Do Nothing

As I sit here at this expansive, live edge table, in this outdoor living room, listening to the Zumba ladies dance up a storm upstairs, I wonder:

What am I supposed to be doing?

Answer I get:
nothing.

Do Nothing. Be.

Being is a metaphysical doing. Maybe that feels better? That could be a more helpful way to look at it? We relate so much more to doing, than being, right? Doin something, anything, no matter how mindless seems to ‘be’ the way. A misguided way of being.

‘The being’ is the most human thing, activity, accomplishment you can master. Being present and in a resting state allows you to look within yourself. It opens up time (maybe even a portal of sorts) to glimpse all that you are beyond illusions, beyond your limited beliefs, beyond all your current experiences.

Ok. Be the spider.

Follow that flow. The spider has woven the web and is sitting, waiting, doing nothing.

As the spider weaves his Maya (web), so we weave our human waking dreams, every day. We tell stories, we repeat them and we forget to let them go. Our stories tangle us.

Be the spider: weave and then stop.
The spider is not concerned with the web being broken. When the winds and storms break up his web, he just starts weaving a new one.

Are you able to weave a new Web each and every day? Do you get stuck in your old web, your old story? Most likely, you are tangled up in your old web, in the old Maya, in your old illusions. You are probably dragging them into today, with your thoughts sticky and taped up on top of each other. You have become the thing stuck in the web and forgot to start fresh, weave anew.

It’s time to sit. Do nothing.

Bring all that you are into the future. Let your breath be the storm, the wind, the cleanser. Clean up your home (your mind). Cleanse your internal environment. Watch thoughts come and go. Be present to perceiving and receiving.

Be able to be.

do nothing, be nothing — connect on instagram with the Healing Muse

Do Nothing Challenge for you

Start with a timer. Sit for 3 minutes today.
Then, lengthen it by 1 minute everyday. How many days can you do in a row before you falter? Let me know.

What changes as you participate in this challenge?

Remember Your Human

Discover this: Remember Your Human©

To Remember Your Human means to remember you are human. Be fully present to your feelings, thoughts and body.
Likewise, it means you learn how to remember your humanness, your humanity, your human way.

In this era of AI, AIG and AGI, you must choose awareness daily. With artificial intelligence added to everything from simple apps to household appliances, you can no longer avoid its presence. Be the light and choose to be fully here.
Awareness is the way. Remember Your Human is the way.

What does that look like to you?

Live Fully Now🪽

We live in a world of speed, processing and automation. While we are programmed like machines daily, in contrast, remembering your human is to embrace art, creative work, breath, movement and play.

You already know how to live fully – just remember! 🪽

Being fully human invites you to enjoy more flavours, diversity, spices, nature, music, dance and pure joy.
Need help to Learn this? 🪽Start with booking a call.

Growing Awareness. 🪽

At the Healing Muse, we open our hearts to love, kindness and compassion along our path. While we may stumble, we remain humble and continue, step by step. Always, start with yourself.

We practice daily. 🪽

If you need a helping hand choosing awareness:

Start with Online Life Guidance Sessions. Each session is 30 minutes.

Maybe you need a helping hand listening to your heart?

Deep Dive into Self Awareness and Your Mind & Body Connection

Intuitive Healing Sessions Online – 60 min

Extended Intuitive Healing Sessions Online
Each session is 60 minutes.

Start with this Awareness practice:

Choose to take ownership of yourself
Take 100% ownership of every cell in your body with your breath.
Breathe in deeply and send light into every organ, every body part, every nook and cranny of you.
Sit in the moment, allowing your breath to guide your awareness to what is within.

Benefits of Full Awareness

So, be mindful today that your body is changing. Furthermore, know that your care, your attention, your loving touch, your time and your connection are maintaining and upgrading your body, all day long.

Thus, be present for this. Be aware of this.

Next, take a breath.
Choose well.
Don’t assume.

Download my Body Zen Wisdom – One Pager to get started in your awareness practice.

Choosing an Inspired Living Life

Journeys and Lessons

Inspired Living Vlog
Subscribe Here to my Youtube

Walk the earthly path with me and grow exponentially. First,we our open heart. Then, we listen to our body; it is always talking.

