I once heard the wonderful Joanna Lumley (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0525921/) in her ever-gracious way say this when talking about how human beings treat animals.  She simply said "people are remarkable", and so they are.  Watching the politics swirl around the fate of the three beautiful elephants at the Toronto Zoo all in the name of ego and politics is, well, remarkable. For those of you who may not be following the story, I will link here to a blog from almost a year ago when these three ladies were almost home free: http://www.elephantroomcards.com/tarra-toka-thika-and-iringa.aspx and yet still they sit in Toronto on an area not large enough to give them the health and happiness they deserve. 

Here is the article from yesterday's Toronto Star. Photo by RENÉ JOHNSTON/TORONTO STAR

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1169783--bob-barker-threatens-to-pull-back-money-to-transfer-toronto-zoo-elephants

And here is a further article from today by Keith Lindsay, a scientist and elephant expert:

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/1169809--paws-sanctuary-in-california-the-best-place-for-toronto-zoo-s-elephants

We like to talk about elephants here, of course, but really we are talking about all animals.  These beautiful creatures that populate our planet, just trying to do what they were put here to do, while we as humans get in the way of the natural process.  I truly hope that in a very few days I can post a picture here of Toka, Iringa and Thika in their new home at the PAWS sanctuary in California.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/emotionalhealth/Pages/Menandemotions.aspx

I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful St. Patrick's Day and Happy Spring.  This year has brought many changes for me and for almost everyone I know.  It is a year of tremendous transition, and there are many lessons to be learned.  I hope you are all enjoying the site, and that you continue to find resolution in your relationships by using the cards.  Please keep those emails coming.  I love to hear from you.  I enjoyed this column written by Rob Cribb and I wanted to share it here.

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/1137384--cribb-mdi-is-where-men-can-be-men

...and it just makes me happy!  The site is by invitation only and if anyone here would like to join (it's free), I'm happy to send you an invitation.  The elephants are up there now for the world to see, as well as pictures of gardens, DIY ideas, art, architecture, fashion and just about every other gorgeous thing you can imagine!

Let me know if you want to check it out!

...From the UK for Christmas and I just had time to put it together today.  It was loads of fun, and even though it said "age 7 and up", it was fairly challenging to keep everything where it was supposed to be.  Happy Sunday everyone!  I hope you're doing something fun and relaxing!

I wanted to include her in our Ten Questions because of her natural insight into the world and her beautifully inquisitive mind, which is one of the most open vessels I have ever seen. Lis, from my experience actually lives from the phrase many of us simply recite, that being "Do unto others...". Her wonderful new album "Refuge" is available on her website as a physical CD or as a digital download.  You can hear a sample here: http://lissoderberg.bandcamp.com/album/refuge

From her website, I quote:

Music is not her only passion; she is an ardent fan of art in general.  "I think art, or any act of creation, is entirely necessary.  There are times when we're overcome or overwhelmed, beyond logic or reason, and the only thing that seems to make any sense is when we let ourselves get 'inside' with some kind of creative act."

Please stop into her website and find out more: http://www.lissoderberg.com/

Here are our ten questions:

What is on your mind lately?

These days what I'm thinking about in a practical way is multitasking; can't live with it, can't live without it.  Same with technology.  And as always I'm obsessed with the concept of creativity, especially when it comes from unexpected places.

What is the kindest thing you have ever known someone to do?

That's a tough one ... I've seen a lot of kindness, but I am always moved by how people invariably rise to the occasion in the face of tragedy.  (Not everyone, unfortunately — but almost everyone.)

When was the last time you felt inspired?

Is there a sliding scale?  A little inspired yesterday when I decided to crumble a coconut cookie over coffee yogurt (MMMmm), and a lot inspired a few days ago when I was thinking about ways for artists to collaborate/cross-pollinate.  (I'm making a list.) 

What are you sure of?


I have a deep conviction that no matter how awful or challenging a situation is, there is always a way to make it better, and there is always some necessary thing to learn from it.

What do you love about people?

Our infinite variety, and our capacity to constantly push past our limitations.

What gives you butterflies in your tummy?  

Heart palpitations.

How do you combat stress?

A while back when life was just a little too jam-packed I noticed that things which would normally make me very stressed no longer had the same effect; I guess I "blew a fuse", as they say ... and I just never bothered to replace it.  Spending time with the people I love is always magic, but when time & schedules are tight I can get a lot of mileage out of a great design magazine and a CD player (my fave right now is 1930's music).

What do you value most in people?

Integrity, creativity, a desire to contribute something worthwhile to the world, and the ability & willingness to imagine oneself in another's shoes.

What is the best advice you ever received?

"Don't quit your day job."  No, wait, that wasn't it ...

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Yes, a lot more time with my family and friends — a remarkable collection of beautiful souls, and I'm grateful every single day to know & love you!  
 

