It's autumn now and the leaves are beginning to change and there's a chill in the air that says, "time to get your warmer clothes out of the back of the closet." Yes, even here in southern California!

Autumn was once one of the hardest times of my life. My family had a couple of tragedies that occurred. We lost my oldest sister and six years later we lost my mother, both to automobile accidents. It was with a coach that I discovered that when autumn approached, I was "automatic" in wanting to hide out from life and not to be involved with others. It was with a coach that I began to notice what being automatic was all about and excitedly how I might approach my life more from the age I am rather than the age that the tragedies occurred, I was 13 and 16 years old respectively. In fact, it has been with coaches that I've discovered automatic ways-of-being I have with myself where I have limited my ability to grow and learn and allow myself the opportunity to be curious and love my fellow human beings. Coaches have introduced me to be full of wonder and with that wonder be filled with a renewed sense of innocence and respect for being a grown woman. Coaches have introduced me to living my life in integrity and as such. My life is continually a source of miracles and joyfulness, and yes, still a bit of sadness for having lost two wonderful souls in my life but all the while knowing that 30+ years later, I still honor the contributions they were to me so many years ago.

Thank you for letting me digress a bit about my own life but really to acknowledge you as a coach. Who you 'be' as a coach is someone who may never realize the contribution that you make in others lives. What you say in perhaps a 10 minute span of time may alter your coachees lives to include that all that has come before has made them who they 'be' today. Yes, I said that right... who they be such that anything is possible! Life is to be lived in the moment and discovered in the future and what they have to stand on is the legacy they have lived and that has brought them to you to discover themselves brand new.

Forgive me for I'm beginning to think that I don't have much more time with you as the president of your ICF-OC Chapter. This wonderful year of growth, enjoyment and discovery that I've shared with you has been a favorite for me. The grace that you have shown me has encouraged me to look to you for support, and you've been there for me as we've formed, created and stepped outside our comfortableness and brought to you what we, as the Board, have thought might spur you on in your coaching endeavors. We have a few months left so I'm not too concerned about seeing your faces full of possibility and aliveness and ready to help create the coming year with Nahid Casazza, our next incoming President, in the positions that you may step into as potential board members or Executive Officers. I can't wait to see who steps up to the plate and joins the team that will help us make it all happen!

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW!! What a ride!" ~ Anonymous

This month we have a very special opportunity to make ourselves known as reputable coaches in the three southern California communities. Have you visited our website (www.icforangecounty.org) and looked into attending the first annual Womanaire Extraordinaire Conference? It proves to be an unparalleled opportunity for introducing coaching to the LA, OC and SD Counties. We as your Board have chosen to showcase our Chapter into being an alliance so that we could take the opportunity to show ourselves off as how coaches are capable of contributing to our communities. Please send a message to Elaine Provencher at etpro@cox.net if you would like to volunteer to “man” or “woman” our booth as quality coaches on their way to certification. The event is the 22nd, 23rd & ½ day on the 26th October. The booth will be manned on the 22nd and 23rd. Do come and join us showcase the ICF-OC Chapter. If you choose to attend and sign up via the ICF-OC website, we will also be able to offer you a discounted fee. Do check it out and come and join us!

And then, if you and I are both lucky I may see you at the annual 2006 ICF global conference. Me - lucky to see you; you - lucky to have chosen to attend a conference that is like no other has been in my estimation; full of support and possibility for who you are as a coach. If not this year, do plan to go next year. However, if you are going this year, send me an email now so we can be sure to meet in St. Louis!! president@icforangecounty.org.

Plans are already in the making for our Holiday Party and if you have ideas and are willing to join in creating the party of the year, send an email to our Logistics/Special Events Director, Anita Goldin at Agoldin1@cox.net.

So thanks for reading my little blurb and do come up and hug me next time we see each other. See you soon.

Big hugs to you!
Patricia Hirsch, MCC, MBA, RN
2006 President, ICF-OC Chapter