In spring, thoughts also turn to new beginnings, starting over, and planting new “seeds,” whether that means launching a long-delayed education plan, ramping up your career or laying the groundwork for future travel with family or friends.

As we approach summer, some people may enjoy a more leisurely pace. The end of the school term, casual Fridays, vacation plans and other signs of a break in our hectic lives occur. In this less structured environment, it is often easier for repotters and potential repotters to find the time they need for reflection and research to uncover their personal touchstone, pursue a new career, or develop creative solutions to disruptions caused by the economic downturn.

Repotters can use the downtime offered by the summer months to analyze next steps in a job search, discuss options for lifestyle changes with family and friends, uncover new ideas for their optimal life landscape plan, and think imaginatively about how to bring their core values into focus in their lives. Make the summer as productive a period as spring, fall,and the new year!

We are planning a summer retreat to brainstorm about a series of repotting conferences next fall to help women manage their lives in today’s new economic reality. What are you planning to do?

Diana and Ginger

One of our core repotting concepts is “take time to make time.” Find some time in your day, week or month to stop and reflect, do something special for yourself, or “plant a sample bed” —try out something new that’s always intrigued you. Only when you hit the “pause” button, away from the bustle of daily life, can you really create a pocket of time to be mindful. This in turn will allow you to be more proactive in thinking about a new job, community service, passion or hobby, for instance.

On our travels, many women have said that they want and need the gift of time for themselves, and to be with their families: the single mom whose only respite in the day is a walk on a track near her home before getting children to school and herself off to two jobs; the woman executive who limits work travel to take time for family dinners each week; and the stay-at-home mom who has weeded out her schedule to find four hours a week to pursue her long overlooked passion – painting.

No matter what your plans are for Mother’s Day, we hope you’ll join us in making the pledge to give yourself the gift of “time,” each week! Diana finds that her early morning walks with her dog, out in nature and away from technology, provides that respite. For Ginger, in addition to dog walking, starting the day in prayer and meditation provides that pocket of time.

Have a sweet Mother’s Day!

Diana & Ginger

2,000 women from all over America attended the luncheon and received our book, Repotting: 10 Steps for Redesigning Your Life, donated by Louise Hay, founder of Hay House, in a gift bag, made of a divine Kravit mint green/brown/white toile fabric, which also covered the tables. Seeds, a beautiful George Washington replica plate, and a CD – It’s Easy to be Green, (written by Chip Hand, son of our own favorite jewelry designer, Ann Hand), were part of the goodies, too!

The best part of the day – our First Lady Michele Obama! Now that she’s repotted into the White House, Mrs. Obama, is, like her husband, repotting America by transplanting us into a better growth environment. Whether it’s planting a victory garden to encourage healthy eating, or engaging in weekly community service, such as the April 29 D.C. Food Bank effort with Congressional spouses, (where 2,000 food packs worth two weeks of food for children were prepared), Michele Obama is authentic, accessible, accomplished, and so much more. Her message — service is “embedded in our core values”, and an integral part of making our community and country stronger to solve today’s problems and meet our challenges. Known for helping veterans and military families, Mrs. Obama stressed that we can all work together to do good, no matter what our political agenda.

We couldn’t agree more. Many of the women in our repotting book wanted to find more meaning and fulfillment through service and giving back. This is one of the core values of our own lives, our business and our book. When we speak, our goal is to help others change their lives, especially those in transition after losing a job (change-point repotters). We’ve also donated a portion of our proceeds to charity, and on a personal note–we both make service a part of our weekly schedule. Diana tutors students in D.C., and Ginger and family have been feeding the homeless for over 15 years.

A special shout-out to Jillian Manus, our friend and mentor, who came to the luncheon from California!

Ginger & Diana