“You do not just wake up and become the butterfly. Growth is a process.”

– Rupi Kaur

I’m in a mastermind group for female entrepreneurs. The eleven of us range in age from mid-thirties to mid-fifties. We are a healthy mix of new business owners and seasoned ones. Our businesses represent a broad mix of industries: wellness, learning, self-care, life adventures and retail. Meetings include a mix of coaching each other through real-time challenges, discussions of podcasts and books, plus a healthy dose of mutual cheerleading to support us in realizing our dreams. For this week’s gathering, we plan to discuss Brené Brown’s podcast with author Glennon Doyle about her book, Untamed. I’ve not yet read the book but plan to after listening.

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”

— Albert Camus

Here in Vermont, the first day of spring often prompts Mother Nature to surprise us with a big snowfall, typically after days of bright sun and mud season melt have lured us into a false sense of hope that spring might actually arrive “on time.” So yesterday morning, when I woke up to a wet and fluffy blanket of white all around me, I found myself reflecting on seasons, and growing cycles, and how the Vermont farmers around me leverage the quiet stillness of winter to prepare for a bountiful fall harvest.

“There are always flowers for those who choose to see them.”

Henri Matisse

A month ago today I turned 47. On vacation in the Wasatch mountains of Utah, I skied underneath magical bluebird skies, enjoying the sun on my face, the crisp and delicious mountain air on my skin, and the giggling company of my family on the chairlift and around the dinner table. I was full of excitement and curiosity for what the next year of life would bring and full of gratitude.

Today, life certainly looks and feels quite different.