I love words.

We spend a lot of time together, and I like to think we get along pretty well. From corporate marketing strategies, to taglines and business names and blogs I crave stringing words together and making them sing. But when it’s time to write for my own blog, I seem to freeze up. (And that’s not because I live in Saskatchewan – it’s only October!) The questions start to swirl – should I  strictly be Ms. Marketing and  “all about the niche, ‘bout the niche, ‘bout the niche” (think Meghan Trainor when you read that) or do I show a little me and what stories inspire my life. My story co pal, the brilliant Kelly Hogan advised me to do the latter. Phew, thank goodness she is so brilliant! I feel much more comfortable doing this. And besides I only have one life – and work, rest and play (and a few dog hairs) are all mushed into it.  So if that’s ok with you then read on…

Reflect on EverythingRecently I had the chance to fall in love with Whitehorse in the Yukon. The ultimate “true north strong and free experience”. It is BIG country and  encourages big, brave, and clear thinking.It was at the heart of the gold rush after all, and you can still feel the electric energy that made this –  the land of the possible (find more Yukon moments on my instagram here).

Taking this picture had me reflecting, on reflection (and yes, my kids groan at my puns) and I had a bit of a lulu moment. Life is full on most of the time and being reflective can seem to go against my movin’ and shakin’ and dream making mentality. But surely if there ever was a time and place to be reflective – this was it!!

So reflect, I did. Got quiet. Sorted through the gunk and here it is – my reflective Yukon inspired manifesto moment:

Breathe BIG.
Walk TALL.
Find the still. Feel the dirt.
Get unhinged every once in awhile
Sparkle.
Expand your view.
Be BOLD

(even with your kitchen dance party moves that no one sees)

Be well.
Know where you stand.
Dream about where you will stand NEXT.
Then stand THERE.
Right now.
Focus.
Sometimes life hurts – and everything is important, and nothing is important all at the same time. I don’t know why.
Everything happens for a reason – is not always the answer.
Sometimes there is no answer.
Reflect what you feel in your heart.
Move people.
Make good stuff then.
Make good stuff great.
Write.
Let it go…
Pass it on.
Make brave a verb.
Put something out there.
Stay curious.
Deep listen.
Shake the world – even just a little.
Love big. Like REALLY big.

 

Found a bit of gold dust in the Yukon stillness, yes I did. (And remember that the phrase “a bit of a climb means something different to a Yukoner than it does to a Flatlander.)
Climb on…