Touching base.... ♥

My dad pointed out a couple of days ago that my last Blog was January 31! That's a month! No wonder I have been missing you all of late!


It is thrilling to me to check the stats on my blog and see that there are still visitors on a daily basis. It is encouraging to my heart and yet I feel this small twinge of guilt pressing down as well.


I am not one to give excuses and truly do not like to come across as defensive. The saying 'it is what it is' comes to mind each time I think of 'why'.


However...I do feel I owe my wonderful friends, family, followers and droplets an explanation as to why the lull with my writing as well as an update into our lives.


At the beginning of February I was hired by the Raw Food Restaurant here in Qualicum Beach, Rawthentic Eatery. I had been verbally applying on a daily basis since we arrived here in September. I knew and God knew... it was only a matter of time before 'They' knew!  Well that day finally arrived and just as I thought...I love it!


I love the people who own it, the people who work there and the people who are customers there! It is busy. The days are long and full. It is challenging. It is rewarding. It is fun. It is stretching.


My Man and I entered the RAW Food world upon our arrival here after I researched and dabbled in it during my month in Victoria, July last year.


We had been having so many physical ailments over the years with the last being severe stomach pain almost every time we ate! We battled skin rashes, sleeplessness, joint & muscle pain, major digestive issues, ulcers, sore & bleeding gums, headaches and of course emotional distress. We knew the stress over the years had been taking its toll on our bodies and it was time to make some drastic changes or medicate ourselves to death.


Thus our entry into Raw Food. Presently our stomachs give us very little grief. My skin issues are 95% under control. The aching in my joints has diminished considerably. Since June 2007 I have taken a natural sleep aid EVER night to get me to sleep. With our lifestyle change and move I can count on one hand how many times I have needed help to get to sleep.


I love our new Raw diet and I love the raw food culture.


Besides the two or three days a week at the restaurant I am still pursuing and LOVING my career as a massage therapist! I love to pour out love. To nurture. To see healing results. To see a persons whole being changed after one hour with me. I love looking for Gods touch on someone he has brought my way. I love the power of the essential oils I use in my treatments. I love the hugs from my clients.


There is not enough business for me at the Spa I work at so My Man and I have been putting our mobile massage & reflexology business together. We had both hoped to stay away from self-employment for our first year on the Island... We now believe God has other plans for us.


The marketing of self and services is time consuming and overwhelming. Not to mention that rejection of self and services is VERY tough on the ego and confidence scale! We remember that it is not our will we seek and that the plans He has for us are plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give us hope and a future. It will come together!


This truth that 'it will come together' was never more clear then when I was hired for my third (or is it 4th?) job here on the Island.


You will remember the blog 'The Work of a Dream' from January 18 when I wrote about goal setting and a business plan. Well...I got right on the writing of goals, desires and dreams and found I rather enjoyed it. Especially when I saw one dream come to reality that very week!  It was CrAzY!


On January 19 I point form wrote about my writings....


~ I love to write
~ I am a good writer (I have been told enough to finally believe!)
~Is my desire still to write a book
~Is it a daily newspaper article
~is it always going to be a blog
~The blog is time consuming with out pay ~ 2-4 hours every day
~what about my desire to share our health wisdom


On January 25th a day or two before I was hired at the restaurant and 6 days after I wrote about where my writing was going; I was hired to write a weekly newsletter! When I read over my entry in my goals diary...I was blown away! Talk about speaking it out into the universe! Talk about God caring about ALL our desires, dreams and wishes! My faith was increased 100 fold that day. When I have Thomas days, days of doubt I look at my goals diary and I read the articles I am writing every week and then I wait expectantly on God for the next mind blowing event!


Oh the newsletter content? I write each and every week about the Raw Food World! My desire to share the wisdom I glean from hours of research and hands on healthy living and healing is now being put in print...EVERY WEEK! It is sent out to hundreds of emails, hundreds of people who have signed up to receive this newsletter! I love it! It is challenging. It is stretching. It is fun. It is rewarding! It is VERY time consuming, mind consuming, energy consuming and eats up the creative writing within me. 


And that dear friends...is my excuse for not blogging for the last month. I spend 5-9 hours each Sunday writing the newsletter which is published at midnight Sunday. Mondays are spa days. Tuesdays are Healing Rain marketing days. Wednesdays and Thursdays are Rawthentic days. Fridays is shared with Rawthentic and Natural Synergy Day Spa and Saturday is full on Spa day.


