g097-haliburton-yoga

A quiet morning, a gentle intention

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 18:09:44 GMT

This article is brought to you by a quiet Sunday morning—fresh air, soft snowflakes drifting down, chickadees calling from the woods, and a gentle breeze moving through the trees along the trail. And, of course, by our beautiful golden retriever, Billie Rose. Every morning, Jim and I pull on our dog-walking clothes, add our bright orange hats and vests for this time of year, and head out the door. It’s how we choose to begin each day. Our intention is simple: to move our bodies, breathe fresh air, and care for our dog. But as the years go by, I’ve realized that these small rituals nourish far more than our muscles and lungs. They support our minds, our spirits, and that quiet inner light that needs tending just as much as anything else in our lives. We all need habits that remind us we belong—to nature, to one another, and to the great, unfolding story of life. What nourishes each of us may look different, but the need itself is universal. When we do things that connect us to our essence—our magical, spirited selves—something inside brightens. I’ve noticed that when my “to-do” list grows too long, I stop feeling that magic. If I spend too many hours on my phone or computer, I start to feel weighed down, tired, even a little worn out. It’s easy, especially as responsibilities grow and the world becomes noisier, to drift away from the simple act of being present. But when I pause—when I give myself even a moment of quiet—I reconnect with the energy that inspires me to be who I want to be: a caregiver, a teacher, a mother, a wife, a friend. A small force for goodness in whatever ways I can be. Creating a life that nourishes us takes intention, but the reward is a steadier, kinder way of moving through the world. Last weekend, I attended the Haliburton International Film Festival at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion—now in its seventeenth year. The theme was Elbows Up, Chins Up, Rise Up, and the films came from Germany, France, Italy, a small village in Macedonia, and the United Kingdom. Each story showed people stepping up for one another, often in difficult and uncertain circumstances. It was a comforting reminder that even in a world facing so many challenges, there are countless individuals choosing compassion over fear, generosity over greed. This week, I also had the pleasure of speaking at the Eagle Lake Women’s Association. For nearly ninety years, this remarkable group has supported their community with steadfast kindness. They focus on the hopeful. The good. Their belief in the power of generosity has never wavered. And perhaps that is where everything begins—with intention. With a desire to stay connected to the quiet magic around us and within us. When we choose to notice the small beauties of a morning walk, or the kindness in a community, we rise up in our own gentle way. And from that place, goodness has room to grow.

Voices Rising

Tue, 21 May 2024 01:22:00 GMT

My friend Coosje, Jim and I just spent a couple of weeks in Europe. Our first week was spent in Austria where we were hosted by Austrian relatives in a small village in the mountains. We did lots of hiking and ate really good food, drank fine wines and delicious beers and ate lots of homemade strudel. One day, after a hike, we arrived back in our village to find that a music festival was going on. Every village in each valley has a community band and on this day they had gathered for a music festival. Every band had at least 40 people, some had kids, all had teenagers and young adults and seniors. Every band was dressed in traditional Austrian clothing. The men wore lederhosen and the women wore traditional dresses. I felt like I was at the music festival that we all watched at the end of The Sound of Music. There was so much energy and delight as the bands roamed the village in between performances. We went into the auditorium and watched a couple of the bands perform. It was so fun. We really enjoyed it. I was grateful to experience the local music culture. Later on in the evening one of the bands was in a pub across the road from us, and came out onto the street and sang a traditional Austrian song to us as we stood on our balcony waving at them. These beautiful encounters are what I love about travelling.

After Austria we travelled to The Netherlands for a week and had many more adventures. We met kind people everywhere. We returned home and the next day, in my jet-lagged state, I was back at rehearsal with the Voices Rising choir (formerly the Highlands Harmony Choir). Laurel McCauley directs the choir and we have a lovely group of women who have been gathering weekly since September. I sing in the mezzos and I stand beside Debbie who has a beautiful voice and I follow her lead. I know some of the songs better than her, so she relies on me for the words sometimes. We are a great little support for each other. I love our weekly connection. Debbie and I stand close to the back of the mezzo section and I can see and hear the beautiful sopranos to our left. When they add their voices to the songs I always feel like there are angels singing. The altos, to the right of us, add a deep rich sound to our songs. Our choir doesn’t read music. We learn by listening and singing together again and again and again. There is a lot of joy in our group.

Voices Rising is having their annual year-end concert on Friday, May 24 at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion. They will be joined by a live band for a couple of songs. Tickets are $20 and are available at Cranberry Cottage, Canoe FM and Let’s Get Local in Minden. You can also get tickets online at kim.quigley@outlook.com . Doors open at 7 and the show starts at 7:30. All proceeds made from the concert will be donated to the Haliburton Music Exchange. I hope you will come and enjoy our performance. Music connects us and uplifts us.

Henry

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 01:20:00 GMT

Jim and I were in Orillia on the weekend for his brother’s wedding. It was such a happy occasion. Rob has had a lot of tragedy in his life and we were so happy to celebrate with him. The morning after the wedding we headed up to his farm. It’s where he and Jim grow their 5000 bulbs of garlic every year.

Rob isn’t living there anymore, he rents it out to a young family. The young family have 3 boys aged 10 months, 5 and 7. The two older boys love Jim and Rob. We arrived at the barn and the boys and their 2 dogs came running down to meet us. “Jimmie, Jimmie, Hi Jimmie.” They really love Jim. They were so excited to tell us they were heading off to the Coldwater Fall Fair. They wondered if we could go with them. They wondered if we liked rides and candy apples. They asked where Rob was and when he was coming to the farm. They love Rob too. Rob has a big tractor that he uses to cut his lawns and the boys love to ride with him. The boys had been at Rob’s wedding, running around all night. Their parents had catered the event and the food was gourmet.

