I love a new year. I always love a fresh start, a clean slate, a new page and an opportunity to reset my intentions. We are going to say goodbye to 2020 and while we want to kick it out the door (for very good reasons), we can also say thank you for the lessons, thank you for the gifts and bless and release this time in our lives.

For many it was such a difficult year that impacted lives, health, finances, faith and it truly is a historic unprecedented time and the hardest year of our lifetime collectively. My heart aches for those that were lost, those that lost someone and those that are either isolated, lonely or challenged emotionally, financially and are strained. It is difficult, and my hope and prayer is that there was silver linings, and that you experienced the love, the gifts and the comfort in the small things, because they really are the big things.

On this day 25 years ago I got engaged, it was a happy festive moment in my life. That next year, it fell apart, the relationship ended and the engagement was off, this was one of my falling down moments in life, when I followed my gut but it hurt, it hurt so very bad

A gift of 2020 is that it has given us the ability to slow down, to be more present and while we have this gift, it has been difficult to accept it because there is too much going on around us, I know that to be true for myself. Here we are and it is the Holiday Season, and I must admit, things seem a little brighter, a little more festive, and perhaps a little bit more reminiscent of yesteryear.

To be human is to be vulnerable, and when we are vulnerable we are truly being our authentic selves. I will be honest, as much as I try and be vulnerable, I also have a hard time doing so out there in the world. I have spent my life building, creating, transforming, striving, performing and getting ahead (to some degree with periods of falling down, failing, being stuck and experiencing all parts of me).

Each season, I typically come up with a theme, or a word, and when it comes to Living HIPP, a practice to ground myself in the chaos of the season. This year, unlike other holiday seasons, we are in a position for the first time to not have the “hustle and bustle” of the season, that to me in and of itself is a gift.

I have recently experienced that “feeling left out” feeling, the one that strikes a cord deep in my soul from a wound long, long ago—I tend to not go there for the most part, but I’m human, and humility requires vulnerability. I don’t like this feeling, and to me, I chalk it up as middle school stuff, but as I thought more about it the reality is, as grown women there are times we feel left out…. And, it sucks….

I was listening to a Podcast where Brene’ Brown talked about the stages of growth a team experiences, it brought me back to my Corporate days where I taught this very thing to highly educated professionals that had to truly learn and immerse themselves in Team Dynamics.

I am feeling a bit nostalgic & grateful about being a Mom Boss and the holiday season. I was on a call as we plan for the Holidays, and November in my business is the best month, so that anticipation is in the air, it awakens that holiday feel, these feelings that are so much stronger (and lighter) than the fear in the world today, and the uncertainty we all live in.

I had a conversation recently with a friend that was concerned about a recent diagnosis, her child has ADHD. As a Mom, I related to her concern, but thankfully, I’ve got some experience with this, and I am at a point I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I have come through the tunnel—and I shared these memories & words with her.

I use affirmations a lot, mostly, I use it in my self coaching, yes, I find myself coaching myself through situations or just allowing myself kind, loving thoughts to feel grounded and show up as a better version of myself.

It was National Daughter’s Day the other day, which of course, none of us realize until our social media feed starts telling us, I enjoyed seeing all the posts, all the love and the beautiful faces of so many daughters, and so many proud moms. I know the feeling so well, and of course, as a Mom, I feel beyond blessed with my one and only, my daughter, my girl and our dream come true!

It is that time to Fall in love with Fall. Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to dodge the busy family schedule (aside from the remote learning for many) and truly experience the season that offers a bounty of beauty and a bounty of “feel good” feelings. While I love all 4 seasons (especially here in New England), I must admit, I think Fall is my Fav!

Seasons are the most beautiful way to jump start ourselves in the direction we want to be. At the end of each season, I find myself wanting to change something, and certainly during times like this, we are tired, we are off track, we are craving normalcy and routine (I typically feel this way every year, but this year is even more so). Going “back to” this year is different, but let's remember that many of us have gotten “back to” after some really difficult times (and for many of us far worst in comparison).