Dreams Reborn: The Journey from Dormancy to Destiny

I thought it was dead. The dream.  I thought the dream was dead.  I thought it left me behind to inhabit someone else's space.

Country Cabin Yoga and Retreats occupied a spectacular 1960s log home in the peaceful prairie countryside, just east of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  It was a dream.  I would gaze around the space when I led retreats and when I spent time there with my sons, not fully comprehending how fortunate I was to work and live in such a meticulously curated space: a stunning place to express and connect.

She survived - through multiple opens and closures that the pandemic precipitated, she survived.  Country Cabin Yoga and Retreats was there for people when they really needed it.  When we were unclear about the future.  When we were isolated.  When we weren't sure how we were going to move our bodies to stay healthy.  Country Cabin Yoga and Retreats was there.  She was there for you and she was there for me.  She gave you space to be fully you and she gave me purpose.  She survived the pandemic and was even growing.  The opportunities to help many people realign with their true expression began to surface.  Retreats were selling like hot cakes. 

I was awestruck by how many were seeing value in connecting with themselves and like-minded others in nature.

And then the call came.

The call from my former spouse, my children's father.

"I was offered a position in Calgary.  They need me to move.  Can you move as well?"  He says.

You know the feeling - the one where the world stands still in disbelief.  It continues to amaze me how everything can change within seconds.

I sat with this decision for a bit.  Do I choose my growing dream business that helps me serve others or do I choose my children's relationship with their father?  Meeting in Red Deer every other weekend did not sound fun for them, or me.  I wanted their father to be a significant part of their daily life.  What I didn't realize at the time was that I was making the two mutually exclusive when they weren't.

Country Cabin Yoga and Retreats shut its doors.  At least on Range Road 232.

Fast forward 18 months and I'm utilizing my background in Human Resources and training to work as a professional coach in Calgary.  I let practicality take over and began living the city life again.

Gotta say - I love the professional coaching stuff.  It allows me to bring higher consciousness and mindfulness into corporations - but shhhhh... don't tell them that's what I'm doing ;)  

However, City. Life. Took. Over.  

I unconsciously absorbed the energy and the rat race set into my bones again unnoticed by my mind, but my body was keeping the score.  My achievements were once again attached to my self-worth and I began feeling burnt out.

Not until having a coaching session with my own coach did I discover that my nervous system was jacked and I was craving coming back to stillness.  Lightbulb moment.  How I needed a reminder as a yoga teacher to come back to stillness, I'm not sure.  I can only suspect that the spinning of the rat race coiled me like a... coil, and I couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Somewhere in the non judgemental space that my coach held for me, I heard a voice say "retreats at the lake."  

Hmm, I thought.

From countryside to lakeside?  Huh.  It could work!  The moment of possibility.  

My late mother's dream was to have a lake property.  That dream traveled through her to me where it was satisfied on Little Kennisis Lake ON on August 12, 2012: sandwiched between iconic Muskoka Ontario Lake Country the vast wilderness of Algonquin Park, encased by the Haliburton Forest.  Thankfully we were able to experience many years there with her until she passed in 2023.  The lakehouse was the bridge between where we lived and where she lived.  We met her in Ontario at the lake when we traveled "home" from Alberta.  Here, she was able to see her grandkids joyously grow before leaving this earthly existence.  "Let's meet at the lake," we would say.

Now is the answer to escape life generally and live as a monk in the Himalayans?  Not for this space holder.  When we reconnect with being, the doing is more... flowy. 

You can see the beauty in the rat race by connecting with yourself once per quarter (or so) in extended stillness. 

Hear yourself again. 

Slow down to speed up.  Just as you, after retreating, I also re-enter "chaos," but perhaps with a bit more clarity, direction and gratitude. 🌿💚🧩

While the scenery may not look the same for Country Cabin Yoga and Retreats, we invite you to meet us at the lake:  where stillness meets clarity.  I'm dusting off this sign and returning to my soul's purpose to support your soul's expression.

Showcasing the majestic Rocky Mountains and other sacred destinations continues to be a

passion for Country Cabin Yoga and Retreats. 

Explore all opportunities we have to reconnect HERE

Finally adding CCY profile to Instagram as encouraged by my digital marketer as my social media practices are archaic 😜 Follow me on Instagram for news on upcoming retreats!