What is Abundance to You?

What is abundance to you?  We speak and hear of it often in these days of enlightenment and spiritual questing. The Webster dictionary defines it as “a fullness or plenteousness great to overflowing; ample sufficiency. Unfortunately, the word abundance, is most often associated with monetary measurement as in how much money is in your bank account or how many toys you accumulate.  Socially, it is judged by how well you are regarded in “certain” circles, or how many groups and committees you are involved with. I choose to believe there is so much more to it.

Abundance holds as many different definitions as there are individuals. Of course as individuals we all have our own perceptions and so I can only speak for myself. Only my heart and soul know what abundance is to me and it is most evident when I'm in nature, amongst friends and sharing with loved ones.  This is my reality and I lovingly choose to share it with you.

• A rainbow arcing across the sky after a thunderstorm.

• An eagle soaring on high, free and unrestrained.

• The sun sparkling on the water transforming it into a sea of diamonds.

• Fog hovering over a lake in the early morning.

• Holding a tiny bird as it feeds from my hand.

• The contented purr of my cat as I stroke her head.

• The magical call of a loon echoing across the lake at sunset.

• Wishing on a shooting star as it streaks across the night sky.

 • Being moved to tears by a beautiful piece of music.

 • The howl of a wolf in the distance.

• The feel of my hair being blown by the wind.

• A full moon lighting the way on a winter’s night.

• A walk on a quiet beach with the one I love.

• The warm embrace that awaits me at the end of a long day.

• Appreciating the time spent with friends.

• Breathing in the scents of the seashore.

• Marveling at raindrops clinging to flowers after a summer shower.

• Paddling my kayak on a crystal clear lake.

• Being filled with awe by a star filled sky.

• Following my bliss.

Sunset on Manitoulin Island

In this hectic world people sometimes forget the abundance in their lives.  Take time everyday and enjoy the simple pleasures of just being alive on this beautiful planet.

A Blessing

These words are shared in an offering of love to my dear friend
Misha Thomas (see link above).  I hope the words below resonate
with each of you as muchas they do with me.

May you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.

May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers
beckon.

May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.

May the flame of anger free you from falsity.

May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may
anxiety never linger about you.

May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that
seek no attention.

May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.

May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven
around the heart of wonder.

These words are written by Irish author John O'Donohue
in his book Eternal Echoes.

The Hourglass of Life

There comes a time when one realizes that more sand has escaped from the hourglass of life than there may be left. The realization comes to bear that there have been more suns and moons already experienced than are left on the horizon to witness.

Rather than accepting this with sadness an enlightened heart can welcome this as a time of awakening of the spirit within. It is a time of understanding that comes only from life’s experience. Now is the time to realize that life must be lived fully ~ without compromise. The awakened soul holds steadfast in the vision of the life that was anticipated so many years ago; and still believes this image is within the world of possibility.

The life force within compels each of us to honour our truth and be our own person regardless of circumstances or the opinions of others. I urge you to be true to your spirit, and honour your higher self and the mission for which you came to Earth to fulfill.

“My greatest wealth is the deep stillness in which I strive and grow

 and win what the world cannot take from me with fire or sword”.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Your Beliefs Affect Your Self Esteem

Could your self-esteem use a boost? Do you feel comfortable and confident sometimes and at other times become a ‘shrinking violet’?

I’ve been reading a wonderful book written in the 60’s that is the basis for much of what is being written today. If you have any self-esteem issues at all or if you just want to get more out  of life you owe it to yourself to read Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz.

   Most of us have had experiences where we thought ‘less’ of ourselves and our own capabilities. These feelings may arise at school, at work, in a social situation or even at home. Perhaps someone says or does something that throws us ‘off balance’ or sends us ‘for a loop’ and this can make us doubt ourselves.

Often when we are thrown off balance by something it is triggered by old memories or old patterning that may have been learned from another. In other words even habits are not always your own-they may be modeled after a family member, a teacher, a friend, or even a co-worker. These habits or behaviours become habitual by repetition (i.e. smoking) and they ‘become’ yours. All habits, behaviours and emotions are housed within the deeper part of our mind-the subconscious.

The same is true of ‘beliefs’. What a person believes about themselves is essential to their level of self esteem. For example, if a child is repeatedly told a negative message such as, “you’ll never amount to anything” then the likelihood is, that they will struggle and perhaps never achieve their full potential as an adult. The reason for this is that the subconscious mind absorbs and retains everything. A negative comment such as this would remain deeply embedded in that part of the mind and even in adulthood that ‘belief’ or ‘old tape’ could still be playing, especially, when a person continues to believe what they were told as a child.

The good news is that these feelings and the reactions caused by them can be changed or ‘reprogrammed’. By assisting a person with these issues and really getting them to look at the root cause, a coach can help get that client back on track. To assist even further, perhaps with more deeply rooted issues, and by utilizing positive suggestions and imagery a hypnotherapist assists clients in making lasting changes by getting in touch with their deeper mind. A deep, relaxing hypnotic rest is a very safe, pleasant and enjoyable process. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind and therefore, under the control of the client.

If you truly desire to make positive lifestyle changes give health coaching or hypnotism a try. For further information visit http://www.lifeforcehealth.ca/  To book your complimentary 30 minute phone session, call 705-526-3492.

Something to Think About!

