Oh it’s that wonderful time of year when Mother Earth slows for just a moment to show-off her radiance! The green leaves of summer, which shielded us from the glaring sun, now resemble a box of crayons from childhood. Our gentle giants no longer have colors of mountain meadow or jungle green, rather they boast tips of sunset orange and crisp magenta and goldenrod and orange red. The worn trunks desperate attempt to hold-fast to the grandeur of color is virtually impossible. The once pliable leaves that held-fast in the summer breeze and cupped the gentle rains of summer have become brittle and crumbly. As the blustery winds of autumn carry the tree’s dressing to earth’s floor, all that remains are elongated structures raising ever reaching boughs – open to and welcoming the change of seasons that is upon them.
I like to take pause, during this transition from summer into autumn. Pause, as do the leaves before they fall to earth’s floor; a moment to reflect on the blessings and joys of a summer now past; an unhurried time to breathe in the cool crisp air and refresh my soul; a time to anticipate what is to come; somethings unknown – many yet unplanned.
It is a wonderful time of year when Mother Earth slows for just a moment – – – as shall I.

This is one of the most interesting aspects of being a Coach. I do not give advice; I do not presume to have the answers. YOU have all your own answers! Yes! You do! And, sometimes you simply need someone who will listen to you as you muddle through all the answers; someone who will ask you the questions you need to answer and listen until you find the answer that is there all along; someone who will not judge – rather will ask: Have you had enough? How has that been working for you? Is that the truth?
What would it be like to have someone who will support you in a safe environment as you search within? Do you need someone to listen? I’m here……….

I love trains! When I ride a train, I am taken back to a simpler time, one with an effortless melodic rhythm that gives me the experience that all is right in the world. How often has your experience been one of the soothing rocking of the train…rolling along the countryside…destination planned by the track on which you ride? Well planned, with the track switches happening at the exact moment to maintain your destination at the exact interval needed to avoid collision or derailment? If yours is that perfect ride – then I applaud you! For most, in our life’s journey, we head out of the station in the right car, on the right track and then…somewhere in our journey – the conductor comes through with the news that the engineer has lost his way! The whistle blows and sometimes, the brakes engage with a screeching sound that causes us to wake-up and take notice! Our ride could be slowed to a complete stop – or – could be moving forward (or back) at break-neck speed. It is up to you to take over the job of engineer…to take control of your ride. Many of us are ill-equipped do this – we need the conductor to support our journey and support us along the way. Is your ride in jeopardy or going off-course? If so, reach out to someone who can help you get back on track. Life can be a delightful journey…I love trains!

We are rounding down summer, a time to prepare for children returning to school, the coming of fall and another change of seasons. I find this is a good time to reflect, to look back on where we have come from, what course corrections are needed to take us further on our life’s journey.

How has your year reflected your life’s goals? Are you moving toward the life you’d love to live? Take a moment and really look. Is it time to turn it up a notch or dial it back to become more successful? It’s okay, either way! Remember, it’s YOUR goal and you have the power to choose your direction and focus.

What has been your focus for the last few months? Sometimes, it’s simply recovering from vacations, summer breaks, keeping children occupied and now, perhaps, sending someone off to college! Coming up might be rearranging schedules, adding school functions and homework to your evening mix.

Breathe…sometimes this is when the word ‘overwhelmed’ comes tumbling off your tongue!
Whether it was a ‘best laid plan’ for the summer that has drifted into oblivion or those upcoming menial tasks that pull you down, it seems to drain all your energy – leaving you with only ‘overwhelmed’.

Life is a journey … it is an uncompleted series of events that, like a fall garden, needs continuing observation and consistent tending – watchful for weeds that spring up to take the last of your fragrant flowers or hearty vegetables down the path of overgrown weeds. The fruits of your labor are precious – just as the journey of your life.

Breathe…set aside the ‘overwhelm’ for just a moment and look. Look deep inside…where have you been…where are you going…what is one small, sweet step you are willing to take today to celebrate the journey of your life in this moment?

It is so easy to look back – we have already lived that experience! How do we move from chastising ourselves on what was and focus on what could be? Woulda, coulda, shoulda….does that sound familiar to you? It does to me! If only I woulda…. I know that I coulda…. Darn-it, I shoulda… Have you had enough of that? I know I have!
So – just how do we move forward? How do we look out the windshield instead of the rear view mirror? What is it that keeps calling us back to where we were and quieting the possibilities of what could be? Close your eyes….breathe….now – open and look at what is surrounding you, right now, at this very moment! Breathe and take another look. Do you see them? The possibilities of what could be? What is more interesting to you – – where you have been…or where you are going? Hmmm….Are you ready? The present is here now and the future is only small sweet steps away! You are prepared, supplied with your experiences, the knowledge and skills already acquired. You know what not to do, say and how not to be! You are stronger and wiser and now, ready to move forward, with focus and clarity and ease and yes, with grace. Welcome to today!