Last year, I took a long drive out to a nearby rural area that is rich in lakes and rivers bordered by unspoiled granite terrain, rolling hills, and winding roads, typical of a traditional Canadian environment . Located at the tip of the Canadian Shield, the landscape can often be rough and unpredictable, but at…
When December comes around, watching Christmas movies is one seasonal tradition that is widely practiced and enjoyed. That’s because movies about the holidays often provide us with a sense of nostalgia and joy. “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” –Hamilton Wright Mabie Christmas movies often promote messages…
To be honest, I had never really spent much time thinking about joy, before I chose to make it this year’s theme for the 24 instalments of the Advent Calendar ( blog). Ten days in, and it feels like I have carried out a forensic study into joy, dissecting a very broad topic, into smaller…
The benefits of cultivating inner joy goes well beyond the development of your own personal well being. Personal joy becomes an opportunity to influence humanity when it transforms into a source of inspiration and positive action. When you are sharing your joy within your community (the people you work with, your family, your neighbours, or…
There are some simple, daily rituals I look forward to, like savouring a cup of my favourite herbal tea, while enjoying the quietness of my own company. Usually, it’s mid-afternoon and I’m seated in the living room so I have a view of the outside, while giving my busy head a rest. That serene, sometimes…
Has it already been twenty-four days since I started on this year’s Advent Calendar Blog? I intended the topic for 2022 to be a reflection on change, and how to face it with courage and dignity, whether it was brought in intentionally or not into our life, yet it seems there were a few other…
I let go of what no longer serves me. This is an affirmation that I repeat to myself daily, as a reminder that I do not wish to hold on to grudges, resentment and the need to be right. A while ago, I decided that I wanted to create a life for myself filled mainly…
There are a few people in my life with whom I have synchronicity. I will think of them, and seconds later a text from them will arrive, or I will send a friend a clip from YouTube and she will tell me that she had been focused on that very topic. Yesterday, I reached out…
Could you name your five greatest talents, if asked? By talents, I mean a natural ability to do something, like having a green thumb, or a beautiful singing voice. Perhaps you can learn and execute new dance moves easily and masterfully or you can organise an event like no other. I have always been intrigued…
Do you have the courage to be authentic today? Not only ready to be true to yourself in your thoughts and actions, but willing to present the wonderfully flawed and imperfect you in your interaction with others? Are you able to have lunch with some friends or your boss and admit that you don’t have…
Humans are funny. Unlike every other species on this planet living out its existence, we humans believe that we need to be busy and active in order to be making good use of our lives. We hear things like needing to be productive, and being purpose driven, seeking meaning to being alive. Perhaps we are…
We hear lots of talk about change at this time of year. It’s good that we perform these personal assessments annually, taking a more critical look at our accomplishments and measure our satisfaction, with a view to continuous self improvement. What do we mean when we talk about change? Are we saying we want something…
