Navigating the challenges of Thanksgiving is always a process when you are still actively grieving.  Although one tries not to cling, it is still difficult.   Reminding  yourself to be grateful for just being here is important.  Continuing to show up and do your best each day is also important.  

When things seem especially difficult then, that is the time to reach for the tiny victories.  Perhaps making time for a walk outside, making more time to connect with nature and to just start to really look around you and embrace the beauty that surrounds you -even if just for a moment.   Perhaps that is all you need to do on a challenging day.   

This year I am stepping back from tradition.. I am not baking all the pies/desserts...I am not going to pretend everything is all right this time, because it is not.  I am taking time to just remember the people who are not present at the table on Sunday and to be grateful for those who are there.   For the people who continue to show up and support us in our journey.

Remembering a lovely day at a lavender farm.  Intoxicated by the aromas of lavender and feeling the warm sun on my face.   Being present in that moment and not thinking of the to do list, and all the worries.   Taking time out allows one to practice resilience.  It was a perfect day.

Resilience is a practice I am very familiar with especially when things are going swimmingly well.  We know it is only temporary and that something will definitely come along to upset the applecart.   Sure enough something did.  

No matter what upsets occur it is the ability to pick ourselves up and keep moving along that sustains us.   When things are more challenging that is the time to take out that perfect memory etched in our minds to give us a bit of a boost.  Knowing that everything is changing constantly and the little bumps in the road which occur will have some dips of pure happiness.

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This week I had the opportunity to explore the Gatineau Region.  It was very lovely.   The chance to be in nature, and visit Chelsea and Haute Plain was very relaxing.

Connecting with nature allows one to connect with ourselves and to be present in the moment.   Also, it is a time to let become still and let our thoughts flow.

Circling back to nature when life seems challenging always reminds one that this is a just a moment in time.  Everything constantly changes from one moment to the next.  Sometimes it is useful just to label the emotion that arises and keep doing that and then watch as it passes.   I am so grateful for the teachings of Joseph Goldstein and Dan Harris  as I listen to their podcasts regularly.  I extract small things and apply them to daily life and find it really does help when things are challenging.

Recently I spent the most delightful, restful time in Mt. Hillaire Quebec.   It was a time to reset and rest after a long period of coping with many losses.   

I had many opportunities to spend time in nature marvelling at the beauty of the river, the town and the warm, friendly people of Quebec.   I had such a wonderful time, I did not want to leave!   

Stepping into more challenges and exploring new regions helps centre oneself.   I practiced a different sort of meditation here.   I focussed on the breath, but I listened to the water and I let that lead the way.   I spent more time focused in the present moment.   I am grateful for this time to rest.  I will take these micro moments with me as I continue to connect to nature this summer.

As the warm days of summer surround us in this month of July we have a chance to be truly grateful.   Spending time in nature and connecting with the water the sounds of birdsong in the early morning..feeling the warm sun on our faces as we focus on the present moment.   This gives us a chance to be more open to change, more open to discovery and to flow along with the changes that occur rather than resisting them.  Leaning into things even if we don't particularly like them, makes it a bit easier.    

Finding moments of solitude when we are not tethered to anything at all allows us to connect to ourselves and to find some space.  Whether we chose to meditate in those quiet moments, journal or merely reflect on what is working in our life and what we need to step back from.

As I continue my grief journey I am surprised still how family and friends say it has been over a year you need to move on.  However, as most people who are on the winding road of grief know...things do not work that way.   There will be triggers that come up unexpectedly and death anniversaries are always going to be challenging.  I continue to use meditation and my yoga practice in my toolbox for grief.