Sustenance
December 14, 2019
The winter sounds at the off grid cabin are much different from the chitter chatter of summer, spring and fall. There is a quiet hush and sounds seem much louder against this backdrop. As the beaver pond freezes over, it makes this peculiar popping noise, like a huge coin being dropped into the water. The weather itself has been a mish mash of sunshine, rain and blizzards. I welcome all of it. It is my time to rest, to go within and to revitalize my body, mind and spirit. Each day I have ventured out on a short hike with Willow and Junebug to immerse myself in nature. My evenings have been spent watching movies. My moments are filled connecting with my partner. I want these days to last forever, but they don’t. How do we sustain ourselves during times of highs and lows? Consider these few techniques listed below. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
- Music: I wake up to music, cook to music, write my blogs to music or just simply lie in bed and listen to tunes. Music, particularly smooth jazz has this way of slowing moments down for me or getting me in the moment of relaxation. You may want to try a more meditative style of music that can help you feel more deeply relaxed. Create your own calming playlist. There is so much available out there for you to pick and choose.
- Nature: You don’t need to go outside to experience nature, but if you can, do it! This morning I awoke to the sounds rain beating against our metal roof – a beautiful soothing sound. A couple of days ago, I stood at the patio door and watch the snow float through the air. Yesterday, Willow, Junebug and I trekked across the frozen beaver pond. The crunching sound of footsteps against the snow was tingly!
- Movement: Simple stretches does the body good! Contorting your body into a pretzel is not required. Explore chair yoga, gently extend your arms over head, look over your left shoulder and then your right shoulder. It can be as simple as that. Get your groove on and dance! Practice dragon’s breath that I wrote about in my December 1st blog. Your body will love you!
Patience
November 10, 2019
The first snowfall of the season came upon us this past week. While I am not a big fan of winter, the snow covered trees were absolutely gorgeous. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the beautiful scenery as we rode through the trail on our way into the cabin. The pond has a sheen of translucent ice beginning to form – winter is on its way. No longer can I sit outside on the swing and gaze out upon the pond. I have retreated inside to find warmth. I can feel my body, mind and spirit wanting to go deep within and cocoon for the upcoming colder months that this part of the world offers us. It doesn’t seem to bother Willow and Junebug though. They still manage to race around the property and have a good time. As for me, I am quite content to sit and gaze at a good roaring fire. Last night I was making a fire and could not get it to catch on. I added more birch bark, my ultimate fire starter; I shuffled the logs here and there, and in the end waited patiently for something to happen. In my rush to be warm, the universe was telling me to be patient and it will happen. The fire eventually came to life and nicely heated up the cabin. At times, those things we want to happen in life are a slow and steady progression, with us not understanding why things can’t just happen now! Next month will be a year since I launched the Raspberry Rock ASMR YouTube channel. The channel’s growth has been slow and steady. I’m okay with the progress. It has been a lot of firsts this year and I look forward to going inward during these coming months to reflect on where I am going and where my body, mind and spirit want to go. It is important for me to honour myself first, not something I have been used to doing, and I now see how integral this is for overall wellness and well-being. At times we are so excited to get started on something and want instant success. When that success doesn’t occur immediately, we tend may lose hope and pack it all in. Is that a reflection of western society – the need to go, go, go? The cabin life has shown me to slow it down and enjoy however life unfolds. At first, we may not understand why certain events happen for a reason, but looking back it all becomes clear. It’s easy for me to say be patient, as in some cases life necessity says otherwise. It is during those times not to lose patience and remember to take the time to tend to your health and well-being, even if it’s simply to go inward and taking a few calming breaths. Going out to get twigs for the awesome fire I’m about to make! Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Choices
October 27, 2019
As I am back in the city for the next couple of weeks, I found myself caught up in the bustle of weekend activities. A few of my family members and I ended up at a shopping mall’s food court in search of a quick dinner. The discussion went back and forth for a good five minutes and we eventually chose to try a new spot that had recently joined the regular food court offerings. After we were done with our meal, we felt that we should have gone with another food choice that has never failed us. The entire situation reminded me of a concept called ‘group think’ – setting aside your own personal beliefs and adopting the consensus of the group. We each had an individual choice to decide what was best of each of us, but the group dynamics got in the way of our conscious decision-making process. Why do we let this happen? At times, it is not a simple yes or no. Now, imagine how many choices we are faced with on a daily basis. The choice to eat a