On Sunday nights my family and I like to turn out the lights with the sun.

After an electronics-free and work-free day, we become like the animals and move with the rhythm of the Earth.

We place candles around the house in key areas: the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedrooms, and finally in the family room. Generally the lights in the family room are the brightest for us to read a religious story, a poem, or a chapter book together.

Our intention is to create sacred space and truly, without distraction, spend time with each other.

Recently my husband made a job change so that he could be home more and I have made the resolution to engage in more play with my kids. Doing our Sunday candle-time is just one way for us to focus, without distraction.

Sometimes mindfulness and focus comes from removing distraction. From unplugging, re-setting, and allowing ourselves to do something radical! And who knew, 150 years ago, that simply turning off the lights would be radical.

“ Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you. ” – Anne Lamott