I am happy. I am full of joy. I am blessed. I am honoured to see God's hand in my day to day existence. I have an amazing man who supports me with everything I do. 


A man who pulls me outside for walks. Does the laundry. Cleans the bathroom. Takes care of the dog. He vacuums. He grocery shops. He encourages. He takes full Saturdays and does 'on location' days with mini-hand reflexology treatments to promote our mobile Healing Rain. He is on call 5 days a week for school bus driving. He drives Taxi's on Saturdays when not 'on location'. We market together on Tuesdays. He pours me wine and finds me salty crunch when my day is too long and I am too cranky. He waits patiently for 'us' time as I make calls to family and friends back home and have all evening texting conversations with some of the same. He keeps up with his amazing gift of reflexology on my feet EVERY night. He holds me close. He loves me.


I wasn't supposed to be this busy when we moved to a quieter life of Island living... I learned I don't do 'nothing' well! As well as 'nothing' doesn't pay the bills!


Where does that leave our relationship dear friends, readers & droplets? If you will be understanding and patient with me I have every intention of continuing my writings here on my Healing Rain Blog. Sharing my heart, my life, my lessons, my God and my musings. It will likely be published on a weekly basis unless I decide to give up sleeping altogether! =) 


I also will be setting up another blog site of some sort, in the very near future, to share the culture, lifestyle and how to's of living on a Raw Food Diet. I hope it will be intriguing enough to have you join me there as well as here....




Blessings be yours as you wait expectantly on God...♥ LR

Just Two Words...

I need to be 'qualified' by people in my life. I need to feel like I am important to them. Surely we all have a deep desire to feel that we make a difference in peoples lives. Whether it be friends, family, neighbours, those we do business with etc.

Big pet peeve of mine is shown in the statements that follow...  What feels better to YOU?

'you're moving? ok, bye'

or

'your moving? I am going to miss YOU so much! it has been wonderful having you for a neighbour!'

'you're quitting? oh, well...you have to do what you have to do.'

or

'your quitting? I understand why you need to but we are going to miss you so much around here!'

'you can't come? ok.' 

or

'you can't come? oh, what? That is too bad, I really wish you could, I will miss you!'

'I am not going to shop here any more because I wasn't treated fairly. Oh well, there is nothing I can do for you'

or

'I am not going to shop here any more because I wasn't treated fairly. I am so sorry to hear that, please tell me what happened. We appreciate your business, here is 25% off your next visit.'

Do you get the picture? We all want to feel wanted. That we matter. That we are important.

It takes very little effort to make others feel special. But because of our own guarded heart, selfishness, hurt and all about me attitude we often toss others aside to protect ourselves. 

We need to take a look at the words "it's not all about me" and apply it where we can in our lives. Step outside of your normal, your comfort zone, your own head and take a look at the situation from the other side. 

When I say I can't...my heart needs to hear you truly wanted me to.

When I say I'm done...my heart needs to hear I was appreciated.

When I say I'm going...I need to know you wish I was staying.

When I say I quit...I need to know I was valuable.

When I say good bye...I need to know I will be missed.

When I have something to say...I need to know you are listening.

When I matter to you...my heart needs to hear you tell me so.

Many years ago when I was about 9 or 10, I was standing at the front door of our house with my parents as they said good bye to some friends. They hugged each other good bye and then my dad said "Thank you" to them as they turned and walked out the door. I looked at my dad with confusion in my head and asked why he said 'thank you' to them because it was my parents who were the hosts. My dad said, very matter-of-fact "it is because they came to our home, because we appreciated their company, because we are thankful for their friendship" Dad told those friends they were the most important people in his life at that very moment with just two words, Thank you!

Obviously a very life changing but so very simple lesson of life from Dad to me. One that has stuck for absolute ever and one that is applied in all aspects of my own life. 

It is not hard to make others feel like they matter to you. Will you watch for opportunities today to lift others spirits with a just a few simple words. Your response could just make someone's day the best ever!

A multitude of Blessings be yours as you speak blessings into those you encounter today ♥ LR

Treasures in Tragedy

When my 22 year old son died in a motorcycle accident in 2007, my heart, life and solid foundation were not only shaken..but in many cases absolutely shattered, broken beyond recognition and shredded!


