Spring Days in the Countryside

Forsythia blossoms during spring in rural Ontario

It has been lovely having a few days in the countryside, visiting my folks, these past few days. I have been enjoying spending time with them and hearing stories of years past. I also have loved my walks through the fields and trees, with my dog, Charlie.

As he has gotten older, I find that he has slowed down somewhat. The other day, I paused to soak in the view and enjoy the moment under the blossoming crabapple tree. When I looked at him, I found that he was doing the same thing. Just quietly enjoying. He was sitting in the grass beside me looking up at the crabapple blossoms, and the blue sky visible through the branches and leaves. He looked serene and at peace

Crabapple blossoms

When I go outside and I’m with the beauty of the spring flowers, the blooming yellow forsythia, purple and white lilacs, pink crabapple, and white apple blossoms, and the green foliage of the trees, I feel immense gratitude. I also feel like I’m drinking in to quench my incredible thirst as I look around me and savour the moment. I revel in the delicious beauty of it all, of spring in the countryside.

This looking and seeing, and if you choose, even to document details of the trees and plants and the animals around you, is good for your soul. It gives us a connection to the natural world around us and a feeling of honoring the essence of each of the plants that we look at and record. Whether it is an art journal, a sketchbook, or a written journal, these recorded details can also be invaluable and over time, leave a history. So much of our recorded data on the natural world around us is from regular people who kept detailed notes. The detailed journals and writings of the every day person, over time, have provided information that scientists can study and use to learn about why and how things have been changing over time.

I was thinking about this recently because I heard mention of a book by Aldo Leopold called  “A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There”  and a book called “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, both of which I am putting on my To Read list.  In that podcast of Joe Lamp’l, known as Joe Gardener on social media, he was interviewing Theresa Crimmins, an associate professor at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the director of the USA National Phenology Network.

They also talked about the fact that there is an over 1200 year span of written record for the activity of the beautiful cherry blossom trees in Kyoto, Japan. The notes have been recorded about the cherry blossom trees there since the years in the eight hundreds. So, scientists are aware that the trees are now blossoming at their earliest in the whole 1200 years of records. During the podcast, it was explained that the detailed observations and records started being kept as a way to honor the essence of the trees. This is something that I would love to learn more about.

Looking and seeing.

Spring in the countryside in rural Ontario, Canada.

Noticing the changes in the natural world around us, is something that also encourages us to take a moment to practice mindfulness. And it leaves me feeling a sense of renewal and refreshes me. I remember back to my childhood, when I used to sit for hours sketching and drawing the trees, or a single branch, a sea shell, or a leaf and the smallest details, while also trying to show the essence of whatever I was drawing. Those moments seemed to be so much slower than now. When I look back I see time in slow motion or almost standing still as I sat and sketched. I still get that feeling at times now, but these moments can be fleeting. Right now,  I have been savoring the moments and quenching my thirsty need to be out of doors, in the natural world.  The time spent these last few days, recording details of nature, and enjoying being outside in the trees and fields, I feel a sense of renewal and I hope that I not only look but that, I am seeing.

Gardening is Creativity and Mindfulness

Gardening is both an art and a science and, according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica:

“Gardening can be considered both as an art, concerned with arranging plants harmoniously in their surroundings, and as a science, encompassing the principles and techniques of plant cultivation.”

And it goes on to say: “The instinct and even enthusiasm for gardening thus appear to arise from some primitive response to nature, engendering a wish to produce growth and harmony in a creative partnership with it.”

And: “…many find it a relaxing and therapeutic pursuit. It is not surprising that the garden, accorded respect as a part of nature and a place of contemplation, holds a special place in the spiritual life of many.” https://www.britannica.com/science/gardening

I’m interested in the creative, mindful, and spiritual aspects of gardening. Gardening nourishes the soul, expresses your creativity, and encourages mindfulness and living in the moment. I feel strongly that we should consider our gardening activities as a part of our creativity and mindfulness practices, whether you are gardening with fruit and vegetables or flowers or other plants. And regardless of whether you are gardening for pure bliss and enjoyment or as an act of self-reliance and survival to grow your own food, or both. It also doesn’t matter whether you are planting directly into the ground or container gardening. It all counts and is therapeutic.

There is something about having our hands in the soil, the earth, and direct contact with Mother Nature that nourishes the soul. As we tend to, taking care of and watering plants, we are nurturing not only them, but also ourselves.

