Something New

Pure Fun

How can I use fun to summon courage? I thought about that while signing up for a two-day beginning white water kayaking class. Needless to say, I didn’t ponder the question much after I got on the river; after all, I was in the moment having a blast…and being a little scared at the same time. I knew our top-notch instructors were our safety net, so all I had to do was go down the river. And really, that was my choice too rather than an imperative. One of my teachers, Heather, had a most useful creed- “paddle and smile!” All of what we learned was done gradually, in small meaningful steps which we were always asked if we were ready to do. That’s what I love about coaching…it’s empowering to be invited to experience new ways of feeling more brave and adventurous to go towards whatever we desire in life! Thanks Heather, Bryan, and Daniel…you are all amazing guides.

Restorative Views

North Carolina View

Where  do you look for renewal?  I often return to vistas captured in my camera…many times of mountains. Perhaps it’s because I was born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, running through the woods, bathed in fresh air and country dirt. The mountain photo on this site’s home page was taken as my husband and I stood at the entrance to the Shining Rock Wilderness in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. It’s grounding for me to look at the blue hues and remember…the day of hiking, the clear sun on a warm July day, insect  sounds, a hawk overhead, and the majesty and breadth of those old hills. So, the restoration comes from not only the experience itself with my favorite hiking partner, but the memory, wrapped in all the years of walking on trails, starting from my early days as a young girl walking on soft beds of pine needles, laid down from generations of tall trees, swaying in the breezes, strong in the moutain soil.