Swinging into a New Season

Swings are a constant in my life. Physically and metaphorically, our family has identified with the freedom and power that a good Swing can bring. In backyards and playgrounds, as well as luxury spas and restaurants too, Swings surround us and capture the essence of what it is to be human. As the summer days are winding down, I wanted to take this time to invite you to use the Swing as your vehicle to reach new heights in your Next Chapter.

In this new season of purpose and intention, there are many aspects to a Swing that we can identify with. Of course, the physical arc of a Swing is often used to illustrate momentum, rhythm, or change. The playground energy associated with Swings reminds us to gather momentum from our past experiences and launch into the air, with fresh possibilities of the season ahead. Swings implore us to keep a sense of balance and rhythm in our lives, just as the back-and-forth motion associated with swinging can carry us through to calmer times. Swings have the potential to lift us into the air, and to release what is behind, to fly into what is next. Swings create a breeze on your face that signals a welcome change, being carried towards a fresh perspective and renewed sense of purpose. A Swing's cadence and speed can act as a slingshot, catapulting us into a new view. Swings allow us to time travel, to a simpler day, when recess, rather than reflection, was our main pastime.

We often leave childhood memories of Swings behind, to focus on the business and busyness of adult responsibilities. But I hope you will take this message as your personal invitation to delve into what a Swing could bring to your end-of-summer perspective. The view from above, swinging in the air, is one that we could all use to shift and to shape our future visions. I have a practice of looking at situations with a '30,000-foot view' - it enables me to look at the big picture instead of getting lost in details. Just as Wayne Dyer reminds us, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

The impact and magic of Swings have surrounded us since the beginning of time. From ancient rope-and-board swings carved in stone to the steel frames of modern playgrounds, Swings have always carried us forward — and this season is our next push into the air. With this theme and image in mind, please take this opportunity to EXPLORE and to SOAR into the air.

I hope your toes touch the sky and you reach new heights in this new season ahead.