Full awareness of your choices guides you to:

authentic success
heart felt joy
profound peace
deeper understanding
mind-body health
sustainable wellbeing

Be Inspired through examples in nature

Follow my journey & learn from my experiences, joys, hardships, thoughts and visual explorations. Chances are you will be inspired to act, to grow, to learn. (And maybe save yourself some heartaches and hardships!)

Practical Guidance for You

Ultimately, I strive to support you with Inspired Living tips, life guidance and practical workshops. Let me be your guide on your daily life walk.

Thank you for sharing your time with me.

Inspired Living Videos – Recent Vlog Collection

start here

Inspired Living Mind Body Exercise: Your Smile is a Super Power

Try This! Smile for Wellness. Then, share and Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for Inspired Living. Your mind and heart must be good friends for you to prosper on every level of being. Of course, it also feels good to practice this!

Live your truth: Start by listening

listen here

Fall Equinox – winds of change exercise

Change is inevitable. Moreover, mindful change is an intentional practice. Harness the power of the Fall Equinox energy, do these 3 things.

Words • Mantras • Prayers • Meditation

learn here

Words have power – Words are Cheap

Which is it? Actions speak louder than words.
Do mantras work? Why bother with mindfulness? Test out this exercise.

Your body is talking. Are you listening?

October 7, 2025November 3, 2025

Start Now

Start now and be the change.

Body Zen Wisdom Monthly Q & A – Online
Join us – get details here

Download the Body Zen Wisdom One Pager Here

SCHEDULED ONLINE TALKS

NOVEMBER 3RD, 2025 8PM EST – register now

DECEMBER 1ST, 2025 8PM EST – register now

Wait only to take one deep breath, expand and then move on to action.

What does it really mean to start?
You are always beginning something, after all. Brushing your teeth, getting dressed, heading out for errands are all moments of beginnings and endings.

Yes, but you do them unaware. When your run on automatic pilot, you are continually running the same program in your thoughts. It is overriding any and all new information coming to your senses.

Let’s change that. Ready to grow your awareness? Yes, you can start. Now.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

Start where you are, embrace growth and expansion.

Deepen your understanding of who you are so that your life choices feel good.
Side benefit: less stress and more joy.

start now to create space breath is the way to expand and choose well in life

Need life guidance? Book online session here.

In person body readings are scheduled monthly. To book an in-person session, contact me

zen mind is not empty but freely flowing The Healing Muse teachings and workshops

A common misconception of the ‘Zen Mind’ is that it is empty. That is false. When you are in zen mind, or more accurately in zen body and mind, you are allowing feelings and thoughts to move through you freely, like an easy flow of traffic on the highway.

A clear, flowing river, smooth flowing traffic, store lineups that move swiftly are all examples of balance of energy and form. We cannot escape the physical world, but we appreciate it when we are moving easily, in harmony with the world around us.

Body Zen Wisdom practice brings you closer to this harmony, each and every day.

Want to learn more? We have monthly Intro Q&A calls. Sign up for event notices here.

May 7, 2025May 8, 2025

Power of Words in Water

WORDS HAVE POWER WATER VIBRATION EXPERIMENT

Power of Your Words in Water.

Do this experiment with the details below.

#Dremoto

We tested the words:
LOVE, FEAR, WAR, JOY, PEACE AND ANGER
in our water vibration experiment with flowers.

Water is powerful and contains information. Try this experiment at home or at your work and please send me the results.

Tag me or share with me your video link so I can add it here and on youtube for all the results to be combined.

We are looking for North Facing store fronts to replicate this experiment!

EXPERIMENT - WORDS HAVE POWER (IN WATER)

It’s been 2 weeks since we started our water experiment. So far, we’ve seen no changes in the flowers – not one single wilted petal..

Could it be that love conquers all?

White Giant Chrysanthemum Flowers

8-10” high clear vases

Bottled water for vasespower of water dr. emoto

Could it be that the love in our little shop is so strong, all words of hate seem insignificant?

Power of Words is undeniable – Love really can conquer all.

#experiment #socialexperiment #waterexperiment #drmasaruemoto #waterresearch #loveislove #lovewins #loveconquersall #apothecary #apothecaryshop #apothecary #healingmuse #healingmuseapothecary #apothecaryexperiment

Water is believed to be affected by words because of their vibration. Dr. Emoto has experimented over many years on ice crystals, freezing water in the lab and then examining crystals formed, viewing them and photographing them under the microscope.

Since then, many people have tried out the water and rice word experiment. Here I designed a flower and water experiment.

