Huge trees lay fallen on the hillside.  An intense windstorm had swept through the nature park just weeks before.  A family spanning three generations were halted in their tracks by the sight of fallen trees and freshly cut stumps, remnants of the massive storm.

The eldest of the clan quietly observed their surroundings, then created a story using animated body gestures showing how strong winds must have whirled through the area.  His wife on the other hand was rendered speechless, overcome with great sadness for the grove of old trees she had enjoyed since childhood.  Her son was also speechless, mesmerized by the beautiful designs and colors exposed by recent cuts across fallen trunks.  His partner did not see any beauty in their surroundings, only devastation.  Their young children danced excitedly around them, oblivious to the unique observations of others.  They pointed high above to the large gaping hole in the forest canopy, saying that someone must have turned on a giant flashlight.  The littlest one, now crouched down low in the sunlight, erupted with a holler, “Look!  A baby forest!” as she pointed to tender shoots emerging from the forest floor.

This is life.  The cycles of life are evident everywhere.  Old gives way to new just as darkness gives way to light.  All elements are valuable, important and necessary.

A large truck idles noisily at an intersection.  The license plate at the rear is encased with a silver frame and message warning all drivers behind that it makes frequent stops.  But this is not a delivery truck and instead of delivering goods, this regular pick-up truck claims to stop at every Tim Hortons to pick something up.

It seems this pick-up truck is not alone.  The line-up of vehicles at every Tim Horton’s drive-thru reveals this.  Whether picking up a favorite drink, donut, or sandwich, Tim Horton’s has become more popular than a visit to Uncle Fred, Aunt Sue, or Grandma Muriel!  No need to get out of the car, no need for family etiquette and social graces of longer visits.  Just short and sweet, a smile and thank you, then hit the gas pedal and away they go.  Easy.  Maneuver through traffic, take a sip … “Ahhh.hh.h!”  Turn a corner.  Take a bite “Mmmm.mm.m!”  Life is good.  Or is it?!

Faster is not necessarily better.  Conveniences come with a cost, some of which you can see and others you can’t.  Consider all the costs of our modern conveniences today, well beyond the wallet.  Think about the long term impact of your choices today and how they impact our environment for future generations.  We always have choices!

It is a warm summer evening.  A roomful of women have gathered together to sing in honour of water.  The instructor is a talented vocal artist who sings with passion and reverence for the planet and all living things.  The songs she teaches are simple melodies that resonate with the soul.  Some are chants from different languages and even though this is the first time uttering these sounds for many, the music unites all in spirit and reverberates through the room like echoes in a magnificent valley.

The power of twenty plus voices united in song cannot be underestimated. The walls vibrate and energy within magnifies as the evening progresses.  Music transcends all time, space, languages and cultures.  Music is the universal language that unites all people in harmony for the love of life!

Click here for a link to water song.

A fire in the heart of a city wreaks havoc.  As emergency responders take care of the situation, a miraculous unfolding takes place not far away.  A man who is almost blind finds himself in a dilemma.  Transit has rerouted buses and the man does not know where he can catch another bus.  He asks someone passing by and they point him in a direction, one of which he is not familiar with or is able to see or comprehend clearly.  In his confusion, help comes in the most surprising way.

An elderly woman approaches him and listens to his predicament.  She responds by sharing her challenges with her vision and together, the two link arms as they walk slowly and carefully to the next stop.  Midway, they meet another elderly woman and the three converse for a short time before she joins them.  Now there is a trio walking down the street, one man sandwiched by two women, all walking together comfortably, joyfully and safely.

This true story portrays the reality of everyday life.  Sometimes we find ourselves in unexpected challenges and somehow, things work out.  No one can predict life.  Life has a rhythm of its own and we would all benefit by finding ways to dance with life, just like this trio did.  Strength in numbers is undeniably powerful!

A stern voice pierced the air: “You’re here to have FUN and get exercise!”  The little girl look inquisitively up at her mother.  From the look on the child’s face, she was having fun dipping her toes into a puddle of water.  A group of boisterous children played joyously around her, pumping water from a large hand pump and filling buckets for flooding the sandy village below.  It appeared the little girl was quite content to be on the sidelines, enjoying the fresh water that poured endlessly out of the spout.

FUN is subjective.  What is perceived as fun for one person may be painful for another!  Children naturally know how to have fun and exercise is the natural byproduct.  Adults, on the other hand, seem to have forgotten this.  When was the last time you leisurely dipped your toes into a puddle of fresh rain water or romped barefoot through a grassy meadow? When was the last time you blew dandelion seeds into the wind or swung joyously from a rope dangling under a tree?  If you can not remember, then perhaps it is time to give yourself a free day to simply explore your surroundings and follow your senses wherever they take you.  Make like a bumble bee and flit from shrub to shrub.  Absorb all the sweetness life has to offer!