Over time (the feeling of forever can not be measured) healing started peaking through the darkest of days and I became aware of rays of hope, of light and of promise. These rays had names, earthly names, human hearts, love filled spirits and gentle, healing hugs. It was the people that enveloped our wounded, broken hearts that became our treasures in the worst tragedy imaginable.


Our close knit circle of friends that never left our sides, our home or our hearts for days, weeks, months and some not for years after Jarvis' death are treasures that are immeasurable. There is not a value available in our human vocabulary to express what their friendship means to us. I think we have voiced it, shown it and lived out our love for them in every way possible over time...but it will never be enough. Our love and gratitude will always be at the centre of hearts and memories.

So to you dear friends...Thank you once again for loving us through our personal hell. Your greatest rewards await you in eternity. For now? You have our offering of a lifetime of our love. 


♥Friends are one Earthly Treasure that could be yours for eternity♥

On June 15, 2007 our house was taken over by our 'shock absorbers'. The circle I mentioned above and young people! A continuous stream yes, but also a tight circle that took over our basement, family photos, computer and scrapbooking supplies. OH...and my heart! These 20 somethings (some a wee bit younger) flooded our home and heart with an emotional energy that is only possible in the midst of a storm.


The love that reverberated throughout these young spirits was miraculous, healing, grounding, warming and amazing. Youth that couldn't stand one another only 2 days prior came together to perform the most incredible, unselfish and creative display of love filled brokenness. Their gift of love, time and heart are treasures that are buried in a place of foreverness within my mothers heart.


There are others. Other young people. Others who continue to bless my heart in his memory. Others who I will forever have a connection to. Others who love me (love us!) because Jarvis loved others. 


The relationships that have stemmed from such tragedy are roses with sweet and lasting fragrance. The many young people that call me Mamma, Momma, Mommy, Mamma Robyn, Mom and Gramma Robyn and even those that still insist on Mrs Movold and Roybn (OY!) have become petals among the thorny scars of deep grief. 


These young people taught me how to love without judgement. How to love in the fullest form of acceptance. How to look past the visual and focus on the core of their very being, their heart. The lessons learned continue to serve me well wherever I find myself and whom ever I encounter. I love from a place I never knew existed. I love from somewhere I had never been before. I love from a place I never would have chosen. I love from a changed heart.

I am forever changed because of the loss of a child. 
I am forever changed because he loved with
  such abandon, such truth, such acceptance.
I am forever changed because his heart held so many. 
I am forever changed as his baton of unconditional love was passed to me.
I am forever changed as those who loved him, poured their love on me.
I am forever changed by those who were changed by his love.
I am forever changed because you call me friend.
I am forever changed because you call me Momma.
I am forever changed because he called me mom.

Our greatest and deepest time of sorrow can hold wonderful treasures. My treasures have names, earthly names, human hearts & love filled spirits.


At your darkest hour (whatever that may be for YOU) I pray you too will be blessed with a host of earthly angels, a chest of wondrous treasures and an abundance of unconditional love. 


Time does not heal 'all things'...sorry. But 'all things' can find a place where time isn't measured. 


Blessings be abundantly yours today as you unearth Treasures of your own ♥ LR

A Blended Mess of Wonderfulness

One thing is sure in my life...I am forever changing!

I had a precious friend tell me this week "You have changed a lot, but you are still the same" I LOVE that!

It is so very true. I am a very different person today than I was 8 months ago. And I was a very different person 8 months ago from the person I had become over 4 years ago.

I am not who I once was. And I am okay with that!

I have met with a few business minded people over the last week and this truth about being someone different came out in full glory.

I had to explain that I may have said one thing, but I truly meant something different....that is until I process it into the head and heart space I now reside; which then changes where I am really coming from altogether! If that makes sense to you...congratulations, we must be kindred spirits!

I believe I can get away with that kind of thought processing when it is all based on openness, honesty & a place of vulnerability. I am not trying to be someone I am not...any more. And I will be the first to tell you, I don't have it all figured out. It is okay to falter, stumble and even fail.  OH WHAT??? Did that just come from me? Wow, I really am different! How many years I have spent attempting to hide my faults and failures.

I realize now that the only person I was fooling was me, as truth has a way of showing it's beautiful self!

I spent years accepting others expectations they placed on me and bending over backwards to not let them down. To live up to all they expected. Give them all they hoped for, all they desired.  Not verbalizing the stress I felt or the inadequacies of my abilities. I lived by the term 'fake it 'till you make it'!

