Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
After a day of down pouring rain yesterday, I awoke this morning ready for some aerobic exercise. I went to the great fitness center at the Trapp Family Lodge and decided to do the elliptical machine for 35 minutes. As I was staring out at the morning sun rise, watching the interplay of clouds and sun, I noticed more leaves changing color than I had noticed earlier in the week. When we first arrived, a few days ago, I knew that we were probably 1-2 weeks' away from peak foliage and admit to having felt a bit disappointed. Still, the amazing peace and beauty of this area is inspiring, and as I exercised this morning, a different thought came to mind.
The wonder of this moment is that I now notice and look for the subtle changes in the landscape. Since the trees with vibrant reds, oranges, or yellows stand out, I have to be more present to see them, and I notice the transformation happen in front of my eyes. I couldn't help but make the comparison to the work I do with my clients and having the extreme privilege of bearing witness to their transformation through courage, practicing new behaviors, making mistakes, and staying the course until their new behavior becomes habit. It is a letting go of sorts, not unlike each leaf which lets go of what has been, and moves into the awe-inspiring beauty of new colors, just before it surrenders to the earth. I get to see my clients transform through process and discipline, to be even more effective leaders.
The other observation I had as I was pumping hard on the elliptical machine (least you think I was just sitting still....) was noticing the interplay of light and shadow as the clouds moved across the sky, filtering the sun in a playful dance. As I watched the landscape move from areas that appeared to have a spotlight shining on them, to areas that appeared dark from cloud cover, I pondered how individuals experience light and shadow in our own lives. As with the hills before me, I imagined that those areas bathed in sunlight must have felt the warmth, not knowing that in a short period of time, the light would be gone and they would be in shadow. When in shadow, it can be hard to imagine that the darkness will pass, and there will be light again. And, when in light, we resist the shadow at all costs. Perhaps we would be better served knowing that life is a constant rhythm, and our greatest learning can come from appreciating the gifts in the present moments, knowing that, ultimat they, too, will pass.
The wonder of this moment is that I now notice and look for the subtle changes in the landscape. Since the trees with vibrant reds, oranges, or yellows stand out, I have to be more present to see them, and I notice the transformation happen in front of my eyes. I couldn't help but make the comparison to the work I do with my clients and having the extreme privilege of bearing witness to their transformation through courage, practicing new behaviors, making mistakes, and staying the course until their new behavior becomes habit. It is a letting go of sorts, not unlike each leaf which lets go of what has been, and moves into the awe-inspiring beauty of new colors, just before it surrenders to the earth. I get to see my clients transform through process and discipline, to be even more effective leaders.
The other observation I had as I was pumping hard on the elliptical machine (least you think I was just sitting still....) was noticing the interplay of light and shadow as the clouds moved across the sky, filtering the sun in a playful dance. As I watched the landscape move from areas that appeared to have a spotlight shining on them, to areas that appeared dark from cloud cover, I pondered how individuals experience light and shadow in our own lives. As with the hills before me, I imagined that those areas bathed in sunlight must have felt the warmth, not knowing that in a short period of time, the light would be gone and they would be in shadow. When in shadow, it can be hard to imagine that the darkness will pass, and there will be light again. And, when in light, we resist the shadow at all costs. Perhaps we would be better served knowing that life is a constant rhythm, and our greatest learning can come from appreciating the gifts in the present moments, knowing that, ultimat they, too, will pass.
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