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 and more. 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 monthly challenges. If you know someone that you think may find something of value in here, please forward this newsletter on. And remember…the adventure begins at the start of The Trailhead!

Welcome to December: a month filled with holiday delights and a season of celebration.

As most of you already know, our property backs up to the many acres of a beautiful camp here in the Jersey Pinelands. As I also frequently share with you, I spend much of my outdoor time walking or running in the quiet words there. I often encounter the local white-tailed deer on my outings. Normally they bound away as soon as they hear my footsteps or catch sight of my movements. Yet recently more than once, I have happened upon a pair who let me get within 12 feet or so before they take off with their graceful gambol. I think they notice me before I notice them. As I get closer, they stop and stare, looking me fully in the eye then turn and prance away. From a human perspective, it’s almost as though they can’t wait to encounter a human being so they can playfully spring into the air at the last moment, showing off their expert leaping skills. These two almost always then stop a few feet later and look back at me, as if they want me to marvel at their prowess. And I do! They look like they’re having a heck of a good time! When I most recently witnessed their fun, it inspired me to think of the spontaneous fun things I like to do. I don’t mean the planned fun outings with friends and family or weekend getaways scheduled in advance. I mean those brief spontaneous moments where I simply do something for the fun of it….like riding the wooden horse at the playground with my 2 year old granddaughter or singing at the top of my lungs in the car when a favorite tune comes on. Those 2 young deer remind me to get playful. Last time I ran into them, after they bounded off again, I interrupted my forest walk and broke into a skip until I was laughingly out of breath.

What about YOU? What simple, spur –of- the- moment things do you enjoy, just for the fun of it? And if it’s been a while, maybe now’s the perfect time to break out. Perhaps it’s just stopping in the middle of your busy day to stick your nose outdoors and notice your outdoor environment. Maybe you, like me, enjoy physical movement and break into a skip or dance when you least expect it, not caring what others around you may think. What simple things make you light up and grin? I find that when I spontaneously break out of my regular pattern or routine, that whimsical playfulness lifts my spirits and even better; often opens up new positive possibilities.

Challenge at the Trailhead:

So…in the midst of this busy holiday season, here’s the challenge: Stop for a moment…enjoy something simple yet out of the ordinary for you. Replace your regular cup of tea or coffee with a soothing hot chocolate. Entertain a child with a dramatic reading of your favorite holiday story; changing your voice for each character. Break into song in your car on your way home from work. Then pay attention to what unfolds from there…just for the fun of it!   

On The Trailhead Bookshelf (Some favorite fun titles Good for holiday gifts J)

• Neither Here nor There by Bill Bryson
• I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron
• The Everything Alternative Careers Book: Leave the office behind and embark on a new adventure by James Mannion
• Make Your Creative Dreams Real: a Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People who would Rather Sleep all Day by SARK
• The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
• Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Seuss