Jim and Rob spend days at the farm preparing the soil for planting and then planting and harvesting the garlic. The boys are glued to them as they work. I was meeting the boys for the first time and the 5-year-old took me aside to show me his supplies for the fair. He had his money, his juice box, sunglasses and a card for his mom all stored in his little pink sparkling purse. He was ready for a great day. When Jim and Rob work at the farm, this little guy comes out to help dressed in his favourite flowing blue and pink and colourful dresses. He runs around pulling garlic, or digging in the soil or riding in the tractor in his dress. He is happy and loved.

This is what we want for all kids. To be happy and loved. Henry is loved and he knows it. He’s not trying to be something or someone he isn’t. He isn’t trying to get his brother to wear a dress. And no one knows what the dress is about at this point anyways. He might just like playing dress up. Maybe he feels more comfortable in a dress or he likes the colours. It doesn’t matter. He is allowed to dress as he wants without one comment from anyone. If Henry is straight or gay, it’s the way he came into the world. And our responsibility as friends, parents, grandparents, teachers, siblings, co-workers are to love him and encourage him to grow into a loving, caring person. When kids aren’t accepted for who they are and aren’t free to express who they are, their mental health can suffer and that can lead to all kinds of issues. If Henry grows up in a loving family and society anything is possible. Love will always be stronger than fear or hate.

Haliburton Angels

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 01:16:00 GMT

John Lennon said “We can’t help everyone, but we can help someone.” In these challenging times in the world we are living with wars, poverty, climate change, artificial intelligence, discrimination, an overwhelmed health care system, homelessness etc. There is a lot going on and it is easy to wake up and turn on the news and feel hopeless, worried, depressed and anxious, or we can choose to place our attention elsewhere. We can acknowledge there are challenges worldwide, and challenges on our front door. And while most of us can’t do anything about the war in the Middle East or the Ukraine (of course some protest, pray or send blessings and that helps) what we can do is get involved with something right in front of our noses and help out. And it will make us feel better. We can each sew little seeds of hope in our own community through our work and volunteering or by being a good parent or grandparent. There are a million ways to do this.

Right now people are donating and raising funds for the Heat Bank. Groups are clearing trails to get ready for our ski season. Others are rehearsing for upcoming Christmas concerts which will lift everyone’s spirits. Some are volunteering at our local schools or for our local land trusts. I know people who make soup for their neighbour on a regular basis. Others share their firewood. People are making a difference every day in small and significant ways in their own communities.

My family has recently been the recipient of 2 angels that have come into our lives to support my dad John, who turned 95 last week. I am like one big bubble of gratitude when they come because by doing their work, they are helping our whole family in ways I can’t put into words in this article. One of the things I love about these angels is that I have known them from a distance for pretty much their whole lives. Jim taught them and they are both graduates of our Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. Abby Gordon is 23 years old and was born in Australia but pretty much grew up in Haliburton. She started her own business called Karinya which is an Australian Aboriginal word that can be translated to “a happy and peaceful home.” Abby works with seniors and people with special needs. I can tell you that she brings peace and joy with her when she comes to help my dad. He loves her. When she is in my parents’ place, I can overhear her chit chatting with both of my parents. She is laughing and telling them stories and answering their many questions about her life. She is a bright spot in their week, every week. And that helps Jim and I so much. Abby sews little seeds of compassion, caring, warmth, friendliness with every visit. We are all uplifted by her. Thank you Abby!

Our second angel is Courtney Bishop, who is a mama, wife, daughter, mother in law, sister, friend and a fantastic nurse who is on top of her game! Courtney has been coming to work with my dad who has leg issues and is in pain. She is so bright and smart and gets things done. She doesn’t judge his beliefs and she gives him so much confidence in his body with every visit. And again, by her sewing her seeds of caring, kindness, attention she uplifts our whole family. And when I feel uplifted I can go and teach my yoga classes which inspire me, and hopefully the people who attend. And the ripples expand from there. The world needs all of us to sew our seeds of compassion. Thank you Courtney.

Restaurante Gazcidla

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 01:17:00 GMT

We all love times when we feel looked after. That we matter and belong. When we are welcomed with open arms. I often contemplate how I can go into my day with a big open heart, with kindness and compassion to whoever I am going to be in contact with. In whatever circumstances arise. I also take the time to really savour the moments when I receive kindness. I marinate in it. It happened many times on our recent adventure to the Azores, which are 9 islands that sit out in the Atlantic Ocean and belong to Portugal. Jim and I and a group of our friends spent a week on Sao Miguel, which is the largest of the islands, and a week on Terceira which is home to the oldest city of the Azores, Angra do Heroisimo. Both islands offered great birding opportunities which is important to our group.

