While teaching I had a small plush cow with magnetic hooves in my class. He was no bigger then the palm of my hand. When students would miss school for family trips or other special occasions. I would have them take Mr. Moo and document his adventures. Documenting your travel can be fun. Mr. Moo had so many great adventures some near and some very very far. At that time I believe Mr. Moo had travelled more then I had. Students enjoyed writing and taking photos to place in Mr. Moo’s travel log. If you have a young family I encourage you to get your children writing of their travels and sharing what they write. You should also be documenting your trip. Take a few pictures, document in whatever way feels right to you maybe videos are more your style. The documenting becomes a mindful moment to reflect and just like that you get to enjoy an adventure for a second time. Others will also get to take joy in reading of your adventures. Choosing just the right words and keeping your mind creatively engaged is a gift you can easily give yourself and others. Be mindful of your creative gifts and share them.

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, going through old papers. I was a teacher and kept every note that students had written me over the years. I spent today walking down memory lane and when I was done I noticed a pattern. I was thanked over and over again for always having a smile on my face and wishing them a great day on the way into my class and always sending them off with a handshake and another smile. That was it they expressed their gratitude for being seen, for being heard. I spent a career reaching out to children in the hopes of making a small impact on their lives. They leave me with a heart full of gratitude, many great memories and the hope for the future. People have the ability to be mindful and sometimes all you need is a smile and a few kind words to truly impact the world.

When we go out we are conscious of our space. We pack hand sanitizer Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray, Tropical Trio - 3 x 1 FL OZ (Amazon.com), Clorox wipes Clorox On-The-Go Disinfecting Wipes - Fresh Meadow Scent (Amazon.com) and Garbage bags Glad White Garbage Bags X-Small 15 Litres Febreze Fresh Clean Scent (Amazon.com) to ensure that our space is clean. Just so you are clear our space is anywhere we may be. When we are out we live by the philosophy leave spaces cleaner then when you get there. We clean up after ourselves and often others. If we are all mindful of the space we take and we leave it cleaner then we found it, imagine how clean of a world we could live in.

A yellow invasive flower that after its yellow bloom, changes to a puff ball, is ready for someone to blow and spread its seeds for the arrival of the next batch and a wish is made. For me the dandelion is a very significant flower in its persistence to grow in even the smallest of cracks, despite its delicate stem who once picked goes limp very quickly. I have many fond memories and have learned many lessons from what some view as a weed. When I was a little girl I would pick these for my grandmother she would delight in the sight of my face smiling handing her a full bouquet. She would place it in a crystal vase. Within hours they would wilt, however it was not the time the bouquet was there but the heart that went into the bouquets that mattered. I try to always remember this valuable lesson. Give from the heart what you can and always delight in the offerings of others. The dandelion can be used medicinally as well Dandelion Health Benefits | Almanac.com making it a pretty versatile flora. Whatever the symbolism of the dandelion means to you The Meaning Of Dandelions and Symbolism I take joy in welcoming the dandelion and making my wish. Today I wish you all a wonderful day filled with flowers that are weeds and weeds that are flowers and the mindfulness to choose what you see in this moment!

A day to celebrate the men in our lives who have fathered children. Starting with Mr. Mindful Traveller who has always been there for his children since day one. To the dads that have taken on the responsibility of raising a child that they treat like their own and everything in between. I am blessed to have been surrounded by respectful dedicated men that make every day better because they care. No matter if your Father has passed or whether they are someone that reminds you of what fatherhood represents, chosen or biological I am mindful of the great fathers that deserve recognition today. Be mindful today and take time to thank someone that you feel is doing a great job being a father. Thank you to all the great father’s out there, you are deeply loved.

All too often we buy something that we consider special, for it to sit unused. This could be a specialty food or drink but could also include clothing or dinnerware. Use it! Everyday is a day to celebrate, to eat those chocolates you bought on a trip to Switzerland or the Port brought back from Portugal. Serve yourself on that beautiful dish that you got as a gift from Greece. Wear those beautiful Italian leather shoes. Your life is special every day and everyday you can celebrate you. Take time weekly at least to celebrate the good stuff! Be mindful as you remember where these special things came from, Were they a gift or a souvenir? Who was with you when you bought or received this special item? How does this item make you feel? Nostalgia is also a special gift we give ourselves!

What do you do on a rainy day? Do you take all your adventures inside? Or do you go with the flow and dress for the weather? I like to still continue on with my initial plans whenever possible. Picking a great rain jacket Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Waterproof Rain Jacket (CA | COM) and rain boots Hunter Women’s Original Chelsea Boot (CA | COM) or if I am found a lot of walking perhaps a trail shoe. Columbia Women’s Strata Trail Low (CA | COM). It can be so beautiful, the rain has a way of making everything crisper and it somehow feels cleaner. Flowers, trees and grass get a well deserved drink. I also feel a bit thirsty for a warm drink it just feels right. Find a way to enjoy all of the weather. May I tempt you to get out on the next rainy day. Take a moment to breathe in that crisp air and look around at how water makes the green, just a bit greener. How the rain drops sound so beautiful on a tin roof. How that coffee tastes a little sweeter. How the World slows down for a moment and just breathe deep and enjoy! You might just catch a rainbow. 🌈

Summer is quickly approaching and to ensure you take advantage of all that you deserve, you should set your intentions. Building a bucket list of places you would like to visit, things you would like to accomplish and people you would like to visit. Make it fun, have people over for a drink and explore the endless possibilities. Take a bit of time to really think about summer, maybe you want to do less not more. Whatever you choose this bucket list is yours! Get out the good paper and fancy markers and start planning. Maybe even some scissors, glue and local pamphlets to help you get the creative juices flowing. Once complete start adding a few things to your phone calendar to help get the party started. Bring out your inner child and have fun.

This summer a friend and I have agreed to doing five day trips together. We always have the greatest time together and I so look forward to these adventures. We are going to match it up with the five senses: We have some ideas in mind like the smell of Lavender in the fields. Lavender at Ocean Breeze Farm Feeling the sand beneath our feet on the Bouctouche Dunes. Irving Eco-Centre: La dune de Bouctouche Taking time to listen to some local Acadian music. An immersive experience - Akadi Lumina Having a taste test of Lobster rolls or maybe trying another delicacy Experience Shediac - Activities, Accommodations and Restaurants in Shediac, NB of our beautiful province and potentially going to some art galleries. Whatever we choose we will be intentional on hitting the five senses and being mindful of our time together.

The weather can really put a damper on travel plans. However bad the weather, seasonal allergies take the cake. The spring brings with it seasonal allergies and that can really put a damper on a vacation. If you suffer like I do, being ready with Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops (CA | COM) and allergy meds of your choice like Reactine Rapid Dissolve Antihistamine Tablets (CA | COM) is essential. You never know when an allergy attack will compromise a great vacation so be ready!