Each of us has a story. When I was thirteen years old, I took my first leap. On a river-rafting trip on the Green River in Colorado, I literally got out of the boat and swam alongside the raft only to be swept through the rapids. Exciting and scary at the same time, that adventure was the first of many in which life felt like an exciting journey of discovery. It was also a reminder of how quickly our life circumstances can change.

As an adult I jumped into the rapids again, but this time they were the swirling waters of social justice. Against the advice of many, upon graduating from law school, I opened my own law practice in San Francisco, rather than joining an established firm. Within a week, I was in the middle of my first jury trial. While this new endeavor was exciting and satisfied my quest for meaning and purpose initially, a failed relationship was instrumental in my reevaluating my priorities. My journey to wholeness led to meditation.

As I continued on my path of awakening, which included music, yoga, meditation and living in nature, the law practice, which had been good to me, was becoming more challenging to juggle. As the nineties progressed, I wondered for the first time what my life would be like if I wasn't practicing law. I made a promise to myself--1999 would be my last year practicing law. The timing for what was next seemed perfect. The year 2000, the dawn of the new millennium, had always been significant in my thinking. Even though I didn't know what was next, I had faith that I would be able to figure it out. And that included providing for my family.

Events and circumstances began to occur that supported me in this next phase of my life. It was on Kauai, a few months later, that I made the decision to become a life coach. On my return to the mainland I had an experience that reinforced that this was the right decision. As I was getting on the plane, a man came up to me and said, "I know you, you're an attorney and musician." After telling him that I hadn't been an attorney for over a year, he asked me what I was doing instead. This man became my good friend and first coaching client. Although the path has not always been mapped out so that I can see what's next, I’ve learned to be more comfortable when things don’t work out the way I had hoped they would, especially when I know I did my best. Sometimes it’s just not meant to be.

And sometimes you feel called. I knew that my next step was writing, Dancing On The River: Navigating Life's Changes. Although it was a struggle at times and a labor of love, it was an amazing journey—one that I would not trade for anything. On many levels I felt a sense of fulfillment upon completion and yet like a beginner again. I was entering a new phase of my life. I could be happy even with the “loose ends” dangling out there. So that’s what I’m try to do even when things don’t work out the way I had hoped they would. I now have a sense of what it’s like to be on the Positive Side of Change. There’s always more to learn. Perhaps the biggest obstacle in our quest to say, “Yes” to Life, is learning to become more comfortable with "not knowing" what the future holds. Since change is inherent in our life’s unfolding, the journey continues to be revealing and exciting. Take the step that is in front of you. Each step becomes an opportunity for you to make your life what you want it to be.

Since I’ve taken that step on more than a few occasions, I’ve had the privilege to be the guide for many clients in my one-on-one sessions, workshops and keynote presentations. What I’ve seen is that we have so much more potential than we realize. We can exceed our expectations. I’ve been inspired by what some have accomplished. You can read about them.

It would be my privilege to be your guide on this journey. Whether coaching one-on-one or speaking to groups, I am passionate about life being an exciting journey of discovery. Enjoy the journey.

Listen to Mark's Radio Interviews                • with Scott Cluthe                • with Richard Brendan                • with Raz Ingrasci