In our gardens we are able to express our creativity. Not just in the design of the gardens, the placement of plants and size and shape of flowerbeds. But also in the very act of creating. We are in the process of planting seeds (or small plants) and then joyfully watching them grow into bigger plants. This creative act (which we of course don’t wholly take credit for as the Mother Nature/planet Earth are responsible for it), helps to build our creative muscles and fulfills that need in us to create something beautiful, and living. Gardening also encourages other forms of creative expression as so many poems, plays, and other writings, and visual art feature gardens or plants in them.

When we are weeding, and tending to our gardens in any way, often we seem to lose track of time. We are so fully living in the moment and not watching our clocks that I feel that gardening also encourages mindfulness and can be an important part of a mindfulness practice. Just as some meditation techniques focus on meditation in movement such as walking meditations, I feel that gardening is also a type of a meditative act, or can be anyways.

The therapeutic benefits of gardening are legendary and have been written about extensively in many other places. At this point it is well known that gardening can help with health issues such as depression and anxiety and other issues. It can lift the spirits, give one hope, and teach one to enjoy life. If you garden alone or with others can also make a difference too. Some of us enjoy the solitude of gardening. Others love the opportunity to work in their gardens with their families, perhaps using that time to teach little ones valuable gardening skills, self- reliance, pass on inter-generational knowledge, and build confidence.

We don’t all enjoy or have time for the same creative pursuits, and some of us may love drawing, painting, or sculpting in one part or time of our lives and then at other times of our lives may choose to focus on writing, acting, handcrafts, photography, woodworking, whatever the case may be, or yes, gardening. Gardening is one of the most universally loved and accessible artforms. Fully recognizing it for the important part that it can play in your creativity and mindfulness practice, daily routine, and/or spiritual life is a way to celebrate the role that gardening plays in your life and health.

Winter into Spring: A New Season Approaches

We are still getting winter weather in my corner of the world and we recently had three major snow storms in one week.  Spring is just around the corner, and our snowbanks are diminishing as the snow is melting, in between new snowfalls. These snowfalls are a reminder that it is still winter.

After the merriment and excitement of the festive holiday season, winter has very much been a period of rest and reflection for me. I feel like I’ve been a field lying fallow.  There are good reasons, that so much has been written about this topic, and why so many people do consider winter a time for quiet moments, contemplation, and restoration. And which, if you think about it, is in harmony with the natural world that we are a part of.

I usually have a feeling of greater energy in the early spring, an excitement with the renewal of life and appearance of green that comes with that season, but I can’t have this feeling without that period of winter that comes before it.

Winter gives me a much needed opportunity to reflect, and to process the past year. To heal from past experiences, to understand my priorities, and to plan for the future.  It’s an exciting time of setting our intentions for the seasons ahead, whether you are planning out your garden or making vacation and social plans or scheduling in your creative projects.

I remind myself to enjoy every season, every moment, while I am in it. This includes winter. But it does feel like it has been a tougher winter in terms of snowstorms and for me I feel that when spring comes, I intend to rejoice and to savour every moment. I’m so looking forward to early morning walks with my dog without having to be concerned with ice and snow, and the gradual warmer weather of spring. The sunrises that are a little earlier each day and all the beautiful music of the birdsong.  I’m grateful for winter, but I’m also grateful for winter drawing to a close, and I’m ready for spring.

5 Ways to Take Exquisite Care of Yourself During Winter

The festive season is usually such a busy time of year and after that, winter can sometimes get us down. Now, with the winter solstice behind us,  the days will slowly start getting longer here in the northern hemisphere, however the bulk of winter still lies ahead. So, I thought I’d share with you 5 Ways to Take Exquisite Care of Yourself During Winter.

1.        Sit down and enjoy a cup of tea or your favourite soothing hot drink. Yes this may seem obvious but some of us begin skipping it during the day at this time of year when we can really use a few minutes rest.

2.        Have a bath and in the running water put a few drops of your favourite essential oils. I love using a combination of spearmint and lavender. If busy you doesn’t have time for or doesn’t want a bath, try just soaking your feet after a hectic day. Sitting on the side of the tub and soaking your feet in water with your favourite essential oils even for just 5 or 10 minutes can do wonders.

