Never does a short respite feel more important than it does right now - in November, on the eve of the holiday season.

Our monthly ritual, affectionately referred to as "Highlowaha," is exactly that - a respite in our otherwise busy lives.  It is our chance, once a month, to stop and think about what we are doing.  How are we spending our time?  Are we happy?  Are we making choices that are in alignment with who we say we are?  Are we proud of our decisions or is there some disappointment?  How are you feeling this month in relation to the eighteenth day of last month?  Why is that?

Of course the above questions might feel daunting, even verging on psychobabble, so instead we keep our rules for reflection simple:

What was your high for the month (the best thing that has happened since October 18)?

What was your low for the month (the worst thing that has happened since October 18)?

And, what was your aha for the month (something you have learned since October 18)? 

I'll start and then you follow by visiting us in the Community Forum, labeled Today's Post, and sharing your highs, lows, and ahas for the past month.

High:  A visit from my parents; Halloween with friends; snapping photos of the boys in their costumes; smart personal and professional decisions; chances to teach and talk about things I love; and fun Saturday night dates with my husband.

Low: My father was in the hospital for a week and it drudges up all kinds of sadness and fears about his getting older.

Aha: I read a great essay about floods versus rivers - floods being all over the place and, therefore, dangerous versus rivers being focused and therefore forceful.  It was, by far, my biggest aha moment of the month.

Click here and take your turn.

Shining off until tomorrow...