Happy Canada Day!

Quick note to wish you a Happy Canada Day! I had snapped this photo at the Blue Jays game last week during the National anthem. I love holidays, especially since I picked up my daughter yesterday for summer holidays! Life is good. Hope your day is filled with family, food, fun, and fireworks! Have a great one...

Creatures Great & Small...

I just wanted to share some of the adorable creatures that my husband and I have snapped photos of in the last couple of weeks. There is something about seeing a bunny in the yard, a robin perching on a fence post, coming across a turtle near a pond, happening upon a deer on the side of the road, or enjoying the neighbouring horses, that makes my heart full. In times of deep reflection I have a tendency to get lost in the perplexity of the world and how best to navigate my way through. Identifying things I am grateful for, like the creatures that grace my path, is one way that I reframe my perspective.

Especially following closure of a project or the end of the seminar season, I get a bit antsy about the fact that it will be a couple of months before I will have the opportunity to address another group for a speaking engagement. With the reality of summer and knowing this has always been my one of my quiet times, I explained to my husband last night that I feel like a passionate musician who doesn't get to play their instrument in the summer time.

I long to be of service and use my gifts and skills, and once I have replenished my energy, I am ready to get back at it. That being said, I am truly grateful that I have the opportunity to spend time with family during the holidays. I will take in many of life's beautiful pleasures this summer and use my time wisely. On the other hand, I am open to ways that I can continue my passions through the summer.

As such, if you would like to arrange a free screening of my new "Whole Living with Julie" DVD with clients of your non-profit group or social service organization, and you are located in the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario area, please let me know by email (makeitwork.julie@gmail.com). I would be blessed to be able to contribute to the lives of others, in some way, over the summer.

Also, in your travels this week, may you keep your eyes peeled for the creatures that grace your path. Awareness of natural blessings is such a powerful healer. It can be the difference between despair and bliss or grumpiness and joy... Even on a rainy day like today, the images are comforting. Have a great one!

'Stop every now and then. Just stop and enjoy. Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life.' Author Unknown

You can watch a short preview of "Whole Living with Julie" at www.MakeItWorkSeminars.com...

Morning Glory

Okay, this waking up at five something in the morning is getting to be quite a habit! The morning summer sky has been luring me out of bed to capture images of the sunrise I guess. Before six, I was out and about and spent the next two-and-a-half hours indulging in my new camera and enjoying the colours and sights of the morning glory.

Two hundred and sixty-four photos later of flowers along the side of our road, a bunny rabbit, a deer, the neighbouring horses, a bumble bee pollinating the orange flowers, lily pads, the rhubarb patch, trees, rocks, and our pond, I finally wandered inside with wet running shoes and soaking wet socks and jogging pants from the knees down. It's hard work trekking through the long grass!

Since my husband was getting tired of me asking him to take photos of everything in nature that interested me, he finally picked me up a simple and inexpensive digital camera. I think I am addicted now! Out of so many photos, there were many that were blurry and trial shots, but that is the beauty of digital. I kept snapping away and learning the settings, until the batteries needed charging and the mosquitoes become too bothersome.

What a feeling though, to start the day with a country walk, watching the sunrise, sitting overlooking our property, and creating lifelong memories of the morning glory. I think every child and adult should have a digital camera and make an adventure out of it. It was so fun!

Now though, just before lunch, and after all those photos and visiting the local farmer's market and a few yard sales, I am ready for an afternoon nap. I love Saturdays! Considering we are headed to a 25th Anniversary waterfront BBQ later this afternoon, I think that's exactly what I will do.

Here's wishing you a fantastic weekend to replenish your energy and indulge in your enjoyment activities, even if it's only for a few minutes. If you can't think of anything else to do, I highly recommend wandering outside with a camera. There are a ton of beautiful images in nature that can keep you busy for hours. Trust me...

'I myself am quite absorbed by the delicate yellow, delicate soft green, delicate violet of a ploughed and weeded piece of soil.' Vincent van Gogh

What a Wonderful Week!

Just back last night from a four-day whirlwind of a trip to the big T.O. and Simcoe area and working on getting settled at home and replenishing my energy. Since sharing photographs is one of my energy boosters and favorite things to do, I have included some snapshots of my trip here.

I hope that you all had a great week so far. Welcome to new readers who I met at my two speaking engagements in Townsend and Simcoe, Ontario area Wednesday for the "Self-Care for Professionals" and Haldimand Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. annual general meeting. Absolute pleasure to have spent time with all of you. By the way, I love the pond in Townsend...

Between my Uncle's birthday celebration and visit with family and friends in Toronto and the excitement of watching a winning Blue Jays game with my Mom and her achieving her goal of manifesting Scott Rolen's autograph on her baseball, we sure started off our week on the right foot.






