Even when it seems as if nothing at all is happening and growth and progress seem far away, something is always emerging.  Deep in the heart of winter beneath many feet of snow, nature is still growing.  Rest and renewal is an essential part of growth. Conditions are ripe to support that very next step.

Even as water is frozen at the edges and parts of the surface, it is still moving.  The energy is still in the flow.  It is nature’s way.  Nature’s laws and universal principles do not cease to work  simply because the scene at the surface looks different than you might want or expect it to.

Embrace what is for the present is always perfect (even if it is not what you’d prefer).   Then listen intently to what is seeking to emerge in you, in your life, in your business.  I guarantee you something is seeking to emerge for you right now that will move you forward to what you most desire.

Recently while I was at a fall equinox celebration at one of my favorite places, Columcille, I noticed these beautiful flowers just beaming in the sunlight. There was something vibrant and alive about them in the sunshine and swaying in the breeze.  With the stone bell tower as a backdrop it really called to me.

This image and that moment remind me of how important it is to pause and notice. You see in the past I would never bother to notice something like this. I was onto something. Busy achieving, getting stuff done, rolling through the to-do list, or generally being impatient because I felt I wasn’t accomplishing something.  Yet what I know for sure now is that we all need to stop and notice.  Notice your surroundings.  Hear the messages coming to you that will add clarity to any business or life challenges you are experiencing.  To just be alive now.  You see you don’t necessarily have to pause for long to reap the joy and benefits. Sometimes it only takes a few seconds.

Surely you have a few seconds or a few minutes to spare to be fully alive and tap into your greatest joys and dreams, don’t you?  If you find yourself resisting the need/desire to pause, or just feel afraid something bad will happen if you do, check out my free ecourse…it’ll zap that fear and give you access to greater compassion for yourself and others.

This image just screams cool autumn air to me.  My trip to Ashville, NC a few years ago was made on a total last minute whim.  A need for a get-away far away from PA.  We went in early November and while it was chilly it was gorgeous.  This photo was taken on the property of a B&B we stayed out (name escapes me).

So, in honor of the fall equinox, the welcoming of the harvest and autumn, and the spirit of getting away, taking a break, and pausing for a deep breath I offer you this photo.

Living a full and meaningful life to me is about making sure you don’t miss the moments.  You know the moments that fly by while you are working toward your goals or headed toward some grand plan for your life or caught up in a myriad of daily to-do’s.   As one of my favorite movies of the 80’s has to say:

Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop to look around once in a while you could miss it.  ~From the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

To me that is what a mid-week evening kayaking and watching the sunset is all about. Here’s a sunset shot from last night. Paddle location is Peace Valley Park in Bucks County PA.

Back in 2005 we took the long drive down to Asheville, North Carolina in the autumn to check out Smoky Mountain National Park, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, and indulge in the cool town of Asheville.  Somewhere closer to sunset we hiked a trail on the top of a mountain (yes the specifics have since been lost on me).  Here’s a picture of the sun with the mountains’ trademark haze.  Too bad the smoky in Smoky Mountains has more to do with pollution than cool-ness, but alas, it is still a great shot.

This image just exudes tropical, breezy, relaxation, perhaps a corona, tall iced tea, or whatever refreshment turns you on.  Took this photo in 2006 when I was on an Olivia Cruise.  Location is Costa Maya following a half-day snorkel that we did.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the breezes…

In keeping with the Bryce Canyon theme (which you wouldn’t know from the picture of course), here’s a shot I took VERY early one morning as the sun rose. We were at Rainbow and Yovimpa Point which is the highest point in the park at over 9000 feet. While it was early October the morning I took this photo the lows were in the 20’s and it was windy.  We were frigid but the silence and beauty and solitude were well worth it.  Magical.

This week’s inspiring image comes from my 2008 trip to Bryce Canyon National Park in Western Utah. This particular view is of Wall Street from a great loop hike we took. Being amidst the hoodoos is an amazing experience.

This week’s images (yes a 2 for 1 bonus for you!) come from my weekend camping trip to the Catskills.  As usual I learned some great new insights about myself in the process, but I’ll save that for another time.  Here are two images, one on the edge of a creek where we spent some time talking and meditating.  Another of the view from the front of our tent.

Our tent — a room with this view…

Last weekend we took a trip to visit my family and on the way took an early morning hike and photo jaunt to The Seven Tubs Recreation Area in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  This place used to be totally remote, no signs, unknown. I can remember being taken there by friends from Long Island when I was in college. I was wondering – where the heck are you taking me down this closed dirt road?!?  Ahh… but then I learned how amazing and beautiful it is there.  While it is now more public and crowded, if you go very early you can have the place almost to yourself.