Focus on Silver

On Tuesday this week, Jon and I celebrated a special milestone – our silver wedding anniversary. Twenty-five years ago, we stood together and said, ‘I do’. Yet as I reflected on our journey, I realised our story really began six years earlier, in April 1995, when a chance encounter at university brought us together.

To mark the occasion, I decided to do something a little different. I wrote Jon a poem telling the story of how we met – from moving into his halls of residence during the Easter break, to sharing a kitchen, borrowing his TV to watch the Grand Prix and all the moments that followed. It was a chance to look back on the seemingly ordinary moments that ended up changing the course of our lives.

We also treated ourselves to two wonderful days away at Champneys Forest Mere. Away from the demands of work, the endless to-do lists and the pace of everyday life, we had the opportunity to pause, reflect and simply enjoy being together in the sunshine. Sometimes the greatest luxury isn't the spa treatments or the beautiful surroundings – it's creating space to appreciate how far you've come.

I shared a short post on LinkedIn about our anniversary and was completely taken aback by the response. At the time of writing, it has received over 73,000 impressions and many lovely comments. Clearly, beneath the professional headlines, business updates and leadership insights, we're all romantics at heart.

The experience reminded me of something important. We often focus on what's next – the next goal, the next challenge, the next achievement. Yet there is tremendous value in taking time to celebrate what already is.

Whether it's twenty-five years of marriage, a business milestone, a friendship, a health goal achieved or simply making it through a difficult season, too often we rush past our successes without fully acknowledging them.

This week, my focus has been on silver. Not just the anniversary itself, but the importance of recognising the moments, relationships and experiences that enrich our lives.

Focus on Silver! Focus on Why.

REFLECTION WITH ACTION: What have you achieved, built or nurtured that you've forgotten to celebrate? Take ten minutes this weekend to reflect on a milestone, relationship or achievement that matters to you. Write down three things you're grateful for about it and, if possible, share your appreciation with someone who has been part of that journey.