That autograph is a story in itself as she went into the Blue Jays game with the intention of getting at least one of her two favorite players to sign her baseball. She managed one of only a few signatures from any Blue Jays player that night.

Scott Rolen had been warming up, right before the singing of the National anthems, and waved when he noticed us taking photos of him. He then ran over to us and gave some spur of the moment autographs. Rolen also hit a home run his first visit up to bat. He was so gracious and made some of his hard core fans very, very happy; including my Mom! The power of the law of attraction at work.

That night after the game, we also headed to the top of the CN tower to see the city lights and the view of the Rogers Centre baseball stadium from 1800 feet up, where I also indulged in a hug from an R.C.M.P. bear at the CN Tower gift shop.

Considering my Mom said she was afraid of heights, she was sure a trooper at the CN Tower. The only thing she wouldn't do was stand on the glass floor with me or look through the window on the floor of the elevator. I was so proud of her. It was fun to watch her manifest and we had a great time.

Driving to Port Dover on Lake Erie for some sunshine and scenery photographs, before my speaking engagements near Simcoe, was also a treat and it was wonderful to address two groups of new faces that day.

Realizing how well I didn't handle the 32 degree heat throughout the day, I was sure grateful for the relief of air conditioning and ice water. Watching the gorgeous sunset on my way back to Toronto,and a midnight dip in my Aunt and Uncle's pool under the warm night sky, I was feeling very grateful. Exhausted, but grateful...

As I am safely back home now and indulging in a few days of replenishment and hibernation with my husband, I am feeling blessed for all of my life adventures. I am also feeling blessed for the opportunity to do the work that I am passionate about, to enjoy places I have never been, to experience fun and recreation with loved ones, and come home to the tranquility of our surroundings.

Here is wishing you a weekend filled with many of your own simple pleasures. What are you going to do to feel joy this weekend? You deserve to put that on your "To Do" list...

Actually Up Before the Sun!

"Good Day" is certainly an appropriate term that is coming to mind at 6:12am this beautiful morning. I was up, ready to take on the world at 4:50am, two hours before the alarm. Wow, that doesn't happen very often! What was great about this circumstance is that I got to enjoy the sunrise this morning, despite the mosquitoes who were out fast and furious.

Venturing out into the wet grass, clad in my house coat, and my husband's boat shoes and camera, here are some of the views that I witnessed. I just wanted to share them with you before I hit the road, with my Mom in tow. Spending some quality time with the early morning air and beauty sure topped off my energy this morning. Mind you, mid-day energy dip may be a bit of a problem with only a few quality hours sleep last night. Regardless, it was worth it to welcome this new day and week ahead.

Hope you have a great one this week. We are going to be visiting family and taking in a Blue Jays game, before I deliver an afternoon seminar and after dinner keynote in Southern Ontario this week. Feeling very blessed and thinking that I am liking Mondays. Fresh start, clean slate, new beginning to the week. It's all good! For you, I am wishing that you get to enjoy the serenity of the sunrise, if you don't already. I might even make a point to take it in more often. Bye for now my friends...

'The morning of life is like the dawn of a day, full of purity, visions, and harmony.' Chateubriand

Blessing in Disguise...

'Lose yourself in nature and find peace.' Author Unknown

Likely procrastinating finishing laundry and packing, I decided to bike to the library tonight, to return some click flick movies I had signed out. Four kms into the beautiful ride, I realized that my bike was in dire straights. Thinking that lending it out to one of our younger teenage family members for a joy ride was probably the culprit, I pulled into the local gas station to check it out.

Needless to say, I discovered that the tire was bent, rubbing on the frame, and causing the brakes to malfunction. With a few kicks to remove the tire slightly off the rim and some air, I decided to head back home and cut my bike ride short. Just as I rounded the last thirty seconds of the ride, the tire blew like a gun shot under my foot, and I coasted into the driveway.

Initially feeling frustrated that the bike was obviously on it's last legs (or wheels), I then realized what a blessing it was. I was grateful that the tire blew so close to home instead of several kms from home. If I had biked to the library as planned, it was twenty kms in total for the return trip. Considering that we live on a lonely country road with very little traffic, I could have still been walking right now! Instead, I hopped into the car and returned the movies as scheduled.

It was then that I noticed the sun setting on the horizon and was guided to the Richards Landing marina nearby. To be honest, I was also hoping to find a vending machine with chocolate bars, to no avail! Instead, I locked up the car, wondered down the long dock, and found a picnic table overlooking the water. I sat for twenty minutes, taking in the beautiful sunset... Although this photo was taken a couple of weeks ago from the St. Joseph Island bridge, the scene was very similar and in the same vicinity.

It turns out that the bike mishap was a blessing in disguise and I ended up getting eight kms on a bike as exercise, fresh air, returned the movies, and took in some of nature's beauty, all in the same night. Besides, my birthday is around the bend and it seems like a good time to ask for a new bike! You see, there is almost always a silver lining.

