Calmversation

It is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I have much for which to give thanks. I will be forever grateful for the beauty of creation that is evident throughout the farm. This gift was magnified during the recent visit of a young artist to the farm, and seeing through her eyes, the beauty that lies within the everyday ordinary.   Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you can see beauty through the vision of another and have your cup filled to overflowing with peace.

Exploring the great outdoors and gazing heavenward is a pathway to peace for mind, body and spirit. There is much to see when I raise my head to fix my eyes upon something other than the swirling chaos that daily life can bring. Wherever your journey leads you today, I hope that you will find a vision of peace that fills your cup to overflowing. Thank you for joining me in Calmversation today!

A harvest moon beaming low in the eastern sky is a clear sign of Autumn approaching. In rural Ontario, Canada, Fall is a season filled with a bounty for the senses. Crystal clear days, bluebird skies and apple orchards bursting with the rosy glow of fall fruit.  It is a time for slowing the pace of life and breathing easy before the north winds begin to blow. Wherever this episode finds you, I hope your season of life is blessed with an abundance of peace and joy.

Living on a farm often finds me seeking peace within the natural world. During the recent months of a global pandemic and the experience of life within lockdown, this became a way for me to cultivate calm.  If finding peace still seems like a rarity for you, try exploring a time of quiet presence within nature.

'Calmversation' is back with a fresh cup of calm for your coffee-to-go lifestyle! In rural Ontario (Canada), Summer is singing her swan song while Autumn peaks in from stage left. This year the fall season will bring many uninitiated transitions. For many, the new experiences will be daunting as we continue to make our way through a global pandemic. May you seek joy within the midst of change, be blessed with good health, peace and a love that fills your cup to overflowing with calm.

Sultry summer weather brings a glow to the farm and the humid haze that fills the air adds a soft touch of beauty.  It warms my heart and fills my cup with calm.

Surprises, they come in all forms. . .sometimes they are great & sometimes, not-so-great. Either way, I count my blessings in each day and that is where the vein of gold lies.

The aroma of the recent rainfall, the freshly watered earth and my happy, vibrant flowers are simple pleasures. They bring joy to my day and peace to my heart. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

The warmth of the summer sun is a welcome respite that follows many months of winter wind and snow. The magic of summertime with her lovely days of extended daylight, brings much joy to my heart. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

Life's celebrations serve as significant mile markers along the road of life. They often create rich memories that live deep within the heart. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

Music has always been a gift within my life. It is a well that I draw from to fill my heart with peace and to add joy to my everyday ordinary. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

Learning to see the humour within the minor irritations of life can change how I see myself, and to take it all a little less seriously. And the buried treasure within the unexpected pleasures of the everyday ordinary, is a wealth of joy.  Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

What happens when you are speeding through life at a break-neck pace and overnight you grind into a low gear?  Given the option, I would not have chosen a quieter, slower existence, but having experienced this new life-style, it is something I am reluctant to upshift out of. Understandably, the pandemic has wrought much heart-break, and I am one of the thankful few to have come through this crazy time without horrendous grief. Sadness. . .yes. Some circumstances that impacted me profoundly . . .for sure . . . we all did.   The game changer for me has been the skill and knowledge I have acquired and applied to manage my mind-set and state-of-being. This has supported my wellness beyond what I could have imagined and transformed the quality of my life. Sharing this knowledge and coaching others to bring this same support to life, has become integral to my purpose. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

The beautiful birds on the farm are a great source of joy within my life.   On occasion, when my spirit is seeking encouragement, a winged friend will appear. Not infrequently, it is a bird that I have never seen, with a song that brings delight, both sight and sound. I believe it's the simple pleasures that make life worth the living.  Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

Learning new life skills is often a steep curve and takes some practice to become ease-filled. Finding peace and cultivating calm is foundational for gaining wisdom in the midst of the journey. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

Communication. Finding a listener's ear that is completely without judgement is a rarity but once found, it becomes a place of peace and solace. It is often where personal insight will bubble up and a sense of calm can be cultivated. For those occasional, all-by-myself conversations, I appreciate the companionship of my bovine friends and their listening presence. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

Summer solstice occurs this month, & in the northern hemisphere, June marks the halfway point between planting & harvesting on the farm.  In my life, June is a month filled with life memories that are very poignant. “The golden memories in the stream of life rush past us & we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us & we only know them when they are gone” George Eliot.  Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

The Lilacs bushes grow beautifully wild in carefree abandon on the farm. Their delicate scent & the gorgeous colour of the blossoms bring forth sweet memories of happy days from decades ago.  Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

In what seems like a heartbeat, the spring season bursts forth from the earth, and delivers a beautiful vision of fresh hope to the eyes-of-my heart. My perspective shifts from a sorrow-filled mindset of 'what was', to a peaceful contentment within the 'what is'. I savour the moment, and embrace this state of serenity for the day ahead. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.

The dawn of the day on the farm delivers a sense of serenity that is hard to miss. The warm glow from early light flows gently across the fields and creates a soft halo over the landscape, like that of a painter's brush. This is the picture of peace that I will carry forward into my day. Another lovely beginning; my cup of calm overflows and I am ready.