new year’s resolutions

Happy 2021

Posted on by DLeduc

This morning a picture came up in my Facebook memories and I remembered how 1 year ago today I was driving across the country on my way home from the woods of Quebec. The picture was taken in the middle of northern Ontario. Though I have done cross country trips several times now, I always marvel at the natural beauty Canada has to offer.

Little did I know at that time that for most of 2020 I would be staying at home or close to home. I went into 2020 full of optimism after a 2019 that for me was marked with illness and surgery. I went into 2020 full of goals, dreams and plans.

As with everyone else, 2020 was not what I had envisioned.

Yet, the eternal optimist in me enters 2021 full of hope and a quiet contentment. With my business I still face months of uncertainty as I know that government guidelines will dictate what operations look like. However, this year my goals and dreams are softer. I just want to do work I love, contribute to kindness in the world, and find beauty in the simple things.

Though I know that I can only imagine what this new year might bring, I trust that no matter what there will be days that I smile, moments of joy and times nurturing connections with others.

Wishing you a peaceful 2021 with moments of beauty, fun and a little adventure

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101 Things in 1001 Days

Image | Posted on by DLeduc

Do you set new year’s resolutions, goals, or aspirations? Or do you prefer not to bother with any of that?

My habit had always been to set aspirations each year. A few years ago though I stumbled onto the idea of 101 Things/Goals in 1001 days.

The idea is simple. List 101 things you would like accomplish in the next 1001 days. What is not always so simple is coming up with those 101 things. It does take time to get inspiration and reflect upon that many things you’d like to accomplish.

1001 days equals about 2.75 years. To easily calculate the 1001st date you can type “1001 days from now” in your internet search bar. If you were to start the challenge in the next while you would be set to finish early autumn of 2023.

I am currently on my second time doing this challenge. One thing I learned my first time around was to do a mix of fun and more challenging items. For example, one of my things had been to learn to make 10 cocktails while another had been to put $25 into a tax free savings account for each goal accomplished.

Whatever gets added to your list, have fun with it. While we might have ambitious goals it’s also important to enjoy the journey.

Below are a few ideas from my current list

  1. Run 5km.
  2. Take a photography class or workshop
  3. Do a No-Spend Month
  4. Read 5 Giller Prize winning books
  5. Learn some basic sign language
  6. Donate blood 6 times
  7. Paint kitchen
  8. Plant 2 apple trees
  9. Try kiteboarding
  10. Visit a new place in Canada

A New Year-It’s Not Too Late

Posted on by DLeduc

We’re one week into a new year and a brand new decade. I hope it has been a beautiful beginning for you. If it hasn’t though, know that that is okay too.

While I spent the holidays in a woodland paradise it was not all blissful days of perfection (though there definitely moments of that). Instead, there were unexpected external stresses that popped up which meant extra work to be done. There were injuries. There was a group of people all navigating their own feelings, wants and needs. And so, I find myself feeling a little late to welcoming 2020 in a way that is right for me.

I need solitude. I need time for meditation, reading,  yoga and reflection. Though I adore being the woods, I have found to my surprise that it is here in my little old house on the prairies that I can get all those things I need. It is here that I can organize my thoughts, then dream and plan for the year (and decade) ahead.

Long ago I gave up making new year’s resolutions. They seem too strict for me. Making them I always felt like I set myself up for failure. Instead I began focusing on my aspirations for a new year. With aspirations it is okay to have a bad day (or week), it is okay to mess up from time to time. I find aspirations allow more freedom on the journey to your goals.

So, today on a cold and windy Saskatchewan day,  one week into 2020 I will finally light a candle, sit down with a cup of Earl Grey tea and dream about the year ahead. I will write down my aspirations for 2020.

If you have yet to give this gift to yourself, I invite you take a few moments over the next few days and put pen to paper for your dreams. Here’s to a year of hope, intention and beauty.

Namaste

Photo by Kristin Vogt http://www.pexels.com/kristingroth2