A lone turkey vulture watched us from the branch of a large maple on the eastern ridge of the pond. Sitting still except its head following our approach. Max-dog had not spotted Turkey Vulture yet, and I wondered how long before Max-dog would give chase, and Turkey Vulture would take flight. It wasn’t too long after I formulated the thought that Max-dog burst into a flat out run towards the vulture in the tree.

Turkey vulture hardly fussed, gracefully spread its wings and moved into the sky flying South-East towards the old Orchard on the other side of the ridge. It didn’t need to look back upon us, knowing full well what and who we were.

Shortly after, three geese flew north west over the old Orchard and I wondered of the one I had seen a few days before, had he joined the two.

A leader I coach was feeling lonely in his role. Did others see the challenges he faced?, feel the tired he felt? and experienced the fear that seems pervasive? Yes. But we don’t know until we share. Until we find the others to share what we see, then nothing feels insurmountable or forever. And the only way to find the others is to seek and share. That takes courage.

Reflecting on the lone goose that eyed us the other day, it continued to seek good shelter and kept calling to find the others. Time and persistence no doubt will reward its effort.

Who are you seeking and what do you want to share?

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Today I watched the night take over the skyAnd patterns move along the cloud coverA single spot revealed the dark night sky beyond the cloudAgain the notion of singular coming upCuriousSometimes it feelsLike we are aloneForgetting we are partOfThe sky clouds and stars

What do you need to remember?

Full quote:

I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it's because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes, and ships change, it's because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.

Remarks at the Dinner for the America's Cup Crews, September 14 1962]” ― John F. Kennedy[

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this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.” ― Goethe

A lone goose flew around the pond pondering a landingI watched it circleIt passed me at the north end flying low enough we made eye contactI saw it appreciated my welcome but max dog was too predictable to give goose any comfortIt circled back and continued south

What do you wish to circle and spy?

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So much of this time is life among death

the daffodils grow despite the frost and occasional snowfall

the new grass shoots up in between the straw spent grass of the year before

the cat tails not yet visible save for what’s left in place, we know will come up

life begins in place of the death of the years before

life and death, death and life

we revel in the resilience of all that’s new and acknowledge what will inevitably be in the here and the now

we celebrate, us and all the wildlife forage in the new growth and rejoice in its nourishment and promise. Each day the sun shines we soak in its energy, desperate to replenish our own stores and be ready for what's to come.

It's a time that accentuates what is fleeting, and invites joy and celebration. Celebrate and enjoy what is now. The dandelions that at this time of year are their utmost sweet. Take in their abundance and be busy with what can be made with them.

A team leader in a reflective moment remarked “This is rare” acknowledging the joy working with her team. She celebrated the rare qualities of support, candour and creativity the team lives every day in their mission to be courageous in the world. So many others she serves yearn for these qualities of authentic support her team nurture easily in each other.

We are accountable as leaders, managers, team mates, citizens for what we celebrate, acknowledge and nurture around us. Let us be wise in appreciating what we have, and focus our energy on what we want to nurture where we can.

What will you celebrate today?

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They are everything and everywhere all at once.They are the meaning.” ― Lauren Oliver

Tea in hand Max dog and I walked down the path towards the pond. It’s completely gray cloud cover with spots of rain now and then. Cooler today. But tea in hand is instant warmth and comfort of a shared experience that connects us through the ages of tea in hand walking with dog down a well worn one path.

The ritual of tea is an homage of love for the earth, the farmer, community, place politics and rhythm. All encompassed in dried leaves and flowers steeped in hot water.

What we make of this ritual matters. The tea we choose for the time of day, the vessel in which the precious leaves are held, the cup we select to experience the aroma warmth and flavor. All of these can matter, and can not, we choose.

There is a rhythm to it as well. What you have when, how, and why. Is it a pick me up at a certain time in the day. A shared experience with a friend, or in community. How you incorporate tea into the rhythm of your life? The way we approach tea can connect us in time to each other. Can we make it matter? Can we ground the experience in love and appreciation?

Max dog and I walk around the pond tea in hand to appreciate the spring that creates the pond, the life force of all around us - frogs that call all day and night, a baby turtle 1 inch big that C placed by the waters edge, the blackbirds that protect their nests, all of it with each sip…

Where do you want to walk today?

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A shell bleached from the sun nestled among fall leaves called out for a closer look.

Perfectly round, striations larger on the outside and thinning to the center. It cannot be a seashell carried with glacial ice to this spot on the south shore of the pond. A local snail perhaps?

Beauty is everywhere if we stop to look, so we have to be slow enough, open enough, willing enough.

I facilitated an in person offsite for an engineering team, the first for this team in two years. People checked in with gratitude at being able to gather, some meeting each other in person for the first time.

The intention of the day was to align on the team’s strategic focus, to enliven their mission and values converting them into regular practises and with enough clarity that each leader could offer the team their commitment. What they were willing to do in support of the shared goal.

After the check-in to ground in mindful presence, we started with one of Patrick Lencioni‘s trust building exercises: “where do you did you grow up? How many siblings did you have and the order? And what was a challenge from that time”. The CTO went first to set the tone he was heartfelt and impactful.

Each leader shared in the same way. Real authentic truth of what shaped them to become the men they are today. Everyone resonated in someway with the stories and saw each other in a new light. They realized how much pain and yearning they had in common. They all want to be part of a ‘family’, connecting with each other in pursuit of a share goal, to win and strive together. To be a team. Much beauty and depth of soul was revealed that day.

How will you invite ‘slow enough’ to see into your day?

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Sunrise illuminates in contrasts.

Some things are transformed in the emerging light, the greenhouses turn into white tunnels, the grasses show bright green underneath grey browns of the previous seasons.

Standing in the shadow of the eastern ridge nothing here yet reached by the light, the pond is flat, utterly still, reflecting the surrounding moraine a perfect image.

Everything is in contrast between light and shadow.

What can you see in the contrasts?

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To witness the start of a day is a gift of Grace, an invitation to choose how to be.

The bird calls fill the air with activity, they are who call in the day. The rabbits aren’t yet up yet squirrels and chipmunks are still in their nests.

Max dog and Emmett the cat are ready to explore what’s here and what’s been of the night before.

What is calling you to explore today?

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Just like that the peepers (the tiny pond frogs) are here. One good and warm full sun day and they’ve sounded their bright joyous song. Peep peep peep Peep!

And more bird songs accompany them. Everyone is getting busy with Spring - much to do, prepare, and create.

Activity abounds from sunrise to night - the peeps keep peeping and the birds keep singing

What do you want to create with the energy of Spring?

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Ripples across the surface of the pond at first look like they came from within the water. Something swimming? could it be the wind travelling across the surface?

The source unknown the effect of ripples travelling along the surface causing a V like shape. But it’s too early for fish or tadpoles or turtles.

The wind can be magic like that.

What magic do you want to feel right now?

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