Not Seeing the Rainbow, REALLY Bothered Me

It was a Thursday morning and I had my 3-year old daughter and cocker spaniel puppy in tow. We were taking a two-mile walk to the local church where we sit under the shade tree, have some sips of water, and look at the school across the street. I always tell my daughter how much fun school will be; hoping the mental preparation will ease some of her introvert qualities once she does start school. 

I enjoy our walks, because it gives me time to think. I’ve worked through some of my most difficult personal and professional problems while on walks. Walking gives me clarity, provides focus, spurs creativity, and relaxes my mind. 

Last Thursday, I was in my head by the end of the block. I had a bit of turmoil I was working through, and although I thought I was present; I was not. 

That became apparent when I heard my daughter say enthusiastically, “Mom, look at the rainbow!”

It took a second to process her words, however my immediate reaction was to ask, “Where?” 

“On the ground.” She replied. 

I chalked it up to her creative mind and immediately changed the subject to asking how many birds she could see.

It wasn’t until our way home, at the bottom of the hill where she’d noted seeing the rainbow, when I finally understood what she’d been eluding to. 

On the sidewalk was a huge rainbow drawn with chalk. It easily measured 4 feet in length and was directly in the middle of the sidewalk – bright red, blue, yellow, purple and orange colors filled the area. 

I had walked directly on top of it and not even noticed it. How could I have been so absent from the world around me, to have missed this?

Not seeing the rainbow the first time, really bothered me. I started thinking about what else I was missing in life if I missed a giant colorful rainbow that was directly in front of me; one that I walked exactly on top of.

It made me ponder how many other fun and playful moments I was missing. It made me re-think how many business opportunities most likely passed me by, because I didn’t see them. It made me wonder how often I was “there” but not present – with both my family and my business. 

I wanted to be more present. 

Being a coach is difficult; because at times I feel as though people expect me to have it all “figured out.” Fact of the matter is, I’m still learning – we all are.

My lesson from that day was very simple – Be more present. Start opening up to receive all the beautiful and magical opportunities that are around me at all times.

To do that, I needed to work on processing my thoughts in a different way; I couldn't spend hours, days, or weeks analyzing; I needed to make it a priority to process them daily – analyze and let go.  

Months ago, one of my business coaches told me to “review and let go” of the day's events (and my thoughts surrounding them) each night. She made it a point to say “review” and not "relive". I have no doubt that going forward, this reviewing process will help me to become more present. 

Personal Development Action Item: Take time tonight to review your day. What shifts or changes could you make with your actions and thoughts to ensure that you are actively taking steps that are in alignment with your personal and professional goals?

Professional Development Action Item: Does your team review strategies from the day or week prior, and make slight shifts in direction to establish that the entire team is on the same path – and ensuring that path is headed toward the organization’s short-term and long-term strategic goals? 

About the Author: Valerie Echter is a Certified Holistic Health and Lifestyle Coach, who specializes in emotional and mental wellbeing. She is a stress and anxiety expert, having worked through her own issues with severe social anxiety while at the height of her career in the oil industry. 

Valerie takes her 12-year tenure as a nationally-known sales and marketing expert, and has leveraged her business know-how to educate business owners on the fundamentals of strategically implementing Emotional and Mental Wellbeing programs and services into the organization’s Safety or Wellness programs. A passionate advocate for employee health, Valerie supports organizations in reaching business goals directly via coaching, mentoring, and exclusive facilitated workshops focusing on employee productivity, increased employee morale, improved employee mental clarity and focus.

When she's not working with clients, Valerie can be found on the golf course, reading, playing with her young daughter and cocker spaniel puppy, or enjoying spending time with her husband and extended family.

Want to connect directly with Valerie? Email Valerie@getgoodonline.com to learn more about effective business strategies that focus on employee personal and professional development.