December 2021

Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old
Sometimes I’d like to quit
Nothin’ ever seems to fit
Hangin’ around
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down                    

“Rainy Days and Mondays”: The Carpenters

This is the twelfth month that the academy has been in practice, and it has been quite a year! My first observation to readers would be to thank all who have read the newsletters; or have used the coaching service. My second would be to encourage you to “hunker down”. COVID has made this a formidable time to live through, and its important that we prioritize the things that matter.

I am thankful. Although I would love to have a few more referrals, I am amazed that seven individuals sought my help during this time through regular coaching. On the home front we have been in a transition mode over the past 6 months– selling our house; helping our son and family move away from Calgary; preparing for our own move, etc. We know that it is the right thing to sell the house, though we are still undecided about where we are moving to!!

This brings me to “Rainy days and Mondays”. As I write I am sitting at the window in a rented home in Vancouver, where my wife and I are staying for December. It has been raining off and on for the past 4 days but has stayed away most of today. We travelled here through the US, as the highways in British Columbia are a mess at the moment. Three atmospheric rivers in two weeks have devastated the lives/ livelihoods of many people, flooded the plains/ smaller towns and brought most highways to a close. Which brings me to the lyrics above…

Rainy days aren’t my favourite time, and getting old sucks! As the lines say, “sometimes I’d like to quit”. But enough of that. There are important lessons described in the song that have helped me navigate 2021. Getting through the darkest chapter in our collective lives (hanging around) means we are survivors. Frowning has been necessary and talking to yourself critical. However, we only get through times like COVID because we have special people in our lives, such as described here….

Funny, but it seems I always wind up here with you
Nice to know somebody loves me
Funny, but it seems that it’s the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me (the one who loves me)

What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out (talk it out)
We know what it’s all about
Hangin’ around (hangin’ around)
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

For those who haven’t heard the song, download and listen!! So, as I close this newsletter may I encourage you to reach out to the ones who love you. This may be the one thing that is keeping them from experiencing their own “rainy day”. I hope that this holiday season will find you safe and well, and that your family will be blessed with health and happiness. If you want to talk about your rainy day with somebody, don’t hesitate to email me. I’d be glad to help…

Peter Craighead – pscraighead@gmail.com