Sometimes when the pull and push of life begins to wear down our resilience, taking a pause to be still is an enormous gift, an… Read more

The year of 2020 has been one for the history books. Every one of us has experienced a gamut of emotions including fear, loss, sadness, despair,… Read more

I planted a seed intention this past Solstice and gave it to the Great Mother, the Mother of all Life so that new life will… Read more

I wanted to sleep so badly, but some part of my inner essence sought wakeful and conscious connection with the wisdom of the ‘old woman… Read more

Peace matters. This affirmation and ethic holds deep meaning for me. It pulls me toward my life’s work, my life’s joy and my life’s commitment… Read more

When we first start practising Reiki, many of us have amazing stories to share. The healing releases we first experience remain with us for a… Read more

A friend of mine shared with me a teaching he received from his mentor – his mentor said to him, I cannot teach you about… Read more

We all have been wounded and hurt—the heart broken or seared by the pain of betrayal, abuse or neglect. I too can remember a deep… Read more

Recently, a colleague shared with me how she had found herself in a situation where ‘a lot of drama’ was playing out in a business… Read more

It was quite cold for the past couple of weeks, with enough snow to use my snowshoes. I love this weather as does Carlie. She… Read more

Think about someone whom you respect with everything in your heart, almost whom you radically respect. Reflect upon their actions, their values, the way they… Read more

In my second podcast conversation with Colin Hillstrom, we begin with the question ‘why bother with healing?’ Why do we need to become conscious to… Read more

Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love. – I John 4:8 The wind is breezy, moving and swaying the long… Read more

Why Peace? “Who will work for peace on our planet? In our relationships? Within ourselves?” These are questions we are currently asking ourselves. With all… Read more

HAPPY NEW YEAR! In this next year, my overarching theme at Feathers, Rainbows & Roses will be peaceful relating with all our relations. Peaceful relating,… Read more

(Originally posted October 2013) These beautiful fall days have made it easy to be thankful and grateful for the harvest we are gathering. As I… Read more

I remember almost 25 years ago, sitting in my friend’s apartment crying in Marie’s arms as the waves of old (but now fresh) grief flowed… Read more

I was born utterly vulnerable, dependent and skill-less. And in the moment of my death, I will once again be vulnerable, dependent and my acquired… Read more

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu During a web search for quotes about courage,… Read more

Sunday mornings Carlie and I meet with our tracking club to practise developing tracking skills. Basically, we each follow a track (or scent trail) with… Read more

Over the last few hours, days, months we have experienced the best and the worst of humanity. Violent acts fuelled by hatred and total disregard… Read more

I just finished teaching a 3-day Reiki Level II course during which I was reminded of the power of three major energy centres in our… Read more

by Lucy Martin Autumn has definitely arrived – the leaves are slowly changing colour and dropping from the trees, the air is crisp, the earth… Read more

Those that go searching for love only make manifest of their own lovelessness, and the loveless never find love, only the loving find love, and… Read more

This past weekend I had the privilege being lakeside, spending heart-time with friends, and even a bit of kayaking with Carlie (although she was more… Read more

It has been a glorious weekend. Perfect warmth, perfect sun, a gentle breeze and blue sky. Though your list of ‘to-dos’ may be long like mine, I’m… Read more

“We cannot wish old feelings away nor do spiritual exercises for overcoming them until we have woven a healing story that transforms our previous life’s… Read more

Mother’s Day. Perhaps you (like me) will be having a long-distance conversation with your mother. Some of you may be sharing a moment with your… Read more

submitted by Lucy Martin This weekend I enjoyed a leisurely walk to the river with Carlie and Rayna. While the dogs were sniffing and prowling… Read more

Think about someone you respect with everything in your heart, who you almost radically respect. Reflect upon their actions, their values, the way they care… Read more

This past Saturday Carlie and I participated in a workshop in canine nosework/scenting. The day once again provided me with opportunities to reflect upon key… Read more

Submitted by Mary Martin There is something alluring for me about standing on the threshold of a New Year. It’s a time to reflect back… Read more

Creating peaceful relationships has been our theme and focus for this past year. Having a spiritual theme or focus helps to light the path, making… Read more

What is better than this? Announcing my First Year Anniversary Promotion I have truly enjoyed and been grateful for my decision one year ago to… Read more

Although this week’s blog is a departure from my usual story-telling approach, I hope it still elicits reflection about the power of belonging (or the… Read more

Like the ever-changing seasons, we too experience change and transition throughout our lives. For some of us change is easy – an “easy come, easy… Read more

Recently I attended a funeral of someone with close connections to our family. His life came to an end after several years of treatments, followed… Read more

As I am writing this, CBC news is in the background. Disturbing current events in Ferguson Missouri, Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza, Israel and Liberia all reinforce… Read more

Six years ago, I made the decision to visit my mum and sister in Cape Town at least once, if not twice a year because… Read more

Canada Day. A very special day for me because it is also my birthday. When I was young I took offence that people were actually… Read more

Winding down the day has become a very important part of my life. For those of you who share in my struggle to get to… Read more

Submitted by Lucy Martin I’ve been thinking more about the power of No, in part because I just posted online Shirley Lynn’s interview with Rosie… Read more