3.        Try a guided meditation. Many people find it easier and a more accessible way into meditation by listening to guided meditations. There are many free ones on the internet. Start with any that resonates with you and you feel drawn to. Even just a five minute guided meditation break can make all the difference.

4.        Write a gratitude list of 5 things you are most grateful for this holiday season. This can be combined quite nicely with the first item on the list, sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea or soothing hot drink.

5.        Write an affirmation for the day that will help you to get through what can be a hectic rush. Write it in your journal and or then where you can see it throughout your day such as on your phone, or on a post it note that you stick somewhere really visible to you. It can be something as simple as a reminder to yourself of what Christmas and the holiday season was really about. Or that you are in control of the food that you eat. Choose whatever works for you.  Here’s a blogpost with more on using affirmations “Give Affirmations a Chance. “

Practice any or all of these five tips and it will make a difference. Nurture yourself with loving kindness and compassion. And above all else remember to be kind to yourself.

Thankful: On Gratitude and Giving Thanks

This weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada. At this time of year many of us think about the things that we have to be grateful for as part of giving thanks to the universe.  It is so important to take time to do this.  Feeling and expressing gratitude has health benefits both physical and psychological, not to mention spiritual. Health benefits include better sleep, and a more optimistic outlook which is linked to a strengthened immune system. 

It increases our self-esteem as it balances the resentfulness we may sometimes feel if we compare ourselves to others. It also open us up to more relationships, because expressing gratitude can help us to foster new friendships. It strengthens the relationships that we already have.

And feeling and expressing gratitude can increase mental toughness and our resiliency.

This year I feel particularly thankful for the health and wellness of my family as so many people all over the world struggle with war, natural disasters, food insecurity and other issues. I am giving thanks for having a safe place to live and to be able to support myself and have enough to eat which so many others in the world do not have at this time. And I’m grateful for my loved ones including my human family and friends and my dear dog, Charlie. 

You can give thanks in prayer, in your journal, through art, through writing poetry and many other ways. What are some of your favourite ways to give thanks? Let us know in the comments below. And here is a poem that I wrote to give thanks.

I AM GRATEFUL                                                                                       

Feeling the gentle breeze

And hearing the wind rustle the leaves

Shimmering greens in sunlight

Feeling the connection

The circle of the Earth

Of life

Of nature

I am the earth

I am the wind

I am the trees

Living in the moment

I am here now

To enjoy eternity

A bird calls

An insect whirs

I am grateful

For this moment

If you are looking for a printable PDF with Daily Gratitude Pages, I have one available on Etsy now.

Also, you may enjoy this related post on expressing gratitude, it’s about writing a thank you letter to your body.

Enjoy!

Five Self-Care Tips for the Fall Season

As we’re into the fall season in the northern hemisphere, the weather is changing and we don’t want to become sick with colds and flu, which it is easier to do when we are run down and exhausted. Self-care is vitally important in these months to protect our physical, emotional, and spiritual health so that we remain healthy, especially leading up to the winter. Self-care also can play a role in the joy and celebration that can come in honouring each season and help us to re-connect with ourselves and the earth and universe. And then when we are with our loved ones we can be more fully present for them.  Read on for five self-care tips for the fall season. 

1.      Harvest.  Fall is a time of harvesting and we reap what we have sowed. If you didn’t sow anything and have nothing to harvest then go ahead and venture forth to the farmers market or an apple orchard and pick apples! You can take your whole family. The harvest will need to be prepared for use and to store over the winter, so whether you want to freeze it or cook it and then freeze it or can or preserve it, figure out a plan to make like a modern day pioneer and work your plan. You can refer to a book or an online video for “how to” instructions. I recently had a chance to pick some apples at my family members’ place and chopped them up to be stewed for use during winter. Yes, preparing fruits and vegetables for use over winter is hard work but at least it can be done with mindfulness, and will give you a much needed break from staring at your computer screen, phone, and social media! It’s a way of connecting with the earth and the universe and not to mention the older generations of our families who may have long cherished family recipes or methods to pass down to you.

2.      Gratitude.  During the fall season both Canada and the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, although on different dates. It might be a great time to explore the idea of a starting a Gratitude Journal. It can be a 30 day journal, or more or less, whatever works for you. Brainstorm and let it flow.  One suggestion could be that you can try writing about things that you are grateful for that are specific to the fall season.  If the idea of an actual journal doesn’t appeal to you, another option is to make it a habit to write a daily gratitude list on your planner pages. It can be your top three things that you are grateful for that day. It may sound like a small thing but even taking a moment to write down three things will shift your mood and make an impact on your mindset. See my Daily Gratitude Pages Printable PDF available on Etsy.

