It hit me today why I love waterfalls. Whether it’s of the magnitude of Niagara Falls or a trickling cascade, a waterfall allows me to focus on the flow of the water rather than the swirl in my head. My breathing becomes more relaxed, and I forget about everything in the moment. My latest deadline, concerns about friends and family, the state of our country and the world, and the list goes on. Who isn’t flooded with nagging thoughts?

A kaleidoscope of leaves can brighten an otherwise dreary day. During a recent Sunday stroll, I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of a colorful array of autumn leaves. What a spectacular sight on a drizzly afternoon. For a moment, time stood still as I gazed at Mother Nature’s handiwork under my soggy sneakers. I no longer felt the rain or chill in the air. And I got an idea for my next blog. How often do we stop to admire the artistry?

Did I ever mention I once asked my dad to buy me a cow? Never one to discourage initiative, this lifelong realtor told me, “Sure, I’ll buy you a cow if you purchase the land.” He didn’t dash the dream of a child. Instead, my father – may his memory be a blessing – offered hope and a compromise. What an important life lesson. How often do we shut down someone’s dream, either deliberately or inadvertently? Are we too quick to criticize rather than consider ideas? Are we willing to move over to give someone else room to shine?

I jokingly refer to this photo as old stuff in Segovia, Spain (Roman ruins and me). During a recent bucket-list trip, I posed in front of a first century AD structure that many consider one of the best-preserved Roman aqueduct bridges. People from around the world visit this spot to admire the ingenuity, artistry and strength of the Aqueduct of Segovia, which has lasted through the ages. A young woman from Scandinavia was kind enough to offer to snap this photo of me. Old stuff – like a bridge or a person – can continue to surprise you.

How do you decide whether to respect a boundary or jump over it? The answer to that question comes down to context. Last weekend, it was a clear-cut decision to heed the red warning sign, “Danger. Firing Range.” I chose to stay on the marked trail rather than encounter a stray shot. Using the existing path, rather than trekking through the brush, also helped me avoid the pervasive poison ivy. On the other hand, if your organization is coming under fire for staying the course, it may be time to push the boundary. Or, better yet, jump over it. Change your overall approach.

What do love locks have to do with communications? Everything. The padlocks found on bridges and other structures around the world are a symbol of unbreakable bonds. People ceremoniously attach locks to a special spot to signify their lasting connections with family, friends and soulmates. When you think about it, that’s what communications is about – creating powerful bonds with your key audiences. For purposes of this blog, I’m not here to discuss how love locks are outlawed in many places because of the damage to structures or historic landmarks. That’s not the point today. Rather, I want to concentrate on ways you can lock in on communications that better connect with your audiences.

Today’s blog is inspired by my obsession with Wordle. Yes, I confess. This professional communicator is a Wordle wonk. I can’t start or finish my day without taking a stab at solving this New York Times puzzle. Everyone who plays faces the same challenge; guess the secret word in six tries or less. Sometimes, we guess the word on our own. Other times, we peruse a list of possible words with letters we have discovered. Whether we win or lose the game, we share a sense of camaraderie in playing. Likewise, when we find the HUM – and live the words beginning with these three letters – we strengthen our communications and working relationships.

Have you ever lost sleep worrying about a pending project or sensitive communications? I’m talking about obsessing over best- and worst-case scenarios and replaying different scenes in your head. When every waking or sleeping hour is consumed with weighing all the options. In the end, did these mental gyrations help or hinder you from handling the situation in real life (IRL)? As a creative communicator, I’m in good company to believe that imagination can shape our reality.