Former carrier of lots of other people's backpacks -- traveling much lighter now.
My hike through life so far has had unexpected turns along the path, serious uphills, ridiculous stumbles and painful falls. Also some amazing views along the way - sometimes when I've been flat on my back looking up. Maybe yours has been like that, too.
Now I try to make the world a better place by listening to one person at a time.
I like coming alongside people on their path. I won't carry your backpack, but I will help you reorganize it so it's a little bit lighter
- enough to help you keep moving forward and enjoying your journey.
I've found that the thoughts in our heads can be pretty soap-opera-dramatic sometimes. Try writing down everything that's coming to mind right now. Then imagine those words spoken by my upside down cat up there...
See what I mean?
About the Idea of "Courageous Morning"
I love sunrises. In 2021 I moved to the top of a small mountain where I can watch the sun rise over a meadow, so I get up early to see the show. There are a set number of sunrises in a person's life. And I believe we should see as many of them as we can.
In my 3 decades as a teacher and a school leader, there were many mornings when I journaled a pep talk for myself so I could face the day. When a door opened and I accidentally became a charter school CEO, I adopted a daily journaling practice to set an intention. I coached myself through five years of courageous mornings. Leading a school through a pandemic offered me the work of walking alongside many who were personally and professionally struggling - every morning they figured out how to begin bravely. In that work I discovered the gift of sacred silence and the value of compassionate listening.
In those same five years my mother courageously navigated a quickly advancing dementia. My father bravely and faithfully served as her caregiver. I witnessed some very long days - each its own story of laughter, beauty, pain, joy, emotion, and struggles. But they all started with a courageous morning. In 2021 when my mother lost her tumultuous battle with Alzheimers, I stepped out of my own stress-filled life to see what else might be out here for me. I found a wonderful partner, moved to a little forest on a small mountain, and slowed down enough to notice those sunrises.
Now in my work as a life coach I see the power of living your best life right now - the value of feeling heard, the importance of allowing time and space for knowledge to dawn on us like a slow sunrise, and the courage it takes to observe, to notice, and to be curious about what might be next. Courageous morning is about finding within ourselves the unique strength we need for just the day ahead of us. Courageous morning is about keeping our eyes bravely on the horizon. Even after a dark night. Even when we know it's going to be a tough day.
And as an end-of-life coach I support caregivers and their loved ones in navigating the sunsets of life, too. There is sadness and loss but also poignant love and light. And with each visit, I witness those at end of life and their loved ones in courageous mourning as the story of their lives, their illnesses and their final chapters are told out.... Courageous morning after courageous morning.