3.      Creativity.  Creativity is good for the soul as I know you all know by now! You can enjoy creating crafts using the natural materials available to you outside in the fall, such as fall wreaths, or corn husk dolls, or works of abstract art from the same natural materials, and writing using the natural world around you for inspiration for your poetry or song lyrics. Just google to find instructions for fall arts and craft projects. Another act of creativity is cooking. You can research recipes and cook seasonal dishes. This ties in with the first tip above, harvest. Bake a pumpkin or apple pie.

4.      Meditations celebrating fall. Find a seasonal guided meditation in a book or online or you can be creative and write your own. It doesn’t have to be long, it can be as short as a few minutes. This will help you to connect with the earth and the universe.

5.      Journaling on intention.  Focus on setting an intention(s) and goals for the season. Write down your intention for this fall season and what you plan to do in these last few months of the year. Then write down the first few action steps needed to make your intention a plan and make the plan happen. Or you can instead write down what this season means to you in your life right now.  Art journaling is another option, if you prefer to draw an image or images to represent what the season means to you. It doesn’t have to be fancy or laborious, doodles are fine too, just go with the flow that springs forth when you start to draw.

These self-care tips will help you to deepen your connection with the earth and universe by celebrating the fall season and to re-connect with your inner core essence. Your loved ones will thank you as you will be more fully present when you are with them.  Fall is a beautiful time of year to be honoured and celebrated and taking care of ourselves is a way of also giving thanks and honouring the earth. 

Rambles on a Spring Day

Out in the countryside visiting family’s property this morning, I took my dog for a lovely bit of a ramble. We walked through the trees into the clearing. Whenever I pass through that opening and enter into the clearing, I feel like I’m entering a portal to a magical realm. The sheer beauty of it always amazes me.

The entrance to a magical realm

By my feet were the blue periwinkle flowers, and as the clearing opened up before me, I saw to my right the white narcissus with their yellow centers and the daffodils. These sunny flowers celebrating spring.  The forsythia shrub has blossomed and the yellow flowers are a startling yellow against all the green vegetation, they are very beautiful and a different shade of yellow than the sunny daffodils.

Beautiful forsythia

Forsythia blossoms

Continuing along the front of the grassy clearing, I paused to enjoy the magnificent large crabapple tree. The blossoms have just begun to open and I hope that when I am here again soon, I will be able to see it in full bloom.

Crabapple blossoms

My dog, Charlie and I rambled back out onto the driveway and I took a picture of the wooden post fence that my father has built to protect a garden bed along the driveway.

Wooden post fence

Cutting fallen trees into suitable lengths, my dad put each post upright to create this fence. I always admire it, there is something about it that makes me feel happy when I see it, maybe it’s the rustic charm.

Sun through the trees and fleeting moments

We continued up along the driveway and as I looked to my left, I was touched by the beauty of the landscape with the sun shining through the trees. I took a moment and just breathed in and savoured the moment. Today is a lovely day and I am grateful that my dog and I are able to enjoy it.

A slower weekend, after the busy-ness of last weekend when we had a family gathering for a birthday and eleven of us came together to celebrate and share a meal. It was wonderful to see my family who live far and had come down to visit, and catch up again with the family who live closer too, and also to be able to join in the celebration of the birthday, a treasured moment.

It’s moments like this that I appreciate so much. I take pleasure in small things and quiet simplicity, my heart capturing the fleeting moments that mean so much to us, and together will make up my lifetime.

Wildlife Encounters on a Beautiful Winter Day

A walk on a beautiful winter day.

This winter in my corner of the world has been very mild. Yesterday I decided to take my dog Charlie and drive to my folks’ place in the countryside to visit for the weekend so we could enjoy ourselves walking on the trails, and also spend some time with more of our family who were joining us for lunch.

As I was driving along a country sideroad, a coyote appeared from the field on my right and ran full tilt across the road in front of my car. I braked and slowed a little, and the coyote continued running into the field on the left of the road and disappeared as I kept driving on. Charlie was most interested. The colour of the soil covered snow on the side of the road, the coyote blended in so well in that scene as he was crossing the road. I had an impression of seeing the look of determination in its face as it ran full tilt to cross the road, and I wondered if it was just ensuring that it crossed safely or if it was chasing a prey animal that I hadn’t seen.

