Easier than I thought

Just Water!

I am on day five of my very first water fast. That's right just water. It was easier than I thought it would be, which surprised me really.  I researched it completely before I started and felt that I could do at least one day.  Water fasting is becoming more popular with alternative health practitioners as a way to rejuvenate and heal your body.

Did you know water fasting has been going on for many centuries. If you're interested, check out this YouTube video by Tyler Tolman and Eat, Fast & Live Longer, Which Tyler mentions in his video, they both explains the process really well.

 

After the first day, I decided to continue. My second day was difficult I had headaches and lower back pain. The key, I felt, was to continue to ensure that I drank enough water to keep hydrated and I went to bed early.  On my third day, I still experienced some headache but not as bad as the previous day, but I had no pain in my lower back. Most of all I really was not hungry at all. 

I found it interesting that I still had energy and was able to go about my day as though I was having three meals a day. I was also even able to continue working out.

Well, on my forth day, I did something I’ve never done before. I had a colonic!  Whew, it was scary at first but mostly in my head because it is something of a mystery, you know no one talks about for some reason.  A big part of it was the fear of the unknown and not to mention the yucky factor.  Therefore, I enlisted hubby to go with me. Needless to say, he was a reluctant participant, but he went. Like my niece said to me, 'some couples go for couple's massage, but her aunt goes for a couple's colonic'. 

Down the hallway to...

I went to Body Cleansing Systems, which is part of a Chiropractic clinic in Ottawa. The entire process was really professional from booking the initial appointment, with quick email responses and a reminder of the up coming appointment.

 

The technician, Veronica, a nurse, was able to explained the process and put me at ease immediately. Once I mentioned I was on a water fast she checked my sugar to make sure that there was no issue. It was good so we proceeded. 

She escorted me to a little room, soft lights and music, similar to a massage room. She gave me a pair of disposable shorts with a cut out on the bum. Not too sexy. lol She instructed me to turn on my side and she put into my butt the attachment. It didn’t hurt, but it was a bit uncomfortable though. And then the 40-minute irrigation began. Other than some minor cramps at the end it was really not bad at all.

Interestingly, is it was all very clinical and so hygienic. Veronica checked my sugar after and everything was still good! It is difficult to explain how I felt afterward, the best I can say is it was like how I feel after a massage, calm and lighter but not lightheaded.  Will I do it again, yes, I think, I would.

Today, on day five, I am breaking my water fast and will start with just having a small amount of watermelon. The watermelon tasted so fresh and sweet. I took my time savouring each bite. That is an important point, introduce food slowly after fasting of any type. 

July 2015 Alberta Trip

Last week I traveled to Alberta. It was a mixture of business, adventure and a solemn goodbye to a lovely and dear family member.

I had an amazing time visiting with some family and friends.

I visited with my mom in the extended care at Fort McMurray hospital. She didn’t recognize me at first, which didn’t bother me because I have enough memory for the both of us.  After the second visit she did recognize me and gave me a sweet kiss.

I also got to hang out with my brother Rossi.  He is doing better and has moved into his own place. Thank you, Wood Buffalo Municipality, in particular, Angela, who went over and beyond to ensure Rossi was settled into his place.  With the help of professional support I hope he will continue to improve and regain the use of his right arm.  Try doing things with just one arm, it is really difficult. 

An impromptu road trip with my sister, her husband, and my cousin, on the winter road to Fort Chipewyan Alberta is one I won't forget anytime soon. OMG the winter road in the summer is an adventure to say the least!!! The road was sandy, hilly and bumpy as all hell.  The bumps and dips in the road, I was told, are from the all terrain vehicles that are on the road throughout the summer.

Lorraine Albert

When we reached the secondary road to the cabin there were many felled trees on the road but fortunately for us, my sister’s husband, was prepared and had his power-saw with him.

In the end, the view was worth the drive... 

Annually there is a pilgrimage to Lac St. Anne, Alberta.  The pilgrimage has a long tradition where many first Nations peoples from the north venture each summer in mid July to pray and meet with friends from other communities they have not seen all year. My mom would attend each year until she was too old to travel.

Elders from Fort Chipewyan!

This year, I was fortunate enough to meet some of the elders before they headed south. Arrangements are made by the two first Nation bands from my community to transport elders from the community to Lac Saint Anne. The elders are well taken care of while on the pilgrimage. They are set up in trailers and their meals are prepared for them. Volunteers attend to their needs ensuring they have water, tea, or coffee throughout the day.  

Black Joe never ages!

Super Granny!

Then I traveled back to Edmonton to attend the funeral services and reception for my sister-in-law Dawn.  It was so sad. She and my brother had been together for almost 34 years.  They were high school sweethearts.  I will miss Dawn’s good nature and sweet smile. 

Although, it was nice to see some family members and to catch up, too bad it had to be under difficult circumstances.  

And, I finally got to spend the night at my wonderful niece’s house,  before she sells it. lol  I slept in the "Paris room", ooh la la! 

