Remain Calm

In my own little world lately. Making space in my life where positivity flows and creativity comes in abundance. My record player has been spinning track after track and my incense supply is quickly thinning out.  My car takes me where I need to be, and in my own little bubble I am able to concentrate on the "good" of my city. The skies, the trees... No exact details.

Yesterday I stood downtown and waited for the bus, for the first time in a long time. The feeling of our American culture's grip slowly tightening around me. Big pieces of plastic came barreling from a construction site, subway cups and napkins scattered around my feet. The people of downtown were hurried. Hunched over from the cold, clutching their briefcases, seemingly looking for the destination rather than enjoying the journey. Sitting on an intensely quiet bus where not one person chose to sit next to another - unless it was absolutely necessary. Row after row of people looking down at their phones. When I looked outside I caught three people running on indoor treadmills that overlooked a brick wall. My chest started to hurt. Is this what life we've become accustomed to? A hurried, cold, littered and artificial life? These feelings intensify my dream to move in solitude to a forest.

Bear with me, this does get positive. 

Stepping off the bus earlier than I'm used to, I need the fresh air and space. As I turn a corner I'm greeted with the most intense, and beautiful sky I've seen in awhile. It's like natures way of saying, "don't worry, I'm still here for you." It's so easy to get caught up in our busy lives, or to remain negative about the place we call home. My thoughts so quickly turned negative when I should have been focusing on my own positive space.

At the end of the day, all we can do is head outside and breath. Take life for what it is, but don't stop striving for what you consider perfection. For me, that is nature. I'll never let go of my dream of living in a forest, and one day I will... But for now I will remain calm and present, and remind myself everyday that change will come.  

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Find Nature, Find Peace

As I delve further into my journey for peace and presence, I've found nature to have a humble way of bringing this stillness to our lives.With deadlines, errands, responsibilities and social commitments, it's nearly impossible to locate our inner self and take time to find happiness within our own spirit.

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 If you've ever attempted to meditate in a house full of people and noise, you'll know it's nearly impossible to ignore the distractions and to cease generating thoughts. The outdoors can bring us that quiet sanctuary, a place of solace and peace. I'm learning more and more about the benefits of meditation, and hoping to further myself in the practice. What I've found is that it's far easier to pull yourself away from your thoughts when you are surrounded by nature and the power the space will bring you. A light, scented breeze that rustles branches and leaves ever so slightly, birds and squirrels chirping, and fresh air to fill your lungs. Likely just imagining these things will have your shoulders loosening and your brows relaxing.

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This post is to encourage you to get outside. To find a spot in nature that brings you absolute serenity and in turn, peace to the world. Leave your phone and any electronics. Bring a sketchbook, notepad, canvas or book, or come without anything and just be. Be present in the moment, aware of all your senses. Soak up the smell, feeling, landscape and sunshine. Meditate. To meditate is to remain still, silent and to leave all thoughts behind. If a thought arises, simply acknowledge it's presence but don't give it any attention.

Breathe. 

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Keep Moving

Feeling stifled in my living environment but the world inside my head is teeming with ideas.

This shift we are experiencing, it's all happening on the inside first and manifesting itself in good deeds and positive vibes on the outside. But what if some of us are feeling too stifled to give way to this movement fully? We are faced with the almost debilitating reality that those closest to us will not understand why we do the things we do. I have one answer to this problem, keep moving. 

We are free spirits aren't we? Either fly with us or set us free, but do not drag us down.

Fuel your passions, guide your spirit and give everything you have to this peaceful, enlightened movement. Experiment with the psychedelic, be creative and leave technology for the day. If I could, I would group together everyone who's on the same level and meet in the forest. Love would flow freely, music would be made and conversations would be had that could take things to the next level. But for the time being, start hugging everyone you see, why not? Spread love. Spread peace, start the movement. And to the people who try to resist, who try to change your beautiful perspective, well those are the people you might have to leave behind for the time being. They will come around, I promise. Right now we need peaceful protesters and activists for the rights of everything on earth. What I strive for is biocentric equality, the idea that everything in the biosphere are equal and deserves equal respect.

