Surrounded by Water

Water....just the sight of it and I can feel a certain peace wash over me, so you can imagine how a day on the water might affect me. If you guessed by the end of the day I was happy, relaxed and feeling fully alive, you guessed right. Last week I had the pleasure of spending a day on the water with a friend, and to say my soul was happy at the end of the day would be an understatement. I know I am not the only one who feels, so deeply, the healing power of water, and I know every time I am near the water I feel more relaxed, tuned into my true self, and more fully alive, but goodness every time it takes me by surprise just how magical it feels. 

The day was spent on the beautiful lakes of the Kawartha's, moving through the lock system into three different lakes and back again. The afternoon began on Lower Buckhorn Lake, then onto Lovesick Lake and finally Stoney Lake, before heading back. With cottages lining the lakes, and little islands, some with cottages, some without, all along our journey, I sat back and tried to take it all in. Mother Nature is truly stunning, and I was gifted so much beauty that I am still in a place of awe thinking about the experience. 

On Stoney Lake, on a small island, there sits a church, a church! We docked the boat, and took a quiet little tour. It's a little church, but it feels so majestic and magical. Every where I looked as I walked around little things caught my attention...the way the windows opened, that craftsmanship, the way the breeze blew in, the plants lining the paths as we exited the church and wandered the island, and so much more. The simple beauty of this building surrounded by water was stunning. 

After visiting this island, we toured the water, stopped for a picnic at another little island, watched as mama osprey sat guarding her babies, stopped at a dockside restaurant for tea, and then witnessed the most beautiful sunset as we headed back, my heart happy and soul filled.

There was a certain simplicity to this day, an ease and slowness that allowed room for moments of awe and inspiration. There was no time limit, except the setting sun, and there was no rush to get home, instead there were the simple pleasures of sinking into the moment, being fully present, and letting my heart and soul fully connect to the magic around me....a true gift. 

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?

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!!!!

Ten Things

One
The garden is planted. Seeds are sprouting. I am tending and nurturing. Truth...I spent a lot of time considering the garden this year, not my usual considerations about companion planting, what to plant, and so on, but did I actually want to plant a garden. I know, shocking! Life is full, there is lots going on and I questioned whether or not I had enough inspiration and motivation to tend and nurture from seed to harvest. At first I made the difficult decision to let it go this summer, to just sit in the beauty of summer, hit the farmers market and allow myself a bit more time and space. I am guessing you all know me better than I know myself, and already have guessed that I indeed did change my mind, and the garden is in full growing mode. I was late getting it all in, but it is done, and my heart is happy and my soul alive. What was I thinking letting the garden go? Just a small moment of crazy that quickly disappeared.

Two
That internal discussion with the garden had a lot to do with the time it takes to care for this land I call home. While my homestead is not huge, it still requires a lot of work to maintain, and that at times can seem daunting and overwhelming on my own. But then a friend steps in, offers her hubby up for a morning of chore help around here and before you know it things seem much less overwhelming. On Saturday said hubby arrived ready to work and help me out. He trimmed trees, and bushes, fixed some things on the chicken coop, and brought a happy, loving vibe to my homestead. I felt honoured and blessed to have the help, and am forever grateful to both my girlfriend for sharing her hubby, and to him for taking the time from his weekend to lend a hand. Thank you Holly and Jeremy...your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Three
While Jeremy worked around my homestead, I had the absolute honour of taking their three year old into the woods. Together their little man and I wondered the trails, followed deer tracks, searched milkweed for monarch eggs, examined scat and found animal bones, enjoyed a picnic trailside and climbed trees. I love seeing the world through the eyes of little ones, and spending time with this little person was such a joy.

Four
My little man cut his hair!!! He has been growing his hair for three years, at least, and was pretty adamant he was never cutting it. Then Monday he got up in the morning said he wanted to get his haircut and could we do today? Hmmmm...of course we can. So off we went, and he is now sporting a shaggy, short do...all his decision.

Five
Our homeschool year has wrapped up, and what a year it was. Lots of kiddos on the homestead learning, crafting and playing together. New friendships formed and other friendships deepened. It was a great year, not without it's challenges, but in those challenges we all learned and grew, adapting and changing along the way. It's all about the journey, for the kiddos and myself.

Six
I am ready for summer camp! There will be kiddos here on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the month of July. Three different camps...herbal kids camp, nature camp and arts and craft camp. I am not sure who is going to have more fun, me or the kiddos.

Seven
There has been a lot of growth in my little business, and lots of interest about what I do on my homestead. Abundance might the word to describe all the goodness that has flowed my way. With growth also comes change, and a big change next year is a slight shift in our days here on the homestead. As more families became interested in my day to day program there was a pull inside to move from a Waldorf based inspiration to a more nature/forest school inspiration. And so beginning in September I will be making that shift, and while there will still be a Waldorf inspiration, there will be a lot more time in nature, and a deeper focus on nature connection. I am excited for this change, and can't wait to bring my ideas to fruition.

Eight
Self care....is that a priority on your to do list? Are you making yourself a priority, taking time to care for your needs? This is always a challenge, isn't it? Finding and making time for yourself comes with many emotions, the biggest one being guilt. I have learned so many things in the last few years, but the most important for myself and my little man is that I need to look after myself...and that means carving out time for the things that make my soul come alive, things that make me feel nurtured and loved, things that allow me to fill my own bucket so I can fill the bucket of others around me. Self care looks different for all of us, for me that includes time in nature, every day, it means an indulgent soak in the tub most nights with a book, it means small moments throughout the day for a deep breath and a cup of tea, it means gathering with friends to share bits and pieces about our lives, it means being creative, it means dancing and moving my body, and most of all it means tuning into my heart and listening carefully to what it needs and craves, and then making the time and space to give to myself. Are you giving to yourself, my friends?

Nine
I am nearing the end of my course with the Journey of Young Women, and my plans for my first girls circle are starting to come together. I will share more about this journey, the circles and my plans as they take shape. I am excited to work with young girls, to help, in a small way, as they move along the path from childhood to young womanhood.

Ten
Life in general has been good the last few months, my friends. Divorce has a way of throwing you into a bit of a tailspin, bringing with it uncertainty and a lot of questions about what lies ahead. In the last few months I feel like I have come out of the haze of that tailspin, finding my footing on this new path, and enjoying the ride. It still has many ups and downs, but after every thing I have been through I feel pretty confident that I can handle pretty much anything that comes my way. There have been many low points on this path, but also some pretty amazing high points. I have learned so much about myself, grown as a person and as a woman, and am excited about what lies ahead for my little man and I.

How are things in your world, my friends?