A few days ago I spent 2 solitary hours at a local lake. I  walked quietly along the shore, observed the rainy mist and how it dulled the vibrant colours of the trees, and took time to just BE. The day was wet, but as a promise to myself earlier this month, I dressed for the weather and got myself out the door for my 30 minutes (2 hours) of nature. And boy was I rewarded. 

As I sat facing the trees on the other side of the lake, legs crossed, back straight, phone timer set for 15 minutes, meditation in progress, the word shift came into my head.  Perhaps it was the sudden realization of where I was and what I was doing that brought this word into my head. The fact that I hadn't gotten to where I was overnight, that the me who I was years ago would hardly recognize this new version of myself, that I personally had never planned any of this. I saw that the person whom I am today didn't come about from writing resolutions or committing to spiritual training. I didn't become a vegan because of movies I saw or books I read. And I didn't change my career to get a better paycheck. 

In fact, none of these things came about in an instant, or from the outside. They were the product of shifts- those moments of knowing that what you're doing now doesn't line up with who you'd like to be, the intuitive feeling of being drawn in a new direction for reasons you can't explain, a sense that there's more.

Change doesn't happen overnight (though of course it can!). Change happens when we shift- shift into a state of awareness, shift into listening to what our intuition tells us, shift into action. We don't always have to know why we're doing something, or how we'll complete it, and change doesn't have to happen in calculable segments. Change does however have to happen from the inside. It's not about checking something off your list, it's about shifting your life little by little to align with what's true for you, your knowing, your path. 

With subtle shifts, a new awareness, and the intention of growth, we can all become the people we'd once dreamed of being; become the people that only our deepest and quietest voice knows we're destined to become. 

Have trust in yourself. Have faith that your path will be revealed to you. Stay open and stay aware. Your shift will come if you invite it in. Welcome your shift. 

                                             "Many a false step was made by standing still." -fortune cookie 

Some people say they don't like the 'outdoors'- camping, hiking, beach walks, swimming in a lake. This makes me wonder: how do some humans adapt so fully to their modern city habitat as to not crave the very thing we are most connected to- the Earth? It's dawned on me that people haven't so much adapted, which implies change and growth, but rather they've checked out, disconnected, lost a sense of what they are, of the interconnectedness of all life forms. 

Does this surprise me? No. 

The way we eat, work, vacation, socialize, exercise and live all point in the same direction. We're in the age of distraction and disconnection. So we must ask: how can we connect? 

The answer: nature. 

Nature- the trees and grass, beaches and lakes, city gardens, birds flying overhead, the colour of the autumn leaves. All of nature holds the secret of life. Nature lives and thrives- it does not question or see an alternate path. It is present and whole, lacking nothing. It is timeless and alive- no less alive than you or I. The same energy that creates a tree from a seed, is the same energy that brings life from a sperm and egg to a human. We all have a destiny- the pine-cone that becomes a tree, the egg that becomes an ostrich, or a hummingbird, the seed that blows with the wind to become a bright yellow dandelion. Who are we to think that our life force is different than the life force of a precious flower. We are one. 

To sit by a tree and join it in its wholeness and presence is to be connected. To watch the sun set over the water is to know beauty. To listen to the language of sun basking seals is to know life. Nature holds the secrets, even if we have yet to realize them. Your energy is aligning with a deeper essence when you connect to all life. So much so that your body reacts and responds with increased health and vitality when in nature.

Nature is known to: 

• reduce anxiety and depression
• decrease stress
• increase immunity 
• reduce symptoms of ADD
• contribute to faster recovery and less pain medication for the sick
• increase creativity, problem solving and curiosity
• increase disease fighting white blood cells

(Source: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/panther-lounge/2012/06/help-spread-the-word/)

So I ask you, imagine a world where we each took time in our day to sit and look out at the water, to stop at the flowering bush just to share in its timeless presence, to walk with our bare feet on the grass.  This nature will fill you up and help you heal. It will show you patience and attention if you let it. It will honour you as you honour it. We are nature and nature is us. 

I've recently taken up David Suzuki's 30x30 Challenge.  How about you? How about taking the next 30 days to spend 30 minutes a day in nature. Take pictures, revel in the beauty, share your experience with others and spread the love that nature gives. 

Toronto! The big city! Home of the CN Tower, the Toronto Raptors,  my brother, and THE BIGGEST VEGETARIAN FOOD FESTIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA! I feel so grateful that I had the opportunity to attend #VegFestTO for the second year in a row. What a dream. 

I flew from Halifax on Friday, arriving at the super convenient City Center airport, which is literally a 15 minute walk to the festival. Though the festival started that evening, I wanted to touch base with some old friends first. A vegan lunch at the Vegetarian Haven, a coffee at the Art Gallery of Ontario, a quick meditation session, and a veggie-luck for dinner and I was ready to crash, conserving my energy for the amazing lineup for the festival on Saturday. 

Having only been to two of the 28 years of Veg Fest, I'd have to say, this year was the best ever. ;)  Presenters included raw vegan chef Doug McNish, Dr. Michael Greger, author Rich Roll of Finding Ultra, my idol Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, vegan cookbook duo Terry Hope Romero and Isa Chandra Moscowitz, Ellen's trainer John Pierre, and many many more.  The festival is held downtown Toronto on the waterfront at the Harbourfront Center- a great venue for cooking displays, lectures, food and product vendors, outdoor seating, indoor table browsing, food sampling and music. There was so much to see, that even dedicating my weekend to the festival I was sure to miss a lot- specifically vegan pizza with cashew cheese and kale! (Which vendor had that?!) 

I was thrilled that my dad chose to accompany me to the festival on both Saturday and Sunday. He's a proud vegan and like me, took a lot away from his weekend at the festival- more than just vegan cheese, mayo, chocolate, cookies, coconut icecream, VEGA and Lara bar samples. Together we ate delicious raw vegan tacos from Live Organic Food Bar, and on day two it was raw zucchini pasta and kale Cesar salad. He joined me for hours of lectures and though we hate to pick favourites, we both agreed that Rich Roll's talk was by far the most inspiring and uplifting story we've heard in a while- worth the price of the airplane ticket alone! 

The Vegetarian Food Festival is a little piece of heaven on Earth for a gal like me. There's a vibe of love and compassion, of change, health, progress and people living their truth and dreams. I didn't catch a picture of the big guy with tattoos wearing his "Real Men Don't Hurt Animals" shirt, or the children running around with their vegan sweets in the sun, or the people lined up giddy with excitement waiting to get their books signed and a photo with their favourite author. This gentle festival, putting health, animals and the environment at the forefront of all interactions, is a place of inspiration. If you're vegan or vegetarian, omnivore or self-declared carnivore, this festival has the ability to change lives and inspire growth. I strongly encourage anyone near and far to put it on their calender for next year and start saving your money! It's worth the trip to Toronto!