While there I was reunited with family and friends that I don't get to see nearly enough and because the weather was glorious, I was able to walk the countryside and commune with nature. England is one of those places that I yearn for when I am not there.  I love my homeland of Canada of course, but the "sneaky" wind and stone walls do call to me.  Ashley Jackson, is one of my favourite artists and I was able to browse his wonderful Yorkshire studio once again, while visiting Holmfirth.  No one captures the moors and farms like Ashley in my opinion, so I thought I would share a link with you, so you could take a look for yourself.

http://www.ashley-jackson.co.uk/collections/print-collections

...about 18 months ago when I was suffering from chronic myofascial pain with trigger points.  I was skeptical, not always being as open as I would like to think I am about things I don't totally understand. She put me at ease immediately and her intuition and insight helped me tremendously. She was able to articulate in a way I could understand, how my emotional and spiritual state was affecting my body and healing.  Since that time we stay in touch and I find her many projects completely fascinating!  Here is a link to her college: http://www.mmedicalintuitive.com/ and to her work with her Sensory Sound System http://www.mmedicalintuitive.com/products/sss/ . I thought she would be a perfect person to ask to be part of our "Ten Questions" and I am grateful that she agreed!

What is on your mind lately? 

Far too much!

 

What is the kindest thing you have ever known someone to do?

Adopt abused and/or homeless animals and love them to pieces!

 

When was the last time you felt inspired? 

A constant sometimes battle to manifest all my inspirations – I am a Gemini!

 

What are you sure of?


The world is a beautiful place full of beautiful souls even though we sometimes forget this fact.

 

What do you love about people? 

Their uniqueness and the fact that we all really just want to be heard and appreciated.

 

What gives you butterflies in your tummy?  

Looking into the eyes of my baby grandson when he looks back at me.

 

How do you combat stress? 

I walk and I read – not simultaneously!

 

What do you value most in people? 

Integrity and honesty as well as insight for hope. A sense of humor is good too.

 

What is the best advice you ever received? 

Years ago my mother talked about looking for a silver lining – it took me a long time to realize what that meant.

 

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

We can live a life of pure magic if we just let ourselves do so without needing to know why!

I am so moved by the work she and others are doing for the community at the centre (http://www.hivaidsconnection.ca) and I asked her if she would participate in our "Ten Questions".  She was gracious enough to share some thoughts with us...

 

1. What is on your mind lately?

A little over a month ago my father died. It was a shock, since for all intents and purposes he was healthy with no true forewarning his death was so close. The time between diagnosis and when he died was one week.

The busyness of everyday life continued immediately after his death – work, kids’ activities, volunteer involvement and family. The busyness, although serving at times like a salve that assuaged the grief, has also acted as a barrier to fully engaging in mourning his loss. I’m still trying to process the reality of my father’s death.

During that one week, my family spent as much time as possible with him in hospital. The first few days we thought he’d be going home. The last few days we knew he was never going to see his home again, so we were with him 24-hours a day watching him struggle to breathe, fighting the pain and the debilitating affect of both the drugs and his disease. We were with him, my Mom holding his hand and me with my hand on his shoulder speaking gently to him and letting him know it was alright to let go, when he took his last breath.

We stayed in the hospital room with his body for another hour. I was struck by the instantaneous disconnect of body and person once the breath is gone. I’ve been thinking about how strongly we identify with our bodies, this vessel we are given at birth and how we let it define us when, in fact, what truly defines us is our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and opinions - our animus; that virtually ineffable thing within us that makes us who we really are. We are nothing without cognition. Once it is gone, we cease to exist except as memory and genetic legacy passed through our children.

This train of thought has been dovetailing into the struggle I have with the cult of celebrity and beauty. So much emphasis is placed on the package we are wrapped in to the detriment of the substance within.

2. What is the kindest thing you have ever known someone to do?

One of the kindest things I witness fairly often is a simple gesture - giving a hug to an individual who the average person would shun; someone who hasn’t bathed in days, has open sores, who instantaneously reads as homeless and down-and-out.

3. When was the last time you felt inspired?

The last time I felt inspired was after my father died and I was asked by my family to make an urn for his remains.

4. What are you sure of?

I’m sure I know next to nothing and can foresee very little. I’m more and more sure the pathway to happiness is letting go of expectation and allowing possibility to enter in whatever forms it may take.

5. What do you love about people? 

I love diversity among people, different customs, language, belief systems, appearance and ways of thinking about life. I love the tremendous intelligence, curiosity and drive toward understanding people have.

6. What gives you butterflies in your tummy? 

Learning, experiencing and seeing new things gives me butterflies in my tummy.

7. How do you combat stress?

I combat stress by spending time alone communing with my home, cleaning, listening to music or sitting on the balcony in the sun.

8. What do you value most in people?

I value emotional and intellectual growth in people.

9. What is the best advice you've ever received?

The best advice I ever received was to buy the home I now live in. It is a modest home that gives me comfort and joy every day.

10. Is there anything else you would like to share?

The thing I fear the most is letting my fear win.

...and already I can imagine a day out with my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter shopping at the market for the fresh food we will prepare and the smell of turkey filling the house on Sunday.  We do it right, with squash and pumpkin pie and all the necessary autumn decorations.  We are blessed. It is my favourite holiday, requiring only gratitude for its celebration, and like many Canadians I could fill ten blogs with things I have to be thankful for.  Freedom to love who we choose. Freedom to worship who we choose. As the song says (Canada's Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYnkzWTjQr4) "Free to be me".

If you celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend too, I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday.  Here is a little quote I found about gratitude:

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world ~ John Miiton

Happy Thanksgiving,