Vol 4 Iss 1

In the several years I’ve been writing this newsletter, this is the first time I can remember publishing on the first day of the year. This is a day of promise. A new beginning. How will you use it?

Outside it’s white and bright. The deep snow is still sparkling and beautiful (I can say that now that all the shoveling is done!). Looking out my office window, everything is smothered with a thick layer of snow. The empty planters and lawn lights are blanketed with white, like frothy frosting on a cake. And it glitters in the light. The air is not too cold, so the melt has begun. But for now, it’s still amazingly lovely out there.

Even after living in Colorado over 20 years now, snow is still a source of wonderment to me. We never had anything like this in Louisiana where I was born, or SE Texas where I grew up. Indeed, my little sister didn’t even believe in snow. The only place we ever saw it was on Christmas cards, the same place we saw pictures of Santa. Obviously, snow was just something grownups made up to make the cards pretty. No such thing as Santa, no such thing as snow.

Well, after shoveling 2’ of snow last week, and another 9” this week, I BELIEVE! I believe that every adversity holds promise. The abundance of snow gave me an opportunity to bond with my neighbors as we all dug out together. It gave me the chance to feel accomplished when I looked out the window to see dry pavement surrounded by walls of snow taller than me. It was work, but it was fun.

I hope you have satisfying work and much fun in the upcoming year.

“One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.”
Nietzsche

All this snow makes people here in Colorado a little ski-crazy. Last night I talked to a friend who is probably on the slopes this very minute. She and her husband bought new skis, ski apparel and boots for Christmas. They were leaving at 6 am to hit the slopes as early as possible.

Being from the south and never having skied, I can only imagine what it’s like. The drive up to the mountains, the cold air, the ski lift, and standing at the top surveying the slope below, planning your run. Then OFF! The exhilarating speed of flying down a mountain.

In my relative innocence about skiing, what interests me most is the ski lift. Here you are on the way to your goal, with all the equipment you need with you. You have a completely different perspective looking down from above. You can see where the obstacles could appear and you can make decisions about which direction to turn when you start out. And you’re being propelled by forces outside your control. All you do is hop on and stay aware.

Isn’t that a lot like creating change in your life? You set a goal, gather your equipment, hop on and stay aware. The change in your perspective allows you to see obstacles differently – you can see a path around them. And you are supported by things you can’t see, forces outside your awareness.

When you get to the top, it’s time to put all that preparation to work. You survey the landscape, take a deep breath, and make the plunge. No one can predict the outcome, whether you’re skiing or starting a new business or career. That’s the exhilaration and the terror of a new beginning.

It seems to me the toughest part is getting on the lift to begin with. I think it’s pretty terrifying. First you have to buy a lift ticket, which is no small matter in these inflated times. There you stand loaded with your equipment, bundled against the elements and from behind you swoops this dangling chair that scoops you up into the air. It doesn’t stop just because you lost your balance or your glove fell off. You’re going. When you’re air bound, you’re floating above the landscape completely exposed, but man, what a view!

So that’s the rub isn’t it? You know it’s time for a change. You’re so ready to feel that rush of danger, the excitement of trying something new. It’s time to set a new goal and gather your equipment. It’s time to get the ticket and put yourself in line. But it’s terrifying! It’s so exciting! But I’m scared! So was the person in front of you, but they did it anyway. You can too.

Today is a terrific day to examine where you want to be and to decide what equipment you need. Time to make the drive to the mountain, get your ticket and stand in line for the lift. Time to shift perspective and see your obstacles differently.

Get help if you need it (hire a coach, get some books, do your homework), and start. Do it now. It may be a long time before we have another snowfall like this one.

You are free to use material from Moving Forward! in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including a live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read:

"By Debra DeVilbiss, CPCC, of Forward Momentum, LLC. Please visit Debra's website at http://www.ForwardMomentum.com for additional articles and resources on creating your right livelihood."

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