Turning Over a New Leaf
Turning over a new leaf usually means switching to
something new or changing course. For some, the time for this fresh start
naturally falls in the fall. We're done playing outdoors in the summer sun and
find it's time to come indoors and see what needs doing. Kids are back in
school, the chilly morning air feels energizing, and when we finally come
inside, we see heaps and piles just begging for some of your time and
attention.
Autumn is the season that really feels like the
beginning of a new year to me. New Year's means resolutions and resolutions
means looking for solutions to old problems. I recently read part of a book
called, "Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard" by Chip
and Dan Heath, two highly educated brothers who have thought long and hard
about what is going on in our brains when we want change that we know is right
but we can't quite get done. They look at the emotional and rational parts of
our brain and analyze how they compete to get us to do what they want. I found
it all quite fascinating. Filled with lots of compelling stories about changes,
big and small that made real differences in the world, the book's point on
looking for bright spots made a real impact on me. What they mean is look for
what is working, those are the bright spots, and do more of that. Pretty
simple, huh?
I see the path I want to be on but how do I get
there? Where exactly do I really want to go? Sometimes it's hard to define the exact
problem. Clarification comes from many different sources. I find clarity by talking
with friends and writing. Sometimes you hit on a few sentences in a story or
article that seems tailor made to describe your situation. Or you're at the
gym, generating sweat and have a sudden epiphany about your current struggles.
This fall will bring us a major US election as well
as new paintings and writings, new subjects to learn, new jobs to start, new
people to meet. Where are your bright spots and how can you make more of them?
What path has leaves on it that need turning over? I’ll leave you with this quote,
“Solvitur ambulando, St. Jerome was fond of saying. To solve
a problem, walk around. ~Gregory McNamee