Then a little later, just on the country gravel road that my folks live on, I saw a group of wild turkeys with black bodies and pink heads.  They couldn’t decide if they would go to the left or the right side of the road, so they all were milling about across the centre of the road and then a couple of them were jogging (do wild turkeys jog?) up the middle of the road.  Charlie felt he had to give them a few loud barks to let them know they really shouldn’t be on the road or blocking our way.

 I eventually managed to continue on, and as I was driving up the hill just before the part of the road that my parents’ property is on, I reflected how lucky I am, to have these wildlife encounters. And I felt extremely blessed and filled with gratitude. I felt that I was given the gift of seeing the coyote and the wild turkeys, to make me happy yesterday. My time in the countryside and seeing wildlife always helps me to replenish my well spring of energy and fill me with a sense of hope and renewal.

Before our family lunch, my dad and I took Charlie out for a walk. It was beautiful and sunny, around zero degrees census or a little below. That is actually not as cold as the temperature would normally be on a winter day in February, most years it can be quite a bit colder. We dress warmly in the wintertime, and combined with the sun, that made for very pleasant walking conditions.

I hate to slip and fall on icy patches, so I wear ice crampons over my boots. Many of you who also live in colder climates that get icy in winter, will be familiar with what these are. They are rubber things that slip over the bottom of your boots, and they have pointy studs on the bottom that can grip into the ice.  They are indispensable for winter walking as far as I’m concerned, and they give me so much more confidence to walk my dog when it is a little icy out.

We walked along the snow, at first sinking down into it with each step, which made for a good cardio workout! Eventually the snow we were walking on was hard on top and we were able to walk on the surface. During our walk we saw the footprints of rabbits, deer, and coyotes.  

Although I have been very much enjoying this winter, I’m hoping for an early spring. The days have been getting longer and it is lovely to have some more daylight in the mornings and in the late afternoons and early evenings. I continue to enjoy my winter walks and will keep getting out on the trails as much as possible. The lovely walks feel invigorating and as always, they renew my spirit.

5 Ways to Take Exquisite Care of Yourself During the Holiday Season

The festive season is usually such a busy time of year. Now, with the pandemic ongoing and Christmas fast approaching, I thought I’d share with you 5 Ways to Take Exquisite Care of Yourself During the Holiday Season.

1.       Sit down and enjoy a cup of tea or your favourite soothing hot drink. Yes this may seem obvious but some of us begin skipping it during the day at this time of year when we can really use a few minutes rest.

2.       Have a bath and in the running water put a few drops of your favourite essential oils. I love using a combination of spearmint and lavender. If busy you doesn’t have time for or doesn’t want a bath, try just soaking your feet after a hectic day. Sitting on the side of the tub and soaking your feet in water with your favourite essential oils even for just 5 or 10 minutes can do wonders.

3.       Try a guided meditation. Many people find it easier and a more accessible way into meditation by listening to guided meditations. There are many free ones on the internet. Start with any that resonates with you and you feel drawn to. Even just a five minute guided meditation break can make all the difference.

4.       Write a gratitude list of 5 things you are most grateful for this holiday season. This can be combined quite nicely with the first item on the list, sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea or soothing hot drink.

5.       Write an affirmation for the day that will help you to get through what can be a hectic rush. Write it in your journal and or then where you can see it throughout your day such as on your phone, or on a post it note that you stick somewhere really visible to you. It can be something as simple as a reminder to yourself of what Christmas and the holiday season is really about. Or that you are in control of the food that you eat. Choose whatever works for you.  Here’s a blogpost with more on using affirmations  https://www.fionaharbour.com/blog/2021/7/17/give-affirmations-a-chance

 Practice any or all of these five tips and it will make a difference. Nurture yourself with loving kindness and compassion. And above all else remember to be kind to yourself.

Dog Days of Summer

A lazy summer stroll

Time stands still

The blue and white of the sky

The light rippling through the trees

It’s these dog days of summer

That I enjoy and rejoice

I wish time would stand still

And I could be forever in this moment

I savour it with all my heart

Walking with my dog

Through the fields and the shrub garden

Amongst the trees

Seeing the apples laden on the branches

The first of the walnuts on the ground

I drink in every moment

Of these dog days of summer.