I have many stories to tell from our adventures, but one that I have told many times since coming home involves a family owned restaurant in a small town called Mosterios. The restaurant is called Restaurant Gazcidla. Our group had been out on a morning adventure swimming in one of the natural hot springs located in the ocean. When we arrived to go swimming it was raining but we persevered because the weather moves through quickly. It was a short walk, in the pounding rain, to the hot spring. There was a ladder down into the water and ropes that we could hold onto as the waves from the ocean came in and out. We had a lot of fun. After we dried off and had a good coffee (there are little cafes everywhere and the coffee is delicious) we headed into Mosterios to find a place to eat lunch. We had worked up an appetite and were grateful to find Restaurant Gazcidla. At first when we said we were a group of 10, the owner/greeter bartender didn’t think he could fit us in, but then he did. He and his staff quickly put together a table and welcomed us. Almost all of us ordered seafood. Swordfish, shrimp, octopus and seafood chowder. Every meal always comes with delicious, really delicious, homemade bread and cheese from the islands. Our waitress was lovely and her English was much better than our Portuguese. Throughout the meal the staff checked in on us and made sure we were well cared for. Towards the end, Jim got up to thank the owner and asked a few questions about the food we ate. The owner then brought out his dad who was the co-owner chef and Jim thanked them both and gave them a hug. There was lots of laughter as they tried to communicate through sign language. And then as we went to pay our bill the owner came out with a round of homemade moonshine for all of us to share. We laughed and toasted the good food and the owners toasted us. We felt so welcome and full of good food and that is exactly how you should feel when you are on holiday. We always feel happy when we are welcomed with kindness and friendliness.

Connecting and Understanding

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 01:18:00 GMT

Ok, this might be too much information. Don’t read on if you are looking for my usual uplifting stories. Well, this does become uplifting but it is messy to start. I have had a very rough week. My dad, John, who is 95 is in pretty good health except for his legs which are weak, swollen, painful and full of fluids. He can barely walk. We’ve had nurses coming in to care for him, but last Monday he couldn’t walk and so we sent him into emerg where he stayed for 4 days. The nurses and doctors do their best there, but it is crazy. I visited my dad 3 times a day and I observed the staff working really hard to try and care for too many people. I have no expertise in health care, but I could see that they are really struggling. They don’t have the time to attend to a 95 year old guy who is ok, except for his legs. My dad so desperately wanted to get home and I want the best solution for him and it is so complicated.

It honestly breaks my heart to watch him struggle and at the same time neither of us wants to be a burden to the system. All week I questioned the decision we made to have him come and live with us when there are so few supports. The wait list for long term care is long. I don’t want to be pushy when I can see the health care people are overworked and at the same time I want to advocate for my dad. He’s 95 and everyone deserves respect and dignity and care at that age. To complicate matters, Jim and I are leaving in a couple of days for a trip to Portugal with our long time friends. We’ve had this planned for a year. My sister is coming from Vancouver to stay with my parents, but it all seems so tenuous. I have been stressed all week to say the least. Trying to accept what is, advocate for what is needed and take care of my parents and my marriage and my friendships and myself. I have waffled between going on the trip and not going. How can I left my sister and my parents when my dad is now home, and even weaker than when he went into emerg.

The Paper Bag Gift

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 01:15:00 GMT

Jim and I have been married for 33 years and for 33 years we’ve been visiting our local LCBO. We do love a delicious glass of wine with our friends on a Friday evening or really any evening that we gather. I remember when our daughter Madeline was little and we used to walk into town every Saturday with her. One day we walked by a house 2 doors down from the LCBO that was for sale and Madeline turned to us and said “you should buy this house it’s right beside your favourite store.” We laughed. Obviously she saw we were regulars.

Bare with me now as this story diverges. It will come back to the LCBO, Lisa, Wendy, Barb and all of the staff that work there. In the wisdom traditions it is known that each of us must take care of our inner well being and it is suggested that we do this by gladdening our minds every day. Three specific practices are recommended and are easy to build into our lives. The first one is to have a daily practice of gratitude. Each day acknowledging 3 things you are grateful for. The second practice is to really savour the moments when you feel a sense of awe, joy, love, connection, belonging and delight. Maybe sitting with friends by the campfire, attending a concert or sporting activity, being in nature etc. When you notice you are in joy, take at least 30 seconds to savour it. Let it fill you up. It is like a sacred pause to be really present with what you are experiencing. The third way to gladden your mind is to do small acts of kindness throughout your day. You could smile at someone, you could hold open a door or drop off a salad or a loaf to a neighbour. The possibilities for small acts of kindness are endless. And even if the person you extend the kindness to doesn’t know that you are doing so, you know. Your heart knows and grows.

And so it is here in the article that we loop back to the LCBO. I was in the store the other day buying a bottle of wine for my weekend. Lisa was serving me and I just happened to mention that the LCBO brown paper bags were a thing of the past. I laughed and told her how my husband would especially miss the bags because he, we and our friends save them throughout the year and he fills them with garlic that he sells. The brown bags have been the perfect size. Lisa looked at me and got a big smile on her face and said “hey, Wendy knows that Jim uses them for his garlic so she put the leftover ones aside for him. Wait here and I will get them.” And so Lisa went and came back with a pile of bags for Jim and his garlic. Barb, Wendy and Lisa have always been so friendly, welcoming and professional in that store. And they have always made everyone feel like they are preferred customers. They extend kindness every day and these paper bags were another example. Kind acts connect us, hold us together and make us feel like we matter.

Strands of Support

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 01:12:00 GMT

We all have the potential to send strands of goodness, positive energy and support out into the world. Every act of kindness, generosity and love sends ripples to the collective. A kind word, a smile, volunteering to help someone or a cause, donating to help a situation or person, holding the door open for someone or giving up the parking spot to the person who pulled in at the same time as you. The list can go on forever. These strands of light and love and goodness hold us all. They connect us to each other and we rely on them to get us through our days. They give us hope.

