I set out on my paddleboard with a wandering mind and a weighted heart. I was pursuing the mist in the distance with each long stroke and was amused by its elusiveness and intrigued by its science: Cool Air + Warm Water = Magical Morning Mist. It had been a little while since I had intentionally set out on a “solo adventure,” and I felt giddy at the prospect of it from the outset. I ended up spending the whole day on my little self-powered vessel moving through the water as slowly as I could, and with each stroke, I noticed my internal self attuning to my surroundings more and more, and weights lifting, or perhaps shapeshifting.

I refer to this time of year as my “staring season”. The combination of the steady insect soundscape, the slight softening of light, and the air’s crisping settles me into a state of stillness. And as a result of a day like this, I feel the ripple effect of stilling my own waters in my client work. I find all week long that my one-on-one sessions are more spacious and reflective, and as a result, insights, answers, and clear next steps gently emerge. In my experience, when I get locked in a good long stare, and I perceive my mind as blank, it is actually set free to do its gentle, most potent work behind the scenes, just below my sense of awareness.

I am excited to be re-engaging with direct client work in this season, to be given the chance to sit with what is emerging from below the surface, and then help align truth with action. And, I am also excited to continue going on my own explorations into the visual and auditory delights of this season and begin designing new offerings for teams as a way to keep bringing new meaning to the age-old expression of As Above, So Below.