Welcome to my Portage e-newsletter! Enjoy!

For the rest of this winter, I've chosen to be colorful. Today I wear my big red shirt over my yellow sweater. When the dogs and I walk, I'll throw my old and worn yellow and purple scarf around my neck and pop my matching hat on top. I'm bundled up for whatever winter decides to throw my way, with deep pockets, high collars, goose down and long sleeves. I'm a warm display in an increasingly chilly environment and I'm sticking out like a tropical bird in all this winter white.

With the Winter Solstice on December 21st, we in the North Country are immersed in more dark than light. I feel exhilarated when a sunny day comes my way and I don't have to take all the responsibility for being the bright spot around my home. At the sun's highest point this time of year, it does not quite rise above my treetops. What I'm left with though, is the beauty of sun spilling through the trees, making shining jewels of snow filtering down through the branches.

I'm looking forward to seeing 2009 blown away on the white winds of change and curious about what 2010 has to offer.

My intention for this newsletter, if anything, is simply to present the musings of a wandering woman. Take what works for you, discard what does not. I won't mind a bit.

"The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium." ~Norbet Platt

A favor, please? I appreciate your help growing this e-newsletter. If you find value in my writing, please forward this broadcast to folks you know and ask them to subscribe.

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Get Lost!

My theme for 2009 was Free Fall. And it certainly proved to be true. I've learned more about letting go this year than I could have ever imagined. It was a tangled year, full of twists and turns and steep drops. This year, I've been able to let go more than ever of the things that once gripped me.

My life became cluttered with the sorting of medical paperwork for more than one family member. I've learned more than I care to about the medical mess this country has gotten itself into. And I've learned a little about home insurance in an eleven-month journey to finally enjoying my new front porch, provided by last winter's snows too heavy for the old porch to support. 2009 has been full of the challenges of navigating rules, providing documentation, and finding people who are willing to do what they commit to.

I'm looking forward to the end of my 2009 "Free Fall" as the paperwork flutters behind me. This final letting go will be monumental for me. I can no longer see the importance of things I've been taught must be held with great reverence. An early January bonfire ought to clean up the last of the mess. And that is the Free Fall blessing of 2009.

Now, I'm looking at my 2010 theme and feeling like it's time to "Get Lost!"

I'm ready to be a pioneer, an adventurer, stumbling in to new areas to survey broadly and examine minutely. I want to investigate new waters, explore new wilderness, discover what others may have long ago left behind and, when necessary, make my own crude maps as a way to encourage myself to go deeper.

I will not be a seeker, searcher or one on a quest. I'm not interested in any theme that might carry deep meaning or be a cause in any way. There will be no exploration plan or search for knowledge.

Beating about, kicking around, casting about, putting out feelers, and finding myself up a creek are more my style. All I'm looking for are a few effortless escapades and the simplicity in being lost.

"Explorers have to be ready to die lost." ~Russell Hoban

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Adventure and Retreat Leader Teleclass Training Starts Tuesday, February 2!

On Tuesday, February 2, Patt Osborn and I begin another Adventure and Retreat Leader teleclass series for coaches and wellness professionals who want to take it outside!

Whether you want to take your clients to the wilds on a physical adventure or you'd rather sit around a fireplace in the comfort of a natural retreat facility, this teleclass will get you started!

• By the end of this series, you will be in a great position to offer retreats and adventures as part of your business.
• This 9-session series runs through the end of April, 2010
• All sessions are recorded so if you should miss a call, you have one week to listen in.
• The training includes two one-on-one coaching sessions, one with Deb and one with Patt.
• Details can be found at http://www.portagecoach.com/ARCTraining.html

• Access to a secure web page where you can download recordings of Deb and Patt elaborating on each item of the 100-point checklist (7 recordings total)
• Access to a secure web page where you can download the accompanying pdf Playbook, including the 100-point checklist and all the handouts.
• Download all the material at once or use your secure user name and password to return and download files as you need them.

Happy New Year, My Friends!


Cheers!

Where You Can Find Me
Here's how you can find me:

• My Portage website is, well, Portage. You'll find more about me and coaching there.
• You can read this article and more at either one of my Blogs, Portage and Lessons From The Creek. Stop by and comment.
  
• On Facebook, you'll find I'm just plain Deb Martin. Feel free to add me.
• On Twitter, I'm Deborah Martin. Although admittedly, I don't totally "get" Twitter. For me, less is more when it comes to Twitter.
• On Ryze, you can fine me hanging out as debcoach
• And on one of my favorite sites, Squidoo, I'm Deb Martin once again. I have created lenses related to these articles and more.
  
• If you want to do a little fishing with me, you can find me hanging around Cameron Lake Fishing Lodges, Inc. or Ituksum Wilderness Camp.
• And finally, my email addresses are deb@portagecoach.com, deb@deborahmartin.com and deb@cameronlakefishinglodges.com. Feel free to use them.

Again, thanks for letting me bop into your inbox once in awhile.

Blue Sky and Sunshine, My Friends!

Peace and Much Love
Deb

The Fine Print
A Note About My Recommendations
Occasionally I provide links in this newsletter to products and services I am offering or I have personally found valuable. If you are ever disappointed with one of these recommendations, please let them and me know. If they don't make it right, I will.

You can subscribe to this newsletter by visiting the subscription box on my home page at www.portagecoach.com

If you find value in Portage, please pass it along and ask your friends to subscribe. Thank You.

Help me stay with you. If you are enjoying Portage, please protect your subscription. If your email address is about to change, please remember to visit my home page and subscribe your new address. And if your email service automatically deletes large broadcasts like this one, let them know you want Portage from Deb Martin to come through.

Portage is published about 12 times a year and distributed monthly by email. Comments, submissions and suggestions are welcome. Please forward any or all of this newsletter to those you know will appreciate it and encourage them to subscribe for themselves.

Although this material is subject to copyright, you may reprint this publication, in whole or in part, in your company publication, in training, presentations, or wherever you feel it would be valued. This also holds true for members of the media. All I ask is that you include the following: Reprinted with permission from Deborah Martin of Portage at http://www.portagecoach.com

The names of this newsletter's subscribers are never shared or sold.

Copyright © 2009 by Deborah Martin. All rights reserved.