I stood transfixed watching the sunrise through the clouds. The golden light penetrate in anticipation of the beauty I hoped would come.

It felt forever the few seconds of anticipation and wonder with a sliver of doubt - would it actually come, and, of course patience rewarded.

A glow and warmth to fill body and soul. The frost layered over the ground didn’t matter because here she is to grace us with warmth energy and the glory that only she brings. Sunshine!

An executive I’m working with has hired someone new on to his team. He’s hopeful having vetted many candidates for the role. It’s week 6 and there’s been some amazing things and a few small things that can seemingly be easily addressed with a direct, curious and empathetic conversation. And yet, there’s always the worry, is what he sees as small seen in the same way by them? easily addressed or the thin edge of a bigger issue.

I coach him in the skills of an effective conversation and we talk about his intuition in the process of hiring and for any decision. How does he know, really know when it’s a definitive yes, no or ‘meh’? Intuition is a powerful tool to be curious about in addition to the skills of crucial conversations. Honing our way of knowing is useful in the challenging task of managing people to their full potential.

As I watch the sun crest through the break in the clouds and bring all its warmth colour and beauty to our surroundings, I wonder how we all can have that same effect on those around us. The Sun brings me energy and peace - it makes what want to have - a glorious day, and to do all we can to do so.

Where is your source of inspiration for today? How might you honour it?

This is what Robin called from the pathway by the big apple tree at the round pond. See me!And we did

Both Max-dog and I stopped in our tracks to watch Red Robin stare us down and then fly away carrying the energy of being seen.

Red Robin is significant, the first sign of Spring and now the sign of Winter to come.

We are unsure about this winter to come. How can we be sure in this climate. That is the point in some circles, and yet, we can be sure of one foot in front of another on our path, of the touch of a loved one, of our hands in the dirt and the wind across our face. There is certainty in that

See me! I am significant.

What is calling you to see or be seen?

This is not Red Robin but rather a rare blue bird we spotted in 2021; worthy of being seen

Max-dog didn’t bark it but his movement indicated so.

There’s a strong scent on the path, can’t you see it, smell it, feel it, or hear it?!

All the curious questions taking max-dog’s nose all over the path into the bushes and on the other side of the path into the forest. Now we’re curious too.

An executive responsible for culture in the startup she’s part of is very curious about the team’s shared definition of performance.

What’s peaking your curiosity today?

The Purple Astor stood out bright and proud calling to us to share in its relationship with golden rod. Unmistakable and ancient these two pair have lived together in reciprocity.

> “the colors diametrically opposed to each other . . . are those which reciprocally evoke each other in the eye.” Purple and yellow are a reciprocal pair. Goethe

Relationships start in attraction, deepen through experiences which build trust and shared vision. Reciprocity is an important ingredient along the path.

> Where is or is not the reciprocity in your life?

She called back to us

And I looked back. We passed her, max-dog chasing a scent and me lost in thought. It wasn’t until we were almost at the pond that I heard her call back to us. I am here, don’t forget about me and my gifts.

Autumn Olive, berry laden bush we discovered last year. Origin is Russian and the whispy bush produces silver maroon coloured berries. We’ve made Vinigar, jam and jelly from its berries.

Each morning I’ve been asking if I may have a few and enjoying the gift she offers.

Who is calling back to you?

A single leaf dropped ever so slowly from a juvenile poplar on our way around the south end of the pond. Max-dog not minding it at all, I watched it’s slowly fall from the branch and waft down to the ground. Signs of Fall are all around. We can ignore them if we wish but they are here none the less. Nature doesn’t pay attention to the western calendar date, she is in her rhythm and we with her like it or not.

Some folks love fall, others not so much and some project their worry for what’s to come. But the leaf again offers the invitation of what is.

The cattails in the pond are showing their signs of the season transition - the tips are yellowing and the stalks thinning out. The cat tail itself still intact.

We finish rounding out the path at the pond to open up to the fields filled with wild golden rod in their glorious yellow. Mature and young calling out to the season.

We are here, one step at a time enjoying this misty morning appreciating the rain and the harvest of what’s ahead.

What is calling you into transition?

We watched a downy woodpecker float across the sky and land in the maple beside us. A dipping floating motion, having to flap every so often to continue its glide across the sky. Once settled it begun breakfast - tapping the tree for food.

Emmett the cat arrived shortly after from his favourite sleeping space - still a secret of the exact location - to come say hello to where Max and I were watching the sunrise at the deck of the yurt on this quiet morning.

contemplation reflection and an ease into the day is the invitation.

The straw flowers having not yet opened but the sunflowers planted throughout the garden smiling their bright yellow and orange rings this way and that

Reflect - reflect on the day, your life the moment and thank you for having the space and practice to do so.

What is calling you into quiet contemplation?

The water sparkled in the sunlight in between the cattail reeds in the most magical and inviting way with a strange quality of repelling any desire to come closer.

This morning I saw the sparkles

Another morning I saw the dark brackish uninviting water upon which the sun sparkles.

Max-dog sees a playground of water weeds and discovery.The same scene many perspectives

How do we discover what we each see?

We spotted the crow sitting at the tip of the top most dead branch of the old maples at the curve in the trail, just before the pond. What does Crow see? The view from up there must be pretty compelling - from that vantage point, the pond, forest maybe even the old apple orchard, nearby grazing field, of course the garden house and pathway - maybe as far as the road? It’s the tallest spot around and perched on the tip of the tallest tree must offer an amazing feeling of security - from here any threat comes with ample warning, it must feel like the confidence of kings to be perched at this spot on this clear day.

A co-founder thinks fundamentally differently on most people-related matters than the rest of his executive team. It’s a curious thing to see from his viewpoint, what is the vista he imagines? His recent question at a leadership meeting - why would People Operations measure success through QoQ retention when they can’t influence it at all. Only the manager’s can do that?! Well, the HR leader offers, we can create conditions that employees value to support their retention eg flexible vacation, training, career succession, etc. The HR manager sees something different than the co-founder. She sees that she is empowered to explore enact investigate what does in fact create the conditions under which people continue to choose this company and co-create a culture. Who is right or who is wrong? There is no right or wrong - simply an exploration of understanding and then a choice of influence either given or received. Does the co-founder believe her? Does she believe the co-founder? Is there another metric more worthy of paying attention to that has to be discovered? could be - could be all of that none of that some of that. This is the value of the discussion.

As we continue down the path, Max-dog stops to bark at crow. Crow having none of that flys off to another perch with less interference. We rest on the shore of the pond and observe the vantage point from the ground up. All of the weeds proximate and offering details not usually seen, the tiny flowers making up queen’s anne lace, butter cups and the wisps of grass now burnt from the drought that’s been this season. It’s all a wonder. No right, no wrong just a choice in perspective from which we can choose to act from.

We sit for a while longer watching the sun set and the stars come in to view. Can’t stay too much longer before the mosquitoes come to chase us away.

What perspective serves you best right now?

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

She grew seemingly out of nowhere but here just beside the path a single primrose and a single flower. She will come back now year after year and become plenty as that is what they do, primrose. Why this spot and how she got here we don’t know but here she is none the less. A surprise gift of beauty and grace in amongst the gravel hillside of the northern slope at the pond.

It was her bright yellow flower that caught our attention glowing in the morning sun. Reminding us beauty is everywhere if we are aware enough to notice

What is calling your attention wherein beauty can be invited?