Lately, I have been reflecting on what truly leads to a happy life. After much thought, I have managed to narrow it down to two simple yet powerful words: caring and connectedness.

The first is caring: caring for yourself, your health, others, and the world around you. When we take time to care, we naturally begin to feel better, and that feeling grows into a happier, more fulfilling life.

Caring starts with ourselves. It isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Take a long bath. Prepare a nourishing meal. Move your body. Spend time in nature. Read a good book. Sit quietly with your thoughts. Fill your soul with the things that bring you peace and purpose. When we care for ourselves, we are better able to care for others.

Last night was the July Buck Moon it got its name from the time when male deer grow their new antlers. It represents resilience, maturation, and finding your personal power. A salt ceremony can be used on this night to absorb stagnant energy and cleanse your physical space. If you believe in that sort of thing. Even if you don’t you can take time to reflect and be mindful:

“What parts of yourself have you been hiding or diluting just to blend into a group or please others? If you fully step into your own power right now, like the buck growing its new antlers, what bold boundary would you set today to protect your future self.”

Have you ever loved a place you visited so much that you wanted to own a piece of it? That was Mr. Mindful Traveller and I a while ago. So as usual we started searching and we made that dream come true thanks to Poncho Dávalos Real Estate | Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit. Puerto Vallarta is a second home for us and putting down roots was essential in us feeling connected to the community. We are so fortunate to have made such great friends that have become like family. We treasure our time there and have recommended to our friends and family condos in the same complex. Which I am happy to say a few have become our neighbours. Life is so fulfilling when you get to be in a place you love surrounded by great people. Cheers to our family members who are our latest condo neighbours, looking forward to future stays in our home away from home.

Although I love to keep busy it is also important to make time for rest. Read your body it will give to indicators. After so much play in the last few weeks my body is demanding a rest. So I am listening as when I try to ignore, things always get worse. Rest is important for the mind as well. Vacation time is meant to be taken from work, so you can refuel your tank. Take the time you are entitled to. Unplug from work and take time for yourself you deserve it. Sometimes rest comes in the form of a rainy day at home curled up on the couch with a coffee and a book. Other days it might be a leisurely walk through a beautiful park or trail. Whatever rest looks like and however long you have to rest, take that time for yourself today! Rest will keep you charged for your future endeavours.

Mr. Mindful Traveller and I have come a long way on our fitness journey. Yesterday we attended our first big tournament for Pickleball as a mixed doubles team. Working together to achieve our goals has always been important to us both. Provincials was a huge success, we practiced communicating and accepting our mistakes and moving on. Most importantly we had fun. We ended up winning gold in our division. We were surrounded by community cheering us on and the feeling was surreal, it brought us back to our youth where we were both athletes and remember fondly. Sometimes a bit of travelling to attend a sporting event really can have a lasting impact. We will continue to take on new adventures and have learned that saying yes to new opportunities is key. When someone asks you to join something that will enrich your life say yes, you never know where it might lead. You may even like it and win Gold!

Where do you find your community? When we are young we make friends very quickly, but as we age, some tend to have a harder time widening their circle. Why is this we might ask? I believe that as a child we play, we take time to do things that bring us joy. However as we age we begin to give up some of this play time in order to sometimes raise families and to work. We spend more time home and less time around people. Well we need to change that! We need to play to keep our interests nourished and foster our community. It is so important to our mental health to find like minded people. On vacation my husband and I have started incorporating play into our trips. For an example we enjoy pickleball and are part of those communities when we are home and away. We have met many great friends and no it’s not hard to join in. Like when you were a child at the playground and asked hey do you mind if I join. It’s that simple. I believe that having people that fill your bucket and you fill theirs is one of life’s greatest gifts. We were never meant to walk this world alone.

The fourth week of July 2026 was all about exploration, connection, and finding joy in both new places and everyday moments. From road trips to Nova Scotia’s coastal towns to local exploration with friends, each mindful moment offered a reminder to stay present and keep discovering.

This week we explored themes of undiscovered places close to home, reconnecting with friends over lunch, bringing vacation joy into daily life, walking at a slower pace, spontaneous local adventures, cherishing quality time with loved ones, and building community through play. We also shared practical tips on road tripping, finding hidden gems on foot, and saying yes to new opportunities.

I have come to realize that spending quality time with the people you love always fills your bucket. Laughing with a great friend is medicinal. The people that you keep in your circle fill you with positive energy and a feeling of connectedness. I was blessed to spend the day on the road with a great friend yesterday, chatting, singing and visiting many tourist stops. The theme today was the sense of smell. Some new finds like a small boutique GALERIE ÉSOTÉRIQUE GALLERY a genuine sensory experience for the nose. As well as visiting many places that we always enjoy. The lavender farm, Lavender at Ocean Breeze Farm. The Dunes in Bouctouche Irving Eco-Centre: La dune de Bouctouche are a must do if you are in the area. Both great places to get out of the car and take a walk, maybe pack a picnic and even time maybe for a splash at the beach when at the dunes. We had a great quality day popping in and out of shops and grabbing selfies and laughing at every stop. We may not get as much time together these days but the time we have together I cherish.

