The expression FFM was one time popular among four colleagues in ministry. The more experienced two, a retired couple who came to offer support while we worked through an intense disaster experience, guided the other two of the quartet into taking a weekly break from work, a complete break – time we captioned “free for me.” That was in Montserrat. The Friday that I had taken off to do my Probation Studies during my first two years in ministry, became my FFM day. I refrained from going to the church office on most Fridays.
I remember FFM time in St. Eustatius when I went to the beach on Friday mornings knowing that the beach would really be free for me as Friday morning beach was not a popular practice on the island. Working in St. Maarten, and having to face Hurricane Irma after a year, was almost another excuse but I managed to make some time for gardening, but actually giving up a lot of FFM.
Things got even worse in my current station. One of the hardest things for me to do lately was taking my FFM. At first, I put it to several reasons- the fact that now work among a people who are mostly available at night, given their long commute from work. Whereas I was previously located with office space easily accessible to persons on lunch break or after work, went to bed habitually before 10:00 p.m., was not expected in office on Saturday except I chose to, things are very different now.
The other reason I used to cite is the reality that I work with persons on both sides of the Atlantic. What this means is that I’m often part of meetings that commence between 10:00 p.m. and midnight.
These are just two reasons. I can cite others; but just citing them now reminds me that these are weak excuses. Maybe I can go two or three weeks without taking a day off, but it’s still my responsibility to look after myself. So, if I cannot take the weekday off that I should, then it’s up to me to make time that’s FFM. So that’s what I did last month when I took time off to go on a short cruise. Here are some of the scenes I enjoyed, including the featured image from Kristiansand, Norway. See below the cosy cottage that was my quiet haven for three days. 
That pretty blue is the actual keel of an ancient ship from those days when cock had teeth!
I’ll also go back to what I did during my first two years in order to relax – making space to be creative- writing and posting more reflections, (theological or otherwise) doing more handicraft
The commitment continues. Today, before my transatlantic workshop (yes- these will continue), I went to warm yoga. There is going to be more time for relaxation- more theatre visits (I saw Aladdin last week) – Here’s Alladin’s lamp 
Rainy day!
more time in the garden, more time to catch up on easy reading (I’ve been reading mostly to deliver sermons and prepare seminars).
I’m old enough and I must enjoy what little (or plenty) time may be left.
I will honour the FFM sessions, the Lord being my helper.