I have always thought that nature has a lot to teach us, and, in particular, the changing of the seasons can teach us about change and renewal. The tree in winter looks bare and lifeless, but in a few weeks time buds will start to appear and it will blossom into life.

There are times in our lives when we can feel pretty bleak and lifeless ourselves! Sometimes things don't go so well, and we are unsure of how to change, how to take the next step. We go through a kind of 'winter' of the soul.

But, as the tree will surely grow new buds, there is always a renewal of our own lives. Perhaps someone suddenly appears in your life to bring new ideas and ways of moving forwards, and sometimes an idea that has been there in the back of our minds for sometimes will come forward and provide new opportunities.

The New Year is always a good time for re-assessment, to look what isn't working and to bring forward some of those ideas that have been knocking on the door of your mind for several months! It is a time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. My advice to you (if you should wish to take it on board) is not to sit and wait for something new to happen. If life feels a little stagnant in some areas, then make a change: look at what doesn't work, decide what you want and re-invent yourself!

Have you ever noticed that the most successful and long lasting people in the music business are those that are most willing to re-invent themselves? Think Madonna, think Elton John, think Kylie Minogue, think Rolling Stones - and what about Rod Stewart who has complete changed his style recently? So, if you want to stay youthful, if you want to be a player in life, and not a 'has-been', make sure you renew yourself regularly.

And, to return to nature's lessons, just as the tree will eventually shed its leaves in Autumn, anything that we start or create will also have its time to end or transform. This is not sad, this is good and healthy. Change keeps us on our toes, keeps us mentally active and keeps us youthful! So if something has come to an end recently, see it as a chance to start something new in your life. Mourn a loss as much as you need to, but instead of wishing that the past could have remained the same, remember that nothing ever does and start looking at your new, exciting future!

www.rosbott.com

Ros is a freelance writer, and a career and confidence life coach in Northamptonshire. She is very passionate about helping people 'find themselves' and to live lives that are fulfilling and joyful. This includes finding the right career... after all, we spend a lot of time at our jobs, so we might as well be happy doing them! She works from the belief that anything is possible and that we all create our own lives, based on what we believe about ourselves. These beliefs can be changed to create something more positive.