52,558 strands are currently floating around us in this county. These strands are made up of 19 teams that include 57 participants who are moving to raise awareness and money for the Abbey Retreat Centre (ARC). Every team is unique in what they are doing. People are lifting weights, hiking, biking, seeking beauty, paddling, doing yoga, swimming, walking their dog and some have been known to dance in their kitchen and at the dump. There are 19 generous sponsors who have stepped up to support the event. Further, there are an incredible 339 people who have donated to our challenge so far. We are a generous county! So far we have raised $52,124.00. When you add all these numbers together you get 52,558 strands of commitment floating around us.

I am on a team called After Coffee and Tea and what I love about this event is that every team is doing something unique. Every person is contributing in their own way. It is really fun to read the bios of the teams on the Haliburton Highlands Challenge website. People who have had cancer are participating. Some are moving in honour of someone they have lost. People are participating from across Canada. Our goal for the fundraiser is $80,000 and we are going to make it! More and more strands are added daily. And then the real celebration begins when we add the participants who will get to go to ARC with their caregiver because of the money we have raised. Their strands are extra super strong because we all know how grateful a person is when they are sick, and get to be looked after. Get to be loved. Get to be cherished. Get to be in the beauty of the Haliburton Highlands.

I am so thankful that I have not had cancer, but I have lost a father-in-law and sister-in-law and in this past year a dear friend who I loved. We all know people living with cancer and our love helps in every way that we can give it. If you want to read more about the HHC and ARC check out https://abbeyretreatcentre.ca/haliburton-highlands-challenge/ . I bet you will know someone who is on a team, or someone who has donated! I really don’t like asking people for money, but I am asking you to consider donating a strand or 20. Every single strand helps us. Thank you.

56

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 01:11:00 GMT

Larry looked so handsome, dressed up in his dress pants and white shirt. Margaret was radiant in her colourful outfit. They were so happy to be out. I had the pleasure of sitting with them at the Abbey Gardens John McDermott concert. Larry and Margaret were out for the evening to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary. Sitting with them was a delight. They are kind, attentive, happy, in love people. It was a beautiful evening and we were all sitting in the big tent that sits in a field surrounded by beauty. There were huge cumulonimbus clouds filling the sky. It is such a peaceful place for a concert. It felt magical. The opening act were 2 men from USA called Peter Porcelain and the American Standard. It was their first time in Haliburton and they were so happy to have been hosted by such kind people and performing in a really beautiful venue. Margaret, Larry, Jim and I were taking it all in.

Before John came out to perform, Margaret told me that she has been listening to John’s music for years and years and this was her first time seeing him live. She was excited. She explained that her favourite song was called “Voyage.” She hoped he would sing it. We listened to the opening band, we ate some snacks, had a drink and settled into our seats. As we waited for the show to begin, I found myself thinking about the things that we do to manage our inner well being, our inner happiness and why that is important, especially being married to the same person for 56 years. Each of us has to manage our inner well being if we want to stay in a relationship. We have to manage our happiness. I know for myself one thing I do is to pay attention, really soak in and savour moments when I am in joy, in beauty, in good company. I could feel that all of us were savouring this magical evening. We are just so lucky to have these opportunities that fill our souls. Moments like these make us feel happier and that has got to be good for a marriage.

Soon enough John and his band got onto the stage and the show began. To Margaret’s delight, his opening song was “Voyage” which tells a love story about being in a relationship: “I’m a sailor and you’re my first mate” and how they set off to sail determined not to fail. “They ride out storms and the doldrum in patience and hope. Working together they learn how to cope.” The chorus was “life is an ocean, love is a boat. In troubled waters it keeps us afloat.” There could not have been a more perfect song sung for these two love birds sitting beside me. Through their 56 years I am sure they have had lots of delight and lots of heart ache but they have continued to sail. Really it all comes back to love once again. We are all called to love! And that makes the world a happier place.

Kitty Love

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 01:10:00 GMT

This is a love story between 2 black cats named Peachy and Luna. I first met Marcia Stephen over 30 years ago when she dropped her middle daughter, Myra, off at camp. She was a bright and cheery mother who was very proud of her 3 girls! Marcia and I crossed paths many times over the years, but became very connected in the past year and a half. Marcia developed Alzheimers and it became necessary for her daughters to take turns living with her.

Marcia had a cat named Peachy who was her best friend. Marcia loved Peachy with her whole heart and Peachy loved Marcia. Quantum physics tells us we are all communicating with all life all the time. We are all in a relationship with each other and paying attention is the most basic expression of love. Marcia poured her attention into Peachy, and that created a beautiful loving bond that really helped Marcia every day. Peachy sat on her lap, slept with her, marched up and down the halls with her, made her laugh every day and was by her side constantly.

Throughout her life Marcia was always an avid card writer and one day a card for our kitty, Luna, arrived in our mailbox. And that began a pen pal relationship that made all of us smile. Being creative and silly is good for everyone. And there are a lot of cat cards out there! I recently heard a teacher say that enlightenment is a willingness to be intimate with all of life. The life within you, and the life around you. Marcia was someone who was intimate with all life throughout her life. She poured her love and attention into her family, her work, her hobbies, her friends, her adventures, her volunteer work, her book club, her yoga class, the nature conservancy, her community and her kitty. Marcia’s attention created deep bonds between her and all of life. Nothing was left out. Nothing was turned away or considered separate. What a beautiful way to live. I think a person feels larger and more expansive when they feel like they belong, and that they are connected to everything. Marcia lived a very large life.