I don't believe I did it for them per say. For when we do something for the praise of others we truly are doing it for ourselves. At the time I felt I was giving of self and thinking only of others. It is now I realize how messed up I was. For it was me who needed the results. Me who needed the thanks and words of well done.

Truth of heart and soul has been revealed to me recently and I no longer need to live up to peoples expectations. I also no longer accept others expectations. And, I no longer place unnecessary expectations on my self. I don't need praise and accolades from those around me like I used to.

I believe it is because I have come to a healing place of acceptance... for the person I am, the person I was created to be.

A wonderful mess of Blessings to you today ♥ LR

Hugs from my ♥ to your ♥

Friends,

I have some...

I have an earthly Angel friend

I have a Daisy a Day Friend

A Beautiful Hippy Friend

A Hot **** Friend (name blocked to protect the innocent!) =)

A Lady Friend
Many a 'My friend'

A gf

A BG

I have a Sister for life friend

I have an 'again' friend.....or three

I have health/food/lifestyle minded friends

I have a few daughters from other mothers friends

I have new friends

I have a couple of red neck friends

Island friends

Spiritual friends

BC Friends

AB friends

Friends by choice

Friends by family

family friends

Praying friends

I have a childhood friend

I have an encourager friend

a difficult friend

a number of supportive friends

Always going to be there for me, friends

Wanna be friends (both I wanna and they wanna)

Business friends

Client friends

a number of my kids friends are also my friends

& a very best friend.

I was not sure why I felt the need to write a list of who my friends were until I was done...


I needed to assure myself this day that I am not in this life alone. I needed to show my heart that there are many in my world who have love for me and are deeply loved by me.



Moving 1000kms away from a life time of friends has been difficult to say the least. Friday of last week was a day that my heart ached for those who knew the real me. For those who walked the difficult path of my brokenness and loved me through it and despite it. I ached for those that knew me before and loved me still. I ached for the familiar, the comfortable. And although I still find comfort from a phone call, text, email, wall post or msg...it is just not the same as a hug.


The best description of a hug comes from my Lady Friend who sent me hugs a couple of weeks back. 'Hugs - the really tight kind, the ones that remind you that at that moment you are the only person the hugger is thinking of - to you!!!'

That comment filled with me such comfort on the day it was received. Such presence of her and her love for me. Such an uplifting of my spirit happens each and every time I read that line.

It is in the hugging that a friendship is strengthened. 

A wrong is righted.

A hurt is softened. 

A tear is dried. 

A heart is held. 

An honesty is felt.

A truth is shared. 

A distance is crossed.

A comfort given 

& a comfort received. 

It is in the hugging that strength is shared.

courage offered,

Hope given,

Loneliness dispelled

Blessings received

And Love is poured out.

Blessings will be abundantly yours as you reach out and Hug from your Heart ♥ LR

The Same, Yet Different

Where one finds healing, another may find brokenness.
Where one sees healing, another may view hurt.
Where one hears the heart of healing, another may hear despair.
Where one is touched by healing, another may be battered by pain.
Where one tastes healing, another may spew disgust.
Where one breathes in healing beauty, another inhales ugliness.


We walk through the same experience and come out completely different individuals.


Sometimes it is from the choices we make. Sometimes by the character of each. Sometimes from the walls that surround us. Sometimes it is stubbornness. Sometimes Pride. Sometimes foolishness. Sometimes fear. Sometimes it is our desire to stand alone. Sometimes it is based on relationship. Sometimes it is our need for others. Sometimes it is our refusal of help. Sometimes it is that we are individuals, unique, different & distinctive. 

My walk is not your walk. Nor is your walk, mine,
I did not become who I am today by walking a straight line.
I veered to the left while you turned to the right,
It's been a while now, and your heart is still not in sight.


My walk is not your walk. Nor is your walk, mine,
although both have walked the downward slop, as well as the steep incline.
the bruises, bumps, cuts and such, one day we will compare,
but not until your brokenness you are willing to reveal, to share.


My walk is not your walk. Nor is your walk, mine,
I spent some time with open wounds, while you still say you are fine.
My life has changed quite drastically and without doubt yours has too,
The pain, hurt and agony need not hold on any longer to you.


My walk is not your walk. Nor is your walk, mine,
The hurt still stings and is overgrown much like a prickly vine.
I found a Gardner I do like to prune away the pain,
My heart cries out to yours...dance in the Healing Rain!


