February 12, 2020

Today I turn 44 years old. Every day I wake up, put my feet on the floor, stretch my arms up in the air and say thank you, thank you, thank you out loud! I started this habit a while ago now and I tell ya, it changes everything.

Today was no different than any other day but I feel like I am bursting with gratitude. Grateful for my health, the growth in my life, the peace and joy I feel as I move through my day after years of high functioning anxiety, how Julia and Georgia have grown into incredible humans, my morning meditation practice, the healers that have helped me on my journey and of course, the circle of souls that love and support me and my family. Most importantly, I have another day to experience it all. It’s almost too much.

I had some wonderful help blowing out my candles tonight at my parents house. My wish was one to send out as much love, joy, peace and comfort as possible to all of you – wherever you are in the world. If you’re struggling, keep reaching out to the people around you and remember that you’re not alone. Sometimes saying what’s in your head out loud lightens the load. Keep shining your light even on the darkest days. Life is meant to be joyful. 😀

I’m grateful for another birthday. Here’s to 44 more!

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

xo

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Snowmageddon2020

I live in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and we’ve been experiencing some wild blizzard conditions for the past 5 days. When I say wild, I mean 70cm of snow fell in 24 hours. The city is paralyzed and has been in a state of emergency since Friday.

Thankfully, we had it pretty easy as we didn’t lose power or have a crisis that required emergency assistance. Ambulances couldn’t get around the city and everyone working in hospitals and care facilities literally worked for days on end as their colleagues simply couldn’t get to work to relieve them. I have so much respect and gratitude for everyone who has worked through this storm to keep us all safe. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

But in true Newfoundland style, there have been so many funny stories come out of this crisis. People are getting out of their houses and talking to their neighbours. Having fires and spontaneous parties.

I love this clip by Mark Critch. He sums it up best and is a really funny man!

https://fbwat.ch/1CHirDprZewV8fjz

Schools are closed until next Monday so we are hunkering down for a few more days. My girls are so bored they are actually playing together. Haha.

This made me laugh today! Thanks Leslie Ann 🙂 xo

Here are a few shots from the past few days. Georgia asked if she could get a couple cans of Vienna sausages, even thought they are “only cabin food”. Yep…cabin food and state of emergency food :-).

Stay warm and safe! Don’t forget to check on the people around you! Some people are out of power and running low on supplies.

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

xo

My Riverhead Retreat

We are heading into 2020! Can you even believe it? I really can’t but I’m getting ready to dive in. It’s been a big year of healing and growth for me in so many ways. Some of you know that I attended a yoga service retreat in September at the Tashirat orphanage in Mexico. It was one of the most beautiful and life changing experiences of my life. We spent our days in meditation, sound baths, practicing kundalini yoga, qi gong, hiking mountains in mystical Tepoztlán and spending time with the children and volunteer parents at the Tashirat orphanage.

These children live in homes with 1 or 2 parents and 6-8 siblings. They go to school there and work together as a family in all endeavours. They are also unadoptable in the traditional Mexican adoption system because of severe physical and mental challenges. Daily yoga practice and food is used as their medicine to heal. They come to Tepoztlán taking handfuls of medicine and end up healthy and taking none; living and thriving well past predicted life expectancies. It’s amazing to watch this miracle occur. I have met children all over the world and these kids were the happiest and most joyful I have ever met. It fills me up to just remember it. It is a special place and so very inspiring.

Since returning home from that mystical experience, it has been a really busy Fall and I recognized that I needed some silence and space to revisit the teachings I learned and experienced in Mexico; some time to write and practice yoga and meditate……and sleep. I slept for 14 hours last night! I am blessed with beautiful friends who offered their home for me to do just that. I packed up my incense and yoga mat and headed to my Riverhead Retreat for a few days and it is where I am now.

I am reflecting and setting some goals for 2020. As with everyone, life is busy and I need balance in order to experience joy in every moment. That means prioritizing time, scheduling, some delegating and saying no to some things. I am getting better at setting boundaries and recognizing what is not serving me.

I also need to strengthen my immune system. It has been chugging along but I know it is weak. Since I had cancer, I get sick so much easier. I mean, I use to be an elementary music teacher. My immune system was super strong! But in the past two years, I have had strep throat 3 times and gotten a stomach bug 4 or 5 times. It just feels like I’m always getting sick. One of my goals is to use my diet to strengthen my immune system. Just like the kids at the orphanage. My acupuncturist is getting me some information on TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) food combinations and I am going to go alcohol free for (at least) 90 days starting Jan 4. I have never really done that so now is a good time. My body still has healing to do and this winter is all about resting, restoring and strengthening. I see lots of soup and tea in my future and I can’t wait.

