School beckons adults and children to its doors. The weather shifts from tremendously warm days to cooler temperatures. The plants move from seedlings to hearty plants with harvest-in-hand. And the human being contemplates the changes of a year quickly transpiring into the days of darkness and cold chilly air, where only a warm fire or a good friend can shake of the bone chilling effects of winter. And as scenic as all of this appears, the reality of life moves forward at lightening speed, taking us with it, apparently without any cause, or sensibility in the process.

In reflecting over the months of summer, now apparently gone according to the evidence all around me, I am once again caught in my own reflection of what has been, and what will be. A few years ago, I was a sprouting coach, today harvesting the bounty of time, wisdom and experiences that have led me to levels of maturity, happiness and abundance, quite unknown back then. The rewards for having a dream have blossomed in deep and meaningful ways, that unknown to me then, were a shadow in the sky of possibilities. And in the moments of contemplation, I remember once again, that it was only yesterday, a plan, a desire, and a passion to live something that was totally out of the question to my old ways of thinking, believing and being in the world.

This month I challenge you to review where you have placed your dreams, And the desire or passion to live those dreams. Have you given the soil the proper seeds to nurture and develop into a full harvest? Have you dedicated yourself to living within your own truth and integrity to manifest what you truly desire? Have you rededicated yourself to your dreams, when life required your attention in different spaces or places in your life. This month, reflect on the planting of the seeds, the living of the possibilities and rededicate your life to the dreams that have become lost in the multitude of responsibilities that have called your attention and focus into other realms. Today, just for today, take one step in the direction of your dream and be in your integrity of living that truth, just for today.

Need some help refocusing on your priorities? Read on to learn the important lesson of Teachable Moments.

As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class said, "Yes."

Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.

Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was onto him. "Probably not," one of them answered.

"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!" Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!"

"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

What are the 'big rocks' in your life? A project that YOU want to accomplish? Time with your loved ones? Your faith, your education, your finances? A cause? Teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.

So, tonight or in the morning when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life or business? Then, put those in your jar first.

Special thanks to Coach Betty Mahalik, who continues to inspire me with her focus and success.

If lawyers are disbarred
And clergymen defrocked,
Doesn't it follow that:
Electricians can be delighted,
Musicians denoted,
Cowboys deranged,
Models deposed,
And reporters depressed?
Laundry workers decreased,
Seamstresses depleted!
Even more, bed makers might be debunked,
Baseball players debased,
Landscapers deflowered,
Bulldozer operators degraded,
Organ donors delivered,
Software engineers detested,
And even musical composers will eventually decompose.

On a more positive note though, perhaps we can hope
Certain politicians will be devoted.

Touche' !!

Have a great month!


Love & Life,

Becky