This was set up in my Apothecary Shop in the store window on the north side, with no direct sun.

Sample Progress Photo from the On Location Set up from our Healing Muse Apothecary:

“Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese water researcher, showed that water altered it’s structure based on the words and sounds being played. Here we test the simple words above. Look at each plant and say or think the word in front of it”.

#water #watervibration #dremoto #emotions #emoto #waterexperiments #waterexperiment #wordshavepower #wordvibration #wordsmatter #love #fear #anger #joy #peace #war #riceexperiment

Check out this double-blind experiment on ice crystals: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16979104/
From 2006. Double-blind test of the effects of distant intention on water crystal formation. Dean Radin 1, Gail Hayssen, Masaru Emoto, Takashige Kizu

EXPERIMENT – WORDS HAVE POWER (IN WATER)

Objective:

To test what effect, if any, single words printed on signs will have on flowers in water

Experiment Requirements (for replicating original set up)

North Facing Store Window

White Giant Chrysanthemum Flowers

8-10” high clear vases

Bottled water for vases

6 word signs printed on yardstick (LOVE, FEAR, PEACE, ANGER, WAR, JOY)

Directions and Explanation of experiment place in window for easy access

Take some time out of your day to reflect – read this.

April 1, 2025April 8, 2025

A fool’s errand. April fools.

A fool’s errand. April Fools.

Did you know that April is the perfect month to run a fool’s errand? The obvious April fool’s day demands a prank or two from each of us. But this feisty and dicey month can make fools of us, in all the days. A fool’s errand: that’s April Fools.

The term ‘a fool’s errand’ dates all the way back to the mid 16th century, where it was used to define a “sleeveless errand” [ John Heywood’s dictionary published in 1563].

You see? Sleeveless!

Remember that time you set out on a sunny warm April day, with your short sleeves, or even more optimistic sleeveless top, and the sudden April showers turned into a full on blizzard?

a fools errand walking in april freezing rain in Ontario — April Fools…drags on.

Yes, you and me both:

going out on a fool’s errand. I would like to say ‘only in Canada’ does this unpredictable weather shift happen, however, such weather events, as they are called now, span the entire world.

Let us band together. United, we can get through this month’s storms! With the ongoing capricious USA tariffs, our hasty national election at month’s end and the ever growing uncertainty of spring weather patterns, I dare say, this entire month shall be renamed a ‘fool’s errand’.

Together, we can get through it.
How?
I share with you a simple road map of coming together.

First, take a walk on the wild side, in your short sleeves if you dare. April 4th is the official ‘Walk to Work Day’. Truth be told, many of us live too far from work to walk there, but we can carpool and consider walking to a friend’s meet up or even walk to dinner after work.

APRIL FOOLS – ROAD MAP

You can make this holiday event work for your feet, your heart health and grow your community. On the heel’s of your extra walk is April 7th – World Health Day. Started by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1950, World Health Day marks the beginning of an international awareness campaign that brings to light one health issue each year.

2025 – A YEAR OF APRIL FOOLS

This year with so many changes, their 2025 mission appropriately focuses on healthy mothers and babies, acknowledging they are “the foundation of healthy families and communities, helping ensure hopeful futures for us all.” Supporting the health of mothers and children everywhere helps us all.

We can all start at home and work our way out into the community. And, that leads us to celebrating our great mother earth on Earth Day, April 22nd. Did you know this year marks the 25 year anniversary of Earth Day and is still to this day, the largest secular day of protest in the world? Indeed, this is a community worth growing each and every day.

“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.” — William Blake

By participating in any of these community celebrations, you decidedly avoid running a fool’s errand and choose wise action instead. That’s something to be proud of on Earth Day.

Lastly, end of the month our fate is sealed on April 28th election day. Whether a fool or wise wo/man be, remains to be seen. Don’t fret. Vote. Decide and take action. Then, clear your head with a must visit to High Park. (plan here)

The most beautiful part of April is just around the corner. End of this month and well into May, the Sakura Cherry blossoms will be at their peak spring bloom. Your April journey concludes here. Find a bench near the blossoming trees and pat yourself on the back. You’ve made it through the April fool’s journey. Not ready for more adventures? Take a break, read here.

BAND TOGETHER

This April, let us get together with our family, friends, open hearts, on strolls in the park, at bbqs and picnics on the porch, in journeys exploring what our beautiful Canadian land has to offer and grow our community and spirit.

