Fortunately, once aware of our triggers, we can learn how to deal with anger more effectively. An experience with a little bird reminded me how important it is to learn how to deal with anger effectively. Last spring, a Robin flew against my window in the morning, luckily the Robin survived, but strangely he didn’t learn from its painful experience. The Robin immediately flew against the window again and [...]
Shift your thinking to experience life from a fresh perspective! I fasted for a few days last spring. It was an amazing experience of slowing down and becoming more sensitive. While I wasn’t eating food, I felt nourished in so many ways by the smells and sights of spring all around: the fine scent of the cherry blossom, the beauty of the fresh green leaves emerging [...]
Next time you feel a craving, focus on feeling the craving rather than the object of your craving such as chocolate. I love chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I love the way it melts in my mouth, I love its sweet and bitter taste. There is just nothing quite like it. Unfortunately I have become more and more sensitive to the caffeine contained in chocolate. It gives me the jitters, [...]
How to find your natural energy booster? Have you ever noticed that you feel more engaged and alive in certain places than in others? A beautiful forest, a rushing river or a calm lake all bring me to my inner place of aliveness. They are natural energy boosters for me. I feel connected, calm and at home when I am in nature. One could assume that nature is the [...]
Receiving a relaxing massage is one of my favourite treats and a lovely stress-relief. I had the pleasure of treating myself for a couple of relaxing massages over the holiday season. A friend had recommended a massage therapist to me, Sandra, who works out of a massage therapy clinic in Victoria. I had seen her a couple of times throughout the year and always enjoyed her deeply relaxing massages. When I [...]
Earlier this month I had the great joy to facilitate the first Mini-Retreat Home Party. On a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon five girlfriends gathered in the beautiful home of the gracious hostess to learn about the power of Mini-Retreats. In an atmosphere of trust and lightness we shared three relaxing, creative, empowering hours. […]
It’s been two years since I moved to Victoria. I am very grateful to live in such a beautiful, friendly, relaxed city! I am especially grateful for the sense of community I feel in this city and the communities I have become an active part of, namely The Gettin’ Higher Choir and Qi-Gong community. It’s been three years since I published the award-winning book, The Mini-Retreat [...]
Relaxation is such an essential ingredient for our health and well-being that I like to refer to it as vitamin R. Our body, mind and spirit need rest and relaxation every day to absorb all the other nutrients, release toxins and help our body and mind let go of stress. We need vitamin R to digest everything we learn and achieve throughout the day. When we forget to relax in the [...]
When I find myself in a noisy place, I like to listen to all the sounds around me, trying to identify how many sounds there are and where they are coming from. Closing my eyes helps me tune into the soundscape. […]
Recently I offered a Mini-Retreat course at Oaklands Community Centre. Two days prior to the workshop, I received an e-mail from Oaklands, asking whether I wanted to go ahead with the workshop despite the low number of registered participants. Only three people had registered for the course. Usually my minimum is six people. The logical next step would have been to cancel the course. I am [...]
