I'm Back

Well, I'm finally back from my long weekend. And I've spent the last several days trying to catch up, which seems to be a never-ending process. It is just another reason that having a 'To Do" List that is under control is so important. There needs to be an end in sight or that feeling of overwhelm just grows without any reprieve. Remember, if you want to know more about keeping that list under control, log on to www.lonetreecoach.com and sign up for my monthly ezine, "Branch to Branch." You don't want to miss the great tips you'll receive to help make your life more manageable.

Much Needed Long Weekend

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a much needed long weekend. I am going to be heading to the mountains for some more high altitude training as I get ready for my 39 mile walk this summer. (This is a picture of the river that runs along the back of our cabin.) I can hardly wait to get back to nature and just enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as relax without having to worry about all the many things on my to do list.

Speaking of "to do" lists... If you haven't checked out my website (www.lonetreecoach.com) and signed up to receive my free monthly ezine, you should put that on your list. Especially since next month's article will deal with those dreaded to do lists and how to turn them from being an overwhelming headache to a manageable organizational tool.

Enjoy your long weekend and promise yourself that you will take some time during the weekend to just sit and reflect on the beauty that surrounds you. Whether you're in the mountains, on the plains or in the city, there is always beauty to be found if the one looking for it looks hard enough. Peace!

Congratulations Graduates, Now What?

So it's graduation time. This past weekend we attended several graduation celebrations. And I was reminded of how quickly time flies. As I sat and looked at my oldest daughter and her anxious words of, " I can't wait to start kindergarten next year!" echoed in my ears, I wondered how we can let go and send them on their way without crying and hanging on forever. Then as the speaker brought me back to reality with words of congratulations and well wishes, I realized that this graduation is a bittersweet moment. As will be that first day I walk away from my daughter as she sits proudly in her seat in her new classroom.

So how do you look at transition in your life? All of these graduates are at a transition point in their lives that is bigger then anything they have ever faced. They are about to cross the threshold of their future and transition into a whole new world. Yes, it is bittersweet. Most transitions are. But as you look back after experiencing them, aren't most of them for the better? I recently heard a man by the name of David Koons say, "This or Something Better." And I put a lot of thought into that, because the way I see it, each transition is the opportunity to change. It is the opportunity to start new, to redefine yourself. It is the chance of a lifetime. You get to choose if you want to stay with this, or strive for something better. If you make up your mind what you want, and work hard, it will come to you, or maybe even something better.

It would be unhealthy to stay stuck in a rut that got you nothing but the same results. I know that the day I let my little girl go into that kindergarten classroom will be the day I start letting go of her so that she can transition into something beautiful. Will it be hard? "Hell Yes!" But will it be necessary? "Oh yeah!" We can't stay stuck where we are for fear of what is to come. Life's transitions, although bittersweet at times, are a necessary part of life.

To the graduates out there, I wish you courage to attack your future and be whomever you want to be. And to those of you stuck wondering where you will go at your next crossroads, and allowing fear to hold you back, I encourage you to look me up. Transition is sometimes scary but it doesn't have to be done alone.

Check it out!

I was recently faced with a bit of a health scare. And because I'm doing this walk, it was very apparent to me that prevention and being aware are extraordinarily important. Then strangely enough, I just spoke to one of my dear friends and she is going through a similar thing. As we talked, I was so proud of her because she is going to get everything checked right away. And we both discussed the fact that just because you don't know if it's there, doesn't mean it's not there. So I guess I want to take today's blog to remind everyone to get regular check ups. And be very in tune with your body. I was guilty of feeling embarrassed because I thought, if there was nothing wrong then I had been wasting my time and money but then I thought about how if my mom would have only wasted a little time and money in the beginning, she might be here today to enjoy her grandkids. Isn't that worth it? So, again, I urge everyone, get regular check ups, take care of yourself and don't be afraid to keep your head out of the sand...you can't find much good down there.

Bird Songs

As I sit at my computer, I have my back door open and can hear the sound of birds singing in my yard. The sounds of spring and a new awakening. It is such a calming sound that brings peace and happiness to my soul. Have you heard the birds singing lately? What new awakening are you ready for in your life?

I want to encourage you today, to stop and listen to the birds sing outside your window. Close your eyes, listen, and breath...feel the peace that comes to you. The beauty of nature and the lessons we can learn from it are unending.

The Good Ol' Days

I was recently talking with my husband about the good ol' days after he had been listening to some 80's Hair Band music. And we started to laugh about how back then, we had no responsibilities, no worries and yet always had some kind of drama stressing us out. Now we look back and refer to them as the good ol' days. It made me think that maybe each day is an opportunity to make new good days and that some day we'll look back and refer to these days just the same. So why not just enjoy them now and not worry so much about what the future holds. It will surely come and it would be a shame to look back at these days as what was...why not enjoy them right now as what is!

Frustration

I have been dealing with several updates on my website and I have reached a point of frustration that I really don't know how to handle. The fact that my internet knowledge is limited makes it hard for me to know which path to follow on many given things. It is very overwhelming. And as I thought about it this morning, I was at a loss of what to do. Then it came to me that when you don't know what to do and you feel out of control of a situation, often all you can do is pray about it.

So, that's just what I did. I prayed for guidance and direction and I prayed for the knowledge to make the right decisions. I also prayed for the other people involved, my web designer, my data programmer, etc. And guess what? By this afternoon, there's work being done on it. I don't know what they're doing, but I know they are working on it. Just another reminder that sometimes we have to put things in God's hands, no matter how big or small they are. I know my website isn't a life or death situation but for my business, it could be. And although not the end of the world, still something to pray about.

When you feel frustrated, no matter what the issue, no matter how big or how small...pray. Somehow it always seems to help. If nothing else, it relieves the pressure of feeling like you have to go it alone. As my motto states, "... you are never alone."