In May a group of us joined together to create a team to enter into the Haliburton Highlands Challenge (HHC), to raise money for people living with cancer and their caregiver. Myra asked Marcia if she wanted to participate and of course the answer was yes. Marcia loved to join in and she always wanted to help others. Myra and Marcia created a goal to go on adventures and seek beauty as part of their commitment to the HHC. They were able to go on one adventure and as always had stories to tell and pictures to share. On July 22 Marcia passed away, surrounded by her family who loved her. Our HHC team is forever grateful for the willingness Marcia had to join us and do what she could. She may have forgotten that she ate breakfast, or where she got her beautiful necklace from, but she never forgot that she was connected, that she belonged and that she can help make a difference. We miss you Marcia, and just know that Luna has already sent Peachy a card.

https://www.mundellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Marcia-Stephen

The Pink Beans

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 01:09:00 GMT

https://www.mundellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Marcia-Stephen

The Still Point

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:06:00 GMT

Our minds are often spinning a million miles an hour at the best of times. So many thoughts about the state of health care, the environment, education, raising children, homelessness, caring for aging parents etc. It is a lot. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. When a person receives a cancer diagnosis, I can only imagine how the spinning thoughts increase and start to include thoughts about treatments, surgery, appointments, waiting rooms, medication, fear of the unknown, anger, and all kinds of concerns about family, friends, and work. The mind is like the wheel on the bicycle. It just keeps on spinning.

I am currently taking a course where we talk about the “still point” at the centre of the spinning. The “still point” sits at the centre of each one of us. Many of us don’t even think about the “still point” and in my experience I have found it takes some time and practice to access it. When we are sick or injured we tend to identify so much with our physical body and we often forget our quiet centre, the inner teacher, the secret beauty. Our true selves. The Abbey Retreat Centre {ARC] exists for people with cancer and their caregiver to contact, get to know and even rest into the “still point.” ARC does this through providing on-line and in person retreats that give the participants the chance to be in nature and beauty, to be nourished with really good food, to experience gentle bodywork and yoga and to do some really cool expressive arts activities. Participants connect to others and know that they are not alone. They get to rest and be looked after and slow down. They get to be loved.

ARC subsidizes people for 100% of the cost. Participants don’t have to organize or worry about anything. They are fully taken care of and what a gift that must be after spending months and maybe years paying attention to the spinning wheels. ARC accepts donations to run their programs. They also run a fundraising event that I am participating in this summer. In its 4th year, the Haliburton Highlands Challenge (HHC) asks teams and individuals to get active and move to support ARC and the participants. Every team or person makes up their own challenge and then seeks out donations. The team I am on is called “After Coffee or Tea”, and our idea is that after our morning ” cuppa” we will head out and be active. We all have different goals, and I will share more as we get closer to the starting date of July 1. ARC needs people to donate to these teams, or to join a team or create one. There are lots of ways to get involved. I have had so many friends who have had cancer in my lifetime. Breast, liver, prostate pancreatic, ovarian, colon, brain, foot, skin, lung and bone cancer. I have watched these friends spin and be in the “still spot”. We all benefit from being able to contact this quiet centre within us. Please check out https://abbeyretreatcentre.ca/haliburton-highlands-challenge/ .

A Wise Society

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 01:08:00 GMT

I have always believed that change comes from the bottom up. That every single person that shares this planet has a responsibility to take care of it. To make choices that benefit all beings. If I relate it to our bodies, we wouldn’t want to take drugs that will help our lungs but would cause our liver to quit working. We wouldn’t want to ignore our brain health so that our heart keeps beating.We always want every cell in our body to be healthy.

It’s the same with our planet. We want and need healthy water and clean air to breathe. We want habitat and homes and good food for all beings. Everyone deserves respect and to feel safe. We want a healthy planet for our great grandchildren to grow up on. I saw a large piece of art recently that was a bunch of bees and the caption on it said “If we go, we are taking you with us.” It is a reminder that what we do to the one we do to the whole. I recently read an article that talked about the wisdom traditions considering the idea of “wise society." A society that is based on mutual respect, protection and care for all beings and the entire planet. Who wouldn’t want to live in a society like this? Mutual respect, care for all beings.

I write this article on a day when the air quality is so poor in Haliburton. It is hazy and I can taste the smoke in the back of my throat. It is hard not to feel despair for the planet. And then I pick my sad little self up and I join with my qigong group and we do a class dedicated to the trees and the firefighters. We remember that we are connected to all of life and life is connected to us. We take care of each other and then go into our families and our friends and continue to contemplate how we can contribute to a wise society. What are the daily choices we make that help, and what contributes to a healthier planet and those who live on it? There are lots of issues, and lots of causes to consider. We don’t have to do it all, we just have to do our part to contribute. My neighbour just watched a huge snapping turtle lay her eggs at the end of the driveway. They have watched her come to this spot for years and her eggs never hatch. This year they called the Turtle Guardians who came and are incubating the eggs for the mother turtle. They will return the turtles that hatch to the spot where they were laid. One small action that makes a difference. Turtles, bees and all of us matter in a wise society.

Jeff Coyell

Tue, 23 May 2023 01:05:00 GMT

Our county is made up of many unique and diverse pieces that come together to make a very rich and interesting whole. Everybody matters and every business matters. The diversity makes us an interesting place to live and visit. We can never take for granted what each of us brings to the whole.