Okay, now I am cutting the laundry and packing really close and must get on it. Enough procrastinating for one evening! Have a great fresh new week ahead. I'm off to the big T.O. in the A.M... Will write soon.

'Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.' Author Unknown

By the way, Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there, including my own Dad and hubby... It's always a good day when we get to give our loved ones some extra special attention...

(Photos by Tim Hache)

HUCKSTER: Designed for Real Life CD Coming Soon!

How does a new band make time write, practice, perform, and record their music, put together their first CD, raise families, and hold down full-time jobs and businesses? That's what I asked my sister, who is the lead singer of the band, during an interview with three of the band members of a new emerging group called "Huckster", during the final online talk show of the season.

Lead singer, Krista Nolan, and guitarists and songwriters, Chris Aslett, and Sean Halliday, from Huckster, (pictured with other band members here) discuss Sean's Scottish accent, how their original music developed, and their vision for the band, now that this dream of theirs is coming true.

Releasing their CD - "Huckster: Designed for Real Life", is on their agenda this summer and you can hear a sneak preview of some of their songs here:

LISTEN TO SOME HUCKSTER SONGS

You can watch the interview by visiting: www.SoonewsScoop.blogspot.com.

To book Huckster to play or assist them in expanding their talent as a group, Email: Sean.Halliday@shaw.ca

Look for Huckster's new CD "Huckster: Designed for Real Life" online and on shelves this summer as plans are in the works to have the new CD available at CD Plus in Cambrian Mall and likely at The Rad Zone in Wellington Square Mall, and Krista's business, Mane Street Salon & Spa, located at 626 Queen Street East, all in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada:

Unable to Sleep

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." Lao Tzu

Five something A.M. and I was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Although I am rarely up that early, I realized that it was happening for a reason. When our mind is filled with stuff to process or things to think about, we get distracted from sleep, focus, and attention on other matters.

I was watching a program the other day about the connection between emotional and physical health, that was quite interesting.

What researchers did was create a series of blisters on a person's arm during stressful and non-stressful times in their lives, and measured how quickly the blisters healed. Results, time and time again, demonstrated that individuals who were under stress from exams or life circumstances, for instance, took longer to heal.

Furthermore, studies showed that when an individual was engaged in a complex or stressful conversation, their body physiologically responded accordingly. When they were guided through a relaxation technique immediately following the stressful period, their body also responded accordingly.

The bottom line was that stress on the mind, lead to stress in the body, affecting the body's ability to heal, as well as the ability to fight off illness and disease. Therefore, less stress means healthier bodies.

This morning as I was tossing and turning in bed, wishing that I could fall back to sleep, I realized that I was thinking about all of the things I had to do over the next several days, including getting ready for a four day trip for two seminars in Southern Ontario next week. When my mind kept racing with the list of things to do, I was consumed by chaos. No wonder I couldn't sleep!

I recalled what the television program demonstrated during the relaxation technique portion, where the researcher asked the subject to think of the word, "Calm" and then when stressful thoughts entered the mind to say, "Oh, well", and let them float away. I did this exercise and relaxed quite a bit. Just then, the sun peaked through the window and I decided that getting up and writing down all of the things in my head was probably the best remedy.

From my little de-stressing time this morning, I was able to confirm tangibly that my stress stemmed from my thoughts. When I decided to purposely change what I was thinking, I began to feel better. When we have thoughts that are overwhelming, our body feels stress. When we feel stress, we create dis-ease.

As I write this now, at 7:00am, I recognize how healthy I feel when I get my thoughts down in my journal or on the computer. I suppose that is why I have over 120 journals full to date and over 200 entries in my blog! Well, I am off to write down my action steps for the next couple of days to get it out of my head and then go for an early morning walk. I hope that you have a wonderful day ahead! "Calm" and "Oh, well" are now my new relaxation terms. We will see how that goes...

(Photo by Tim Hache)

Such Glorious Colours...

How quickly the blossoms come and go! Only days ago, this was the view from our front yard, with purple, pink, and white flowers blooming from the trees and bushes. I am so grateful that we were around to catch them this year, as last year I was out of town for the few weeks of the spring colours. The trees have already changed so dramatically, in preparation for next stages and the bees are busy with activity pollinating the flowers.

It is remarkable to me how things around us change so rapidly. When we realize that everything around us in nature is alive and flourishing, and on a mission to achieve their purpose, it is quite comforting. The trick is to key our eyes peeled to watch the transformation before us and realize that the same Power who created all of these beautiful images in nature, also created us...

"Each season has its joys to treasure, to lift one's spirits and bring us pleasure." Author Unknown

Reason, Season, or Lifetime...

Thank you Judy for forwarding this email to me. I may have posted this previously on my blog; however, it was likely some time ago. I do not know the author of this piece of writing; however, it is well worth the read. Thank you all for being a part of my life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime...