If we must run a ‘fool’s errand’, may it be one that is full of hope.

“Spring has its own secret and it’s called hope; hope for better days.” – Joyce Meyer

Written for: South Etobicoke News, APRIL 2025

March 1, 2025March 2, 2025

Lost and Found

Lost and found this spring.

Heavy clumps of melting snow plummeted from shingled roofs, on my walk along the slippery sidewalk. Nearby evergreens bowed wearily under the weight of their captive snow. Record snowfalls buried us knee deep this past February. But the big melt is coming and so is spring, I thought. Getting lost and found this spring is refreshing…

Big Melt is Coming

big melt of spring with Grady the winter loving dog lost and found

I was lost in thought, when a sloppy glob of slush hit me on the head and brought me back to reality. I realized everything is lost and found, not just me in my thoughts.

In the fall, nature may seem lost but then is found again. As the trees stand barren, the land feels empty. Earth grows cold and dark.

Time passes and the loss of autumn is reborn this spring.

The warmth is coming; it is inevitable. Spring is almost here and she brings us new life. Despite the late-winter blustery winds and the snow covered branches, buds grow quietly, determined. In no time at all, they break through to the warmth of the spring sun. March rallies new found hope in hearts worn down by the cold, dark nights of winter.

This is a month of beginnings.

However many trees lose leaves, no matter what branches break in the winter winds and how many garden plants may have wilted away, many more are returning. Nature grows more each spring. We cannot stop her. She is robust and determined in her emergence.

lost and found from autumn to spring
health column on wellness

This graceful life lesson of all that exists, is understated and so often overlooked.

Life is expanding.

We are expanding with every breath.
My gentle nudge to every client is: ‘No Breath is Ever Wasted’. Thus, no step is in vain.

Every step we take is the right step along our path. We are of nature. And, nature is all that is. As the snowdrops reveal their slender white caps through the late winter snow, we are reminded to accept what is. Accept it why? Because ‘what is’ is continually transforming and growing. What is today, is no longer tomorrow. Know this fundamental truth: our biggest challenge is to choose our direction. Spring, the season of re-birth, supports us in setting a new goal, naturally.

– your new direction begins now –

grow in a new direction from being lost to found

But which way do you grow?

Are you a meadow or a forest? Perhaps, you are learning another language or growing a family? You can’t grow everything at once. After all, even nature only grows in one direction at a time: first roots below then plants above. Simple, no?

lost and found spring green goddess rising original art by Kathleen Burke — The Green Goddess – Original Art by Kathleen Burke
This spring, Kathleen Burke (link here) is exhibiting her Goddess Series at Blind River Art Show, 2025

Do this Spring Exercise to enhance your mind and body connection.

First, decide what five plants or animals grab your attention? Then, choose what you find interesting about each one. Without a doubt, there is a connection and life lesson there for you. Every lesson on your path is like a day in the season of your life. Ask yourself a question. Instantly your mind starts to figure out the answer. The trick is to take time. Now, sit with the question long enough (at least a few breaths, ideally longer!), as if you are thawing from a winter of rest. The question of direction is like planting a seed in the garden. At this moment, you truly are in charge of your destiny.

What will you plant? What will your grow with your mind, with your heart?

You have the ability, the skills, the experience and resources to grow in any direction you choose. No matter how small a change you make, it creates a world of difference in your life. Remember the Chinese proverb: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Lao Tau, Tao Te Ching) You may be inspired by the migration of the monarch butterflies as you spot the first butterfly of the season. This could mean you are ready for big migrations. Perhaps the returning hummingbirds catch your eye. Some Indigenous cultures view hummingbirds as good luck, harbingers of joy and love. It may be a sign to open your heart to joy of life this season. Whatever the lesson may be, know that is there just for you.

I found this lesson for spring in a little free library: 
The only true exile is the writer who lives in his own country. -- Julio Cortazar

You are right on time.

“A tree as great as a man’s embrace springs from a small shoot;
A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth;
A journey of a thousand miles starts under one’s feet.” — Tao Te Ching Chapter 64

I wrote this article for March Health Column of the South Etobicoke News 2025.

Learn how to grow your mind and body connection with mindful journalling:

February 12, 2025February 9, 2026

SPICES AND RICE

SPICES AND RICE WORKSHOP WESTON HUB

Spices are important flavour enhancers and micronutrient rich kitchen aids.