salad for lunch versus eating a hamburger; the choice to exercise for 20 minutes tonight versus watching an hour of television; or, the choice to think more kindly of people versus being too quick to judge. Do you ever find yourself grappling with choices? Once chosen, those decisions take us down a particular path, be it the right one or not. It makes me wish I had a crystal ball to foresee the outcome of both paths. Life, however, is not like that, and so, we make choices, hoping for the best outcome in some situations. It is in those times I try to consider what is best for me in my journey of life. Personally and professionally, I know I want to thrive in a mindful environment that is cultivated daily with well-being – that is my purpose in life. If I remind myself of this purposeful outlook and connect with it through spaces of reflection, such as meditation, my choices should only benefit my body, mind and spirit. Lead each day that allows you time and space to reconnect with your purpose, in which you are better prepared to make choices for the good of you. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Go With The Flow
September 8, 2019
I am now back in the city for a few weeks. When I am here, I purposely venture out on morning walks to connect with nature as a way of self-rejuvenation. My purpose this morning was not only to walk, but also to get coffee! The walking route consists of sidewalks with natural elements sprinkled here and there. I readily admit I am a creature of comfort on my walks, though I will occasionally venture off to explore a neighbourhood. This morning was different. I discovered a newly constructed boardwalk intersecting a swampy area. Intrigued as to where it went, I diverged from my regular route and went exploring. The area was quite beautiful – tall milkweeds arose from the swamp, a spider web glistened with dew, yarrow and many other kinds of plant life swayed in the breeze. Was it serene like Raspberry Rock? No. Traffic was still audible and the occasional jogger or dog walker passed me by. Coffee was purchased and on my way back I returned to the boardwalk. I paused to take a few pictures and small snippets of video to remember the moment. It took longer than expected as a pedestrian was walking briskly on the pavement, another person whisked by and suddenly stopped to perform a cross-fit exercise on a nearby bench, and a car revved its engine at an adjacent traffic intersection. I was in no rush and I patiently waited for a photo opportunity to present itself, though it was not perfect. As I reviewed the video, I could hear ‘city noise’. Was I annoyed? In this moment, I learned to go with the flow and let my awareness expand, almost like a panoramic view. By acknowledging what was occurring all around me, I enabled myself to just be. Instead of letting those interruptions nag at my mind and ruin a meditative moment, I let them flow in and out. Not every moment or space is going to be perfectly tranquil, and so, I make the most of what I can, where I can. The walk was fulfilling and I am truly appreciative that spaces in the city provide me with mindful moments. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Friendship
August 31, 2019
The week is wrapping up and so here is my time at the cabin. I comfort myself that I will be back in a month and half, which is way too long for me to absent from my happy place. This is where my techniques and tools of mindfulness come in handy to keep me going and resilient, and not bogged down. When I have long periods in the city, in which I am not coming up to the cabin on a regular basis, I encourage myself to get together with my friends. You see, I am an introvert and I would be perfectly fine to boot around town on my own, but that human connection is selfish and selfless, in that I need my friends and they need me as we navigate the flow of life. I don’t have a ton of friends, but the ones I have, I cherish. Nor, do we see each other as often as we would like, but when we do see each other, it is like no time has passed. Reconnecting with friends and sharing in some laughter makes me feel good. It raises my vibrational energy to where my cup is full. It’s a good feeling and they feel it too. Friendship is somewhat of a give and take interaction. Mindfulness also plays a part of friendships – listening, being empathetic, being aware, and feeling a sense of compassion. It took me some time to realize that some of my friends will flow out of my life as I strive to surround myself with positive energy. Many moons ago, I had thought that friends were for life. On the journey of well-being, I realize it is okay to release and let go. For those friendships that have moved on, I reflect on the friendship – what was I supposed to learn or experience in the relationship? Some stung; others clouded my outlook on friendship, while others simply moved to another country! It certainly strengthened my mindfulness approach and it can only make me better on my journey of life. I’m going to email some pretty spectacular friends right now. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Balance
July 12, 2019
The sky is overcast this morning with glimpses of blue sky to the north. Interesting how the sky can change within a few moments, much like our moods. I have learned not to impulsively over react in those situations that cause me unease, but rather step back and let the imbalance naturally flow out of my system. It may take a few hours for those imbalanced feelings to eventually disappear, but they do. Call it reflection, call it mindfulness, or call it flow. Harbouring unwell feelings does little to benefit me and those around me. It’s also a huge energy zapper for the body, mind and spirit. I can think of more enjoyable ways to spend my time than brooding over a conversation gone badly. The sun is peeking out through those cloudy skies. Seize those sunny moments of happy feelings and remember them when your mood becomes overcast. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Freedom
