Keeping hold of that positive state of mind

CHERRIL DOTY

“A great deal depends upon the thought patterns we choose and on the

persistence with which we affirm them.”

-- Piero Ferrucci

“Past, present and future -- it all seems to meet in this space

around holiday time.” Can it be just a year ago that I wrote those

words? Sometimes a year just goes by too fast. Each year, as the

frenzy of holiday time catches me up in its arms, I find myself

looking backward and forward at once. Backward over the year that has

passed. Forward to the new year and what it might bring.

At this time a year ago I wrote that embracing joy and prosperity

(as I had and have) involves some challenges and obstacles and might

show up in surprising ways. Little did I know what was still ahead!

I said in that same column that since prosperity is defined as

vigorous and healthy growth, it might show up as learning to help

others, perhaps being a part of their own prosperity. Next, I added

that small “aha” moments might be a part of joy and prosperity and I

accepted in choosing these qualities to embrace that I had much to

learn. Oh, boy, did I!

I posed the question, “What WILL the year 2004 bring for us all?”

and spoke of a few of the things that beckoned me: Passion.

Enthusiasm. Deep chasms and high peaks. Snow-covered pines on the rim

of a canyon. New directions. New art forms. Loving and living. All of

this was, for me, part of what I called “exploring the edges.” Then,

I chose to embrace the qualities of awareness and grace in the year

2004. I would find I would really need these!

After a welcome respite in Baja, the new year found me pulling

color and joy from the corners, exploring the edges. I began working

in new directions in my coaching business, setting new goals. With

great enthusiasm I began to play with both new and old art forms.

Mike and I made plans to again climb Mt. Whitney and we looked

forward to time spent in San Antonio for my nephew’s wedding. And

that would be just the beginning!

As a day in late January dawned, my husband Mike caught a flight

to Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Baja California. After a walk on the

beach, I picked up my friend Chikako and we went to the Bowers Museum

for a day of play and exploration. The Tibetan exhibit was

fascinating and Chikako was able to help me understand aspects of it

that I might not otherwise have considered. After a delicious lunch

in the restaurant there we headed home. I had promised myself time on

the beach taking photos of the sunset on the water and sand.

As darkness fell, I brushed the sand from my jeans and walked to

my car for the short ride home. Dinner with daughter Jenna and a

relaxed evening were next on my agenda.

And then the unexpected call came. Mike had fallen and broken

three vertebrae in his neck. He was alive. He was not paralyzed. They

stabilized him there and then he was flown home by a Med Evac team.

The rest is now history. In this holiday season that is all in the

past. In the present, after those many long months, he is strong and

recovery is almost complete.

The space of this column cannot begin to reveal all that this past

year encompassed. Suffice to say that, for me, the qualities of joy

and prosperity, awareness and grace have stretched and changed shape

multiple times. I have learned many things since that day and

explored many edges -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Each day I am reminded by awareness and grace that whatever this has

been for me it has been more so for Mike. More challenges and

obstacles. More exploration of the edges of his own psyche. More

understanding of true joy and prosperity. More opportunity to embrace

the awareness that life is good and the grace to accept the blessings

as they come.

This year as the holidays arrive we look forward to spending them

with family and friends. We look forward to a new year of bright

hope, renewed health, a new grandchild, new adventures, and

exploration of new “edges” (but no more cliffs, please, Mike!)

The future awaits and a part of this holiday season for me will be

used for careful choosing of intentions for the future, for Ferrucci

was right ... a great deal depends on them.

I wish you all a holiday season of love and joy and may 2005 bless

us all with peace and prosperity.

* CHERRIL DOTY is a creative life coach and artist who loves

exploring the mysteries of life. You can reach her by e-mail at

cherril@cherrildoty.com or by calling (949) 251-3883.