Part 1 The Secret Pond Perspective™

Where is The Secret Pond?

See the video on YouTube or Substack!

So, I just jumped right into The Secret PondCast because getting started is always the hardest part…and I just started sharing the topics that were fresh on my mind- despite the fact that I practically have a ream full of paper worth of thoughts and ideas with tons of highlights and notes…and even a token coffee stain. 

And while I am super excited to share all of this with you, (I know, lucky you!) I knew it was important to share my WHY. 

When I was little, my Grandad used to take me fishing at what he called his secret ponds.  

I felt so chosen to be taken along on those adventures. Some of my most treasured childhood memories stem from those times.

But the thing is, we didn’t just fish. We talked.  We shared peace outdoors.  We soaked up the sun.  I can still feel it on my face.  We admired and appreciated nature.  Most of all, we were simply present…and what a gift that was.

And let me say, Grandad wasn’t perfect.  There’s no such thing. And he didn’t have to be perfect to be there for me.  He always took time for me and listened to my hurting heart with calmness and neutrality and that made me feel validated, safe, and able to process my feelings. My work in child advocacy later proved that kids don’t need you to be perfect, they just need you to be present…truly present.

As I grew older, I began to realize that Grandad lived with such gratitude and contentment. 

I later recognized this was most likely because he, too, felt deeply chosen and loved.  I have never witnessed a stronger bond than the one between Grandad and his mother, my great grandmother, Grannan. My Grannan, Opal, and my great-grandfather Art adopted my Grandad, Joe, when he was 18 months old. Grannan used to tell me the story of the day they walked through the orphanage. They planned to adopt a girl, but as they passed my Grandad, he threw up his arms and reached for Grandad Art, who immediately picked him up.  Grannan said they both immediately knew he was the one. 

From that point forward Grandad was loved beyond measure, and I believe he held a deep gratitude for both of his parents…and his life.  In 2004, at the age of 73, when Grandad was faced with cancer, he said he had lived a good life, and he was OK to go.  That is a level of peace and contentment that many of us only hope to reach. 

As I began my own journey of inner healing, I started to think about Grandad’s life and the impact he had on mine.  I started to think of The Secret Pond as a metaphor for the simple, joy-filled presence and soul-deep peace I witnessed in him. And I knew I wanted to find that place myself, too.  But I also know Grandad didn’t arrive there overnight. That kind of peace is gained slowly, through a lifetime of love, loss, gratitude, reflection, and choice.

This means, no matter where we are in life, it’s never too late to begin making our way to our own Secret Pond.

Grandad impacted the trajectory of my entire life, and in turn, Drew’s, through the loving and objective way he guided me.

The world needs that kind of guidance now more than ever. 

I developed The Secret Pond Perspective in honor of Grandad, as a way of paying forward the impact he had on my life, in hopes of helping others discover their Secret Ponds. 

Because the truth is, many of us have never truly felt safe, calm, or settled. 

And most of us long for presence, peace, contentment, and joy.

Now you know where The Secret Pond is….it’s inside of you.          

I’d love to walk you through The Secret Pond Perspective -  a simple visualization tool and glossary for your inner world that helps you picture your emotions as water, notice what’s creating waves, and find your way back to your own Secret Pond.

You can download your free SPP Quick Guide free on our member page so you can begin using The Secret Pond Perspective yourself.

And because everything I do is so connected, I’ll share my other WHY

and how this all ties to the wonderful world of ELF365.

And as Grandad always used to say,

“Now there’s some sense to that.”

Until next time, wishing you much love and laughter,