We lost a beautiful piece of the whole last week when Jeff Coyell from the Haliburton Supplement and Bulk Food Store passed away suddenly. I, like everyone who knew him, am very sad and still in shock. Jeff was a very lovely friend and store owner. I was in his store a few days before he passed and we had enjoyed our usual bantering and conversation. Jeff had a smile on his face whenever we connected. He was a very happy man. When I saw him we always began our visit by talking about our dogs. His loyal and well-trained dog, Jack, was one of the dogs that inspired Jim and I to get our dog, Billie Rose. Jeff loved Jack and had a big picture of him in his store. We often ran into the two of them when we were doing our early morning walks in the park. After the catch up on the dogs, Jeff would ask about my husband and daughter and I would ask about his family. Jeff genuinely cared and always listened as I chatted away. The conversation would move to my business and how I was doing and what was new or different or challenging in the world of yoga. He was consistently interested and kind. In all the years I knew him he never complained or said anything bad about anyone or any business. He made it easy to want to shop in his store. He made it easy to want to return.

I think we can all learn from that. It takes so little to offer a kind word, to ask good questions and to listen. And it makes such a big difference. I always felt like he listened to understand and to connect. And that made me a loyal customer and friend for many years. In the wisdom traditions they teach that our bodies are a vessel or container for our spirit, our essence or our inner light. Jeff’s body has returned to the earth but his spirit, his essence, his kindness will be remembered and felt by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with you Kelly and Jack and thanks Jeff for running a great business in our village and for being a good friend. You are missed.

Hands

Mon, 08 May 2023 01:04:00 GMT

I am not sure where this article is going. But I keep on writing. I was sitting in a café this morning and watched as a young woman walked past holding the hand of a wee toddler who looked to be about 2 years old. The little girl looked so happy and proud of herself as she strutted along wearing her bright pink sunglasses. Her arm was fully extended up as she reached her hand to hold the hand of her mom or caregiver. I found it so moving.

The simple act of holding hands. It says so much. I remember how lovely it felt to walk with my daughter, holding hands, when she was little. Her warm, tiny hand connected to mine. The love, trust and caring that we both felt. I still love it when my husband reaches out and holds my hand when we are out on a date. Dave Gunning sings 2 songs about hands that I love. One is called “These Hands” and it considers some of the things people can do with their hands: write songs, deliver babies, comfort someone crying, bless a million people and help deliver the world from evil. His other song “Hard Working Hands” talks about men who built boats on the east coast, and in the chorus he says “if you want to tell the kind of man I am, take a look at these hard working hands.” I have 2 friends who photograph the hands of their friends and family, young and old. And last weekend I attended the Highlands Festival Singers concert for their gospel concert. The show was uplifting. The second half began with a song about our hands helping each other. In the practice of qigong we talk about the hands being an extension of our heart. We give and receive with our hands and express our creativity with our hands.

As I watched the little girl walk by I found myself thinking about how we all come into the world wanting to be connected. To hold hands. To belong. We start like this girl wanting to be part of a community. To feel loved and cared for. To be fed, feel safe and have a home and to be healthy. I don’t think we ever lose that desire. We feel loved when we are helped, and good when we are the helper. Lots of research shows that we feel happy when we are giving and helping (hence the incredible volunteer efforts that go into making our community a vibrant place to live). And there are times in our lives when we are able to be on the giving end of things, and other times when we need help. We need someone to hold our hand and help us. There are many challenges facing our society today and a lot of work to be done in many sectors. We each have to remember that all of us can help in our own way. If we have a lot we can give a lot. If we have a little we can give a little. It all helps strengthen our community and our planet. We all have the ability to hold someone's hand.

Home

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 01:03:00 GMT

All beings need a home. In the wisdom traditions it is taught that we all have 3 homes that we need to love as much as we can. The first home is our earth. The earth is feeding us, and feeling all of our actions. As I sit to write this article I am very aware that spring is slowly coming, I can see life returning in the buds on the trees, in the birds that are arriving daily and in the garlic, daffodil, leeks and other bulbs poking up. Each of us has to contemplate the choices we make and if they come from love. Every small action adds up.

A second home is our body. This vessel of love is a community of our muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, fluids all held by our birthday or “skin suit” that we are born in. I remember in my yoga teacher training course many years ago the instructor said to us “if this home wears out, where are you going to live?” In other words, take good care of yourself for heaven sake. You can buy a new car, but you can’t buy a new body.

And then there is the home where we live perhaps alone, with family or friends or pets. We all need a place to love and feel safe, warm, relaxed, protected, healthy, strong, connected and secure. I cannot imagine what it would be like to not have a home or be able to afford one. We all love our homes and everyone deserves to have one.

When Jim and I were in Tobermory last week we hiked to a lake to see if the eagle nest that we saw last year was still there. We were excited to see that the nest was still there, and there was a female sitting on her eggs again. At one point 2 more eagles flew in, one bringing her food and one hopped around on the branches. We stood quietly for a long time just watching.

Yesterday Jim and I did our annual bird box cleaning at Barnum Creek. We opened 10 boxes and found nests from chickadees, blue birds, some wasps and one had a squirrel's nest we think. Each box was a little home.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a meeting hosted by the not-for-profit organization “Places for People.” Their volunteer board of directors focus on creating and managing quality, affordable housing in Haliburton County so that their tenants can thrive. They currently own and manage 12 units and are planning to expand. Housing is essential to the wellbeing of our county. If we want to attract and keep people from all professions, if we want young people to stay or return, if we want to be a county that looks after each other and helps one another, we need affordable, and well managed housing.

I know my home is my refuge where I can rest, rejuvenate, look after myself and then go out into the world to contribute. Everyone deserves a refuge. There are so many ways to support housing in our county. For more information about Places for People check out placesforpeople.ca .

