Silly or not, I keep thinking about the phrase, "Oh, So Frothy!" During the holidays, my daughter received a recycled Aerolatte, which is a small, handheld battery operated device that froths your milk for coffee. Since I'd never used one before, she explained to me how to operate it. I cannot begin to express the enormous amount of fun I've been having with this simple gizmo. I experimented with it by varying the milk types, foaming first then adding coffee, or reversing that process. I learned what worked and what didn't, like turning it on after inserting the spindle into the milk is a "yes." I enjoyed a good laugh when the milk splattered all over my face, clothes, and kitchen counter before I learned the trick.

Getting back to Oh, So Frothy!...aside from making me happy to say those words, the phrase reminds me that trying new and joyful things are delightful. Imagine that if something this small can produce such bliss, what else might be possible? It is in the spirit of fun, experimentation, and possibiliites that I enter this year.

Wishing you plenty of time to explore, enjoy, and discover both the tiny and big things that make this year particularly fabulous!

The days are cooling. My hot drink consumption is increasing. The socks and sweaters are reappearing from the drawers. Internal and external changes are visible. As this new season arrives, it brings hope and possibilities for what can be. It encourages me to review. Like a GPS device, I locate myself, and focus on where I am and where I'm heading.

Maybe some of the roads are blocked. Perhaps some of my thinking is blocked. Maybe some of the travel options incude more mileage. Perhaps the further distance is essential to my journey. Maybe there are routes with many tolls. Perhaps the costs are essential payments for the learning.

Taking time to think and review also gives me the opportunity to re-route as needed. I look at the map. Where I am feels familiar. Where I'm heading is less so, yet I'm excited about the growth opportunities and what I might discover on the way.

I hope the changing landscape inspires you to embark on the next leg of your journey. I'm looking forward to hearing about the wonderful possibilities that are ahead for you.

Time is for many things. There are rushed and busy times, focused and well-paced moments, and periods of transition and angst. Transition time seems to be the theme of late for me. Besides noticing the shift of seasons, it's also been a time of change in family dynamics, clients' lives, and business.

In the last several years, our daughters have left the nest, many clients, family members, and friends have passed away or moved, family traditions have shifted, writing and social media output, coaching training, and mentoring have increased, socializing with friends has become more frequent, and some of my volunteer activities have decreased. While there have been additions, the losses are noticeable. Some transitions come and go quickly, while others linger and take more time for adjusting.

During this transition, I've tried to be patient with myself. I've removed the pressure to figure everything out. I've invited in some essentials like time to write, walk, and be around nature, friends and family. While some time was used to process and future think, allowing myself to just be in the moment, has helped me navigate this time of change. What is shifting for you? What helps you negotiate your new normal?

I'm a fan of sticky notes, and especially Anne Taintor's vintage-inspired ones. She has a great sense of humor. There are a few of her designs that are relevant to the "letting go" theme I'm writing about this month. One says, "Just file it under 'who cares?'" Another says, "The day was in dire need of a Ctrl+Alt+Delete." I've interpreted the messages as, keep what's important and let go of what's not. This pertains to our physical things like papers, magazines, clothing, or toys. It also relates to the negative thoughts that we allow to propagate and cloud our days.

Letting go isn't always easy to do. In fact, it can be downright challenging. Sometimes we are able to do this on our own. However, when we're stuck, it can be useful to enlist help from a family, friend, or professional. Sometimes we need encouragement and support from another person to push forward.

The good news is how great we feel on the other side. When we get in the releasing, letting go, and getting-rid-of mode, we set the stage for possibilities, clarity, and growth. What will you "Ctrl+Alt+Delete" this spring?

Especially at this moment in time, I sense shifts and changes. Traditions of the past have made way for new ones. Our once young children are blossoming into independent adults. Thoughts swirl around my brain about which goals to pursue, what needs to be dropped, and what I imagine the coming year to be like. My mood is reflective as I think about all that happened last year. Did I accomplish everything I set out to do? I reached some goals like blogging weekly, spending more time with friends, and redesigning my organizing website and logo. The year was also filled with sadness like saying good-bye to a long-standing client who passed away last month, and going through the challenges of my dad being ill.

One thing I'm very clear about is that whether life is going brillantly or not, I am extremely grateful for the love and support of my family, friends, colleagues and clients. They give my life meaning and purpose. While I love to set goals and reach them, it is within the context of having strong bonds and time with those I love that makes each day richer.

I wish each of you great love, joy, perspective, and success in this New Year!

The main room in our home has big windows with views of the woods. As I sit looking out enjoying my morning coffee, I am fully aware of the changes before me. Not that long ago, I saw the hot summer sun casting its bright light on all the lush greenery. Now the greens of summer are shifting to the warm browns, reds, oranges and yellows of fall. I take great delight in the beauty beyond the windows. In addition, this is nature's reminder to me that change is gradual and ever-present.

This mirrors our experience. Sometimes we get impatient with making the changes we seek. Our quest can feel long, daunting and never-ending. Yet at the point when we stop to reflect, we realize that just like the cycle of the seasons, we too have changed and come to the next stage. There is meaning and hope in the journey and the discovery. Let this season inspire you with both patience and action.