Looking upstream from where we went swimming

My friend Brenda just left a few hours ago and I have several hundred pictures to remember the week by. I could write countless newsletters and teach a weekend workshop just on what we learned, experienced and the challenges we faced. We had a marvelous time together, laughing and playing, sharing and growing. I love friends that also lead amazing lives and are so genuinely positive to be around.

Yesterday we hiked a little known trail outside of Sedona and ended up at this fabulous swimming hole. Greg and I had done the hike when he was here but I didn´t have my camera with me. It was much easier the second time around as I knew where we were going.

One of the more challenging aspects of Sedona is that the signage for trails is very poor. It´s absolutely crazy how inadequate the signage is considering that tourism is a primary industry in the state. It really makes me appreciate even more that we need to look at our businesses, our websites, our blogs, our order forms and everything else that we count on to bring us clients from THEIR standpoint, not ours.

Someone who lives here, has hiked a trail a hundred times may know how to find it but if you´re counting on someone new to the area finding it without good signage, you leave people frustrated and disappointed. It has been one of the most common comments I have heard from tourists here: Where´s the signs?

It´s hard to believe that I have less than 2 months left in Sedona. Still lots to do and see, hikes to walk, and places to visit. Lots of work to get accomplished as well. New websites, new workshop, new programs, and a new book this fall. What an amazing life!

How are you doing? If you´re feeling a bit lost and looking for some signposts in your life, sit down and talk with a coach, a friend or a business associate. Having someone to chat with, go over things with, discuss things with and brainstorm with is one of the greatest gifts you can be given or you can give. Don´t be shy. Ask for help. We all need it. I ask for directions, guidance and feedback daily. You´ll move much faster in creating your amazing life, if you get some help along the way.

Some of the beautiful red rock formations

My good friend Brenda arrived in Sedona last night. We had a wonderful dinner out overlooking the red rocks of Sedona and then were up early this morning and at our hike by 8:15. Six hours later, we got back to the car, dirty, wet, exhausted and inspired.

We hiked the West Fork Trail, also called Call of the Canyon, considered to be one of the most beautiful hikes in Arizona. We traversed the creek several times, passed through what looked like a bamboo forest, were surrounded by magnificent red rocks and finally waded sometimes up to my hips in very cold water till we reached a large shallow lake. All in all, it was a 7 mile hike and considering the temperatures were around 100 degrees or so, that´s an accomplishment.

As Brenda and I gasped, marveled and had our breath taken away so many times today, we were truly grateful moment by moment for the amazing life we have both created. While so many people were doing jobs they hated, in climate they don´t like, in a lifestyle that is hardly inspiring, we were in the some of the most stunning scenery in the world, with not a care in the world.

It was truly a day of great exercise, but more than anything a day of real gratitude for the blessings we enjoy. Go create your amazing life!