Space

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 01:02:00 GMT

It’s Easter Sunday and Jim, Billie Rose (BR - our dog) and I are in Tobermory staying with friends at their beautiful cottage. After a very full day I was getting ready for bed and took BR out for one last time. I stepped outside and was immediately in the presence of the evening sky that was full of stars and the bright moon. We walked down to the edge of the water and stood taking it all in. I just love the feeling of space. The space above me, the space below me, the space in front of me and behind me and space on both sides of me. I was surrounded by space. I think space might be just the medicine the doctor ordered for me right now. Sometimes we all need space from our every day lives. As we stood by Lake Huron I was aware that there is space everywhere. In between all the stars and planets in the sky. Around the moon. In between the trees we walked through to get to the edge of the water. There is space in between all the rocks that we were walking on. There was space in the water we were overlooking.

Sometimes in life all we need is a little space to give us perspective. As BR and I stood there I felt a sense of awe and of being a very small part of the universe. But a part, none the less. I felt connected to all life in that moment. Connected to beauty. So alive. And I was so happy to be sharing it with BR. I stood there and became very present. I felt my body breathing, I felt my feet on the ground and the warmth in my hands. I set the intention to be present. I didn’t want to miss this moment. I thought about the wisdom traditions I have studied that teach each of us are also filled with space. In yoga and meditation we connect with what some call our inner spaciousness. Our inner aliveness. Our secret beauty. Parker Palmer, in his book “A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward An Undivided Life – Welcoming the Soul and Weaving Community in a Wounded World” alludes to this inner spaciousness that sits at the centre of each of us. Parker says about this our inner space “Thomas Merton calls it the True Self. Buddhists call it original nature or big self. Quakers call it the inner teacher or the inner light. Hasidic Jews call it a spark of the divine. Humanists call it identity and integrity. In popular parlance people call it the soul.” Many people I know call it this inner space the presence of love. Love that sits at the centre of us and is always there for us to take refuge in. Space is love. Aren’t we lucky to live in a part of the world where we have so much space around us.

Pura Vida

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 01:01:00 GMT

I recently listened to a podcast by Tara Brach, a well known psychologist, teacher, meditator and author. She does weekly talks on mindfulness, buddhism and psychology. In this talk she had just returned from leading a meditation retreat in Costa Rica. The focus of her talk was on “Making the Whole World Your Friend.” Tara introduced the topic by saying that in Costa Rica there is a word that gets used a lot, “Pura Vida.” It means the pure life, the good life, the simple life. Costa Ricans consider it an expression of their culture and they use it to say hello, goodbye and we are connected in a friendly and happy way. It is an expression of friendliness which is really the atmosphere of their culture. I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but this alone makes me curious. Who wouldn’t want to go somewhere that believes in consistent friendliness as a way of life. I am sure we can all agree that we all feel more relaxed, trusting and at ease when we are around friendly people. Living in a tourist area such as Haliburton County, where we rely on people coming and staying and returning, I would think that friendliness is very important. We want to be known as being friendly, and I believe we each contribute to a friendly atmosphere it in our own way.

Recently 2 members of our community packed up their home and moved to Niagara on the Lake (NOTL). Judy and Charlie Davis moved south to be closer to family and for other personal reasons. They had lived in Haliburton for 20 years and we were sad to see them go. Charlie is well known for his love of music and the music that he made with his friends over the years. He and his band members performed many times for the long term care residences, at music in the park, in local pubs and beyond. Charlie also volunteered at the Fish Hatchery for over 16 years. Judy worked in Health Care for many years and is known for her beautiful home and gardens that she created. Most of all, I would say that Judy and Charlie are known for their friendliness. They always have time for a conversation, a story to share and questions to ask about the lives of people they are engaging with. Judy and Charlie are positive, kind, caring and friendly people. They are very missed in our town. They arrived in NOTL and began to move in. Within a day they sent a text to us saying that their neighbours had been over to welcome them and were very friendly. Jim and I laughed and the first thought that came to our mind is that of course Judy and Charlie have friendly neighbours. It is because they are friendly and friendly people find friendly people! When friendliness is part of your daily life there is more opportunity for kindness, warmth, humour, ease and a cup of tea! Life is easier. I often think of that saying, “People won’t remember what you wore or how your house looks, they will remember how you made them feel.” Friendliness matters.

Adverse Conditions

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:59:00 GMT

We’ve all got to do things that make us happy.We are all different and we are all evolving.I think we are all happiest when we are doing something we love and something that involves our senses.Maybe we are listening to music we enjoy, or tasting a delicious homemade meal, or watching a sunrise or a sunset or a favourite sporting event, or maybe we are playing with a child or grandchild. We are happy when we feel connected and when are senses are engaged.I have a dog that I walk once, twice, sometimes three times a day.It honestly keeps me smiling and active every day. Being in nature surrounded by beauty makes me happy. I’m not the only dog walker out in the area that I walk.I often run into other people.