This photo is in Point la Hay, St Mary’s Bay. This past summer I was swimming here and walking barefoot in the grass. I can’t do that today but it is still magical.

And this is my headspace for 2020. Fuck Cancer! (Sorry for the language Mom but it is fitting)

Here’s to continued healing for us all!

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

xo

Oh the progress…

Hello friends,

I hope you are having an amazing week and shining that beautiful light of yours. November has been a bit of a crazy month and December has started much the same. I am looking forward to having some time off during the holiday season to rest. I’m tired but I am so content.

This photo came up in my feed yesterday. It was four years ago. It made me feel physically sick. I’m the one on the far right holding the huge plate of Nanaimo bars. Blah I remembered vividly having that photo taken and how much I wanted to bolt. The girl in that photo is sad and anxiety stricken. She is unhealthy and not living her best life or honouring her light. I don’t live there anymore and man….it feels fantastic. Shit got real after that Christmas (too many Nanaimo bars. Haha) and I made some serious changes to my life style. That was two years before I got diagnosed with breast cancer. I just knew something wasn’t right! I have 60+ pounds gone(!) but it is not just about the weight. I feel so much lighter in every aspect of my life.

This was me last night at the Merry and Bright festival at the MUN Botanical gardens. This magical, feel good event is a perfect start to the holiday season! If you have an evening free and are lucky enough to score some tickets, you should definitely take it in.

This girl is happy and healthy. She honours her feelings, her beauty and her light. My chakras are freaking amazing. hehe I’ve been working really hard and it’s paying off 😁.

I just wanted to share. Sometimes the victories get lost in day to day and I feel like celebrating. Thanks to all my warriors who are helping me on my journey. So much love and light to you all.

Until next time.

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

❤️❤️❤️

Happy December 3!

It’s hard to believe it is December all ready. This year flew by with lightening speed. On this day last year, I was having surgery to remove my ovaries. Not a difficult surgery but leading up to it was difficult mentally for me and it was definitely the lowest point in my life. I felt so old and broken. I had had such a traumatizing experience during my mastectomy surgery 11 months earlier when I ended up in ICU on life support due to an allergic reaction. So I was pretty scared I wasn’t going to make it through. Anyway, I did make it through, using every tool possible, with a new lease on life and a sense of gratitude that is larger than I could ever dream. It has been a tremendous year of healing and growth for me and I am stoked for 2020.

I saw this today and I felt proud. Proud of how I’ve learned to embrace the darkness with the light and how I am trying my best to handle it all with grace and love.

You never know what people are dealing with on a daily basis. Be kind to yourself and others.

Until next time.

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

❤️❤️❤️

Good results!

I just wanted to pop in here today and share some good news! I had a mammogram the other day and I found out this afternoon that it is all clear! I felt like it was all good but I’ve been wrong before 🤪. What a relief to have it over with for another year.

Here’s to healthy boob(s)!

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

xo

My Tiber River Naturals story and save the date (Nov. 2nd)

Hello friends,

It’s a beautiful one here in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador today and Election Day all over Canada. I hope you’re enjoying it wherever in the world you are at the moment.

One of the major positive changes I have made on my self care journey (HEALTHCARE really!) is switching to using as many natural products in my home and on my body as possible and work towards having a toxic free a home. After some research, in March of 2018, I found the Tiber River Naturals company out of Winnipeg, Manitoba and quickly became a Tiber River consultant. Once I started exploring the wonderful world of Tiber River Naturals, I instantly fell in love with the products and since feel in love with the two female entrepreneurs who own the company. Their story is another whole blog post I’ll share in the future. The entire team is inspiring.

At the same time as joining the Tiber River team, I also started a new full time day job and was still healing from breast cancer so I didn’t have a lot of extra time. Because of this, I have not done much selling of the products, with the exception of to close friends and family, and have done way more buying for product testing 😉. Now I am healthier than ever and settling into my daytime career so I want to dedicate some time to my side hustle, Tiber River Naturals. I have also taken over my dining room and it is now the Tiber River room. I plan to place a couple orders a month and hold events in my home so people can drop in and try the products for themselves.

