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Dare to Dream: Endings and New Beginnings
There is a stream that cuts across our backyard. Yesterday, it seemed completely frozen. When I looked closer I realized that, right under the ice, there was this faint vein of water moving. There is life at the bottom of this stream. There are frogs, fish, and all kinds of creatures snug in the mud, waiting and preparing for the thaw. Spring is coming and when the temperatures are right and the environment hospitable, they’ll find their way to the surface and they’ll begin yet another cycle. We too are creatures of nature. We live our lives in cycles; endings and new beginnings and everything in between. Every cycle has its…
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Life Lessons From Muir Woods
In July, our girls were off to Europe for two weeks to visit their best friends so, Neal and I, decided to visit California. It’s been a long-time dream to visit San Fransisco and Muir Woods. After three days in San Fransisco, we headed out to Muir Woods and Napa Valley. I knew Muir Woods was going to be a magical and sacred place to be in. What I didn’t expect was the deep silence and stillness that descended upon us as we entered the forest. I don’t think I can find the words to communicate what it feels like to walk among 1000-year-old trees that can be as tall as…
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Spring Forward
On Wednesday, March 20 at 7:09 am EST, Spring, the season of rebirth, made her entrance! There’s still snow on the ground but it’s melting fast. The weather report is warning us of yet another snowstorm coming Monday. It works like this, as one season gives way to the next; two steps forward, one step backward… dancing the tango and so we go round the seasons. Saturday morning, I made my usual rounds to the recycling center, post office, and driving the girls to their various activities. It was windy, at times cloudy, then sunny. The sky was a brilliant blue. There were even snowflakes falling, dancing their way down. When…
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On Driftwood and Other Finds
It’s been raining today on the island. I went for my morning walk a little later than usual. The girls had asked us to wake them up so they could go for a run while Neal and I took our walk. Not the best idea, in retrospect. I found myself getting pulled into a long conversation about the day. As expected, the girls are less than excited about the prospect of a rainy day. I find myself going down a familiar path; trying to make them happy and help them discover the gift of a rainy day; not the easiest task with two sixteen-year-olds. I feel my mood changing and I…
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A Time For Me
Waking up on the first morning of our vacation, I was greeted by the view of the sunrise over the harbor. Mary Oliver’s words came to mind. Hello, sun in my face.Hello, you who made the morning andspread it over the fields . . .Watch, now, how I start the dayin happiness, in kindness. I sat for meditation as the sun traveled up the horizon, its warmth increasing, coming through the open window. After meditation, Neal and I head to the bakery; a ritual we repeat every time we visit. We wake up early, go to the Old Post Office Bagel Shop, grab a cup of coffee, and head to the…
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Same Lesson . . . Time and Again
Twelve years ago, when I was trying to decide which direction to take my coaching practice in, the message that kept coming to me was . . . “Keep it simple!” Over the years and through many trials, when I’d find myself plagued with doubt, I’d remember and set myself straight. When in doubt, keep it simple! About two weeks ago, I facilitated a retreat for nine women at my home. It was lovely and profound. As I was preparing for the retreat, I decided to create small card bookmarks with words and phrases printed on them. The retreat participants picked randomly and used the messages they received for contemplation. Everyone…
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At Home Again
I was given my first camera at sixteen. I lived in Greece where I was born. It was a 35 mm Nikon FG. I still have it. I remember when I first held it in my hands – filled with anticipation and excitement. A good friend of mine was a professional and passionate photographer. He took me under his wing, taught me how to use my camera, and helped me develop a different kind of vision. On a lazy Sunday afternoon, we went downtown Athens, cameras on hand. We walked around and got lost inside streets and neighborhoods I hadn’t known existed. I began to look around me with a different…
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Endings and New Beginnings
Last night, we took down our Christmas tree. We tend to leave our tree up as long as we can. There’s something about the glow of twinkling lights that warms up a room and makes everything feel cozy and safe. When we put the tree up, the girls, Neal and I work together. We always do. It’s our family ritual. We put Christmas music on, string the lights, and debate on whether to use fairy lights – my personal favorite – or colorful ones – the girls’ and Neal’s favorites. It’s a battle I lose every year. The girls find fairy lights boring. Once the lights are strung, we begin to…
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Connecting the Dots
“You have to be able to be happy in your own company,” he says. He appears to be in his seventies and he’s sitting with a younger woman. We’re at the mall where I brought my daughters and a friend of theirs for shopping. I’m not interested in shopping but I don’t want to drive home and back again. I decide to stay, have a cup of coffee, watch the world go by, and maybe write. As I sit down and make myself comfortable I can’t help but listen to his words. Maybe I hear them because they hold meaning for me. I know people who are terrified of being alone.…
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Let it Be Light!
Yesterday, we celebrated the Winter Solstice. Today, we’re well on our journey to let the light fill our days once again. No matter what your beliefs are and how you choose to celebrate this season, we all share this moment in time – the time when we’re turning towards the light. I hope you take this moment to pause and breathe in the light, love, and peace that’s yours. This light, this love makes the best offerings. Share them with all! Thank you for being present with me over the years! Thank you for opening your heart and sharing your gifts with me. I am truly grateful! May joy, hope, good…
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Winds of Change – On Pillows and Such
I noticed her as I walked by. She must have been in her late seventies. She was being helped by a young woman and they were discussing pillows. She was trying to choose new ones for her couch. I soon found what I wanted and headed to another part of the store, then to the register to check out. The older woman was already there, completing her purchase of two pillows. As she was getting ready to leave, she turned to me and the young woman at the register and said . . . “I needed some color – a change. I’ve lived in the same living room for as long…
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‘Twas the Evening Before Halloween
The snow began falling early afternoon, on the Saturday before Halloween. By early evening we had lost electricity. Sunday morning, we woke up to an altered landscape. We took a ride in search of hot tea and coffee and as we drove through town, we couldn’t believe our eyes. There were trees split in half, lying on snow-covered lawns. The roads, sidewalks, and open spaces were covered with broken branches and fallen trees. The snowstorm came unexpectedly and hit hard. The temperature dropped sharply before the trees had the chance to prepare for winter. The weight of the wet, heavy snow proved too much to bear and the trees fell. The…
