June Ceremony & Connection
"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow." - Anita Desai
My love took me to Amsterdam, to his paternal land of origin. It's been a long while since I've left North America and this time, travel came with wide-open-hearted joy and none of the gut-twisting pangs of longing for home or feeling far away. I wonder at this; is it a phenomenon of getting older and feeling more secure in myself? Or, is it because I have found such deep commitment from him? Because I feel, without doubt, that he wants me exactly as I am, and being with him feels like home.
Travel is an opportunity to strip away the comfort of routine and remind ourselves of who we are and what is most important. It can also be the chance to try on new masks and see who we might yet become.
The Amsterdam version of me was revitalized by intense, daily physical activity. She was delighted by being out and among people, and engaging in the joyful beauty of overflowing flower boxes, curious little shops, and the sticky sweet smell of stroopwaffles floating on the breeze. She was full of curiosity and wonder, and imagined the stories that must have been told across hundreds of years of the city's history.
She was daring and grounded and at peace.
Is travel like this for you? Do you notice the unique qualities that adapting to a new time and place bring forward?
I want to hold on to the focus on exercise and sensory engagement and fold that into my real-life existence. What are the lessons that your travel adventures have taught you about yourself?
Things I'm Grateful for This June:
A return to officiating weddings
The lush beauty of the summer forest
Hammocks and books
A live performance of Soft Opening (June 17)
My step-son's high school graduation
A journaling and forest bathing day retreat (June 22)
June Offerings:
I've reached an age where I have no time for half-hearted attempts at anything. If I cannot give myself entirely, then I must not give at all. There are three offerings for the month of June that I would like to share with you.
I'm excited and so deeply fulfilled by a new story-telling medium I've been immersed in. In May, I launched Soft Opening, a podcast that explores mental health and our various tools of resilience. For season one, I'm exploring the link between creativity and mental health in a series of conversations with working artists of all disciplines. I was lucky to receive a grant from the City of Niagara Falls (the NFCDF) and I began this exploration with some of the talented artists in my home city.
We're also hosting a series of intimate, local performances to feature the performing artists on the show. Peter and I had our first kiss on the sofa of this little bar in the Falls called Local where we often go to see live music, so they were my first choice for a venue that could sustain these curated evenings of thoughtful entertainment.
And you can find details here for the next show in our live performance series on June 17, for those of you who are in the Niagara Region.
Closing Notes:
I'm also hosting a day retreat on June 22 in a Niagara Falls hidden gem, the magical Heartland Forest. This accessible, protected woodland experience is found on several acres of wetland and is stewarded by a dedicated team of volunteers and staff. It's a very special place for anyone who wants to unplug, connect to nature, and simplify life for a spell.
We'll gather in the nature centre for some reflective writing on the summer months ahead. I've got a series of guided journal prompts to help you set your intentions for a grounded, present, and rewarding summer that makes the most of the abundant energy available with warmer weather. Then we'll take our introspective energy onto the forest trail to engage our senses with a silent forest bath. This is a walking meditation that invites you to stay present and experience the lush beauty of summer in real time.
June 22, 1:00 - 3:30
Heartland Forest
Rain or shine
I want this event to be available to as many people as possible, so registration for this one is by donation in whatever amount suits your budget. You do need to sign up in advance, and you can do so here.
It's been a slow introduction to sunshine and warmer weather, but I'm holding out hope for the inevitable shift and long evenings in the hammock, reading a good book. The shifting of the seasons can feel like the refreshing reset of a holiday.
What changes are on your horizon?
How can you best position yourself to receive those?