A Mindful Moment

I felt like we won the lottery when we got a day use pass to Garibaldi Park. This was my longest ~20km hike, taking over 5 hours. The reward and sweat were well worth the effort. The views of the turquoise lake and glaciers took my breath away (literally). I had the desire to go hiking and my easygoing husband indulged me by waking up early with me while on vacation, carrying my water and listening to me ponder life for several hours. ... My mother and good friends took care of our kids while we explored nature. We descended with wobbly knees, mosquito bites and lightness in our hearts. #hikingadventures #garibaldilake #glacierwater #amindfulmoment #bucketlist See more

As Ive been preparing my content for a TBI Life Coach workshop, Ive been thinking a lot about my sister. My sister suffered a brain injury at the young age of 22. In her life with a brain injury, she found herself "letting go" while still trying to "hold on". This constant pendulum was draining for her. I saw her pain.... I saw her tears. I saw her fears. I saw her confusion. I saw her frustration. I saw her loss of friends. I saw her loss of Self. It has taken many many years for her to realize she cannot return to the person she once was. I know there are still times she mourns her old self. I try to bring her back to the present and focus on the person she is and will become. I will never truly understand her journey but Ill walk alongside her to help navigate. #lifecoach #tbilifecoach #transformationalcoaching #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #changeyourlife #posttraumaticgrowth #consciousminds #braininjury #sisters

I can make wine disappear. Whats your super power? Ready for a week long recharge with the family... away from home. ... #amindfulmoment#mindfulness #relaxation #naramatabench See more

This wasnt always easy. My high school friends, who are still my besties, will attest to my fiery energy towards those that did me wrong. It would take years before Id realize that there was no purpose feeling angry with people who dont have the capacity to change or take more time to be understood. I needed to change the way I perceived things, find better ways of communicating or simply remove myself from time to time. The people and things that a...nger you end up controlling you. So dont give anyone or anything that power. #lifecoach #transformationalcoaching #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #changeyourlife #posttraumaticgrowth #momentrepreneur #consciousminds #growthmindset #pushmybuttons See more

Friday night and I cant wait to turn more pages. Most days are centered around caring for my family, friends and clients - all of which is immensely rewarding. Most nights my own self care doesnt start til after the kids go down. That might include going for a run around the neighborhood, an online workout, Netflix with the hubby or writing in my journal... Lately Ive started making time for reading again and I love everything about this book so far. I know I am ...happiest when I make the effort to do something I enjoy every day. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own to do list. - Michelle Obama #iselfcare #internationalselfcareday #michelleobama #amindfulmoment #lifecoachvancouver #momlife #momentrepreneur See more

Your breath is your anchor and remedy for physical or mental distress. Focussing on mindful breathing clears your mind of all the daily distractions and gives you energy to bring your body and mind back to the present moment. I often have to remind myself to just breathe (being in labor or having young kids can really make us forgetful)! Once I create some mental space and become conscious of my breathing, it becomes deeper and slower, bringing calmness an...d a more relaxed state. Even my kids will sometimes blow candles using 5 fingers and deep, controlled breaths to reset themselves. Breathing is the link between your mind and body. #lifecoach #transformationalcoaching #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #posttraumaticgrowth #consciousminds #awarenessiskey #justbreathe #resetyourself #mindandbody See more

Black lives matter. Reading, listening, learning. #blackouttuesday

Lets talk about it. With more recent unsettling events, we are having more conversations with our kids about race. We talk about differences and how people are sometimes treated unfairly on the basis of race. I share my personal experiences of being taunted for looking different when I was in Tennessee, Ohio and even right here in BC. Racism and prejudice arent confined to the past. When it comes to current events, I tell my kids the truth, give them age appropria...te information and let them lead the conversation. We want our kids to be self-aware and aware of other peoples experiences. We encourage them to ask us questions, listen and help navigate their curiosity. While conversations are crucial, our children will inevitably learn most from the examples we set for them. While there is unfairness, there have always been people working to change that, and we are all a part of that change. We can empower our kids to speak up and support others when they need assistance. #blacklivesmatter #empowerourkids #amindfulmoment See more

Dumpling Therapy My quarantine creative outlet that comes in all shapes and sizes. It conjures up memories of my childhood when I used to watch and help my grandma wrap dumplings after school. I rarely made dumplings before because of time limitations. Like many of you spending more time at home, Ive made it a commitment to try new things when I have the energy. I had fun playing with these shapes and sharing stories of my grandma with my kids.... My 4yo daughter loves helping me and my 7yo son sure loves consuming them. As you take on new (and old) projects that stimulate your creativity, notice whether that eventually rubs off in other areas of your life. #lifecoach #transformationalcoaching #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #momentrepreneur #consciousminds #dumplings #kitchentherapy See more

