this day

one of my favourite things about winter in Yellowknife are the abundance of frozen lakes. today on a walk I crossed over Frame Lake and for a moment felt as though I was the only person on the planet. the islands have been trapped in the unmoving water, unwillingly so, yet still invite passerby to scamper onto their banks.

out there, in the warm (for a Yellowknife winter, -26C is practically tropical!) sunlight, with awesome cloud formations surrounding me, I felt light. recently I have had more and more moments where I've been reminded that this move across the continent was right. I've settled into a new peace about living up here and grown deeper in relationship with those around me. 

it is as though I am a tree and I have just created a new branch out into the world, and this branch - while growing sturdier over the past six months - has finally solidified it's first layer of bark. this is where I am supposed to be and I am happily contented. 

actively contented.  ​

rather than grow idle in this new security, I am exploring it, growing yet another new layer of bark. entering a period of dull idleness would only make me stagnant. no, I want to be content and active because I feel that without activity one's mind grows dull, weak, uninspired and discontented. yet, too much activity over-stimulates a person and makes them forget the beauty of stillness.

surrounded by beautiful people, living in a place of wonderfully inspiring nature, exploring life within my newest branch of my tree of life.

new beginnings abound. a new year, yes, but also - tomorrow a friend of mine will begin a new year of their life. and as I write this I hope that they have an inspired year, finding peace and guidance in life and awe in the small things - joy in change. and to those who's birthday is another day, another season, these wishes too.​

though there is always something special about when it is one's birthday, we can reflect in stillness at not only the awe around us, but also the wonder with which our many years have passed before us, and all those years which wait, unwritten, in our life ahead.

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