Respect your limits

We love to help others. It gives us purpose and passion and an appreciation for all the blessings in our life. But when does a helping hand become too much, throwing you off-balance while you try to find your footing? Like we learn during any in-flight safety announcement, make sure you have received enough oxygen before you pass the mask to another. Pay attention to friends and family encouraging you to take some breaks from your giving practices so that you can recharge. Negative energies can stick when we are not careful of them and nobody, nobody needs more negativity in their life. Be cautious and if you need some time to be selfish, take it. There's is no shame in self care.

Be our chef

Food unites cultures and families and can be pivotal on a first date. But we can become careless with food if we are not aware of its impact on our spirit. Mostly, our meals can become an afterthought during our busy days. What shall I take out to thaw? Oh, maybe we could have pizza again? I think I will just eat some cereal for supper and call it a day. Stop. Breathe. Food connects to our soul in ways even science cannot explain. Make a plan to share a meal with someone tomorrow. Create a list and pick up the ingredients, be conscious that the items will mix together to create something delicious very soon. Buy a dessert while you are at it!! Choose a favourite tablecloth and use the fancy dinner set. Dress in a catching but comfortable outfit. Tomorrow you will celebrate life, friendship and Mother Nature's amazing gifts on your table. Give thanks, say a quick cheers and enjoy the feast-ivities!

This chore is fun!

What kind of activities do we categorize as "chores"? Cleaning the bathrooms, cutting vegetables for supper, shovelling the walks? Ok, maybe not everyone shovels snow! We take these tasks that we rarely have the urge to perform and we toss them into a section called "chores". But chores can be a meditative opportunity. We can feel the soap bubbles on our fingers when washing dishes, we can smell the vinegar when we wipe down a counter, we can massage our pet as we give them a bath. Next time you have a chore coming up on your to-do list ask yourself, "how can I bring fun into this chore? How will I make it memorable and enjoyable?" This may seem impossible but try to come up with a list of things like playing your new favourite songs while you work, or asking a friend to help or creating an ice cream dessert ready for you when you are done your more difficult tasks. Life is too short to not enjoy it to the fullest. Even chores. I have been away in the ups and downs of life. The holidays can do that. I hope to be back at least for the next little while. How are you???

Dance party

In all cultures around the world, dance is a sacred, celebratory practice that is almost a prayer in a way. It's letting go of worries, it's embracing beauty and movement and music. Go through the library or your personal record collection and choose a few gems to practice your dance skills with. Maybe it's a country two-step or a latin salsa. African and Polynesian are my favourites and mostly I just like to move to the rhythm and feel the beat. Sing along if you know the words - get silly! No one is watching. I promise. If they are, they are most likely jealous of your carefree attitude. Dance the night away.

Good people

Sometimes our days don't go exactly as planned. We slip on the ice, get a flat tire, or lose our keys. It is in these situations where the angels begin to expose their wings and come to our rescue. This act of service by another can warm our heart like a tropical day on the beach. While it feels amazing to be the recipient of these kind acts, we can glow more expansively if we are the bearer of these gifts. Today's note of inspiration may not happen the moment you close this book and step outside but place this post in your memory for that day you see a car pulled over with four-way flashers on, see a Mother struggling with all her bags, or notice a neighbour's sidewalk that needs a good shovel. Go and be angelic. You'll feel renewed purpose and self-love.

The final step

In our various journeys, it is the final home stretch that can be most exhausting and require the most mental strength. One more push, one last try, you're almost there. You can hear the roar of the crowd but the finish line seems too far to reach. It took me two years to publish my Masters Thesis and I wanted to give up so many times. Especially at the end. I wanted to hit delete and erase all the blood and sweat. But a mentor reminded me what was standing in my way. Fear. Fear that people may read my book and scoff at it. "You call that writing!" I felt so naked and exposed and I wanted to cover back up and continue walking on clothed and safe from judgement. Sometimes you must toss off the covers and roll out of your procrastinating mind awake to face the light, as blinding as it may seem. You have reached the peak, take the final steps, and view the vistas before you. You've made it, kid.

Night moves

The night pulls. Its outstretched arm drags me into a new mood, a quiet reflection. Darkness opens its depths and envelopes like a mummy bag in my thin tent of protection. Arrival in this place feels finite as though morning may never come. The day's end a final song before the final credits make their way across the black screen. Tonight is now. My hands find the covers and pull them back to reveal a restful night full of deep dreams. Checklist. Teeth. Clothes for tomorrow. Medication. Check. The minutes seem softer, quieter, as though they are whispering the presence of time. Sliding into the warm cocoon. I will stay here. I will rest. Heavy eyelids wave good-bye to the day. Night begins to move and I follow.