~
"People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person...
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime." Author Unknown

(Photo by Tim Hache)

It's A New Day...

Amazing what two days of sleep-ins, afternoon naps, country walks, basking in the sun, a house-warming party with friends, chick flick movies, sitting overlooking our property from our Muskoka chairs, unpacking luggage, leisurely laundry catch-up, straightening the house while listening to my favorite music, writing, nature photos, good food, Dutch chocolate ice cream, time with my husband, and lots of quiet reflection can do to replenish one's energy.

Here it is 6am on a Monday morning and I am wide eyed and bushy tailed, awake with the sunrise (which usually doesn't happen very often!) Leaving the curtain and window open for fresh air last night certainly helped to spur an early morning, as the sunrise beamed through our window and nudged me awake. As I opened my eyes to the sun peaking over the horizon, I noticed my husband outside with his camera, taking these photos. I am feeling so blessed.

As I am about to head for an early morning walk, I am wishing you a beautiful and productive day ahead. In your travels today may you be filled with joy in your step, peace in your heart, gratitude for your blessings, and a confident knowing that no matter what troubles may face you, each and every morning a new day begins, to press reset and start fresh... Have a great one!

"Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can." Douglas Pagels

(Photos by Tim Hache)

Out of Marbles!!!

"Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. Nothing is that important." Natalie Goldberg

I am so out of energy marbles right now that I am running on fumes! Exhausted, drained, grumpy, and tired... my poor husband! That about wraps it up and describes my current state of being. Too many commitments, terrible sleep, and not enough nature! Mind you, I find it difficult to drive away from my daughter after an awesome visit together and usually spend the first two hours of my drive working on reframing my perspective. This time, I could barely drive 20 minutes without having to pull over to rest!

In an effort to get through the five hour drive, I did seek out some gorgeous nature views to add a few marbles to my energy container. After arriving home and finishing some work that I had to take care of, I am officially out of order and down for servicing. The next couple of days are designated for replenishing only. Sometimes we just have to be firm about our need for energy replenishment, because no one else will do it for us. When we are out of steam, we are of no use to anyone.

Looking forward to the next two days and enjoying the gorgeous purple and white blossoms outside of our window. My husband snapped a photo a few minutes ago of a visitor on our lilac bush. Hopefully you can do some energy replenishment this weekend as well. Have a great one!Julie

"We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking. We move along the surface of things [but] there are times when we stop. We sit still. We lose ourselves in a pile of leaves or its memory. We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper." James Carroll

What It's All About...

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it." George Moore

Feeling blessed that changes in my schedule have allowed me celebrate my husband's birthday with him and hang out with my daughter this week during a badminton tournament, guitar lesson, soccer game, and track & field meet! Soaking in all of life's true joys...

Loving all of the feedback from the T.O.P.S. seminar at the Essar Centre. Thank you all so much! Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful weekend ahead. Hopefully the weather is inviting and you are able to get outside and explore. Have fun!

"Whole Living with Julie" DVD is Born !!!

June of 2004, my husband and I moved to his hometown of St. Joseph Island, where we found a perfect, serene, and beautiful 50 acre property, with an old farmhouse, to call our home. I knew in that moment that one day I wanted to film an inspirational DVD to share the glorious views of nature that we call "our little piece of paradise." "Whole Living with Julie" has finally manifested into reality and includes footage from our property, as well as from the St. Joseph Island bridge.

What began as a thought in 2004, combined with a dozen years of being on a path of self-discovery, and five years of sharing life improvement information with others, has resulted in one of the most rewarding and creative projects that I have been involved in so far. I am so excited to share a short preview of this hour-and-a-half video with you.



Thank you so much to filmmaker,Darren Jorgensen, of Molly Media Studios, who caught the bug of my enthusiasm for this vision and decided to nurture this project into reality. It feels fantastic that someone with his talent and experience believed in my vision and made it his own. We are also so grateful for the nature photography by my husband, Tim Hache, music by Sharon Tiessen, editing by Ginette Law, and graphic design by Fuzed Notions Creative Studio.

"Whole Living with Julie" DVD's are currently only available in my seminars or online at www.LivingFullySeries.com and is the first in a series of DVD's to follow. Thank you to everyone who supports and shares my passion for life improvement and nature. You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you...

Welcome T.O.P.S. PRD Participants!!!!

Just a quick note to welcome the almost one thousand T.O.P.S. participants from our session on Friday!!! It was fantastic to spend time with all of you and I trust that you had a fabulous rest of the conference. For any of you road runners, I am grateful that your travels have been safe!

In the midst of some massive REPLENISHING myself. I hope that you are able to do the same as well. Welcome aboard my blog and may you find some further inspiration here. Stay tuned for new additions on a regular basis. Have a fantastic week ahead! Julie