A New Adventure: Chamonix Part II

One day, my husband declared that he had read about a hiking trail called the ‘Tour de Mont Blanc’ which starts in France and passes through Italy and Switzerland. According to National Geographic it was one of best hikes in the world. He showed me videos of picturesque trails and breathtaking mountain views. Thus, the seedlings had been planted for our first hiking trip. Our usual forte was cycling, so this would be a brand new adventure for us. Continue reading “A New Adventure: Chamonix Part II” →

July 17, 2016 14

The Power of Magical Moments: Chamonix Part 1

After turning over a new leaf in my world of physical fitness by embarking on a hiking trip to Chamonix, France, I found myself in a much needed yoga class. Lying on my back, I listened to the woman guiding the practice as she talked about how when we are children things are magical. In our youth, our minds are untainted and open to magical moments. As we become adults, magic seems to be harder to believe in, and our minds become more closed. As a tear trickled down the side of my cheek, my being was filled with happiness, and I was overcome with the realization that my magical moments began in my adult life. Continue reading “The Power of Magical Moments: Chamonix Part 1” →

July 1, 2016 7

An Island Cycling Adventure

Years ago my husband, James, went on a cycling tour of the Sunshine Coast. He was eager to do it again, this time with me. Over nine days we cycled a circular loop along the ocean, covering multiple islands on the west coast of Canada.

The cycling tour was not without some challenges, however, it was the kind of cycling that took me back to the days when I was first introduced to this fabulous activity. Every morning the first clothes we put on were bib shorts and cycling jerseys. We wore this gear all day until we were at our next location, and checked into the accommodations for the night. We often enjoyed a café break, and sometimes even a post ride beer in our less than fresh cycling kits. They became part of our daily routine once again. Continue reading “An Island Cycling Adventure” →

May 25, 2016 6

The Path of Peace

I am on a quest to be in the moment more and more. I want to be as present as possible as much as possible. Today in yoga class, my instructor said ‘Peace is not the destination, peace is the path. I realized that finding my own peace, being present, isn’t something that I will finish and check off of my to do list. This isn’t a task that I can simply complete. I will never be finished with it, or done. It will be a lifelong journey, part of my every day. Continue reading “The Path of Peace” →

May 3, 2016 2

What Cycling is Really About

After being out of the saddle all week, I was eager to finally get on my bike today. When I poked my nose out the door this morning, I was greeted by a grey sky and the chilly air. It was a little disappointing after missing out on several fabulous days full of sunshine and warmth. However, I missed my bike so very much that I was determined to get out there. Continue reading “What Cycling is Really About” →

April 23, 2016 0

Don’t Give Up On Yourself

Don’t give up on yourself. No one else has.

If you read my post ‘Saying Farewell to the Silver Strand’, you will recall that I was quite happy about the progress I had made riding the flatter, faster routes. I was super excited that I had really started to become comfortable riding on my husband James’ wheel. I have done a lot of riding with him over the years, but the winter of 2016 was the first time that I had really been able to stick so close to him so much of the time. My Silver Strand post was a celebration of this accomplishment, and also a bit of a sad goodbye to sunny San Diego. Continue reading “Don’t Give Up On Yourself” →

April 13, 2016 1

Saying Farewell to the Silver Strand

I never thought I would be fast at anything that required physical ability. Before I started riding a road bike, I had no idea that I had an athletic side to me. I spent a good part of my life completely uncomfortable with my physical being. I wouldn’t have dreamt that I would be pedalling hard, sucking wind, and pushing my limits to keep with the wheel in front of me. There was a time when I couldn’t possibly have imagined feeling fast and fierce. What I didn’t realize that the seemingly impossible things can become reality. Continue reading “Saying Farewell to the Silver Strand” →

March 30, 2016 2

Don’t Forget to Be In The Moment

That moment when you take a deep breath and your entire being slows down. The fresh air fills every part of your body, your mind, and your soul. You look around in a way that perhaps you haven’t for while. You really see your surroundings. You drink in everything about the moment. Everything stops, and a great space is created. The pressure is lifted, and the confines of life before this space was created are lifted. It is the most delicious moment. Continue reading “Don’t Forget to Be In The Moment” →

March 20, 2016 4

A Little Girl Terrified of Missing out on Self Realization

Self Realization:

The fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one’s character or personality.
The act of achieving the full development of your abilities and talents.

To completely and utterly become all that you can possibly be – what a concept! I vividly recall the moment in my life when I was first exposed to this idea. I was a little girl in grade school and in class one day we learned about the pyramid to self realization or actualization. It was likely Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, or something similar, that we were studying in our text books. I looked at the pyramid staring back at me, telling me that after my physical and emotional needs were satisfied, then I might have esteem. Then, and only then, after accomplishing a full esteem, I might be able to venture into the world of self realization. I remember feeling a complete panic. What if I never reached self realization in my life time? Continue reading “A Little Girl Terrified of Missing out on Self Realization” →

March 7, 2016 0

When You Know it’s Time to Push

When you know it’s time to push, don’t be afraid. Find a way, and just do it.

There are times when you don’t feel up to it, you aren’t sure if you’ve got it, and you have doubts about whether or not it is a good idea. But, deep down, you know you can and you know you should. There are also times when you simply know that you shouldn’t. There is a very distinct difference between these two scenarios. In both of them, you feel weak. In both of them you may be suffering. In one of them you know you should and it would be good for you. In the other, you know that you shouldn’t and that it is time to nurture and heal. You absolutely must get in touch with your inner being and your sense of intuition to enable yourself to distinguish between them. Continue reading “When You Know it’s Time to Push” →

March 7, 2016 13