Shames Phantom

Have you spotted the phantom lurking in the mountains? Two cat nip treats ... thanks Dad.

Happy Birthday @ Cranberry Lane

Most folks know that I absolutely LOVE my birthday and this year marked a milestone of 35 years on this earth. So the festivities took place at our special new retreat, Cranberry Lane. The guys worked really hard to whip the renovations into shape so we could enjoy the house without tripping over skill saws and wood piles. The May garden was in full bloom and so were all of our fine Terrace friends. The hot tub was delivered, a new water pump installed and the BBQ set to feast on Skeena Salmon. Special guests, Friz and Natalie arrived in full force from Vancouver. We gathered up the groceries, pitched the tent, kicked up our heels and had a whale of a time.

This gathering gave me a glimpse into the future ... to turning long time dreams into reality. The potential for Cranberry Lane to evolve into a holistic creative centre complete with the enchanted forest, 'civilized' camping, garden fresh food, relaxing treatments, workshops and days filled with fun local activities. It is possible! And as I transition from ED of tourism and turn my focus to a more inward direction, I know that the Cranberry Retreat is poised to become a centre of rejuvenation amidst the coastal mountains and old growth rainforest. It is at 35 that I truly feel I am now working from the heart.

Labyrinth of Life

In Greek mythology, the labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed to hold the Minotaur, a half man half bull creature. It was built so cunningly that the architect himself could barely escape it after he built it.

The term labyrinth is often interchanged with maze, however a labyrinth only has one path to the centre and back unlike a maze with many choices of paths and directions.

On Thursday April 22nd, I resigned from my position as Executive Director of Kermodei Tourism. It was a really tough decision that I struggled with for months beforehand. I was consumed with questions, fear and doubt as the position holds great responsibility, has allowed me to travel and meet many interesting folks in our community and within the tourism industry. Read my resignation message in the May 2008 KT e-zine. Heart thumping and mind skipping a mile a minute, I knew I had to break the news to my board. After I emparted my news, I felt a huge weight lift that I had been carrying for a long time. It felt so liberating and in that mindset I was off with Ewa and Magda, the Polish Connection for a 17 hour drive to the Naramata Centre near Penticton for the 30th Annual Spring Festival of Awareness. It was exactly what I needed to get back in touch with myself, renew my spirit and reinforce the fact that I made the right decision. Highlights included:

• The past life regression workshop (apparently I was a middle aged man in Roman times as well as a young East Indian girl in a very busy city) At least this is what was conjured up in my imagination during a guided regression session
• The healing oasis, a centre where one can choose from a variety of holistic treatments from Acupuncture to Shiatsu to Thai Massage
• Qi-robics - Qigong / Tai Chi with Hajime, Dancing Dragon moving playfully into body, mind, spirit wholeness
• A reminder of how to experience joy beyond our wildest dreams through the law of attraction - Abundance in Action with Ariole Alei
• Living a happy and meaningful life - discussing Gandhian philosophy with Mahendra Singh
• Walking the labyrinth with intention in the evening sun
  

Indeed the festival was action packed and attended by a variety of characters from BC and Alberta. I was super happy that I decided to go and the road trip was a reminder of how lucky I am to be living in north-west BC, one of the most pristine areas on this planet. My mind does not feel like such a maze anymore. There are so many choices and directions in life but I finally feel that I am walking the path of the labyrinth with a focus on my true happiness. After years of working the corporate grind, I am taking charge and doing exactly what I want to do in my life ... not what I feel I should do to earn the most money I can and be a productive member of society. The vision is becoming more and more clear. I am releasing myself of my fears and entering the space of courage and working from the heart. Treehouse Yoga and Wellness Studio is coming to fruition. This multi-purpose space will offer a variety of yoga classes, creative workshops, special events, wellness and aesthetic services. This is the beginning of a dream that I have had for a very long time. And I can say from experience that nothing makes you happier than to listen to your inner voice, be at peace with yourself and make your wildest dreams come true.