Pro Tip: Toast your dried spices and herbs to bring out their flavour.

grab a coffee and lets plan out april the month of discoveries this spring
masala chai
spices and rice workshop

Workshop: 2 Rice ‘Dishes’ + Toasted Spice experience with Masala Chai

Toasted Curried Rice with Indian spices and chips mix for seasoning
Horchata – Iced Rice Milk with Toasted cinnamon
Masala Chai fresh made spice blend

See recipes for reference below.

For the spicy, healthy kitchen must have spices:

Marjoram Oregano Cinnamon Parsley
Basil Ginger Root Nutmeg Clove Black Pepper

Flavour Rich Herbs and Spices for Cooking:

Thyme Fennel Allspice Cardamom
Turmeric Curry Caraway

Mexican Horchata

Horchata (pronounced or-CHAH-tah) is a popular Mexican drink that is often described as a sweet rice milk beverage. Horchata is made out of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. From: Lauren Allen July 17, 2019 Recipe

HOW TO MAKE HORCHATA:

2 cups White Rice
4 cups Distilled Water (or filtered water)
3-4 tablespoons grated cinnamon/powder or handful of cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Protip: If you use Fresh Vanilla pods in your cooking, save the pod shells in a container in the fridge and use for infusing in drink preparations like this horchata.

Blend. Blend the rice, water, and cinnamon sticks until the rice and cinnamon sticks are roughly ground. Add the remaining water and blend again.
Let Sit. Pour the contents into a pitcher or container with a fitted lid and place on your countertop overnight (or for at least 8 hours).

Strain. Pour the rice mixture into a fine mesh strainer, into a pitcher and discard the rice.

Add. Stir in the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar (to your preference). Chill until ready to serve. Stir well before serving and serve over ice. Tastes equally delicious hot with a cinnamon stick as a stir stick. Add honey instead of sugar for a healthy sweet, winter drink.

Masala Chai Recipe

Chai Spice is a Indian spice blend made with various aromatic and healing spices. Also known as Chaika masala or tea masala powder, this is an aromatic spice blend. From: Swasthi on August 28, 2023 Recipe

Masala Chai Spice Sample Recipe

1 tablespoon black pepper (8 grams)
3 tablespoons green cardamoms (20 grams)
1 small stick (8 grams) True cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon, not cassia)
1 tablespoon cloves (6 grams)
2 tablespoons ground dried ginger (14 grams)
1 to 1½ tablespoons fennel seeds (7 to 10 grams)
3 Black cardamoms (3 grams, optional)
1 large star anise
1 medium nutmeg (4 grams)

To enhance flavour, take all the above ingredients and chop or grind coarsely and toast on low in a pan. Let cool. Place in mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Grind to powder and store in a cool dark place for up to 6 weeks. Refresh spices regularly. They oxidize and lose their potency and flavour.

Add a teaspoon of Masala Chai mix to boiling water, cook for 4-5 minutes, strain into a mug, add milk for creamy texture or honey/sugar for a sweet finish.

Curried Rice – Simple Recipe

Curried Rice is rich in flavour and vital warming spices, that are perfect for a cold winter day.

Curry originated in the Indian subcontinent. The word comes from the Indian Tamil word “Kari” meaning a sauce or soup to be eaten with rice. Curry comprises a mix of these main spices: coriander, turmeric, cumin, and red chili. Source: curryfoodie.com/a-brief-history-of-curry/

Protip: Pick up a Garam Masala mix from a local Indian grocery, to ensure the spices are fresh and full of flavour

Ingredients needed (From: Alida Ryder April 2, 2020 Recipe )

Jasmine / Basmati rice Onion Garlic + Ginger
Turmeric Curry powder / Garam Masala (either will work) Water / stock
Frozen peas (optional) Salt to season

How to (Quick Version) make curry rice

Saute onion in a medium-sized pot until translucent then add ginger, garlic and spices. Use Garam Masala and Turmeric or you can use any Indian spices you have.

Common Indian spices: Curry powder, Cardamom, Cumin, Coriander

Add the rice and a pinch of salt and stir to coat in the spices then pour in the water or stock. Allow the rice to cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed then stir in the peas (if using). Reduce the heat to its lowest setting, cover the rice and allow to cook for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to steam for 10 minutes. Season the rice, fluff with a fork and serve.

