HAVE A HAPPY FALL!

Though it sounds contradictory, I mean it sincerely, but maybe not in the way that you might think.

First, let me say, I can't believe it's already October and another year has almost come and gone. The joys and pain of spring and summer are only memories preserved on digital devices now. It is amazing how fast time flies whether you're having fun or not (which means you should be having fun). This is the time I, like so many others, start to evaluate the progress of the plans made at the beginning of the year. The time when we pack away the toys and trappings of summer and begin to honker down for the year's final chilly kiss: winter.

Fall, more than any other season, is always associated with change. The falling of the leaves and the demise of the foliage from earlier times by the falling temperature creates a natural sense of urgency and transition.  The days get shorter and your outdoor activities either find their way inside or go away for a few months. The holidays are quickly approaching and the year is winding down. Fall reminds me to slow down and take a moment to reflect on where I have been and where I intend on going next.

So as I begin to settle into the final few months of my role as 'Keeper of the Flame' for NAWBO Southern Nevada, I look back with pride and I'm thankful for my experiences this year. I believe that the organization has been enriched and I know that I have been too. The women I have met, worked with, gotten to know intimately, and sacrificed our time and talents to keep our promise, have inspired me. Though the time and season may be changing, the commitment I have for this organization and its members remains constant. There is one other aspect of fall I'd like to touch on before I close.

Fall is seen as the time when the land starts to go dormant before it can begin the cycle again. But any good gardener would tell you, now is the time to sow your seed in the yard to have a healthy lawn come spring. That idea applies to your personal and professional life as well. The introductions you’ve had and the connections you've made this year need cultivating in the time we have before we get into the holidays and the dead of winter. That’s right, the opportunities are never ending. In the midst of all the partying and preparing for the end of the year, there is still time to finish strong.

May your fall be a happy (and productive) one.