“There’s a change in the weather
And a change in the sea
From now on
There gon’ be a change in me.”

— Ray Charles

Have you noticed that the weather has changed? The sun rises later. The skies are filled with low-hanging clouds. The mornings and evenings are cooler. My yard plants are changing. It is clear — we are in another transition.

Life is nothing but a series of transitions, yet we often resist change, fear change, complain about it, and become stressed by it. Why do we feel this way about change when we are so experienced in making change?

Could it be that we have a grand attachment to the need for control? For intervening in the constant transitions of living, wanting to slow things down, sit down, and have everything settle for a time?

• Do you dwell and wish for things to be the way they used to be?

I hope you can see in my writing, that when I observe we might be acting in a certain way, I am confessing that I am feeling that way as well, that I am observing what is happening around me.

This morning, in the lovely quiet of the early hours when the sun had not yet pierced the clouds and a welcoming dusky light filled my yard, I walked in my pajamas around my house, listening to the critter sounds, visiting my trees, picking up sticks, and then doing something I love to do and yet don’t carve the time out to do. I walked the Lakota Medicine Wheel I created in the side yard of my home.

My precious friend, Jackie Lowe Stevenson and her husband Herb Stevenson of Pebble Ledges Ranch, introduced me to the Lakota tradition with the Medicine Wheels created on their property in Novelty, Ohio. Every indigenous people have used a wheel with North, South, East, West and the points in between to meditate and guide decisions and connections. At each of the directional points is a Lodge in which to stop and draw on the energy of male and female, peace and war, singers, warriors, hunters, gatherers, and the voice of our inner child. As we absorb energy from each Chief, Elder, and Lodge, a question is posed to be explored.

I used to walk my dogs every morning on the shores of Lake Erie. It always helped me put life into perspective. I stopped every few steps to pick up a piece of beach glass, a stone shaped like a heart, or an especially interesting piece of wood. I couldn’t be too full of myself while standing next to this great body of water that changed every day, and yet was a constant. I also couldn’t take myself too seriously when watching the joyful play of my dogs in the sand and water, always finding a dead fish to roll in or new animal friend to chase. Walking on the beach, everything became very simple.

This morning everything quieted while walking the wheel.

• Are you curious about what I heard while walking?

At every point, I found a piece of wisdom. My heart slowed and the pain in my body receded. I discovered I am to ‘carry on’ with making meaning, finding my right contribution, leading with a soft heart that forgives and greets everyone and everything with gratitude. I also recognized that my boundaries are good — and even better — when set without anger. Metaphorically, I was being told to close some doors, but not slam them shut.

When I finished walking the wheel, I looked upon my house and my yard, feeling settled and grateful to be in such a lovely place. It wasn’t difficult to go back inside and be greeted by my pack of loving dogs and litter of puppies.

It was now much easier to pick up the responsibilities of the day and start my routine. I had gained some grounding and was not rushing into the transition that life gives us every day. Rather, was walking slowly and purposefully into what will present itself to me.

I greet you and this day with a soft heart, an open mind, and an appreciation for all the gifts we share.

I hope that all the transitions you navigate this week ultimately raise you and those around you. I count on being challenged by some of the things that will fall into my lap or that I may bump into. I trust that I can traverse each opportunity. I also learned in this summer filled with unplanned interruptions (a littler of puppies, a health discovery, a tornado, falling for a scam, and being hacked) that I have been supported by friends, family, and colleagues in ways that exceeded my wildest expectations.

I have arrived at an age where I have found myself and my tribe. For you all, I am forever grateful. So don’t be surprised by a hug, a smile, and lots of words.

I greet today’s planned and unplanned change with a spring in my step – because gang, we are good at this, and the future is ours to create.

Leslie

“There are far better things ahead
than any we leave behind.”

— C.S. Lewis