January 27, 2025January 27, 2025

Time Out

Time Out this February.

Between the valentine cinnamon hearts, gold and red dragons of Chinese New Year and family weekend getaways, there is a little known and seldom celebrated personal getaway to indulge in this winter: Adult Time-Out.

This month, I invite you to discover this simple yet effective healing technique. Save yourself from undue stress, winter blahs and even work burnout.

Take a time out today.

Embrace space, the final frontier. The word ‘final’ may seem so final. You are right. It is. As a healthy, mature adult, you surely recognize that certain times in your life you must take a step back, if you want to keep moving forward. You need a break. Hit pause on life. Embracing this moment of space in time is not about watching back to back episodes of Star Trek. Nor is it about day dreaming of flying through space on the Starship Enterprise, discovering galaxies. Embracing space is the act of embracing emptiness, quietude and solitude in your day. It is you welcoming down time. It is an intentional lack of programming and complete disconnect from the world around you, at least for a short period of time.

take an adult time out blog post on breath work with the healing muse

But what is space?

Madhya is a Sanskrit word that references the pause or the space between something, like the breath. Learn more about Madhya here.

Can you follow your breath to the end? No. There is no end. Yet, at some point, your inhalation stops and exhalation begins. How does that happen? There must be a pause.

But where is the pause?

There must be a proverbial end to the inhalation of breath. The pause, a moment of moving from inhaling to exhaling, is a moment of opportunity. It is where life is limitless. This moment can be a millisecond, several seconds, up to even three minutes in length. Very experienced divers can deep-dive for five minutes (or longer) underwater, before surfacing for their next breath. (explore deep-diving perspectives here) That is a long pause indeed. We don’t have to take is so far! Just a short increase of pausing 10-15 seconds between inhalation and exhalation and repeating this for five minutes will do. Put a timer on and give it a go. That’s about ten breaths total. It’s so simple, anyone can do it.

This space between two actions, such as in-breath and out-breath, is your personal escape.

It is you choosing an opportunity for deep relaxation, solace, healing and direct stress reduction. Embracing a longer pause in any activity or between activities can shift you from serving to thriving. It can promote a sense of well-being and offers you control over your environment – your body. After all, you are in charge of your breath, the errands in your day and the number of activities on your calendar.

Since it may seem daunting to reduce events on your social, work or family calendars this February, start with a short time-out instead.

Your time is YOUR TIME.

Your Adult time out can be as simple as ten minutes in a quiet room, focusing only on the sound of your breath and slowing down your breaths to five breaths per minute. In 2018, a systematic review in the journal of Frontiers of Human Science, was titled: How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life. This review of the included studies on breath work, concluded that voluntarily slowing down the breath “increased comfort, relaxation, pleasantness, vigor and alertness, and reduced symptoms of arousal, anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion.”

In summary, Adult Time-Out is good for you.

Slowing down and allowing more space between your actions directly improves your quality of life. Just taking a handful of deep breaths, in a time-out (yes, you can even sit in the corner if you want to) can reduce your anxiety and help you get through a tough day. If you need more proof, read the latest article in Salk News, November 19, 2024: “Neuroscientists discover how the brain slows anxious breathing”. In between ski trips, Costco shopping hauls and running errands, find yourself a little nook hideaway and indulge in a self-imposed Adult Time-Out. It’s good for you.

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.”

– Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life: The Diaries 1941-1943, 1983

Is your life in the fast lane? related blog-read next

Add your smile to your Inspired Living toolbox:

September 25, 2024September 25, 2024

Letting Go

Letting go…of leaves, hurtful habits, outdated patterns, failed beliefs, old ways of thinking.

Fall lessons.

Season for Change – Leaves are falling. Trees are letting go.

The winds of change are here.
Fall is perhaps my favourite season to enjoy watching change in action: it is so colourful.

Autumn leaves on forested hillsides and in ravines are so pleasing and inviting. Fall hiking on Ontario trails is breathtaking and invigorating. William Cullen Bryant writes:

‘Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile’

(Or does he? When researching this quote, I discovered that it was his brother, John H Bryant, who actually wrote the poem “The Indian Summer” with that line.)

