Last week, I stood on my back porch, watching the snow fall. No matter how many times I see it, I'm always struck by how magical this act of nature feels. Peaceful. Quiet. Lovely.
Winter is a sacred time of the year. Our modern culture has collapsed the introspective potential of winter into just New Year's eve. Then it's back to the rat race of nonstop work. For most of us, the seasons have no effect on our jobs.
But wintertime had a much different meaning to our foremothers and fathers, whose survival hinged on their ability to collect as much food as possible during the growing season.
For them, winter was a whole season to do inside work. Mend ripped clothing. Clean and repair broken tools and furniture. Making candles and other supplies. All this, so they could start the spring planting time prepared to focus all of their energy on creating as much food as possible.
Although we no longer literally live this way, the metaphor is powerful and still holds true. There's a time to plan and a time to act. We thrive best when we prepare well first, then focus all of our energy on the activities that feed our bodies, minds and hearts.
Viewed through this lens, this season of reflection can be a magical time for you. Instead of rushing off to chase after goals, take more than a day for inner preparation.
Dive deep inside. Mend the “ripped” thoughts that distract you and give your power away. The old thought patterns that could lead you to give in and give up before you've barely begun. In other words, in order to make the most of the coming growing season, first get your mental house in order.
Next, as you plant your new crop of desires, be a smart gardener. This means, feed the seeds...not the weeds.
You'll plant the seeds of your desires in the most fertile soil by finding the passion in everything you choose as a goal. Then you'll nurture your precious sprouts with daily doses of sunshine (focused powerful thoughts) and water (tiny actions that lead toward your desires).
Just as importantly, have a zero tolerance policy for weeds (negative thoughts) that will quickly rob your soil of nutrients and starve your crop.
What I love about wisdom is that it's perennial and applicable to every part of life. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just be smart enough to use the wisdom that surrounds you.
Today's Coaching Question: What further mental preparation do you need to do to make the most of your crop of desires this year?
Judy Widener is a Certified Life Coach and author of Power For A Lifetime: Tools You Customize to Build Your Personal Power Every Day Of Your Life. You can sign up for Discovering Your Values, a 5-day e-course at no cost at http://www.myinnerfrontiers.com. Her passion is assisting her clients to discover what is most important to them, then to create more balance and satisfaction in their lives. She offers a comprehensive program that teaches clients simple ways to build their personal power and overcome obstacles to achieving their dreams. Judy has coached more than 600 people over the past 13 years. Her website is http://www.myinnerfrontiers.com.