Integrative Coach, Consultant & Facilitator
Each season I provide inspiring nuggets of wisdom through my newsletter and invitations to upcoming events. Seasonal teachings help people see their world in a new way and come through both my personal and professional experiences and various indigenous practices. One of which is the Five Elements philosophy of Wu Xing (wŭ ching) which highlights unique nature-based ways to understand and process change, and problem-solve. Find this newsletter useful? Be the gift that keeps giving, share it with a friend! Enjoy!

According to Eastern traditions there are 5 seasons, each represented by an element, color and emotional characteristics. Here's a simplified explanation.

• Winter : Water : Blue : Stillness : Fear
• Spring : Wood : Green : Creativity : Anger
• Summer : Fire : Red : Connectivity : Joy
• Late Summer : Earth : Yellow : Integrity : Sympathy
• Autumn : Metal : White : Acknowledgement : Grief

Winter is related to the WATER element which represents the emotion of fear and informs a sense of power, potential, faith, courage, stillness or movement and wisdom. Through the season of winter, we are reminded to dance with the unknown. When we do this and face the unknown head-on, we're looking directly into the face of fear itself. Doing so changes the fear making it moldable, softer-- and makes us more available to access what's possible. We just need to be present to what is, then act, if action is being called for.

Let's be honest, facing our fear is not something we tend to readily explore. It can be a terribly upsetting and downright scary. Ironically, you may discover that the resistance to explore the unknown is actually stronger than facing fear itself.

Even today, we're facing upsets on an unprecedented level. Everything from fear of the future, to environmental loss and polarized politics. (I'm sure you've heard enough political rhetoric, so I will not go there.) I do however, encourage, welcome, challenge and invite you to draw a larger circle to encompass the importance of cyclical patterns of change which are basic fundamentals of life. Breath in, breath out. Sun up, sun down. Tides in, tides out. We are made from momentous shifts of constant change. Nothing is stagnant. Ever.

I look at it like this... Just like the human body is made of cells working towards the success and highest good of the evolution and survival of the body, what if... individuals act like cells in the "body" of humanity-- also working for the highest and most successful outcome of the greater whole, whether or not we're all conscious of this. It may not look nor feel like what's needed or wanted and yet, sometimes we need a "cold" to jostle things up and strengthen the immune system, help us access a new perspective and creative solutions.

So- let's bring some awareness here and as the day's light changes and temperatures continue to shift, just remember you're an intricate part of nature's dance, in all ways. We cannot remove ourselves from the dance of change. We can only choose how we respond to being moved.

Humans function like seasons of the natural world, and easily respond to the expressions and changes of it. Take a moment to bring some awareness and reflect upon what's changing for you, personally and professionally through today's element and season.

• How much empty, quiet time do you have in your life to reflect and regenerate?
• What are you deeply committed to?
• What are your sources of power and courage?
• Where and how do you give your power away?
• If you faced your fear, what might be freed or called to take action?
  

VISIONBOARD SOIRÉE (Host or join the next one!)
There are hundreds of ways to harness your imagination, creating a vision board is one that WORKS! Professionals design business plans... why not design your life plan? A vision board is a placeholder for your intentions that serve to send out a constant reminder of what you want. It's a refreshing and playful way to plan ahead and be mindful about how to show up to life. Join us or host one for your friends!! READ MORE & REGISTER

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! :: Register before Feb 1 Save $50!

CAMP UNPLUGGED BEACH RETREAT

April 21-23rd EARTH DAY weekend!!

$398 (2 nights, 4 meals + retreat)

Take A Tech-Free Getaway! Rediscover your inner nature IN nature. The set up is simple, really simple. Remember when life was simple? Step back in time: before Facebook, before cell phones, before a gazillion TV channels. Just simple. Conversations in real-time with real people in, real nature. Disconnect from your upset and busy life for one weekend and join us for this restorative and compassionate back-to basics experience. READ MORE & REGISTER NOW (Great gift idea!!**)

FEBRUARY - AUGUST 2017 (6 months)

Wisdom Circle Accountability Mastermind Group

ONLINE & IN-PERSON GROUPS STARTING SOON!
$3500 (partial scholarship available for qualified candidates)
INVITATION-ONLY facilitated 6-month mastermind group. Bi-weekly meetings, accountability partnerships, exclusive workbook and personalized coaching support helps serious professionals grow their business and accomplish goals while they define themselves, catalyze ideas, fuel their visions, gain traction, direction, community and peace of mind. Wisdom Circle is tremendously powerful. REGISTRATION BEGINS NOW! READ MORE

NAVIGATING LIFE: I'm taking a break from the Navigating Life series till January for the holidays. If you'd like to listen to archived podcasts, click here. Thanks to those who've offered to be a guest on future calls, I'll be contacting you soon!