Coping Strategies/Modalities for Stress/Anxiety

I went to Grail Springs and got SO excited about this adult colouring book I found only to come home and find that I'm the one behind in my news, as it's become a trend! Crayola pencil crayons are running out of stores! I bet the company didn't imagine a come back like this.. Color Me Calm is the book I bought! It's so meditative. Relaxing. Not hard to focus on. And it opens up my creativity in the best ways possible.

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BUT I've also found my love with essential oils and just simply taking that extra time for myself in the shower or steam shower.. It's heavenly. 

My family!

 It is very rare that my family gets to see each other all in one time, but this year we made sure to at least photograph the times we did have together. Its hard when you're older and your siblings are home because as much as you want to see them its like "ya but I have a whole other life you're just sorta not apart of it..." which is not to say I don't invite them, I just know they'll be bored. As we grow older our interests differ and that's ok that's life. It's more taking in the moments you wouldn't previously consider "moments," as you gotta make the best of whatever comes.

Accept what comes, what is.. what has been. This guy, my eldest brother Garrett, has been out of Canada for 10 years! 11 now. He visits but we all know that is not the same. Mind you, contrary to any year previous he brought his girlfriend, Lucy. Aka Louie. She is WONDERFUL! And she happens to be 24, a 1991 baby! #score #thatshowedhim (I would be so ok if they married, just sayin')

Having Evan around is always awesome. When were not annoyed of each other...weve stuck together since we were little guys I guess...

I am very grateful for all the people in these photos.

Magical Winter

Before I started my elementary placement this semester I felt like I needed a energy regeneration, so I did just that and went to my magical land-- Grail Springs Wellness Retreat and Spa, otherwise known as my heavenly home away from home.

Prior to going I had this instinctive or intuitive feeling that my time there would be of serious benefit to myself and as I often forget, in so many ways than just getting "serviced". The interactions you have with the other guests who stay there, as we're all there for a particular reason- mental health, divorce, loss, grief, experience, addiction just a multitude of reasons. And the simple, yet life changing meditative practices that they teach... I got answers again from my Bio Energy Consultation and my goodness do I feel whole again.

It's difficult to describe but prior to going I woke up every day feeling like I slept but maybe my brain didn't shut off? I was just dead. I put a lot of work into the last few months of 2015 between school and my speech. Jam packed!

As you'll see from my photos I took a lot of the beauty that surrounded us thanks to mother nature. Just stunning sights. Stunning site. What are you waiting for?

Healthy Eats

Magic Kingdom in Winter Bliss

#INeedToGo

"Just write"

So, I'm going to. Not necessarily today or tomorrow. But I want to be more consistent in my writing! I love people who inspire me to aspire to more. Not because they are trying to push me or don't think working with children or mental health is good for me, but because some strongly believe I can create or combine the two, let's say. I have an innate sales/corporate quality/ability. It's in my genes-- I can tell you that for free. I just know they know, and I somewhat know, I'm meant to ask for a rooms attention and not because I want them to listen to me, but because they want to listen- they want to hear me or talk to me and have ME be apart of their journey. I just have no clue what that is yet and that's ok. I have time and opportunity around me.

 I'm learning more and more how important it is to have people like this in your life. Ones that give it to you straight when you need it and always understand the times you "don't need it".#DorothySays It's not so much about having knowledge as it is to understand. 

I know for certain that sometimes in life, even in social situations at any age, it's better to just "understand, than be understood". In other words, rather than trying to prove your sanity, understand that the other person, circumstance, body of people are just not going to get you or it. They can't "accept what is" they'd rather have "what was" or "what might be", wouldn't we all?! It's a hard lesson, especially with family members because, as I've learned you cannot choose your blood, your family. But your family doesn't have to be just your blood anymore, does it? 

I've found people just within this past year who understand me and my times in ways I never thought imaginable. And I am fortunate that I was able to attain this in both professional and personal capacities, and so when I get down on myself or something I tend to forget just how strong those relationships are.  They're wonderful. They're the kind of people who you genuinely are happy walking away from (later rather than earlier) because you're mouth hurts you're so giggly. They let you be you and celebrate your weirdest and best accomplishments, but also disasters. 

They make you feel apart of everything and that's when everything feels a bit better again. I love you all. 

"Just write" -S.M (you got it, boss-babe) 

Good night 

Dorothy xo

2.0.1.6

Happy New Year! I hope  you and yours had a lovely evening, celebrating or not,  as I know for people like myself I do not make that big of a deal of New Years as I once used to.

I still like to reflect,  to think about new "resolutions" or progresses in my case. As much as sometimes we like to think that because the year is behind us, nothing will follow, it will. However, like yesterday and every year before that it's how we manage the crud that comes our way that really characterizes who we are, how we see ourselves, how we want to be seen, and I was really down this New Years, I'm not going to lie. I cried on and off about things I still am unsure about, but deep down I know there is only one solution for those things: face my fears in whatever capacity that may be...

When I think to 2015 the bravest, or most courageous acts were likely, starting my own business, starting a foreign, yet somewhat familiar path in education, and standing on a stage telling people my life story.

I have accepted that everything happens for a reason and with that said, whatever comes-will be. Rather than trying to constantly think "what should I be doing?" unless its the beginning of my day, I'm going to try my hardest, feel fully and simply payback whatever knowledge or skills I've acquired for the next guy. My family is happy and healthy and that's all I could really ask for!

I start placement in 5 days...I did not think I would get here, but here we are! Enjoy every moment of it!

TO ANOTHER NEW YEARS EVE- SOBER! YA BEEEEEOTCH! AND THE SUN IS OUT!
LOVE,
DOROTHY