Category: #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal: Juan de Fuca Trail

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The Juan de Fuca Trail traces 47 kilometres of Vancouver Island’s west coast, where expansive shorelines meet old‑growth rainforest and remote, tide‑shaped beaches. Hikers can take on the full multi‑day route or choose a day hike.

Inland, the trail moves through ancient and second‑growth stands of western red cedar, western hemlock, and Douglas fir. The air carries cedar and salt, and the forest floor is softened by moss and decades of fallen needles.

My favourite section runs from Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew to Parkinson Creek—a comfortable day hike when you shuttle a car between trailheads. Botanical Beach’s sandstone tide pools are alive with anemones, sea stars, and the intricate life of the intertidal zone. From there, the trail rises and falls through shaded corridors, opening to sweeping views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The route offers an ideal balance of rugged coastline and quiet forest. By the time I reached Parkinson Creek, I was ready for a well‑earned meal at Stoked, the island’s best pizza spot.

The Juan de Fuca Trail is suitable for both seasoned backpackers and day hikers seeking immersion. It is wild, accessible, and deeply restorative—offering not only scenery, but a true forest‑and‑sea bathing experience.

#JoyBlogging

Joy Journal: Sacred Song

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I recently joined a kirtan hosted at MA Wellness and Yoga, a gathering that offered both spiritual depth and communal connection. Rooted in Hindu and Sikh traditions, kirtan centres on the collective singing of sacred mantras and hymns, and is increasingly embraced worldwide as a meditative and devotional practice.

In this tradition, the chant leader—known as the kirtan walla—offers phrases that the group echoes back. Supported by harmonium, drums, and guitar, the call‑and‑response format gradually intensifies, creating a shared field of presence and unity.

The session was led by Naad Yogi Gurnimit Singh, a third‑generation mantra singer, recording artist, musician, and yogi originally from Chandigarh, India, now living in Vancouver, British Columbia. His voice carried a powerful and ethereal resonance that felt like a direct channel to the divine.

Over two hours, he guided us through collective song and chanting, inviting reflection on ancestry, grief, and the unseen threads that connect us. The experience was beautiful and cathartic. Tears were released, and deep joy was felt. I left with a renewed sense of being held by something larger than myself.

#JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #35: March 16, 2024

Photo by David Orsborne on Pexels.com

My mom loved to garden. She was an artist and she brought her creative abilities into nature. She never followed a formal structure or a plan. She figured things out as she went and tended to plants in her own unique way.

The spring before she went into long term care for Alzheimer’s disease, she planted bulbs in my beds. A bunch here, a sprinkling there. There is no rhyme or reason. Now, every March, the daffodils, tulips and crocuses pop up across my yard in the most unusual of places. They creating a beautiful collage of bright colours; and I see my mother reflected every time they appear. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #34: March 2, 2024

Today, I went hiking with my sisters. It was a beautiful afternoon as we climbed up through the winding trails, surrounded by cedar trees, talking about our childhood memories and hopes for the future. There is something incredibly special about people who have known you your whole life: who share your life experiences and understand the complexity of family dynamics.

As we emerged at the summit, I looked across the horizon, admiring the Pacific ocean, and I felt a sense of awe and deep gratitude. We slowly descended the mountain and, after we were done, we stopped in at Mosi where we shared a delicious range of freshly baked goods (so good!) and herbal tea. It was the perfect end to a wonderful afternoon spent together. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #33: March 1, 2024

This afternoon after work, I was tired and grouchy and fed up. It had been a long week and I felt low. But as I looked out my window, I spotted the sun making an appearance after several wet days of grey and rain. My little white dog gazed up at me expectedly with his black eyes and twitching nose; and I knew that I needed to take him out.

Sometimes the body tells us one thing but the mind knows the truth. Even though I wanted to collapse on the couch, I knew that I needed to get out and move my body to feel better. I knew that my dog deserved to stretch his legs and exercise after waiting for me patiently all day.

And do you know what? After being out in the fresh air for two minutes, my spirits started to lift. I walked for an hour in my neighbourhood in the late afternoon sunlight; and when I returned home, it was still light outside. I realized that the days are getting longer. Spring is really on its way. What an incredible gift. I am so glad that I did not miss it. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #32: January 7, 2024

My friend Mary agreed to join me for a day hike up island today. We set off for Mystic Beach, which is located a few hours up island. It is a part of the Juan de Fuca Trail. After arriving in the parking lot, we wandered through stunning, old growth forest for about an hour until we emerged upon a pristine beach. The sky was open and blue. The air was crisp and fresh. We sat upon a log and enjoyed the view with our kombucha, hummus and cut veggies, as the waves crashed in front of us.

After making our way back along the trail, we stopped in at Shirley Delicious for lunch. We enjoyed beautiful, fresh sandwiches on house made focaccia and vegetable soup. It was warming and tasty. I am filled with gratitude after sharing a beautiful day of laughter, conversation and time in nature with my dear friend. #JoyBlogging

Something to Inspire

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As a highly sensitive person, I often feel overwhelmed by the dark forces in this world. This is why I love this advice from RuPaul. Acknowledge the darkness but do not fall into its deep abyss. Focus your energy on making beauty and generating joy. Act as a beacon of hope in this dark world. We each have an important role to play, however small.

