It's Yin out there. And it's beautiful.

Everybody likes a garden right?

Made a trip down to my community garden plot this morning to do a little clean up after being a slacker for so long. It felt good. I have been debating giving it up this year (due to guilt), knowing there are so many people on the waiting list, and we could have utilized it so much more this past year. My partner and I have officially decided that we will keep it and reprioritize things. It brings us lots of peace and joy and happiness (and food)!

These two pictures are of our plot before and after my little clean up. It still needs a lot more work. I'll add some larger shots from the garden as a whole in another post. Its really a beautiful morning out there. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

If your days of dressing up like an elf are over for the year and you are ready to lose the tree.....

Recycle it. Don't throw it out!

This weekend (today and tomorrow, Sat Jan 8 & Sun Jan 9 from 10-4 at various locations) the City of Vancouver, along with the Lions Club and volunteers, will be chipping and mulching trees for a donation of cash and non-perishable food items (to be donated to local charities).

So if, like me, you still have your tree and need to get rid of it you can do it in an eco friendly manner, AND do a good deed at the same time!

If you are unable to do that, there are other options as well.

Heres the link for all the locations here

We'll be saying goodbye to ours tomorrow :)

Ever feel like a failure?

I haven't read a single Harry Potter book or watched any of the movies.

(I know. Call me weird haha).

But this speech. THIS speech! (Part 2 is here and Part 3 is here)

Such profound words.

This woman. W-O-W. So wise. So humble. Just brilliant. I may not have read or watched her fiction, but I watched this twice, and read the transcript a few times over. Ever feel like a failure? Ever hit rock bottom? I love her honesty so much.

Failure, hardship, heartbreak, loss and poverty are very real. I know I've been there. Listen to her so honestly speak of the fringe benefits of failure, and get ready to be inspired.

I just find the whole thing so inspiring. And when she speaks of her experience working for Amnesty International ...

"Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s places".

"If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped change. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better."

Great food for thought as you roll into your weekend.

Thought I'd share. Namaste!

Ever watch the power of myth interviews?

Got to thinking about the power of myth interviews with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell this evening. Think it's time to watch the talks again. Regardless of your background or beliefs the talks are fascinating food for thought. Joseph Campbell was an amazing man full of insight and understanding.

“We have not to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to slay another, we slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the centre of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world.

-Joseph Campbell

Regardless of your lot in life, you can build something beautiful on it. ~ Zig Ziglar

Denman Island is my favourite place in the whole wide world. It's magic. Its no wonder I cry everytime I have to leave. Click pictures to enlarge.

The peace, the quiet, the natural untouched beauty of Denman Island... and only 75 km from Nanaimo. The place is truly a dream. My partner grew up on this tiny island and I am so glad he did, otherwise I probably wouldn't have ever heard of it. It is two ferry rides from Vancouver and I can not recommend going there enough. There aren't even words. We feel so blessed to have many wonderful friends there to see and visit when we go, but even if you didn't know a soul, the people are really lovely and friendly. This place is peaceful beyond words. If you want to nourish your soul, your mind, your body, write, practice yoga, meditate, play music, heal or restore on any level, Denman Island is just a hop skip and jump away from our big city! Personally, I can't wait to get back. Keep in mind that this post does not even include any photos of Chickadee Lake or Fillongley Park. Two other really amazing spots you wouldn't want to miss. You really must go. My pictures don't do it justice at all. No photographs could. Its really that spectacular. Namaste.