Creativity reduces anxiety and stress and ultimately helps with finding solutions. This is something I remind myself of on those more difficult days when I need to find more calmness. Creativity allows you to enter a more relaxed state and just have some fun.... Writing and baking help me manage my negative emotions in a productive way. For some people, painting or drawing helps them express trauma or experiences that they find difficult to put into words. Creativity gives you a sense of purpose and leads to feelings of accomplishment. Dance, cook, build, play, design, garden...be creative! #lifecoach #transformationalcoaching #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #posttraumaticgrowth #momentrepreneur #consciousminds #calmness #getcreative See more

Happy belated Mothers Day! Who doesnt love a day to be celebrated! My family filled my heart with food, drawings from young "artists" and an afternoon nap! On Mothers Day, Im flooded with memories of the strong women who raised me.... I didnt take any pictures yesterday but I did find this gem of a photo from my mothers wedding day. She is the stunning bride on the far left in the front row. My stoic grandma is second from the right in the first row. Both were so strong and such bad azzes. Both loved to dress up and get their hair done. Family always came first. #happymothersday #amindfulmoment #grandmalove See more

For Mental Health Week, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes social connection to protect mental health. With recent disruptions to daily life, mental health has suffered as many people have spent most of their days at home feeding feelings of isolation and stress. Wellness does not need to be an individual effort. Connecting to your own thoughts and feelings is a start. Sharing genuine feelings, truly listening to others and building/maintain...ing your support system are all important tools. #wellnesstogether #connectwithothers #getreal #amindfulmoment #lifecoach #mentalwellness See more

People often hear me talk about how easy it is for our emotions to take over our logical reasoning. In trying situations, it can be debilitating and lead to anxiety and stress. There are times though, especially at present, when listening to what your heart has to tell you can have a profound positive impact on how you connect and communicate with others, and how you can walk away from some of the conflict within. A gentle reminder to listen with your he...art. #amindfulmoment #listentoyourheart #connectwithothers #pandemicsurvivalplan #cherryblossoms See more

Whether we are introverts or extroverts, we never imagined we would all become instant homebodies. While there are some social aspects I miss, I am very grateful our friends and family around the world are healthy. The word "homebody" itself makes me think how our home, body and mind are intricately connected. They can be filled or emptied by our own daily choices. They all impact our overall wellness and have the potential to create refuge in uncertain times. ... Home, body and mind have become misaligned for many of us lately. Take time to surround yourself with things you love, practice self-care and show self-compassion. #staystrong #stayhomestaysafe #homebodies #realignyourmind #self-compassion #amindfulmoment

Happy International Siblings Day to a sister Ive always looked up to (because youre that much taller than me). Weve been through a lot together over the years but Im glad you were always there by my side. Sisters are like fat thighs...they stick together. ... I missed seeing you in person so we surprised you with a social distancing visit. Sure glad you live on a lower floor. Ill always be here to encourage you and remind you of your most embarrassing moments. Fortunately for me, your short term memory works in my favor. Love you jie jie! #happyinternationalsiblingsday #sisters #fbfriday See more

Heroic workers continue to work to provide essentials that meet our daily needs. We are sharing with our kids the gratitude we have been feeling for the heroes in our community with huge hearts. Our friends who are healthcare workers not only put themselves at risk, but after a long shift they come home to play with their little ones. We want to deliver fresh baked goods to you. ... Teachers are exploring creative ways to engage with our children through online learning, all while teaching their own kids at home. We will continue to send you thank you messages for your thoughtful videos and check-ins. Grocery staff, delivery drivers, bus drivers, supply chain teams, sanitation workers...we will openly express our appreciation for your efforts to ensure we are taken care of. #togetherwearestronger #thankyouhealthcareworkers #thankyouessentialworkers #heroeswithheart #amindfulmoment #momlife See more

Filling Buckets What a pleasant message left outside our front door. D was so excited to receive a secret message from a good friend. Good reminder that you can fill your own bucket by filling other peoples buckets. Thanks @violetinvancouver ... Please give a shout out to those who have filled your buckets this week. #fillingbuckets #gradeone #actsofkindness See more

They are putting rainbows on windows in Italy, Spain, UK, New York and Chicago as a sign of hope, solidarity and resilience. Although most of us are confined indoors, people are still enjoying the spring weather and taking walks along our street while practicing physical distancing.... We decided to paint our windows as a reminder to stay positive. We hope to bring a smile to others faces during this time. Stay safe. Be strong. #frommywindow #wereinthistogether #stayhome #staysafe See more

View from my window. Cherry blossoms are worth the wait and make staying at home even easier during this time. #cherryblossoms... #wfhlife #amindfulmoment #stayhome #viewfrommywindow See more

I am offering 3 complimentary Life Coaching sessions! Check out my Instagram page to enter the contest. Stay safe and healthy!

