The Trailhead
From Patt Osborne, AdventureCoach.
"Climb Mountains, But Bring a Good Guide"
Welcome to the December 2002 issue of The Trailhead!
Welcome to the new subscribers who just signed on! And hello to all you regulars! Each month, you will receive some practical tips on ideas such as eliminating stress, finding your passion, clearing clutter, and maybe even some travel tips or favorite recipes. Also look for helpful resources including book titles and websites. In addition, don’t be surprised when you find a call to action. I am a coach, after all! I hope you find some useful tidbits. If you decide to take me up on one of the monthly challenges, email me and tell me about it. I would love to hear what you are up to! And remember…the adventure begins at the start of The Trailhead!
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In this issue:
1. Where Do You Go to Find Peace?
2. Challenge at the Trailhead
3. On the Trailhead Bookshelf
4. Other Resources (music and websites)
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Coaches on the loose in St. John! Setting for Maho retreat
nice place for life planning!
* First off, I want to thank all those wild women who joined Deb Martin and me in November for our 1st Virgin Islands retreat at Maho Bay Camps on beautiful St. John. We had lots of fun, lots of laughs, and all gained some helpful insights as well. Deb and I will definitely host this one again next year! Look for more details in January's Trailhead.*
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Where Do You go to Find Peace?
Welcome to the season of celebration… Ramadan, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and many more. No matter what holiday you celebrate in December, it is the season of the year when we especially want to spend quality time with family and friends, participating in rituals and traditions that we have enjoyed since childhood. And while it is indeed a festive time, this time of year can often bring on feelings of stress and overwhelm as we add additional tasks to our usual workload. This year we may feel particular anxiety as we listen to the news and our thoughts turn to the violence in the Middle East or the threat of war in Iraq.
Currently, every Tuesday during the month of December, National Public Radio (NPR) is running a series on Morning Edition about peace. In part one, NPR correspondent Susan Stamberg asked people around the country where they go to find their own personal peace. It’s a simple but also powerful and thought-provoking question…and certainly one to consider during this busy season.
Where do I go? For me, it is ALWAYS outdoors…no matter what the weather is doing. I am lucky to be living in an area that is right at the edge of the NJ Pine Barrens: a unique and natural setting that covers over 1 million acres of pristine streams and woodlands which includes a diverse wildlife population. Whenever I need a place to think and de-stress, I walk out my door and head to the woods. It is there-always-where I find focus, clarity, answers, and peace.
What about you? When you are feeling the pressures of everyday life, where do YOU go? Is it somewhere in Nature or a quiet spot in your home or even just gazing out a window? Wherever it is…go to that place…as often as you can…for 5 minutes or 5 hours…it is there that you will most likely find the peace that you seek.
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Challenge at the Trailhead:
What can you add to your day that will bring about a feeling of peace for you? Replace negative television programs or news shows blaring in the background with some quiet, restful music? Escape to your bath, with lights low and scented candles all around? Try some deep breathing? (Taking long, deep breaths is a way to signal to your body that you want peace.) Bundle up and take a leisurely walk outdoors? Take some time to try any of these or come up with your own. You’ll find that it’s absolutely worth it! I’d love to hear from you. You’re welcome to zip me a quick email sharing what your personal peace-finding mission includes. I’ll compile a list of everyone’s thoughts and share it in the January issue of The Trailhead.
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On the Trailhead Bookshelf:
Slowing Down to the Speed of Life by Richard Carlson and Joseph Bailey- A simple and powerful guide to creating a peaceful life.
20 Minute Retreats by Rachel Harris, Ph.D.-Discover how 20 minutes a day of daily solitude will enable you to integrate the benefits of a retreat into the demands of everyday life.
Living the Simple Life by Elaine St. James-Insights and ideas for what to do on your journey to a more balanced, peaceful life.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom-An inspiring and motivation reminder of what really matters.
Other Trailhead Resources:
Peaceful music: (listen for samples on www.amazon.com)
Gene Ammons-"Gentle Jug, vol.2"
Enya-"Paint the Sky with Stars"
Paul McCartney-"Working Classical"
Loreena McKennit-"Book of Secrets"
George Winston-"December"
Websites:
www.spafinders.com
www.bedandbreakfast.com
www.illuminations.com
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"Peace is when time doesn’t matter as it passes by."~ Maria Schell~
"Imagine all the people living in peace. You may say that I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you will join us and the world will be as one." ~John Lennon~
"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein~
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Thanks for reading! I wish you a warm and wonderful December!
Peaceful wishes,
Patt
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