20 Favorite Things

1. Coffee.

2. Hot Yoga.

3. Camping.

4. Breakfast.

5. Wildflowers.

6. Connecting With New People.

7. Anything Psychedelic.

8. Bonfires.

9. The Beach.

10. Music, Vinyls, Live.

11. Forests.

12. Painting.

13. Incense.

14. Love.

15. Peaceful Protests.

16. Travelling.

17. Indoor Plants

18. Good Energy.

19.  Biking.

20. Sunshine.

☮ Happy New Year Wild Ones ☮ 

Power Of Love

There's a shift happening right now. I know a lot of us can feel it and some people are able to see it. Our beautiful generation, a generation of believers in what's right, a generation of dreamers of dreams so big we might burst if they don't become realities.

We are the lovers, the passionate ones, the ones who will reach the highest point and continue on to the next.

 I'm so proud to be a part of this eclectic group of 20 somethings that need to make a difference in this world. We are a creative bunch, movement starters and the ones who will work to change the way we function in society. Let's pull away from materialistic living, say no to the social norm and redefine what success looks like. We encompass what compassion is. We feel for others, forever wanting to make life a great place for everyone. We have the ability to make someone's day and we will stop at nothing to make it happen. We possess compassion for every living animal, tree, insect and soul.

Let's band together to stop the hurtful people, the malicious intruders on our peaceful territory. I's revolution time, this is the shift. This is what our generation is meant to do. Emphasize love and leave behind money. Share and care and be kind to all people. Stop the non believers and stand up to the greedy persons in power. A new definition of power is needed, one that does not include being in charge. Look deeper into power, and search for new sources. Power of soul and the power of love.

Love makes this all possible, never stop spreading love.

Sources

Fly

Thursday morning, 5:40am we took off from home. Dear Prudence playing in my headphones and my sister by my side created the most perfect atmosphere.

I’ve never felt so peaceful than I did while the plane was smoothly leaving the ground. Life is hectic right now, with school, work and life decisions and dilemmas. With some hard truths to endure I’ve spent the past few days with puffy eyes from crying, too much over thinking and feeling hurt. Needless to say, a moment of peace was something I yearned for. Traveling will forever be the escape I need, the one thing that urges us to take risks, put ourselves out there and to take a step back from our buzzing lifestyles. There’s something about flying that makes my heart buzz with excitement. Coffee in hand, a good book - or in my case a paper to write - and simply one of the greatest scenic journeys we are so lucky to be able to experience. It was dark when we left, but as I write this the sun is coming up over the clouds, and the sky is colored like a rainbow. Beneath me is a floor made of clouds, and checkerboard fields of prairies peeking out periodically.

How amazing it would be to be pilot, watching the world go by from the front seat of a plane. 


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Bike Thoughts

There's an organic unity between biking and freedom.

If you haven't set out on an aimless bike ride through your city, I strongly suggest it. Last Saturday, with no destination in mind, I found myself riding along the river, through trails I never knew existed. For the first time in a long time I felt completely free. Free of over thinking, of anxiety and of worrying in general. Instead, I was in a positive state of mind. My time was simple and full of happy thoughts.

I made it my mission after that to do some soul searching, not only when I'm riding my bike. I'd like to ascertain who I am this year, and what I need to do to remain as happy as I felt during that blissful bike ride.

There's a few things on my mental to do list now. To figure out how to be more independent and to make my own happiness, rather than rely on someone else to do it for me. I'd like to be more accepting of doing nothing, and appreciating alone time with my mind. I want to be proud of my writing as I tend to shy away from displaying my work for others to read. I haven't got the slightest idea of want to do with my life, and I can't seem to find an acceptable career path to get excited over. The only constant I know, is that writing is going to be a big part of my life, whether it be success in this blog, writing a book or simply keeping a journal.

I like the freedom writing grants me, and the knowledge that I can do this wherever I go in life. I want to live wildly and all over the place. No roots, just me, my writing and maybe a companion to share these experiences. There's so much of the world to see and I'm not ready to settle down in one place. My travel thoughts lately have taken me to road trips. Buying a van, decking it out with bumper stickers and tapestries. Riding with the windows down, basking in the sun and listening to music that makes me feel. This trip would entail camping, national parks, rocky mountains and green trees. If I close my eyes I can feel the wind, the sun and almost hear the gravel crunching under tires... Exactly like that simple Saturday bike ride.