Lesson I learned?

go to the source always, to find the truth in life. Coincidentally, Willam Cullen Bryant’s poetry, with themes of nature and changes in life, has been described as a metaphor for truth. I can’t think of a better way to spend a fall day than brewing a hot cup of apple cider, wrapped up in my favourite sweater and reading a few stanzas of poetry about the beauty of nature that surrounds me. Great place to read more of William Cullen Bryant’s poetry is here

Yes, this is the perfect time of year to don your favourite sweater, clean out your closet, embrace the change in weather and adopt a slower pace in your life. Can you do that?

I’ve noticed that at times I struggle with change.

Letting go and ‘turning over a new leaf’ is scary. I watch the change unfold in nature and see how I forget to trust this process. Maybe you are the same. Maybe you have worked really hard at building something or learning a way to live and changing that is just overwhelming.

letting go and walking away can be scary healing muse inspired living life lessons

It is in our nature to hold on to what we have found, created, built and not want to let go.
– Healing Muse

3 main ways in which we hold on:

With our physical hands, we hold on to tangible items we need, want or love such as homes, cars, clothes, food, mementos, gifts, art and everything in between.

We hold on with our minds to beliefs, patterns, habits, rules and past teachings.

And, of course, we all hold on to feelings, experiences, memories in our body, in our heart and mind. All of this holding is natural. It has allowed us to explore new lands, create evolving societies and built communities.

Watch my vlog exercise on 3 steps to intentional change:

So why bother ‘turning over a new leaf’ this season?

Does it help in any way? Yes, it does. Change with the seasons. Connecting with the energy of fall allows you to practice letting go of outdated patterns, discard clothes you don’t need, declutter a home overrun with ‘stuff’ and even release old hurts, anger, sadness, or grief, from your tired heart. When you embrace change with intention, it puts you in the driver’s seat.

willow of change fall colours at old mill and humber river inspired living with the healing muse photography by monika meulman

Welcome something new, such as learning a new language, beginning a new friendship or test a new way of going to work. This builds a stronger body and mind.

Choosing this change

allows you more control
feeling this sense of control has been shown to reduce your stress and anxiety (related to change)
allows you to set the pace
brings you into harmony with life

See this season of change as empowering.

Invite Autumn with all her brilliant colours to remind you what change offers: a multitude of options, new paths, heart-warming experiences, sensory richness and growth. True, letting go of anything can be painful. What we have in our life matters. What changes, like the seasons, is the purpose, the support, the structure and even the meaning of what we have in our life.

Keep Shifting – Letting Go opens you up to growth and expansion

Unlike nature, we forget to keep shifting. We forget the necessity of daily change. We do the same things for days, weeks, maybe even years. Go back to the lessons of nature, at least once a season. Start today. Observe her changes. Watch. Breathe in this change. Taking time to introspect and invite changes into your own life. This practice is helpful, healing, strengthening and invaluable to moving forward.

Healing Muse workshops small groups, corporate, online and community centre seminars available on health, wellness, plants, gardens, mindfulness, breath work, body mind connection

As your feet crunch along the sidewalks littered with fallen leaves, know in your heart that all that matters and all that is important remains with you. Like the trees shedding leaves, you only need to let go of small bits and pieces. The moment you do, new life begins to germinate in your heart, mind and body.

“Growth and comfort do not coexist.” — Ginni Rometty

In case you get cold easily like me and want to heat up already, read my ‘Heat up this winter’ post

April 10, 2024June 10, 2024

Spring Colors are Good for You

embrace spring blooms The colours and aromas that surround you offer a vibrant and intoxicating rising energy flow

Spring Colors are Good for You – Look for them this spring.

Let’s go. Spring into Colour this season; it’s good for you!
Spring is a time of growing new roots, new shoots and strength. Nature provides a unique energy to support you. In spring time, the foliage, the flowers and the landscape are expanding in vibrant energy. This feeds us like a mountain spring feeding into a river along the mountain side. Trust this process. We are not aside from nature: we are nature. That’s why spring colors are so good for you, your body, your heart and mind.

Plan a hike in search of spring colours, as you get active in the warmer days ahead. After our mild, but drab winter, surely you are ready for a burst of colour and the aromatic hint of fresh blooms in the air.

Spring Colors are Good for You start with early spring bulbs and then move on to exploring spring shrub roses, viburnums and honeysuckles

This season embrace spring blooms

The colours and aromas that surround you offer a vibrant and intoxicating rising energy flow much needed after a dreary winter season. It’s also a sure fire way to boost your wellbeing.

