by Vicki Zanini Greetings! “Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” –Robin Williams After experiencing one of the longest and coldest winters I can remember here in Colorado, the buds on the Maple tree in my backyard are finally waking up. They are increasing daily even though a local squirrel has developed an appetite for them. And this morning six Robins enjoyed their breakfast in my front yard – the first Robins of the season! Mother Nature, I am ready to party with you! I must acknowledge the ripple of sadness that still comes over me when I think of Robin Williams who took his own life in August of last year at the age of 63. Everyone goes through emotional cycles of winter when life feels colder and there’s a perceived disconnected from the people around us. Mr. Williams must have felt this at an extreme level when he said, “I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.” While this makes me sad for Mr. Williams and his family, it also reminds me of the gift of community and true connection that I have come to appreciate in my own life. As a new student of coaching in 2001, I was immersed in a supportive environment that taught me to define success for myself and helped me to cultivate the inner resources and structures to sustain me on my path. I met people who held themselves to a high standard, and who inspired me by their passion, vision and generous spirit. One of the qualities that masterful coaches demonstrate consistently is that they truly care and value their clients. It’s tangible and present and you can hear more about this in the Master Coach Interviews series on the IAC website here. And while it’s true that coaches have many tools in their toolkit and they each have their place, the gift of being with your client with an open and caring heart cannot be faked. It is foundational to achieving a relationship of trust with our clients, which is mastery number one. Yes, this has certainly been my experience as a student of coaching and one of the reasons I am truly grateful and honored to be a part of the IAC coaching community. Robin Williams was a master at lightening up the heavy hearts of his fans. His comedy was his gift of healing to others and we should all be so lucky as to find our “gift” and put it in the service of others. With gratitude, Vicki
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Vicki Zanini is founder of Vicki Zanini Coaching & Training. As a certified holistic life coach, she works with individuals and groups who are ready to create new possibilities, boost personal effectiveness, and experience a deeper sense of meaning and inner peace. She has been leading coaching groups and workshops for over 15 years in personal development, self-care, creativity, and intuition. Visit her website at 