Magic Camping

Summer's nearly gone, but the memories remain warm in my heart.

Late August my boyfriend and I took a camping trip to Boyne Lake, one of the most magical places on earth. And although this post is slightly overdue, I hope it brightens someone's day with intense sunset pictures, thoughts of warm tents and bonfires with the person you love.

It's in the places I love most that I seem to lose track of time and responsibilities. Rather, I get the chance to really explore my feelings and thoughts. This particular weekend I caught up on love and experienced moments I will never forget. We all have that place, and that person to be vulnerable to, here's a few of my favourite shots from that unforgettable weekend.

Growth

Here we are gearing up for school again, pulling out our cozy fall sweaters and getting back into a rhythmic routine. I've had an incredible summer, and although it's not entirely gone yet I am already missing the time spent with friends and family, the long summer nights and days spent at the beach.

Nonetheless I have lots to look forward to this year - I am going to be graduating from the University of Winnipeg with my Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric, Writing and Communications, I've returned to the my serving job for work, and I've made endless travel plans to keep my wanderlust intact.

This year is all about growth, I can feel in it everyone's state of mind. It's time to learn something new about ourselves, to spend time with our creative side and to focus on the things that make us happy. Start painting, writing, crafting and making music. Put your phone away and connect with a new friend or an old friend. Try out a new recipe or take a chance at making strawberry jam. Get outside while it's still sunny and spend as much time with nature as you possibly can. Organize your values and feed what motivates you to be your best self. Always be open to teaching and learning, and radiate the positive vibes you carry always spreading the joy that's in your heart.

It's time to let go of past burdens and allow yourself a release from the nagging question, "what could I have done differently?". Stop over thinking and relax your mind as you go about your day. No matter what you're doing, do it mindfully. Try not to text while reading, or watch TV while making dinner. Focus on the task at hand and enjoy your time spent doing it. Finally, we need to stop waiting for summer, or Friday, or for someone else to make us happy. Happiness is achieved when you make the most out of every moment and wait no longer for something to happen. Live in the now and appreciate every little thing.

What else can we do to grow this year?

Roadtrip Weekend

Last weekend I had the opportunity to travel the Trans-Canada highway with a very good friend. I flew out to London, Ontario to road trip back to Winnipeg. I arrived in London to spend the night with another friend, went out for dinner and drinks, dancing and ridiculously awesome bus rides.

We got off to a later start the next morning, stocked up with snacks, candy, a map of Ontario and of course Tim Horton's coffee. Without a set plan or route, we made our way onto the Trans-Canada highway (a highway that runs across the whole country) with the hopes of staying close to the great lakes along the way.

It was an amazingly calm, and beautiful trip. We took our time, soaked up the scenery and explored our surroundings. We drove for eight hours on the first day and stopped in a town called Sault Ste. Marie, where we picked up two bottles of wine and ordered pizza. The next morning we were off to an earlier start and slowly made our way through the rocks and lakes again. We drove into the night, arriving in Winnipeg at 2am. It was a great getaway, and a must needed trip. The Ontario scene brought back the longing for camping, the outdoors and my love for swimming in a lake.

Although I am making an effort to live in the moment, I cannot help but wish for summer to get here a little faster bringing along its camping trips, festivals and wedding celebrations that make my heart warm just thinking about it. This trip was inexpensive, laid back and perfect. 

Shaking The Blues

Although we had a beautiful sunny day yesterday in Winnipeg, today is back to our usual gloomy weather. It is getting so hard to stay positive, but here are some tips I find helpful to overcome the blues.

Go for a walk: I know this sounds like the last thing we feel like doing when the weather is cold, but sometimes fresh air is what we're lacking and all you need is a natural pick me up.

Call a friend: Sometimes just the sound of a friends voice is enough to make me feel better. So don't text, call and truly connect.

Take a hot bath: This one especially works for the chilly, grey days. Light some candles, make a cup of herbal tea and relax with your favorite book. Leave your cellphone in the next room and truly relax.

Take a few deep breaths: When you're feeling down, or anxious, stop and take a few deep breaths. You will instantly feel more calm and in touch with yourself. Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Dance: Pretty self explanatory.. tune into your favorite song and dance like no ones watching.

Make your favorite meal: Take the time to collect all the ingredients, be mindful as you chop and create the perfect plate.