Hi @Delicatessen 

It’s so lovely to hear from you 💜

You’re welcome! It was my pleasure to share some of these resources with you and I’m so pleased that you found them helpful 😊

Absolutely 💜 In my experience, the opportunity to be able to connect with other people who share similar experiences to our own can be invaluable 💜

As I listened to your experiences of connecting with this space, I could hear such a wonderful sense of enthusiasm and passion and as such, I have no doubt that you’ll make some amazing contributions 💜

Thank you so much for sharing this part of your story with me 😊 The treks that you described sound absolutely amazing and I sat here captivated and in awe of your achievements - especially when you shared that you continued trekking with a significant injury to seven of your toes!

As I listened to this part of your story, so many images came to mind and I was intrigued to hear that you trekked through an ‘enchanted forest.’ I would love to hear a little bit more about this - if this is something that feels comfortable for you to share 💜

Listening to your adventures also bought back some wonderful childhood memories for me, as I spent a large part of my childhood growing up in England. As such, I can still remember wading through blankets of snow and building snowmen 💜 There was even one winter when I attempted to build an igloo! Unfortunately, the end result looked absolutely nothing like my vision and I can still remember how disappointed I felt as I headed back inside to defrost!

Just from what you described, I got the overwhelming sense that the way in which you connect with nature, provides you with a wonderful opportunity to further develop the relationship that you have with yourself 💜

With this in mind, I felt really curious when you shared ‘I change and grow every time I walk or hike’ and as such, I just ever so gently wondered what you notice during these times?  

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an affinity with the ocean and during times of emotional distress and upheaval, I would spend hours sitting on the rocks or a park bench, staring at the body of water stretched out before me 💜

In my experience, listening to the rhythmic patterns of the waves is incredibly soothing and as such, I always left this part of the world feeling a sense of calm and inner peace.  

In addition to spending time near the ocean, I also take any opportunity that I can to enjoy the stars 💜 It’s during these moments that I find myself reflecting on a movie that I watched a few years ago, titled ‘Aloha.’

As such, there was a particular scene, when one of the main characters gazed into the night sky and as he stood there admiring the stars, he said, ‘the sky has a lot to say tonight.’ There’s something so hauntingly beautiful about this particular phrase and in my experience, it feels as though the stars provide some sort of silent reassurance that I’m not alone in the world 💜

Similarly, I also find that there’s something incredibly inspiring about rainbows and as such, it never ceases to amaze me how two simple ingredients (rain and sunshine) can create something so spectacular 💜 Therefore, whenever I see a rainbow, my mood automatically changes and I feel a sense of hope, comfort and reassurance that everything will be ok 💜

Thank you so much for sharing with me that you identify as First Nation 😊 I thought what the Indigenous Elder shared with you was incredibly interesting and as such, I just ever so gently wondered if this is something that resonated with you?

Thank you so much again for sharing some of your experiences with me 💜 I really enjoyed listening to this part of your story and I look forward to talking with you again 💜

Take kind and gentle care of yourself,

ShiningStar 💜