Your guide to colours in nature is below!

Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting greater showers than usual this spring, so expect your garden blooms to be more showy than ever. With mild temperatures and plenty of rain this spring, colourful blooms are bound to be plentiful.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener tending flower beds full of crocuses, pasque flowers, irises and daffodils or a spring hiker in search of our beloved wild Trilliums, Arethusas (Arethusa bulbosa, a native purple orchid) or Coltsfoot plantings, you will surely enjoy the ‘warmer than normal’ temperatures predicted for this spring.

Hellebores of spring are gentle, smiling faces of colour.
Take a sneak peek into Toronto blooms of spring here.

By the way, when spotting Coltsfoot, remember this herbal, medicinal yellow flower is the first to appear on the forest floors and tends to grow nears streams and wetlands. On your next woodland hike, impress your friends by announcing ‘I sense water is near’ the moment you spot a patch of Coltsfoot (Tsussilago farfara) growing in the distance.

Spring Bulbs & Ontario Blooms in Color

For some Ontarians, spring blooms such as crocuses and snowdrops may have appeared early this year since there was no snow until now! The dump of spring snow we received was the ultimate April fools wasn’t it?

That’s just fine with the parade of April and May flowers to come.
Peony, Magnolia and Sakura blossom lovers: revel in the magnificent blooms that arise from rainy spring days. However, I would argue that the most beautiful blooms of spring are Azaleas and Rhododendrons. Rhododendrons bloom especially well after they have received a few weeks of rain, affirming the phrase ‘April showers bring May flowers’.

With more than 10000 species in the Rhododendron genus, you are sure to find a stunning, colourful variety that you can’t resist adding into your garden.

Patio and Balcony Spring Colours

In case your garden is non-existent due to condo or apartment constraints, or brown thumb syndrome (Brown thumb syndrome is easily overcome by simply hanging out with a few gardener friends on the regular…Ok, I just made up that condition, but it could be a thing), plan a date on your calendar to visit a local conservatory in the GTA. Our local, Centennial Park Conservatory is a warm, inviting and delightful place to stroll on any day.

It’s open 365 days of the year. You can visit anytime.

If the Farmer’s Almanac prediction of ‘plenty of spring rain’ proves to be true, walking through a covered greenhouse, conservatory or arboretum is the perfect way to enjoy of spring day in search of colour.

Centennial Park Conservatory is a spring must-see. The conservatory building contains three sections: main greenhouse with tropical plants and wonderful tropical temperatures, South wing with arid, dessert, warm loving plants (perfect for Arizona weather lovers) and the North wing that showcases seasonal designs and stunning colour displays. As a master gardener, you are sure to be inspired on your next visit to your neighbourhood conservatory. If you are a ‘budding’ gardener, guaranteed you will be awed by the sheer abundance of plants and colour that coexist together in a professional planting.

Spring Colors are Good for You embrace collecting a wild bouquet to brighten up your kitchen or back porch reading nook or tea corner — Enjoy a spring day with me on a farm in Ontario. Vlog here

Not used to seeking out spring blooms and colours?

Searching out something out of the ordinary is good for your brain. Furthermore, it is exceptionally good for problem solving. Get smarter this spring! In Entrepreneur Magazine (MAR 29, 2023), Amy M. Chambers notes the first hack to embrace in problem solving is to step away. Go on.

Distance yourself…

from a life challenge at hand, by devoting time to an outing completely unrelated to your dilemma. Heading out for a garden walk or a woodland hike (Rouge Valley anyone?) can guarantee you a better solution than sitting in the office. Thus, exploring Allan Gardens (another wonderful Toronto Conservatory) is not just about finding colourful blooms. It is also about taking time away from everyday problems.

Get outside!

Hike some of 1500 km+ of the Bruce Trail (did you know it is Canada’s oldest marked trail system?) Explore the vast grounds of the Toronto Botanical Gardens and their enchanting ‘native spring ephemeral wildflower.’

Or getaway on your lunch hour, if you’re in Etobicoke, to nearby James Gardens. No matter where you go, welcome the colours of spring into your day. Allow them to bring joy into your heart and a smile to your face. This is best part of spring.

“Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.”
— Toni Sorenson

As the weather warms, try this summer Ice Tea Flower Ice Cubes recipe