PERSPECTIVE The other day my 6-year-old told me hes happy we are in quarantine because we get to do fun projects that we usually dont have time for. We could either let this be a stressful and traumatic time in our childrens lives or we could try our best to create some lasting memories of all the fun our kids had at home with their parents.... It will take a little extra creative energy on our part as we navigate working from home with kids and filter through all the news. Enjoy this time playing and learning with them. It has also been therapeutic for us to do these little projects together - making robots out of wood scraps, planting potatoes, making ice cream (yeah!) and finding new ways to connect with family and friends. #lifecoach #perspectiveshift #amindfulmoment #consciousminds #quarantinelife #funathomewithkids #creatememories #createpositiveenergy See more

A Happy Place. This picture was taken exactly 2 weeks ago at Redondo Beach in California. Reminds me of a carefree and happy time with friends and family. Although weve been self isolating at home for several days, my heart is still full and very content. My husband and I have been working from home, setting loose activity and learning schedules for the kids, playing in the yard, talking and truly listening.... Were learning as a family how to support each other and friends during this COVID-19 chapter of our lives. We are inundated with a copious amount of information daily and take from it what we need. Through it all I try my best to stay positive - our thoughts create our experiences and we can bring back our happy place regardless of where we are in place and time. I hope you can find yours from the comfort of your home. #happyplace #redondobeach #motheranddaughter #wfm #happyheart #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #consciousminds #lifecoach #homeiswheretheheartis #onechapter #covid_19 See more

There is an over abundance of fear and anxiety around this global crisis as people resort to unconscious coping mechanisms. Each of us can do our part to remain conscious and dispel this negative energy. While things may be uncertain for the foreseeable future, my hope is that we slow down and find greater presence, develop greater compassion for others, and find ways to lift one another. Be thankful for your strong bodies and stay healthy.... #strongmindandbody #consciousminds #amindfulmoment #becalm See more

Supermoon From sand to snow My first official skiing lesson landed me here this beautiful day.... WOW! #supermoon2020 #fullwormmoon #firstskilesson #conqueryourfears #takingitallin #amindfulmoment @ Cypress Mountain See more

Happy International Womens Day Heres to all the aspiring achievers, the creative creators, the fearless freedom seekers. A confident woman has a strong voice. However, the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.... Heres to finding your voice. #girlswithdreams #iwd2020 #lifecoach #transformationalcoaching #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #momentrepreneur #consciousminds See more

Runners high! I havent run without feeling lower back pain in 7 months. Pelvic misalignment was causing daily pain and discomfort from simply walking or standing. Once I was diagnosed, I started physio earlier this year and followed my exercise program. I went for a test run this week and I felt surprisingly good!... I thought Id have to stop running partway through, but my mind and body needed this. My back feels fine and my legs were sore (possibly a residual of Disneyland). The stunning beach views certainly helped. #redondobeach #runnershigh #pelvicalignment #lovethebeach #physioforthewin See more

VACATION MODE My family loves the ocean. My mom recently shared her favorite memories with me. One time I brought her to Hawaii and she loved staring at the beautiful moon from Waikiki Beach. Another time I took her on a thrilling speedboat ride at Redondo Beach. My kids share the same love for the ocean. Now that were back in Cali on vacay, the beach is a must for some relaxing play time. We play in the waves, run along the shore, and build castles for... hours. #soothemysoul #amindfulmoment #mindfulness #calivacation #consciousminds #lifeisabeach #kidslife #thelittemoments See more

Our adventure began in a Galaxy far, far away! We traveled through space and had a suspenseful battle with the First Order. 6 days of amusement parks really exhausted the kids and us parents! Long days resulted in a few tears here and there, yet our kids never wanted the fun to end. How did we manage to stay smiling? We traveled with 2 other families and tag teamed on rides, food runs, bathroom breaks, fast passes and strollers. The churros, fried chicken ...and dole whip may have helped too. I would do it all again. #disneylandcalifornia #starwarsgalaxysedge #riseoftheresistance #familiesthattraveltogether #goingbacktocali #toddlermom #toddlerlife See more

Sometimes we laugh so hard that the tears run down our legs. @jaypharoah, man from the burbs, has such an amazing gift to make people laugh...hard. He even stayed after his show to meet some fans. My sister and I have been exchanging experiences for several years and this was my Christmas gift to her. We love to laugh til you cant see our eyes. ... #jflnorthwest #jaypharoah #giftofexperiences #laughterisgoodforthesoul #sisters See more