"Find yourself a cup; the teapot is behind you. Now tell me about hundreds of things." H.H. Munro

This year, don't make Resolutions. Create Your Own Evolution. I believe I can help that process.

Now booking appointments in January. Contact me

Someone once said that New England in October was like being dropped into a box of gumdrops. As far as the eye can see, we are surrounded by the brilliant colors: red, orange, yellow and green as the leaves on sugar maples burn brightly against the landscape.

Wherever you live on the planet nature provides incredible beauty. You only have to open your eyes to see it. Your vision can become blurry though if you are always in a rush and moving through your days at breakneck speeds.

DeWitt Jones, one of America's top professional photographers and, a photojournalist for National Geographic, said this,"The earth today is like a landscape of turbulent weather or a sky of 10,000 snow geese." Jones' vision was to celebrate "what's right with the world." His vision guided him to capture and photograph some of the most stunning places in the world. Celebrating "what's right with the world" is the vision that opened the door to possibility for DeWitt Jones. In order to see "what's right" he had to believe it first. 

 Believe that what's right in your world is already there. When you believe it, you will see it.

A good month to slow down. Allow yourself to dream.

summer daydreaming by ~piperhicks on deviantART

       Spring is the time of year that most New Englander's dream about all winter long. Winter coats and boots are gleefully stuffed into the backs of closets in exchange for summer shorts and sandals. I remember my mother telling us that we couldn't wear our shorts until after Memorial Day; we might catch cold. And, as for summer whites, never before Memorial Day. How things change and, still, some things remain the same.

My two projects.

I just completed my 40 days to a miracle and all I can say is be consistent and you will be amazed.

You can read all about it at http://www.melodybeattie.org

The happiness project can be found at http://www.happiness-project.com

Do you remember when you were young,watching your mother or grandmother perform the ritual of spring cleaning? I can remember curtains being pulled off their rods, carpets lifted, and mattresses turned. Windows were opened letting the stale winter air out as the new fresh air of spring was ushered in.

What has become stale, dusty or disorganized in your life or work? And, what can you do this spring to simplify or freshen things? Let this spring cleaning ritual remind you to focus a little of your attention to the opportunity and possibility just outside of your own door. It's hard to get to the door though, if you are tripping over appointments, schedules,activities and anything else that might be piling up.What steps can you take to lighten your current load, rid yourself of excess "stuff" and begin to simplify your life?

Simplifying often begins with an internal desire to improve the quality of your life. Are there activities that take up your time and energy but don't necessarily give you pleasure or satisfaction anymore? Is your house, garage,or office filled with possessions that no longer give meaning to your life?

When deciding to simplify, don't try and tackle every area of your life all at once. If you do, you will become overwhelmed and distressed. Think of simplifying as a process.Begin by taking small steps. Start by uncluttering a drawer,closet or desktop. As you clean up some of the clutter and eliminate those little energy drains, you may notice a new energy circulating through your life.You may even feel more alive and in synch with the spring season.

When you stop burying, burdening and beating yourself with possessions and commitments, you will have more time to breathe and choose what truly nourishes you.

     This spring, may you find yourself in what the Taoists call Wu Wei; harmonious action, balance, smooth flowing and in the flow of life.

 (c) 2010 Nancy D. Bishop, all rights reserved.

Depending on where you are living, you could be waking up to spring daffodils and birdsong or, you may be shoveling out from the latest snowfall. Whatever your circumstances, this too shall pass. Change is around the corner.  

This spring, plant new seeds of positive thoughts and water daily with affirmations. You can change your life. One thought at a time.

The days are getting longer now and the sun sits higher in the sky. The sugar maples stretch after a long cold winter. Soon their sweet sap will run and the fires will be lit at maple sugar houses for all night boiling vigils. The fires must be continually stoked, and watched. Dreams are cooking. You can see the evidence as white smoke billows out from the rooftops of maple sugar houses and sweet steam rises filling the air.

 The farmer's dream is to boil the sap collected from the maple tree into maple syrup in a span of 4 to 6 weeks. If you ever visit a sugar house during boiling season you will find a happy crew of farmers, neighbors and friends talking about the past winter and making predictions for this year's maple season. People support one another during the long boiling time while the dream is cooking. Making maple syrup is not a venture "to go alone" as the process is demanding. Temperatures have to be watched, the fires can't go out and every year the season depends on just the right weather conditions. The farmer's job is to be ready with lines tapped into the sugar maples, enough wood to keep the evaporator boiling the sap and good company with people who share their passion.  In the end, the farmer's dream of making maple syrup will come pouring down on our pancakes and waffles.

 We can learn a lot from the maple sugar farmer about cooking dreams. Like the farmer, if we are going to realize our dreams, we must make them a priority. We need to stay focused by keeping our attention on the end result; the maple syrup. Always share the boil time with other passionate dreamers. It makes the eventual obstacles and distractions easier to overcome and passion is contagious. Most of all be flexible; the weather isn't always predictable.

Just as the farmer has modernized the process of collecting and boiling sap to be more efficient, we may need to upgrade and look for additional tools and resources to make our dreams a reality.

Remember some dreams, like maple syrup, come with an expiration date. If we don't do something about them they will eventually evaporate in the bucket.

What actions will you take  this month to bring your dreams  to a simmering boil?

 "

Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it." Jesse Owens