’ve come, can renew hope. Encouragement costs nothing but can mean everything.

Gifts of inclusion do not require grand gestures—they can manifest in small, intentional actions that support dignity and belonging. And dignity and belonging are central to our lives.

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New articles

📰 Check out my Forbes article The Brave New Hiring: Neurodiversity Inclusion IS Tomorrow’s Workforce.

🎭 Read my Psychology Today article The Strain of Masking: Reclaiming Our Neurodivergent Selves.

Podcasts

🎙 + 🎙 A two-part FIXABLE podcast! Part 1 is my conversation with the incredible Anne Morriss and Frances Frei , and Part 2 is us helping a caller with a disclosure dilemma. Even if you are not a podcast person...check this one out!