Deborah Howard, Guiding Change Consulting

Imagine a space where beauty opens doors within you. Join us in a global contemplative community where expressive arts - poetry, painting, and music - become pathways to personal transformation.

Over six monthly 2-hour gatherings, we reflect, explore, and grow together - guided by creativity, moved by beauty.

Who We Are:
Michele Fattal, PCC Coach, Certified Mentor Coach, and ESIA Supervisor, creates reflective spaces for self-expression, transformation, and growth. Inspired by art, creativity, and intuition, her holistic approach fosters awareness, identity, and connection to self, others, and the world. She believes in the power of beauty to open consciousness, and transform lives.
www. Michelefattal.com

Deborah Howard, PCC Coach, Certified Coach Mentor, CSA Supervisor, and Author, brings intercultural insight and a passion for social justice to her work. She believes authenticity and vulnerability are key to becoming your best self, that love is greater than fear, and that compassion, kindness, and an open heart can transform and heal.
www.guidingchange.com

Dates and Times:
May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, and October 7, 2026
9:00am-11:00am EDT
1:00pm-3:00pm CEST
1:00pm-3:00pm GMT

ICF CCEUs: For participants who are coaches, we will provide certificates of attendance so you can earn CCEUs.

Cost: 1,200 euros. To support accessibility, please let us know if the price is an issue for you.

If you are interested, please contact Deborah Howard at [email protected]

Find the Light in the Darkness

In the current dark state of the world, it can be difficult to find light. Surrounded by violence and chaos, we can feel hopeless. And for those of us who are privileged enough not to experience the violence firsthand, we may also feel guilt. But hopelessness and guilt only pull us deeper into the pit of darkness.

It would not be authentic to say, “it will be alright,” because it may not be. However, there is always choice. We can surrender to the darkness and become part of it. Or we can turn toward the light – even the tiniest spark or ember – and we can create light from within.

Allowing ourselves to take in beauty, is an act of resistance. Practicing compassion – for others and ourselves – is an act of resistance. Giving kindness in a world that rewards cynicism, is an act of resistance. This is how we spread light. Just as love does not eliminate hate but refuses to be consumed but it, light does not banish darkness but makes it bearable and less total.

So look for your light, however small - the flowers that bloom even before the snow has melted, the unexpected laugh shared with a stranger, the moment of genuine connection with another. In this way, we lift our spirits and create light that shines on others.

The world needs people who refuse to go dark.
Wishing you light.

Notice What’s Around You Journey: Final Day

Today ends my 30-day journey of noticing. I’ve enjoyed the journey and hope those of you who accompanied me enjoyed it as well.

This last photo of my journey was taken just as the sun was rising this morning, again in Newburgh, NY. It was a raining so the clouds look dark. But, if you look at the top right-side corner, you can see the sun trying to peak out from behind the clouds.

The clouds are a beautiful medley of pastel colors.

Notice What’s Around You: Day 29

Today’s photo is of some roses in someone’s front yard.

It is 39 degrees out and these roses still look as if they are in their prime.

They seem to be bearing up well despite the cold. I wish I could say the same for myself.

Notice What’s Around You: Day 28

I took today’s photo in Newburgh, NY, a few hours north of New York City.

These trees are an invasive species that I normally don’t like. But, now that they are decked out in their Fall colors, they are kind of nice looking, although they still block my view of the Hudson River and the mountains.

Notice What’s Around You: Day 27

Today’s photo is of some plants right outside Mount Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The photo captures a mixture of color and texture.

In the center is a plant with soft, fuzzy, velvet-like, silvery green leaves. On either side of it are plants with shiny green leaves and red and pink flowers, respectively. Surrounding all of them on the ground are the crunchy, brown, dried leaves fallen from nearby trees.

I love the contrast of the different colors and textures.

Notice What's Around You: Day 26

Today’s photo is of clouds.

I thought the two lines coming down looked as if someone had taken a paint brush to the sky.

I don’t think I’ve seen a cloud formation like this before.

Notice What’s Around You: Day 25

Today’s noticing requires your imagination. It’s an auditory noticing.

If you sit in what’s called the Vale of Cashmere in Prospect Park, a favorite place for bird watchers, you can hear a symphony of bird calls. So, imagine you are sitting comfortably on a park bench. You will hear the chirp of sparrows, the caw of blue jays, the quick three-toned sound of cardinals, and my favorite, the coo of the morning doves, along with others I can’t identify.

I didn’t hear a swan but I love this photo and if you walk over to the lake, you can see them there.

Notice What’s Around You: Day 24

Today’s photo isn’t something I’ve just noticed. In fact, it draws my attention and curiosity whenever I see it.

This vehicle (space mobile?) has been a staple in my neighborhood of Prospect Heights in Brooklyn for ages. I see it frequently. And I know it’s driven, because I see it in different places. I have, however, never seen it in motion.

What do you make of this?

Notice What's Around You: Day 23

Today’s photo is of a branch from an oak tree with some acorn caps attached. What struck me about this is that, until today, I have never seen acorns still on a tree, only strewn all over the grass underneath them. And even this branch doesn’t have the acorns, just the caps.

I wonder why that is.

I love acorns. And I am always amazed when I look at them knowing that one day, they will become huge oak trees. They are entirely whole and complete, with everything they need to become mighty oaks other than nutrition, sun, and water. I try to remind myself when I feel depressed or simply “not enough,” that all sentient beings are brought to life whole and complete. They have no need to achieve anything, prove anything, or validate themselves in any way.

What if you started every day knowing and believing that you are enough just as you are – just for being alive?

Notice What's Around You: Day 22

I didn’t take a photo for today’s noticing but have “noticings” to share.

I took the subway in New York City this morning for a meeting I had in Manhattan. As I was walking down the platform to the Exit, I saw the digital sign that announces when the next trains are due to arrive.

I saw that the next train was due in 1 minute and the one after was due in 9 minutes. Objectively speaking, 8 minutes between trains is frequent. As a New Yorker, however, I confess that when I am waiting for a train and the sign shows it’s 8 minutes until the next one, it feels like an eternity.

However, my noticing didn’t end there. I went through the turnstile where there are 2 stairways to the street. I looked to the left and there seemed to be a lot of people exiting up the stairs and then looked to the right where the crowd looked smaller. I, therefore, chose the righthand exit.

I realized to my amusement, that the reason for the larger crowd on the left side was that the people exiting that way were all walking up the stairs two abreast. This made it possible for more of them to get upstairs at a time but also made it almost impossible for anyone to come down the stairs. Those on the right were standing in line single file and walking up the stairs only on the righthand side, leaving space for those coming down. I was amused because I have never seen New Yorkers do that before.

What I have seen is the way we New Yorkers stand on escalators. Those of us who know New York subway etiquette know that we stand on the righthand side on escalators to allow space for those people who want to walk up or down the stairs. Maybe we take the perspective only of those going in the same direction.

Notice What’s Around You: Day 21

Today’s noticing was once again while I was practicing yoga.

At the end of the session, as we were lying in shavasana, my teacher (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=538308688) spoke about giving gratitude to my heart, which is always beating.

It brought home to me how amazing it is that our hearts never stop the whole time we are alive. Our hearts never rest.

That’s a lot to be grateful for.