EXCLUSIVE Blog for Modern Salon

This week my friend Mary Wilson and I had a rare opportunity to spend the morning walking on what is known as the "California Riviera"-Laguna's Main Beach.

The sun was shining, the morning crisp, and rather than using the time to get our heart rates up in an aerobic power walk, we invested in leisurely conversation and simply caught up on each other's lives.

We're very familiar with Laguna Beach. It's where we host our Destination Rejuvenation Retreat (DR) each spring and fall. On Monday morning of DR, we give our attendees "starter" sentences and invite them to walk the beach, reflecting. They're asked to walk in silence, taking in the beauty of the environment and recording their thoughts and feelings in their journals.

But walking with Mary, I saw that our once-familiar beach looked like a moonscape more than a beach. The constant ebb and flow of the tide had taken a huge portion of the sand away. Then, we discovered the unimaginable. Huge boulders that previously had been covered with sand stretched the length of a football field. Their sudden exposure was unfamiliar and unsettling.

Of all the times we'd strolled that beach, we'd never seen those boulders. They were always there, but always submerged. It took the constant flow of the elements to reveal them. And after a while of walking, their fresh exposure became as exhilarating as a new discovery to a child.

I've been thinking about them for days now and asking myself: What "boulders" of opportunity, possibility, or service are buried and waiting to be discovered on the shore of my life? What elements, like the rushing tide, might it take to reveal them?

I came up with an ebb, flow and tide of my own, that I could translate into three actions.

1. Let go.
By purging my living or working space and ridding myself of those things that I've been hoarding in the corners of my space, I can release the energy they block. Spring is a great time to start anew! I can let go of what I haven't worn in a year and clean out drawers-even that catchall drawer in the kitchen. Then I can simply let go of whatever no longer serves me. If I'm too emotional to follow through, I can call on a friend who's completely objective and can act as a catalyst in the process.

2. Try something new.
If I can dedicate myself to learning something completely unusual and out of my normal realm of interests, I will expand my world. By visiting an unfamiliar location, meeting people of different mindsets, I'll reveal something about myself I never knew before. Exhilarating, yes?

3. Be still.
Spending some time alone, away from all manner of distractions-including texting, emailing, talking, phoning, gaming, eating and even exercising-could lead to the ultimate "in the moment" revelation. If I can get "still" enough to ask myself what I really want and where I really want to serve, I may find a new path. In that stillness, I'll be able to visualize what the new path looks like and compare it to where I am now. Then, I can begin taking steps to manifest it. Of course, I might find that where I am and what I'm doing is exactly right for me, for now. In that very recognition, I'd become satisfied with and grateful for the "boulder" I uncovered.

What might the results of any one of these three actions be? Clarity of intention and activity, so I can go full steam ahead and give focused attention to others. Healthy living and working space-with increased energy left over at the end of the day to spend with my family and friends. Expanded daily capacity, which will allow me to achieve more and live better.

I might even discover untapped talents, lurking under the surface, waiting to be discovered, revealed and appreciated. Just like the boulders on Laguna Beach.

Let me know what you decide to do to uncover your own "boulders."

And, while I can't promise the boulders will still be visible, I can invite you to learn more about Destination Rejuvenation at Laguna Beach May 2-4, 2010. Log onto www.rejuvenationgifts.com for all the details.


About Ann Mincey
For 35 years, Ann Mincey's training programs have helped beauty professionals reduce stress, refuel creativity, open their hearts and enrich their lives. As one of the first women to teach motivation, inspiration, confidence and well-being, Ann worked for Redken 5th Avenue NYC, where she advanced to Vice President of Global Communications before recently retiring. She remains a spokesperson for the brand, in addition to developing her own speaking and enrichment business. Having been recognized with numerous leadership awards and philanthropic honors, Ann is a sought-after public speaker and author of "Get Glowing! You are a Star Right Where You Are!". She can be booked through Equanimity, Inc. speakers' agency (equanimity.com). Salon industry inquiries should be made to amincey@redken.com.