It is August and I am savouring every moment of the late summer. On our walk this morning my dog and I were again inspecting the apple tree with apples that are too high up for me to reach. Many years ago my mum had planted the apple seed that grew into the tree. A rabbit ran past as we crossed the long country driveway ….
Read moreScheduling Time for Creative Activities
My number one tip for carving out time for creative activities, is to schedule it in and stick to your routine. If you just have a vague idea that at some point you will get something done, it probably won't get done anytime soon. By making an appointment with yourself, and writing it down in your calendar, appointment book, or entering it into your phone or scheduling system, you are more likely to stick to it and actually accomplish it. This works! Especially for those of us who juggle many demands on our time and competing priorities….
Read moreStarting a Morning Routine
Having a morning routine has been a life saver for me at times throughout the years and is always a reliable way to ensure that I am starting the day off “right”. My version of right, that is. Each person can tailor their morning routines to what works the best for them and depending on how much time they want to spend on it. A morning routine is the pattern of things that you do when you wake up in the morning, and it includes your tasks, habits, rituals etc. which can set you up to start the day off the way that you like to. It can leave you feeling balanced and grounded, and morning routines have also been known to increase productivity, and reduce stress even later on, during the workday…
Read moreColour Meditation
When it comes to meditating using colours, there are a few approaches that come to mind. One is to look into yourself, for example, into your heart, and see what colour is in your emotions there right now and to meditate on that. Another approach could be to …
Read moreArt as a Healing Tool: The Health Benefits of Creativity and Mindfulness
Back when I was a university student studying art and art history while holding down multiple jobs and volunteering, I was pleased to find that my creative activities helped me to de-stress. My roommates were surprised that even during exam time, they could find me in the evenings sometimes sitting and working on knitting a cushion cover!
Read moreThese Dog Days of Summer
Up here in the northern hemisphere we are in the dog days of summer. Although we may envision dogs lying about lazing in the sun, the phrase dog days of summer refers to the days of July and August when the star Sirius rises alongside the Sun.
Read moreSpring in Rural Ontario
Spring Crocus
Living on the edge of a small city, I find that I yearn to get to the countryside on the weekends and visit my folks in their rural location. It helps me replenish my well spring of energy, connect with nature, and is just all round good for my soul. My dog thinks so too….
Read moreOn My Bookshelf: Mindfulness Books
Here are a selection of some of the books on my bookshelves that are focused on mindfulness. Some of them I have had for decades and others are more recent to me. They are all favourites, and I hope that they resonate with you as well.
Read moreThe New Year Arrives and a Lovely Walk in the Countryside Scattering Walnuts
A walk on New Years Day
….On New Year’s day we went for a lovely walk on my folks’ property where I have been visiting, along with my dog, Charlie. We walked across the first field to the stream where we crossed over and soon saw signs of many coyotes….
Read moreA Quiet but Joyous Christmas
I try to enjoy as many holidays with my family as I can, for these are the seemingly small and simple things that to me, are part of making memories. My folks arrived on Christmas Eve and stayed for a few days. For me it was a Christmas of good family company, too much delicious food, and enjoying the blissful feeling of the moment.
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