My walk is not your walk. Nor is your walk mine,
Hope and faith have washed the wounds, the scars will always shine,
I beg for you to take your hurt and your festering heart,
And place it in the Hands of He, who offers a brand new start.

May Blessings wash over you today as you too dance in the Healing Rain ♥ LR

A Snow Day!

After about 18" of snow fell in our little part of Vancouver Island I think it is justifiable to call a snow day. 'Tis true we didn't get the -50 that Calgary was experiencing and without hesitation Albertans, you win and certainly deserve the right to call a snow day, no justification required!

Here on the Island, prior to yesterday we have had a skiff or two of snow. Reading the status' on facebook showed many in the area desiring, wishing, dreaming of and hoping for a 'snow day'. Much to their dismay it didn't happen on the day they dreamily watched a few flakes float from the frosty sky.

Yesterday, however was a different story! I truly felt like we had been transported back to Alberta and the wonderful (NOT!) winter days they have been experiencing of late. I thanked our God above for the convenience of our made for Alberta vehicle. Two 10 minute remote starts, heated seats and great traction made for a fairly easy trip into work. It only took me 5 minutes more than usual.  I was very thankful that the roads were not real busy at 9:30 in the morning with the self acclaimed 'terrible island drivers'!

I must admit though, I missed my garage! My vehicle was covered in snow that was more like Alberta dry snow than the BC wet stuff I had been promised. But clearing off about 12" of it first thing of my  morning was a blessing it was light and dry. It was the clearing off that was a bit foreign for this princess! The last 13 years my car was either in the garage or My Man was close at hand to do the deed for me!

Ah well...the weather is certainly not worth negative energy and certainly not what this blog is about!

I find it interesting to note that the people in my world, both BC and Alberta are desiring a snow day. What is a snow day? It is a day when you go nowhere, do nothing, hunker down, jammies all day, hot chocolate & fire (or a hot air furnace vent!), snuggle with the kids, dogs or hunny, read, play games and hibernate kind of day.

This is the same kind of day my youngest son used to be the master of during Christmas breaks from school. This kid could wear out his brand new pair of Christmas pj's in the 10 days off of school if it was cold enough to stay indoors and hibernate! He knew how take it to the max! Of course, every snow day deserves a breath of fresh air, snow forts, snowballs, snow angels & jumping from the roof, tramp or deck railing into a freshly piled hill of powdery, white, dry Alberta snow! Snow pants over the pj's and he was good to go!

The two provinces I have now lived in and most of North America have an extra day off in almost every month of the year, ie New Years day, Family day, Good Friday, Canada Day etc. I think the idea behind these stats was to enjoy my definition of a snow day WITHOUT the snow!

A time to hunker down with those in close proximity to you, your family. A time to get reacquainted, reunited and rejuvinated. A time to *RESET*.  A time to regroup, rebuild, restore and rest.

Our world, society and lifestyle in North America is to go 24/7. Non-stop. Continuous.

We pell-mell through life, getting kids to all the activities that is a must these days, getting ourselves to one, two or five self-improvement classes of some sort, business meetings, our full time jobs, being active with our hobbies and passions, handle the mountains of paper that comes through any household door, shop, cook, clean, manage a family and household and, and, and, and... You get the idea, I am sure!

Our lives are busy. Too busy. Too full. Too much. Too many. Too fast. Too big.

We go because that is what is required of us....right?

We go because we don't know what else to do...right?

We go because it is expected of us...right?

We go because our friends go...right?

We go because our neighbours go...right?

We go because it is best for our children...right?

We go because it is fun...right?

We go because we don't know how to stop...right?

Our lives are busy. Too busy. To full. Too much. Too many. Too fast. Too big.

And yet one little snow flake flutters from the clouds above and we are hoping, wishing, desiring, dreaming of a Jammies all day, snow day. We are wishing for a day to just STOP!

I say, don't wait for mother nature to throw you a snow day once a year.

Stop wishing and start creating. Create one day each week, yes every week! One day where you play together, lay together, read together, talk together, walk together, snuggle together, be together. One day to *RESET*. One day without hurry. One day without destination. One day to be lazy.

If you have trouble fitting in a regular snow day, it is time to re-evalute your life.

When you give the excuse life is too busy for you, tell yourself that life is too short not to!

Blessings to you today as you enjoy the truest meaning of a snow day in both Alberta and BC ♥ LR