Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Surrender

















Life has a way of throwing us lessons, whether we are ready for them or not. I have had a ton of lessons over the last two years, but I think the biggest is surrender. Surrender is not easy for a person who always has clear goals, and all the little steps laid out to get there, but somehow when life brings us lessons it doesn't really care if something is easy or not. And so I have learned to lean into surrender, to embrace it with care, and to learn from it.

And what I have learned. Well, the biggest lesson is that the Universe always, and I mean always, has my back. I talked about the abundance in my life in my last post, and while I have done some work to welcome that abundance, a lot if it has made it's way into my life in ways I can't explain. Magical ways. People, and experiences have come into my life and left me in awe at the perfect timing, sharing with me what I need right in that moment.

That is a hard concept for a person, who feels like she seemingly has control over everything, to wrap her head around. But when the Universe keeps doing it, sending you what you need, when you need it, you accept what it has to offer, and you also learn the art of surrendering.

So, many times, more so in the last six months, I have learned to surrender. To let come to me what is intended to come, and to let go of things I thought I wanted, but didn't come to me. Now that is not to say I am not an active participant in my life. I still have dreams and goals, and every day I take another step or two towards those dreams, but I am also open to receiving the gifts of the Universe, to allowing the abundance it has to offer into my life, and to work with it instead of against it. And in doing so this new path, one I never intended to walk, is happy, bright, and full of unexpected blessings, all because I have gotten out of my own way, and surrendered.

How are you at surrendering? Do you get out of your own way and allow the Universe to share it's gifts with you?

Friday, August 25, 2017

Abundance

















Hello there, it seems I have let summer pass and not stopped into this space, or yours. Sorry for my absence, it was not intentional, many times I thought to pop in with some photos, or an update, but then the day would pass and I would find myself at the end of the day wanting only to chill with a cup of tea before crashing into bed.

It has been a full summer, in so many ways, and I don't really even know where to start. Let's start with summer camp here on the homestead. It was amazing! Three days a week I hosted three different camps on my land. Tuesday was Kids Herbal Camp, Wednesday was a Nature Camp, and Thursday was an Arts and Crafts Camp. Kiddos joined me each day and together we explored in the woods, created, played, and enjoyed the beautiful July summer days. It was busy, in the best way, and I was sorry on the last day of camp that it was over. I took a week off after that, and then ran a three day camp for girls. There are really no words to describe the beauty of this camp. Young girls gathering, exploring in the woods, creating and crafting, and playing all while showing the greatest love and kindness to each other. It was a special three days, it made my heart so very happy, and on that last day when all the girls had gone home I cried....because it was over, and I so didn't want it to be over.

And since girls camp finished I have been off, enjoying time with my little man, working in the garden, putting food by, hiking, and soaking up the last bits of summer. I have been doing a little work getting ready for the launch of my new nature school in September, and preparing for my newest venture, running circles for young girls, playing a small role in guiding them through the transition from childhood to young womanhood with a program called Circle of Friends. Girls summer camp was the first step in the direction to Circle of Friends, and cemented my intentions to move forward on this journey, supporting and mentoring young girls. I have been working on this since last summer, studying online to become a mentor, and finishing my course a few months ago. I feel strongly pulled to this work, and look forward with excitement to see where it takes me.

You will notice in the photos that my little man isn't so little anymore, how exactly does that happen? I do my best to soak up every moment but still the years seem to fly by, and he changes and grows and I wonder how I missed it. This summer he passed two swimming levels, spent a lot of time with friends, soaked up a few beach days, climbed trees, hiked and explored, created and crafted, and so much more. We have been watching the Little House on the Prairie series this summer and he loves it, and we have been following Amazing Race Canada, which he is super excited about. He continues to amaze me as I watch him unfold into the beautiful human he is meant to be. Walking with him on this journey is the greatest honour, and I thank my lucky stars every day that he chose me as his mother. I still call him my little man, or my baby, but he always reminds me that he isn't my baby anymore. I remind him he will always be my baby, and he just laughs.

And me, well I hope the title of this post gives you an idea of how I am doing. I am feeling the abundance of life this summer. From the amazing support of wonderful families who support what I do here, to beautiful friends who continue to love and support me, to deepening relationships with both old and new friends, to feeling like life post divorce is coming together as the Universe intended it to. Abundance has been flowing in every direction of my life, and I have opened myself up to receiving. And that feels amazing!

In full disclosure, I will be completely honest and share with you that even with all the abundance there are still struggles, but by noticing the abundance and taking time to offer gratitude for all that has come my way, those struggles seem like little bumps in an otherwise pretty awesome journey. Single parenting is challenging at times, making ends meet financially is challenging sometimes, finding time for myself can be challenging, taking care of the demands of my homestead is challenging some days, but they are simply challenges that force me to find solutions, to think outside the box, to discover new ways to live this life I want to lead. This is the life I want to lead, I know that, and so every day I make it happen, one little step at a time. Some days are easier, some days are a little harder, but it's happening and if I focus on that I am more aware of the abundance in my life, and I can allow it to fill me up, and remind me that the struggles are just avenues to teach me to surrender and eventually they lead to growth.

So, my friends, how are you? What have you been up to this summer? I will do a little blog hopping this weekend, and take a peek to see what you have been up....so excited to catch up with all of you.

Happy weekend!!!!