Submitted by Lucy Martin This past Saturday, Rayna and I attended a workshop at Dogs in the Park (Guelph) on Loose Leashes. We had a… Read more

The little word no is such a powerful word when we use it well. No can change the well-being of our life and relationships. No… Read more

Recently, a colleague shared with me a situation in which ‘a lot of drama’ was playing out in a business relationship. She was wondering how… Read more

Yes!  Let me (Lucy) explain … While working with Shirley Lynn in preparing the 2014 guide book Wisdom’s Way to Creating Peaceful Relationships, I was… Read more

If you are like me, You know the value of having relationships that give to us and nurture us because they feel harmonious, calm, balanced… Read more

Guest Blog by Mary Martin The recent ice storm and the subsequent power failure created the opportunity for me to colour a mandala. My choice… Read more

In the past several days and weeks, I’ve had conversations with numerous people who have commented on 2013 being a year of significant challenges. Losses,… Read more

Last Saturday, Shirley Lynn and I (Lucy) led a workshop on enhancing connections with our animal companions. The group shared stories about our connections with… Read more

Last week I wrote of Remembrance Day and honouring the intention of peace that lies amidst our common breath, including the ‘fallen’. I also invited… Read more

I was just reading a e-newsletter which featured a section on the element of Metal (Autumn). This time of year frequently is associated with letting… Read more

In our training right now, Carlie and I are working on building our skills at a distance. Recently, I was attempting to teach her a… Read more

Recently I was engrossed in a discussion about listening more closely to what our bodies tell us. Everyone had a story of a physical injury… Read more

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Peace Day celebration! The best/favourite fall recipes you submitted were all excellent – so good that every single… Read more

Last week I was walking Carlie and our dear friend Roxie in an open field, under the cathedral bright, blue sky. The temperature was perfect… Read more

I have been told many times and in many ways that one of the keys to happiness is learning to truly love oneself. Fully embracing… Read more

In anticipation of their upcoming Peace Circle series, Shirley Lynn and Karen in their blogs the last couple of weeks have talked about what ‘Circle’… Read more

In my late teens, our congregational youth pastor organized a series of floor hockey games with Native inmates at a nearby minimum security prison. The… Read more

This past week was a hot one – really just summer weather but a rarity this year, at least for such an expanse of days. I actually… Read more

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.  Lao Tzu  Last weekend… Read more

Yesterday I realized just how many happy moments are available to me in the course of one day. I had a really good night’s sleep. Carlie and… Read more

Over the course of June, we will explore this attitude or goal of ‘happiness’. And why not; how can we bloom if we have no… Read more

“If I have made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention than to any other talent.” – Sir Isaac Newton If… Read more

We have been incredibly gifted with gorgeous weather this past week in southern Ontario. The daffodils and hyacinths are in full bloom and the air quality is… Read more

Today, many of us will take time to celebrate our home, the Earth we live upon and who supplies are most organic and life-sustaining needs.… Read more

Today the sun is shining, the air feels warmer, buds and shoots are emerging all over the place, and  the birds are busy with their… Read more

Here in Southern Ontario, spring has been slow in coming this year. On our first day of Spring, we actually had cold and drifting snow!… Read more

Spring is coming! This past weekend I witnessed (belatedly) the Daylight Savings Time change, the aroma of sap boiling in maple bushes, rapidly melting snow leaving a muddy hangover,… Read more

As I wrote last week, I found my soul escorting me out the door of my addiction counselling job, following the Reiki guidance I was… Read more

Almost 20 years ago, I was working as an addictions counsellor in a very intense, long-term recovery and residential program for men. I loved the work… Read more

It’s the beginning of February and as I write this blog, it is a bright and crisp winter day. I have just come back from… Read more

Carlie and I have just become part of a ‘team’ of people and dogs who will be doing the half-time show at the College Royal… Read more

Happy New Year! As I woke up on January 1st I felt a surge of new hope and joy in my soul. ‘Something’ different has been preparing itself to… Read more

This morning Carlie and I went for our walk, pink tennis ball in hand and the thrill of just the two of us on the… Read more

It’s the beginning of December but today I find my spirits lightened by the warm sunny day, a true gift at this time of year.… Read more

Just last week a wonderfully gorgeous day surprised us in Waterloo. Hurricane Sandy had passed (though the effects still deeply linger), the US Presidential elections… Read more

When I was a small girl, I used to enjoy colouring. I love colours (hence ‘Rainbows’ as part of my business name). Colours awaken joy and creativity… Read more

Transformation – becoming someone new, someone so different you can’t return to your former self. My ‘conscious commitment’ to love myself has been forefront for… Read more

On a recent drive I was tuned in to Tempo on CBC radio. The program featured stories from listeners about classical music that really ‘rocked’… Read more

As I mentioned last week, the scene I was encountering was almost haunting in its spirit’s natural empty wildness. Nor was it a place where… Read more

My sister and I recently travelled to Colorado for a learning vacation. I knew I needed to get out of the routines and patterns of… Read more

This ‘tedtalk’ with John Hunter and the World Peace game was sent to me by a client who participant in my Peace Building Conversations course.… Read more

Carlie has left puppyhood. She is now a tweenie (about to be a full teenager), as my sister calls her. And in this next phase… Read more