One day a few weeks ago I was enjoying a walk and could hear someone singing loudly.I smiled and carried on.I heard the singer a few days in a row and began to wonder who it was. The person sounded very enthusiastic. Several days later I ran into Harry Morgan, Minister of the United Church and long-time neighbour.He was singing at the top of his lungs as he walked his two dogs. In passing he said to me “don’t mind me, I’m just practicing for a performance.” I smiled and carried on walking and listening to him in the background. When I got home I told my husband, who had also heard the singing.We both thought that the United Church must be rocking on Sunday mornings to the tunes of Neil Diamond and Chicago! We continued to listen to Harry sing for a couple of weeks. It made me smile every time I heard him. Last weekend I had a few friends who told me they were going to a dance at the Legion with a band they had never heard of, and thought were from out of town.They invited Jim and I to go, and normally we would but we were attending a Celebration of Life for a friend and couldn’t go. In the days following the dance I I have talked to a number of my friends who attended. It was a fundraiser for SIRCH. I learned the dance was sold out and that people had a great night of dancing to all kinds of favourite rock and pop music. The perfect thing to be doing in the middle of February. The 10 piece band, called Adverse Conditions, was from Haliburton and Harry, the dog walking singer, was the lead singer. What I had been listening to in the meadow was Harry rehearsing the songs that he was performing at that dance.Adverse Conditions covers music by Neil Diamond, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Michael Buble, Joe Cocker and more.I watched a few videos of the band that people posted on social media.They were having a great time. Harry Morgan, Minister by Day, Rock and Roll singer by night.I’m sorry we missed the great event that supported SIRCH, but we will be there next time.And I look forward to hearing Harry rehearse out in the meadow for his next performance.

Love

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 23:46:00 GMT

This is a love story. Sort of. It’s Valentine's Day. I’ve been reading a book by Robert Holden called “Higher Purpose”. To sum it up he says we all share the same purpose. To love ourselves, our families, our friends. All of life. Our purpose is to love. Not to look for love, but to give love. I’m letting his suggestion land in my heart and I contemplate it daily. It’s easy to love people I love. It’s harder to love people that are mean spirited, unkind etc. Maybe that is where the real work of love starts.

Here is my love story for the day. I have a class that I teach every Wednesday morning at 11. Some students have been with me for 10 years, some are new. Everyone is on zoom except for a couple. The class is a blend of very gentle movement, energy medicine and meditation. We use “The Power of Eight” work by Lynne McTaggart to support all of us with the many challenges life is giving us (illness, recovering from injuries, supporting people in their dreams etc.). This lovely Wednesday morning group is full of love. We often say as we practice that we are each love, sitting in the love. We are light, moving in the light. Last week we gathered and I started the class with a reading. Part way through I looked up at the screen and realized that the group was gone. I couldn’t see anyone. My computer said I had no internet and yet the internet was working in the studio. I tried to fix it and stay calm (I had one student with me in the studio.). I tried to send an email to the group to say I was having problems and it wouldn’t go. I could feel myself getting worked up. I took a deep breath and decided I had to let it go and focus on the person in the room. So we sent our good wishes to everyone on zoom, and we did our own quiet little practice. It was lovely and I felt calm at the end.

I got home an hour later and sent out a message to the group to apologize. I could not figure out what had happened. Within minutes I got several replies from the zoom members. They all said “Oh not to worry Lynda, we had a great class. We took turns leading different parts. It was really lovely and we spent the whole hour together.” I just about fell over!!! I confirmed that they had stayed on my zoom account even though I wasn’t there with them. (I have since learned my new phone may have taken over for my computer so the link was open on the phone). Seriously, I do not love this technology but I continue to embrace it and try. What I love about this story is that the group carried on without me, they loved each other, and trusted each other to create a lovely class for themselves. They had their class, and Julie and I had ours. We all love this practice and recognize how it keeps us connected and supported. We focus on love and then we send it out into the world. To all beings who share this earth. And we know it makes a difference.

Haliburton Framing and Photo

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 01:13:00 GMT

“Every moment is made glorious by the light of love.” Rumi. I really do love living in Haliburton County.It is a special place on this wondrous and precious planet that we live on.I work hard to never take it all for granted.I’m writing this article as the snow is falling and we have friends visiting for the weekend. We’ve been skiing, snowshoeing and shovelling all weekend.We couldn’t be happier.Last night Jim and I attended the Tara Lightfoot concert at the Legion, sponsored by the Haliburton County Folk Society. The show was sold out, Thom Lambert opened for Tara and it was a fantastic evening. Tara lights up the stage and her band is equally bright.Tara lives in Haliburton County now, and her neighbours were in attendance.It’s this kind of community that keeps us healthy, connected and belonging. I personally try to celebrate every good news story about our county.Every good thing that happens, make this place a wonderful place to live, and visit.

There are so many fabulous things happening in downtown Haliburton right now.Scott Walling, from Walling Studio ( wallingstudios.com ) has taken over Perfect Prints from Luke Schell. Luke has retired after many years of dedicated service.I know Scott from a distance.He often comes into the cafe where we have coffee each morning. He is always so friendly, kind and has a big smile on his face. We always say good morning to each other and sometimes we have a quick chat about being creative. Two years ago Scott made these funky little felted gnomes and had them for sale in the cafe at Christmas time.My husband loves gnomes and so I got him one as a gift.That gnome has sat in our living room since it arrived on that Christmas Day.It is a little reminder to me to be creative, be funky, be kind.It all matters. “Scott is a multidisciplinary artist working in numerous mediums; analog & digital photography, printmaking, jewellery, fibre arts, sculpture, painting, and drawing. He also works at Haliburton School of Art + Design in many positions, including Coordinator of the Centre for Making”.He volunteers with the Art Council and Rotaract. His plan is to combine the store - Haliburton Framing and Photo ( haliframesphotos.co ) with his job at the college.On his website he says “I will help you present your art to the world.”It is so exciting for the community to have this young businessman starting his business and contributing to our community.If we want businesses like his to succeed we need to support them.If we want our downtown to thrive we need to shop locally when we can.Scott and other small businesses are the people who support our hockey teams, our soccer clubs, our curling rinks etc. Scott is someone who loves art, love supporting people in their art and loves his life here in Haliburton.That is a guy we want to keep around!