HOPE is still one of my favorite words.  But I must admit this last while has been tough.  I have been off work and unwell since January 16, 2015. 


My family is a big part of the reason I have been able to live as long as I have.  I feel very lucky to have met, known and learned from so many generations of family members, friends, team members, acquaintances, colleagues, teachers, coaches, co-learners, communities & mentors throughout my life. 


Stopping to appreciate the breath, and the fact that I am still breathing is an important practice for me to cultivate, particularly in this time when I am feeling so unwell.  I do not have to look far in my own communities to gain important perspective of how lucky I really am.   


Being unwell has afforded me the opportunity to learn more about myself and to try to work on being easier and kinder to myself.  It is harder than it sounds.  Believe me :) 


I do know that, in addition to family, another of the things that has gotten me through this very rough period is the time I spend outdoors in nature, regardless of the weather conditions.  Health can be like the weather, seasonal and tide cycles in many respects - We can do what we can to prepare for and mitigate damage from changes and storms, but hurricanes, high tides and low tides will continue to come (and not always in ways we might hope) regardless of how much we prepare.   


All for me for now - take gentle care,


Sue 8)


p.s. I end by sharing with you a couple of documents relating to "Trees of Hope" seeds that I have shared far, wide & deep...


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxDP62KLoEOVMzRvcW9GRllxMlE/view?usp=sharing