WHAT IS YOURS

Every Living Thing 

in 

the world 

has 

a 

PURPOSE 

The Flip-Side of Life is DEATH

I sat in the radiance of the full-moon feeling insignificant and introspective one evening. In this state of being, I began to pondered these questions:

• What is life's purpose?
•  What is our true purpose? 
•  Does life's purpose change over time?

Our life on earth begins with our first breath and each subsequent breath sustains our life.

When we are faced with the unexpected, like  a death, perhaps a loss of someone close, we become acutely aware of how life is so very precious and delicate. Death is literally one breath away. 

I've been searching for the meaning of life ever since the first person in my life died, my grandmother. One day she was living and the next day she no longer walked on this beautiful earth. When I was hit with the realization that I would no longer hear her voice and see her smile, oh, how I cried and could not understand how she could be gone just like that. What meaning did her life hold, I thought, as my tears flowed. What is the purpose of loving someone and then having them snatched away? Why do we have to go through this pain?

Since then I have experienced more loss and each time I go through the same cycle of grief and bewilderment. What does it all mean?

Thinking of death fills me with equal amounts of fear and fascination. The fear is because I don't like to think about death and the finality of it all. On some level I think if I think about it, death will be conjured up. I choose instead to think that my love ones will live forever. 

But on the other hand, I am also fascinated by the questions of death. It is after all a natural part of life. Do we have a soul? Where does our soul (if we have one) go when they die? Is time and space blurred when we die? Why do we still feel the essence of someone after they die? 

Honestly, we don't want to think about it, do we.  Most of us don't even want to say the word, died. We use euphemisms like "passed away" or "no longer with us".  life is consumed with routine activities of survival, eat, work, play, love, and sleep, which leaves little space to think about the nasty subject of death.  Essentially, we avoid it as much as possible.  

But death is unavoidable. Then someone we love dies and we are forced to deal with it.  Our reality is forever changed and sometimes it can take a long time to come to terms with the loss. In the haze of our grief and uncertainty we begin to think more deeply about our human existence. 

The flip side of living is death. How can you be fully alive if you don't look at death? Indeed,  as we can become more aware of how vulnerable life is, there is no question we will appreciate it more and the people in our life. 
Thus, we become alive. We want life to matter. We want meaning. We feel more deeply. We're more attentive to the ones we love. We say "I love You".  

However, this stage can be brief and when the grief has passed, we go back to going through the motions again. Back to our daily routine and back to living without being fully alive. On the whole, we are satisfied to go through the motions of living without being fully conscience. 

Under the defused light of the full moon and feeling inconsequential, with a zillion thoughts and emotions competing for space in my mind, nothing comes close to answering the question of life's purpose. Perhaps there are no answers. I've intentionally left out any discussion on religion and how religions explain the notion of death because we really don't know, do we? 

"Death the only immortal who treats us all alike, whose pity and whose peace, and whose refuge is for all - 

the soiled and the pure, the rich and the poor, the loved and the unloved."  Mark Twain  

MY MAGNIFICENT LIFE: A Dene' Warrior

MY MAGNIFICENT LIFE: A Dene' Warrior

I wrote that blog post linked above more than twenty years ago after my dad died.  Thinking of him on Father's Day.  

Could You Live Here?

Ottawa River
Serenity Now!!!

Are you contemplating buying property? Maybe you are downsizing and searching for not just a home but also a little slice of a dream. I have just what you need in this Canadian waterfront property. It is situated only 15 minutes west of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and perfectly positioned on the Ottawa River. You’d get the best of both worlds, city life and all that it offers and the serenity of countryside living.

Feast your eyes on simply the most spectacular display of magnificent sunrise and sunsets. Silence broken only by the intermittent songs of birds. Missing is the noise of traffic, ambulance or police sirens.  Deer, wild turkey and other wildlife still meander the property. This is nothing short of paradise.

Sometimes when I am hanging out by the koi pond and waterfall, all by my lonesome, it feels like I am the only person in the world. It is an ideal place for meditation and reflection especially next to the waterfall and koi pond. Although, it is not so isolated that you don’t have access to the Internet or pizza delivery. lol

If you work in Kanata or Ottawa, the drive provides you with enough time to wash away your stress and as you approach the road leading to the house you’ll notice the weight of the workday fade. Really, you can’t buy therapy that works this well.

You'll look forward to coming home and won't want to leave once you get there. 

Your playground is the river. Swimming, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing are only steps to the beach.  Or maybe you just want to hang out on the hammock and read with the soothing sound of the waves against the shore. Summer evenings are perfect for roasting marshmallow on the fire by the shore and watching the sun set.

 

And since I live next door. Unlike the city where you may live in the same house for years and never know your neighbours, here you will have the perfect balance of knowing all of us in the neighbourhood and you’ll still have ample privacy. 

So, what do you think, do you want a slice of paradise or what? For more information contact me!