One of my favorite rituals of spring is spotting a pair of Canada geese who nest on the side of a fire pond near my home.  Every year the pair returns to raise a new brood of goslings.  For me, it has become a welcome rite of spring to pass by and see them swimming in the pond or waddling in the tall grass munching on the tender blades.  I look forward to it and wonder how many years this particular pair has been springing here.

I’m looking forward to my workshop in Providence, RI at Momentum Fitness.  If you know anyone in the Providence area who is interested in their wellness, do pass this flyer along!

Here I am in Principal Candi Fowler’s office signing my book Creating the Peaceable Classroom for each of the children and teachers at Hollis Upper Elementary School in Hollis, NH who are photographed in it. How nice is that!  I am not sure how many principals would be so generous, purchasing a book for those photographed.  I am most grateful.

My days in Florida have come to an end, and I have been “on the road again” heading home to New Hampshire.  Fortunately, the transition from warm to cold happens gradually as we drive the 1500 miles back to NH.  It’s a good thing, as the changes are dramatic:  Florida with 80˚temperatures, sunny skies, and light winds – New Hampshire with 40˚ temperatures, gray skies, and falling snow.  40˚ is a significant difference in temperature as is the change in environment.  So, taking five days including a two day visit with friends in North Carolina and two days with my daughter and husband in Rhode Island helped make the adjustment a bit easier.

My book Creating the Peaceable Classroom has just been released!  I am now on the other side of patience receiving the gifts that patience brings.  In this case, it is joy, excitement, and mostly gratitude.

Joy –  I am so happy that my book is now out in the world.  All the hours of thought and effort have materialized into a finished product, something tangible to share with others. Every cell in my body is smiling!

Excitement – I am excited that I can now share it with others and help them in some small way to improve their state-of-being, their lives.  I know this to be part of my mission.

Gratitude – I am grateful that my book was given another opportunity to have an impact on people’s lives.  Not often does a second version come from a different publishing house.  I am grateful to my editor, illustrator, marketing director, copy editor, and to those involved with the printing process itself. And I am grateful for patience and timing.

I’m here in Florida at this writing and have had numerous occasions to watch a majestic white egret hunting along the shore of the small lake outside our lanai windows.  Egrets and their relatives, the great blue heron, are ever so patient as they stand watching the water for a sign of life below the surface, the sign of a tasty snack.  They are either statue still or move ever so slowly, sneaking up on their prey.  They are patient, not moving until just the right moment, striking in an instant to catch their snack.  Timing is essential.

Patience.  Patience is definitely a life lesson for me.  Right now I am having to be patient with waiting for the new version of my book Creating the Peaceable Classroom to be released.  I’m having to be patient with myself as I try to improve my balance in balancing yoga postures.  I am headed for yoga teacher training in early April and know this is a weakness that I would like to strengthen before this intensive experience.   I’m having to be patient as I work and rework a children’s book I have had in process for a year.  I wanted it out last September 2010.  It wasn’t ready and still isn’t ready but getting closer.  And so I find myself being patient with myself and the process.