What’s not to love about this time of year? Spring brings positive changes with less extreme temperatures, more sunshine, and lusciously colored landscapes. The visual cues of spring inspire and reenergize me. I look behind to assess where I’ve been. I look ahead to imagine where I want to go. I breathe deeply to appreciate where I am right now.  What draws your focus?

One of the recent habit changes I made was spring-induced. I added the simple daily repeat “Take walk” to my electronic to do list.  This has resulted in many benefits including daily outdoors exercise, photo-taking opportunities, increased water drinking, reduced chocolate eating, more pondering time, and enhanced sense of well-being. The crossing-it-off-my-list factor has provided enough motivation and accountability to solidify my new walking habit. 

As spring unfolds, what changes are you ready to embrace?

This is a reflective time of year for me as I look backwards and forwards. I make time to reveiw last year's goals, assess how things went, think about what I'll continue, what I'll stop, and what I'll want more or less of.

After I assess, I future think. How will I design the next twelve months in a productive, rich, and rewarding way? There'll be things I can't anticipate, such as life's surprises. So when I plan, I'll also include white or blank space in my schedule to give me room to navigate the unexpected. The space will also allow me to catch my breath, reflect, and pause.

While I haven't yet determined my specific goals, I know that certain themes will emerge. My focus will include strengthening all relationships, continuing personal and professional development, developing leadership skills, building community, and integrating better nutrition and exercise. The balance will be between helping others and myself.

The snow falls, making a fresh, white surface, which covers the ground. The scene before me suggests a landscape of hope and possibilities to design as I imagine. Wishing you a beautiful, clean slate to create your amazing New Year!

While I haven't  yet made my fall/winter clothing switch, I have put the comforter back on our bed (to my husband's disappointment) and also added a throw blanket. He's not looking forward to the cold winter that will follow fall. The changes even though gradual, are evident. I'm noticing daily the leaves turning colors, wake-up time becoming darker, and evenings feeling cooler. I apprecaite these visible cues. They encourage me to acknowledge that change is an integral part of our lives. This new season is here.

The obvious change in the landscape, which is punctuated by yellows, oranges, and reds, makes me wonder, "Linda where are you with change?" How are your 2013 goals progressing? Are you on track? Do you want to rethink, reevaluate, or alter any of them? Are you stuck? What would move you forward? Do you want to shift your focus? Do you want to let go of anything? What's possible?

The changing environment encourages inquiry. It's a natural time of year to pause, ask, regroup, and move forward. What questions are included in your landscape?

Summer is a wonderful season. Days are longer. Layers of clothing are lighter. Daily pace is slower. Balancing work with play is better integrated. There are more breaks for family and vacation time. There is more time to explore and do things on a whim. I love the combination of having a plan and then letting go of the plan (if only for a day.) It's liberating. Especially since I tend to be more goal-oriented, I appreciate when instead, I just let the time unfold, unplanned.

The rests are essential. Without them, the lists, projects, and want to dos can overwhelm me. Instead, by building in "not do" time, it allows me to restore my energy. During the breaks, I clear my mind and suspend my to do lists. They get a temporary vacation too. This releases me so that I can be present and less distracted by what I'm not getting done. Not doing is a choice too.

After my "not doing" pause, I'm ready, focused, and motivated to accomplish what's next. As your summer progresses, I encourage you to find the balance between action and play that feels right for you.

Lightness is all around. Are you sensing it too? Spring has given us longer, brighter days and less layers to wear. People are letting go of the things they no longer want, need, use, or like. They are deciding that much of their "stuff" is not worth the physical real estate, emotional energy, or maintenance. What am I noticing? Space is opening up. We are breathing better, moving through our days more easily, feeling more focused and less stressed. Like the season, we are feeling lighter as we release, let go, and simplify.

I took a walk recently and my winter coat stayed home. Instead, a light sweater was all that I needed. I felt the warm sun on my face. The air was starting to smell sweet with the first spring blooms. I took a deep, long breath, held it a few moments, then slowly exhaled. It felt wonderful to let go and feel less emcumbered. As I walked, I was grateful for the beautiful day, the warm air, the sweet scents, and the space.

As you move forward in the weeks ahead, notice the lightness that is there for you. Take a deep breath. Hold it. Let it go. You are on your way. What else will you release?

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!