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #30: December 25, 2022

Since I was thirteen years old, and my parents split up, and then remarried, I have had a blended family. No matter the holiday (Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving) it meant two different celebrations, in two different households. When I got married myself, we added in my husband’s family into the mix; and when we eventually got divorced, my daughter began her own complicated journey with juggling multiple families over the holiday season.

It has always been hard to try and fit everyone in, and manage family dynamics. So many people and so many expectations. This year, I decided to take a step back from tradition. I wanted to try and celebrate the holiday season in a way that felt right for me, rather than prioritizing everyone else. This meant asking myself some hard questions: What do I want to invite more of into my life? And what can I let go of?

The holidays are an emotionally charged time for everyone. Although it was difficult to make change, as it required setting boundaries, and risking the disappointment of others, I did my best to approach it with kindness and compassion.

As a result, I enjoyed the first Christmas in forty-seven years that truly embodied the spirit of the season for me: Friendship. Community. Love. Joy. Ease. Laughter. Connection. It was all of the best things rolled into one, and for that, I am so deeply grateful. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #29: November 25, 2022

This past weekend, my daughter and I travelled to Vancouver for our annual holiday trip. It is a tradition for us to go to Grouse Mountain for their Peak of Christmas celebration. My sister and I have been taking our kids every year, since they were little. It is a beautiful, snowy wonderland at the top of the mountain. Santa is there to visit in his workshop, along with his reindeer. There is a lovely light path through the forest, which is magical to walk after dusk. Festive holiday movies play in the theatre all day and the restaurant serves a great lunch.

To top the day off, you get to ride the gondola back down to the base: enjoying a breathtaking view across Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet as you make the descent. I cherish the opportunity to make these special memories with the ones I love. They are much more valuable than any present left under a tree. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #28: November 23, 2022

There is something beautiful and sacred about the quiet, uninterrupted early morning hours. Although it is hard to get out of bed when the alarm goes off, I cherish the time it offers me to read, write, reflect and move my body. It is a pause before my day starts up in earnest: an instance when I am not a mother, sister or daughter. I am simply a woman taking a moment back for herself. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #27: June 30, 2022

One of my favourite things about living in Aix was the daily outdoor market. I love that markets remains a central part of the French culture. It is a beautiful thing to be connected to where your food comes from and the people who bring it to you.

After dropping my daughter at school, I would shop with the vendors every morning. The larger market took place three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It sprawled across most of the old town, and it included clothing, antiques, housewares and fresh food. The smaller food and flower market took place on all other days.

I would wander from the larger gathering at Place des Prêcheurs to the smaller square at Place Richleme, visiting my favourite vendors. It was such a gift to choose from an ever changing, seasonal selection of fresh, locally-sourced produce, cheese, fish and meat.

Throughout our eight weeks spent in the city, I became friendly with many of the people who worked the market stalls and in the local shops (e.g. fish monger and bakery). In a place where I knew very few people, I looked forward to seeing their smiling faces brighten when I approached their stand, or wave their hand in recognition, as I passed by.

Although we did not know each by names, a familiarity grew, and we would warmly ask after each other’s health and well being. They were very kind to me and I deeply appreciated the human connection and a sense of community that came from getting to know all of them. #JoyBlogging

Joy Journal

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Joy Journal #26: May 25-29, 2022

My two sisters and my niece came to visit us while we were living in Aix this spring. Our plan was to spend a few days together in the city and then head down to the coast to stay in a popular seaside village, Cassis. Our family had vacationed there fifteen years previously, so it holds a special place in our hearts. We booked our accommodation months in advance, as it was a school holiday, and a very busy time of year in France.

The night before we were to set out, the VRBO owner called to cancel our booking. No real explanation was provided. He just cancelled. Needless to say, it was very upsetting, and everyone was incredibly disappointed as my family had travelled all the way from Canada to return to this special place.

We started researching our options. We looked at hotels. AirBnb. VRBO alternatives. At first, it appeared that there was nothing, as most places were booked up. It looked like we were not going to be able to go. At the last moment, I reached out to one owner on AirBnB, and I explained our situation. It turned out that she had just joined the site, and her rental was not quite ready, but she was willing to make it available to us, due to the circumstances.

The house was located in Saint Cyr-sur-Mer, a charming little town on the Mediterranean. It had a pool and it was within walking distance of the ocean. The place was lovely and it actually surpassed our original booking with its amenities. We all felt very fortunate to have found it and we enjoyed our time there together immensely. During our stay, we took a day trip to Cassis to ocean kayak in the calanques, and we visited our special town.

Although it was a bumpy start to our vacation, the experience turned out to be very memorable and wonderful in the end; and this was entirely thanks to the kindness and generosity of strangers. #JoyBlogging