How to Stay Inspired

I believe staying curious and inspired is one of the best ways to keep yourself young and vital. It’s a common question I get in my coaching practiceHow do I stay Inspired?

As all my coaching clients know, I love to teach through story. So here’s one of my favorites!

When we first moved to New Hampshire, I was invited into a local book group. Each month, a different woman would choose the book to read.We’d been there about six months when it was my turn.

And it’s probably no surprise to you, but I chose a book on self-development.

I remember so vividly, a couple of days before our group was due to meet, bumping into one of the women from the book group at our local workout club. She has just come off the tennis court as I was waiting to go on.

“Will I see you tomorrow night?” I asked. She gave me this small smile, reached into her bag, and pulled out the book I had picked.

“You know, Kasey,” she said, “At this point, I’m 65 years old and it’s just too late in life for me to start learning something new.”

Not what I was expecting

I was caught so off-guard.

I had a thousand things I wanted to say, but since I was still new to the area, I just smiled politely and headed onto the court.

But her words lingered with me long after that conversation.

Because here’s the thing… I don’t believe it’s ever too late.

This summer, I taped up a piece of paper in the kitchen that said: We are just getting started.

My son and all his mid-20s friends saw it, nodded, and said, “That’s exactly how it feels right now.”

But the truth is, it’s not just them—it’s all of us.

It’s my neighbor with her newborn baby. It’s my friend whose child just left for college. It’s my other friend who recently moved to a new city and began a new job. And it’s my 88-year-old father in law who is constantly looking for new opportunities to learn and grow.

Every phase of life brings a new beginning, and opportunity to grow and discover something expansive.

When we stop learning and growing, I believe that’s when we start to wither—when we stop striving to become the best versions of ourselves.

What happens, really, when we decide we’re too old to change?

What happens when we shut our minds to new ideas or close our hearts to fresh perspectives?

We miss out—on inspiration, on joy, and on becoming more than we ever imagined!

So my invitation to you, my friend, is this: Look for those places in life where you’ve been saying “no” and consider saying “yes”.

Push yourself just a little beyond what feels comfortable.

Say yes to learning. Say yes to growing. Say yes to the idea that you, too, are just getting started.

Because you are. We all are.

Are You Ready for a Seasonal Shift?

I don’t know about you, but I find seasonal shifts challenging, in particular, summer to fall. What about you? Are You Ready for a Seasonal Shift?

Here we are, into the second half of September, and truth be told, I’m still clinging to August and pretending summer isn’t over.

I do it every year.

It’s just such a difficult adjustment for me to make.

I hold off on tucking away my flowy summer dresses and jean cutoffs as long as possible, pretending there’s no way I’m seeing changing leaves and feeling a chill in the morning air.

But today, here in New Hampshire, there was no denying that autumn had arrived.

I knew it for sure as I wrapped up in a sweater and walked out to the back shed to gather logs to start up the wood stove.

Sigh.

The Stirrings of a Seasonal Shift

And yet…

As I sit here, covered in a blanket, in front of the stove, I felt the stirrings of excitement that this new season will bring.

And I remind myself that this seasonal change is an opportunity to shift my energy, my mindset, and my intentions.

Of course, I couldn’t wait to reach out and share this message with you, in case you were needing a little seasonal inspiration, too!

a fall seasonal photo of a bike and pumpkin

Preparing for a Seasonal Shift?

So…what would you like your autumnal season to bring?

You can take your intention setting even further by asking yourself…

  • How do I want to feel at the end of this season?
  • What do I want my life to look like?
  • What will I be seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, touching as this season comes to a close?

Ok, now I’m getting excited!

It may have taken me a while, but eventually I have come to understand that the beauty of each seasonal transition is really the clean slate we’re offered.

And with that, the opportunity to lean into the new season with mindfulness and an openness to change.

So, if you haven’t yet, hopefully this is just the reminder you needed to shift your perspective and open yourself up to all the magic in store for you in this new season.

I can’t wait to hear what comes your way!


Book News:

My dear book, Preemie: Lessons in Love, Life and Motherhood, was chosen as the inaugural book for the Academy of Neonatal Nurses recently launched Book Club! What an honor.

If you had told me 12 years ago when Preemie was first published that she’d still be making the rounds today, I’m not sure I’d have believed you.

If you haven’t read Preemie yet, it is not just a story about premature birth. It’s an inspirational story about transformation and magic – of course!

Amazon review: You know those books… the ones that seem like an old friend, the ones you look forward to cracking open again to see what happens next, the well-written ones that allow you to feel an experience along with the author. This is such a book. Kasey is suddenly thrust into an experience that no one planned for or expected. One that is unbelievably scary. Yet, with her the help of her family and various “angels” who came into their lives she and her family grew beyond measure. She found emotions and strength deep from within. This is a story not only for parents of “preemies” but for anyone who is open to experience life at it’s fullest. It’s quite a ride and a worthwhile read.