June 8, 2019
In what spaces do you feel a sense of belonging? A place where you can bring your authentic self; be true to who you are. This question was asked this past week in a workplace setting with most people responded with ‘family’. For me, Raspberry Rock immediately came to mind. I am free to be me, not the work me, not the mom me, not the volunteer me, not the pretend to be extroverted me, just me. I am free to be my authentic self. It took many years to reach this stage of my life through a variety of life experiences. It is so liberating and grounding to my soul. This morning as I gazed out across the beaver pond, a discovery was made – Raspberry Rock has created a haven for me, enabling me to be courageous enough to share this space with you. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be creating podcasts or YouTube videos, or for that matter writing weblogs about the body, mind and spirit. But here it is – a space that I unequivocally share with you. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Summer Solstice
June 1, 2019
For me, the first day of June is met with bittersweet emotion. June welcomes the first day of summer with the longest day of the year arriving on June 20th. However, while it may be the longest day of the year, it also means that daylight will begin to get shorter. It might as well start snowing! How I treasure this season with the growth of nature around the cabin. The hummingbirds whiz playfully around the feeder. The lily pads begin to emerge in the beaver pond. The landscape is lush with vegetation. Everything seems vibrantly alive. Summer also means bug season. YUCK! Although we have the best intention of planting a garden, the bugs and lack of a proper water system have given us a way out not to plant one. I feel disappointed that a well-intended plan did not happen. This self-talk that I put myself through placed me on a path of self-doubt. I paused and shifted the self-talk of doubt to one of positive flow. By adjusting my thought patterns and letting events flows, instead of forcing them to happen, things eventually even out. It might not happen right away, but it comes around. Be patient and enjoy the sunshine! ♥
Soundscapes
May 25, 2019
I love a good rainfall. At this very moment, it’s raining at Raspberry Rock and I’m thoroughly enjoying its sound. In my early years I never really appreciated what a calming effect the rain could have on my spirit. I have learned to value its benefits. The gentle beating against the metal roof seems to lull me into a tranquil state. Seeing the steady stream fall upon the beaver pond mesmerizes me. The noise itself tends to make me feel like curling up on the couch with a nice soft blanket and taking a bit of a snooze. It truly has become one of my favourite sounds scapes. As the rain intensifies, I feel like retreating inward for a bit of self-reflection, which I find is necessary after a work week in the city. It is almost like the rain is telling me to take this time to re-balance my body, mind and spirit. Thank you nature! Back in the city I have a sound machine with a rain feature that I use to encourage a restful sleep. I am amazed at what good quality sleep I get. I feel like I have slept deeply and soundly. I don’t want it to end! Eventually, the rain stops, the sky lightens and I am refreshed, but until such time, I think I will take that nap. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Relax to the video: Raspberry Rock ASMR Rainscapes
Vulnerability
April 4, 2019
The anticipation of launching a podcast has filled me with a sense of nervousness and excitement. It’s something I have been planning for the past year. Am I ready? Will people actually listen? Are the stories, adventures and whatever else I share worthy enough? There is too much overthinking that is cluttering up my mind unnecessarily. Trust and believing that yes, there is space for what I have to share with everyone out there is the focus. After all, my intention is to go outside my comfort zone, challenge myself and most of all support people in their quest for calm. I think the recent Mercury retrograde has something to do with the recent state of flux I’m in! I throw my sticky thoughts to the wall and have taken pause to take stock of what I have done so far. With that, a slow smile comes to my face. I did it and I feel so grateful! Find something to feel grateful about and don’t get bogged down in sticky thoughts. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
Launch!
March 16, 2019
Spring has sprung this week and I can’t think of a better time of year to launch the Raspberry Rock ASMR website and podcasts! This a place where I hope you can find relaxation, calm and rejuvenation, that tingles your senses. In today’s busy world, I want to create a space and environment of reflective moments. This is about you! This is also a journey for me that will be full of adventure. Come with me and let’s both discover what’s out there that can bring us to a place of tranquility. Did I mention that we have an off grid cabin? This is the place which inspired me to share with you ways in which I intentionally create my own spiritual renewal, and why not share my adventures there with you. Wishing you a wonderful week! ♥
You can experience the Raspberry Rock ASMR YouTube channel at: Raspberry Rock ASMR