My website is http://www.tiberriver.ca/msa .Would love for you to check it out. There are product lines for your home, body, face, baby, man in your life, pet in your life, essential oils, hair, nails, bath….all of it!! I just love the products and the peace of mind it gives me knowing they are safe for myself and my family. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

AND please Save the date – Nov. 2, 2019 from 10:00-4:00 for a vendor event at my home. I will have many of the Tiber River products available to try as well as stain glass work by Tracie Boland of Boland Studios. Her art is incredible and she is designing 3 different Mummer nightlights to add to her product line. I can’t wait to see them.

I have a couple more vendors TBD….stay tuned.

Come over and do some shopping or just drop in for a chat. We’d love to see you…..there may even be some mulled wine around.

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

❤️❤️❤️

Kris Carr made my day!

When I was recovering from my mastectomy surgery, a friend of a friend (who is a two time cancer warrior) dropped a thoughtful present to me at my home. It was a book called Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr. This book helped me so much in my recovery. I could read a tip or two at a time and see how I could apply it to my life. Very inspirational.

Kris is a huge juicer but she lives in CA. I gave that an honest go for a while but living on an island in the North Atlantic makes organic produce extremely expensive. So in order to continue eating healthy, I canned the juicing (no pun intended 🤣🤣) and starting buying an organic greens shot from a local health food store that I take every morning and I buy organic greens to eat with my meals. You do the best you can with what you have!

Kris also hates to go to the gym. She taught me how to move my body in fun ways that are still effective. While I do go to yoga and interval classes, I have included lots of movement to my days without having to spend hours at the gym. Dance parties are a daily routine for me now. I put in my headphones and dance around like a fool. Who doesn’t feel better after rocking out for a few songs? I also have a weighted hula hoop that I randomly pick up and give it a whirl. It’s a laugh. I have gotten better and what a core workout. It doesn’t take much. There are two 3 pound weights by my coffee maker and I do reps while my coffee is brewing. There are a lot of ways to get movement in without it being a huge time commitment. It’s good for my headspace too. It has taken the pressure off of ‘fitting it in’ and just made it fun.

Those are just a couple positive changes that I have made and applied in my life from Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. I have learned a ton. It is an amazing resource for anyone at any stage of their cancer journey….and life really. I highly recommend it!

Here is the exciting news! I follow Kris on social media and have participated in some challenges she has put off over time. I wrote on her facebook page telling her how much I have learned from her in my journey and that I loved her and…..wait for it…she replied that she loved me right back!! I’m still not over it. ❤️❤️❤️ Hahaha Thanks Kris for making a girl’s day! (I’ve included a screenshot for proof…I mean prosperity) Hehe.

Anyway, I just had to share. 😁

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to you all; wherever you are in the world.

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

xo

Happy thanksgiving!

Over the years, we have celebrated thanksgiving (Canadian and American) all over the world with some pretty incredible people. Only happy memories there! But I am so thankful that we are home now and can celebrate Canadian thanksgiving in Newfoundland.

Today we get to hang out and then go to my mom and dad’s house for turkey and all the jigs dinner deliciousness. Tomorrow we go to Glenn’s mom’s house for hot turkey sandwiches. We are spoiled rotten and I can’t wait!

I am thankful everyday but am especially thankful today for my health. I have come so far in my healing journey and Julia and Georgia need a healthy momma. I am better than I have ever been and it feels incredible. There are so many people who have been with me and helped me on my journey. I am eternally grateful for the love, guidance and support. ❤️❤️❤️

From my happy place, I want to wish you and yours a very happy thanksgiving. Enjoy the day.

Until next time!

Only joy, only love,

Michelle

xo

What a week! ❤️❤️❤️

I am revelling over the incredible week that I spent in Tepoztlán, Mexico and still processing it all. I can say that I am so thankful I took the chance and hopped on board this experience at the last minute.

If I had not taken that chance, my life would not be as bright as it is today (and not just because of the sun shine in St. John’s!). It was life changing.

I’ll likely write more as I get my head around it all but I wanted to say a special thank you Marivie Lacuesta and Julian DeVoe – our fearless teachers and leaders.

To the Illuminators – What a beautiful week. You all deserve a standing ovation. 🙌👏🙌 ❤️❤️❤️

To the staff at Amatista retreat and the beautiful parents and children of the Tashirat orphanage, it was such a joy to spend a week in this magical place. What you are doing there is truly special and I feel blessed to have experienced it.

The website is http://www.tashirat.com if you’re interested in learning more about it.

If you feel so inclined to help support the orphange’s sustainability project, please donate at https://www.satnamfoundation.org/illumination.

Until next time.

Michelle

❤️❤️❤️

Just a few snaps from the week. 🙂