I call this photo 'Tenacity'.  It was taken in 2001 during a 500 mile kayak trip with my husband, Chris. We travelled from the French River (near North Bay, On.) to Pukaskwa National Park on the north shore of Lake Superior.  The challenges we had changed our lives (which were in jeopardy on more than one occasion) during our 63 day trip.

To me, this tiny piece of life growing between rock symbolized courage, strength and endurance. No doubt, these qualities were already a part of me but had never been allowed (or required) to fully develop. I discovered, in very short order, how much tenacity I really have and I know it literally, saved our lives. 

After a day of three very close encounters with a large black bear, we endured eight hours in our kayaks shrouded in darkness, with a cold wind and 6 foot waves surrounding us.  We had to yell to make each other hear and use pocket flashlights every few minutes to show that we remained upright.

After nearly crashing into a rock face in the rough water, we finally summoned the last our strength and made a rough landing on the beach before dawn.  Only upon climbing out of boats did we realize that Chris had severe hypothermia and was in a very dire way. Despite exhaustion, my adrenalin immediately went into overdrive as I was now the only chance we had for survival. 

There was no way to get a fire going because of days of rain, so the best I could do was get him dry and covered with extra clothes, both sleeping bags and a solar blanket.  As he shivered uncontrollably and his eyes rolled up I thought my efforts had been in vain.  All I could do then was ask Great Spirit to protect us.

As I patrolled the beach praying that our black friend would not return for breakfast, I laid out long lengths of yellow rope to form an SOS, having no idea if anyone would see it in time.  Thankfully, as daybreak came Chris' condition slowly improved and we began to assess our limited options.  I was on the verge of collapse from the stresses and exhaustion of the past 36 hours and Chris urged me to lie down.  Almost as soon as I drifted off, he woke me and said he saw a boat.  After frantically waving our arms to get their attention, two park wardens arrived on shore in a Zodiac with a chopper landing a few minutes later.  After many hugs and tears of joy, it was with awe and humble gratitude that we were air lifted to safety on the morning of September 11th, 2001. 


I'm sure at one time or another; you've all had experiences that have shaken your confidence and belief in yourself. But it is in those times of the greatest difficulties, and the biggest obstacles that we have the highest opportunity for growth and self-improvement. Since the life changing incidents of our adventure, I've come to believe that those qualities are necessary for a life lived 'on purpose'.

So I'd like to leave you with something to think about. I hope these words by Brian Tracy may resonate with you, "develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation".

Tap into your own hidden resources and utilize the force within you to magnify your innate talents and express your excellence!

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal.

 My strength lies solely in my tenacity." ~ Louis Pasteur

Personal Commitment

In this world of instant gratification, high speed technology and a 'quick fix' mentality it seems that many people have abdicated responsibility for taking care of themselves. This is evidenced by the growing obesity rate, the rise in substance abuse and even the number of stress related dis-eases that take their toll every year. These may include high blood pressure, heart disease/attacks, diabetes and lung disease from smoking.

In my practice I've worked with many people, whose first words are, "I'm here, fix me"! My response is always the same, "I don't have a magic wand and I can't make you do anything that you don't want to do". As a counselor and coach, I guide people to venture into their own inner awareness, to touch the 'wise one' deep inside (the subconscious mind) and offer suggestions that can help them implement change. The rest is up to the client. There must be a personal commitment to do the work necessary to achieve their goals. People need to have a true desire for evolution and growth in their lives.

Many people know something is wrong or lacking in their lives but they are so out of touch with their higher self, the issue(s) cannot even be verbalized. They may say, "I just can't put my finger on it", or a phrase similar. They may be quite clear about what they don't want but in many cases have no real idea about what they do want, and it is this dilemma that leads to confusion and inaction. Even when they believe they are clear and say they are coming for weight management or smoking cessation it is often something much deeper that emerges once the 'inner' work begins.

Unfortunately, many people fear delving to deeply and don't really want to change. This can show up as a myriad of excuses and self-sabotage. Sometimes old clichés surface (which are usually a product of much earlier conditioning) i.e. "better the devil you know, than the devil you don't". Change is frightening to many, because people are creatures of habit and prefer what is familiar, even when it is counter-productive to what they 'say' is wanted. For example, a person weighing 250 pounds may 'say' "I want to get down to 175" and then proceed to 'do' everything to sabotage getting those results. They may continue to overeat at mealtime, sit in front of the TV or computer snacking all day or just never get around to exercising.

The reason(s) for the disruption between intention and reality are usually deeply rooted in the subconscious mind and that is where they need to be addressed to produce lasting change. It's the conscious mind that 'says' what is wanted or desired, but it's the subconscious where habits, behaviours and emotions are housed and therefore, where any blockages need to be cleared. Until both parts of the mind are on the same page, any changes that are accomplished are generally short term (this may sound familiar if you've ever made a New Year's resolution).

"It takes a big person to accept full responsibility for
 their own happiness. It takes an even bigger person to accept
 full responsibility for their own unhappiness".

Quote from Mike Dooley - Founder of  http://www.tut.com/
 ~ a great inspirational website ~

Quick Tip of the Day

Anytime that you feel stress is taking control think of the word Release.

Make a conscious effort to let go of any thought that doesn't serve your best and highest good. Release it, keeping the following in mind.


R - release
E - energy
L - love

E - enthusiastically
A - and
S - serve
E - everyone

P.S. Remember to take long deep relaxing breaths
 to release tensionand restore tranquility to your mind.

Only Believe,