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!

Home is Where the Heart Is:

Welcome to the November issue of The Trailhead. Although Thanksgiving is just a week and a half away, the temperatures here in my part of the world are still very comfortable. As I write while looking out my open window to the woods beyond, it’s 9am and sunny and already 62 degrees…I’ll take it!

 

My favorite traveling partner Robert and I just returned from our annual sojourn to the beautiful island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. This little island comprised mostly of National Park lands has been enticing us for 15 years now and we just can’t seem to stay away. It feels like home. We stay in the same cozy cottage overlooking the sea in the remote southern part of the island. We’ve gotten to know many of the locals; we’ve hiked the many trails and snorkeled the same pristine coves. We’ve fallen in love with the resident cats; we’ve frequented the same local eateries time and time again. We’ve also gotten involved in the social and environmental issues on the island. Everything is just so familiar and comfortable and although we’re here for a mere couple of weeks each year, it is definitely “home”.

 

What is “home”? The dictionary tells me it’s a “residence”, a “physical structure within which one lives”, or a “dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it”. Yet the definition that really gives credence to me is that it’s “an environment offering security and happiness”. I really like that one! The thing is, “home” does not necessarily only mean the place where you lay your head each night. (Although that may be your favorite place) I think a true home is where you feel your best: where you are relaxed, secure, safe, happy, and most importantly where you can be your authentic self, with no pretenses. I feel that way in the St. John cottage as well as in my log cabin. I also feel that sense of home when gathering with my family and closest friends. So…there are other places we can think of as “home”. It may be in your place of origin; where you grew up. It may be where you play or where you work. It may be in an outdoor setting. For others, that feeling of home may not be an actual place-it may be a feeling you get with the people you surround yourself with; those folks with whom you feel the most joy and positive energy.

 

What about for YOU? Where is home for you? Where are you when you are consistently feeling your absolute best; when you are feeling your most relaxed, energized, comfortable and serene? Where are you when you are truly your authentic self?

Challenge at the Trailhead:

This month, why not crank up your awareness skills and pay attention to how you are feeling in various locations. Where is it that you are being totally YOU; where you feel the most familiarity and sense of belonging; where when you are there, you get that relaxing “aahhhhh” feeling? Once you have realized where that place is, what will be the next step to sustain homey satisfaction?

 

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On The Trailhead Bookshelf (all related to a sense of home)

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi
• A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins
• Until I Find You by John Irving
• Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (a childhood favorite!)