Today I am grabbing a friend and we are doing some local exploration. We have no plan, only to awaken our senses and take in as much… or as little as we so desire. It’s fun to explore with a friend, a new trail, maybe a drive down the coastline, a new restaurant for a treat. Wherever the road leads I know it will be a great time. Spending time with people that make you laugh and seize the moments in life are something never to be overlooked. When is the last time you just let loose, got in the car and just explored. When I was a teenager we used to ride around all the time, no purpose, tunes cranked and ready for anything. Today let it be a day that offers the same joy as it did then. Spend quality time with someone you care about, the adventures make great memories!

Walking when on vacation helps to slow down the pace. It allows you to find the hidden gems. The parks filled with locals playing dominos or chess. The bakery with the amazing scent that lures you in. The quaint gallery or antique store that was just around the corner, that you may have missed. We love to walk our way around most towns. We love exploring on foot as we set the pace. We get to choose the route. It is rare we get in a traffic jam other than a parade or two that we may have happened upon. On your next visit ditch the car and try getting around on foot you may find some new favourite spots in a place you have only driven through. “Oh, the Places you’ll go."(Dr. Seuss)

Being a life traveller means enjoying everyday and filling it with what makes you happy. Life is the greatest journey! When you vacation you try to fill your days doing what brings you joy. So why not apply that to your daily life. There should always be at least a little time for fun. So plan for it, you may be busy but you should always make time for yourself. On vacation I like to start my day with a warm cup of coffee, so at home I have a great coffee machine home that allows me to have the same ease of caffeine on the daily as I do on vacation. De’Longhi Dinamica Fully Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine One way I like to be a life traveller is visiting local markets, shops and restaurants. Seeing your home as a travel destination can also be rewarding. You can get hotel bedding that can help you get a great night sleep DECOLURE 100% Organic Viscose Derived from Bamboo Sheets Queen Size and make you feel like you are on vacation. When you prepare your meals take care in the way you plate your food, it will taste better. You deserve the extra care. What is it about vacation that you can incorporate into your day? Start making a few changes and learn to live this adventure as much as any vacation you have ever taken. Be a life traveller and take it all in.

Always fun to try new restaurants with friends you haven’t seen in awhile. Today I meet a former colleague to reminisce about the last year of travel. It’s a way of reliving the past, remembering the highlights to share over lunch. It’s always a great time to talk about the memories you have acquired and make new memories making plans for the future. Try to find the time to reach out to someone from your past and meet them for lunch. You may be surprised where the conversation goes. You may even find a new favourite restaurant. Enjoy all your mindful memories!

This summer we are attempting to go somewhere we have never gone before, on a road trip close to home. Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Old Town Lunenburg UNESCO World Heritage Site - Tourism Nova Scotia and Chester, Nova Scotia have made the list. We like discovering new places, to uncover the beauty of small towns with big personality. I think these places fit the mark. They are Coastal towns on the South Shore of Nova Scotia that I am certain will lead to an epic adventure. We are sure to uncover some local gems, seafood from local restaurants, little shops and the Tidal Bay wine from Nova Scotia will surely be a hit. Think about where you could go for a small road trip over night. Then pack your overnight bag and hit the road. A couple hours down the road you could be discovering your new favourite spot.

I am a big fan of brunch dates! It’s a great meal to have with friends that starts the day off on the right track. Sundays are somehow more laid back and the perfect time for a brunch date. Usually it’s a more affordable meal to have out with friends. We enjoy hosting a brunch or going out to great restaurants. They each provide great opportunities for building relationships and trying new foods. Eating with friends is always pleasurable. In each country we have visited, there is always a great spot and a local culinary specialty to try on the brunch menu. Some of the foods are savoury and some are sweet, making it a party of the senses. Take some time and invite some friends to brunch, it’s sure to fill your belly and your heart.

The third week of July 2026 was a celebration of community, connection, and the art of making everyday moments special. From the sensory delights of local markets to the importance of finding your people, each mindful moment offered wisdom on living with intention and joy.

This week we explored themes of cultural inclusivity through markets, the power of finding your community, the practice of making ordinary moments extraordinary, embracing challenges for personal growth, and the simple pleasure of brunch with friends. We also shared practical tips on embracing local experiences, creating special moments at home, accepting life’s challenges, and building relationships over shared meals.