You are a gift – there is no one else in this world like you. Your life, therefore, will be just as unique. Embracing a life that is true to your heart and soul’s callings can be challenging in a world of expectations, labels, and ingrained social norms. This series is about creating a life that is true to who you are, based on the only story I am qualified to write about: mine.

Playing tourist on Bell Island – natural inspiration

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A client asked to postpone her Soul Energy Portrait experience, so I found myself with 2 days wide open last weekend.

I love what I do, so I’ll admit, I tend to overwork.  But after my teaching contract ended, I promised myself to add more summer fun to the mix.

So what did I do?  On Saturday, I checked out the online event listings and treated myself to 2 theatrical performances and lunch out. I love playing tourist in my own city!

If you’re in St. John’s, go see “Fleming” – a great way to tour the Basilica with the Bishop whose vision it was to build it in the late 1800s. Theatre and history make such a great mix. This was so much better than reading panels.

On Sunday, two of my photo buddies and I went to Bell Island.  It’s a 20-30 minute drive from St. John’s and a cheap 20-minute ferry to the island.

Oh how wonderful it was to explore without a plan, hike in such beauty, and learn about the iron-ore mining history that had once turned this 20km island into a booming centre.  The mines closed in 1966 and the population dispersed. But the new hiking trails, museum, and lighthouse café were plenty to keep us happy. Plus we never drove more than 2 minutes without stopping to take pictures. Fun!

Playing tourist is definitely one of the ways  I enjoy  exploring and expressing my love of beauty and the beauty of love.  

Enjoy the results and make a date with your Self or friends to do the same. You don’t have to go far to have a holiday! 

Note: Click on the first image and use the arrows to scroll through bigger images.

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Pearls of Wisdom from a Cycling Philosopher

Dominique and her bikeMeet Sephira – my bicycle. She’s not only helping me get in better shape, but providing lots of opportunities to reflect on life.
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In this post, I’m sharing some of the pearls of wisdom she’s given me while biking to campus for the last month.
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Sephira is the name she gave me when I first brought her home. According to a name website, “Sephira” means “west wind”. Those with that name are said to:
  • be spiritually intense,
  • bring love and new starts into life,
  • be the creator and promoter of original ideas,
  • be dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded,
  • have a desire to build protected and secure environments
  • be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives.
  • have a practical approach to life and productivity that makes her one of the most beneficent members of community.

I’d say that’s a great personality for a bike and also a teacher…

That’s right. I believe that everything in life is both a mirror and a teacher.

In the short time we’ve ridden together, I’ve learned so much!

I’m not just talking about biking. I’m talking about life!

 

Pearls of Wisdom

 

As you read these philosophical tidbits, I invite you to reflect on how they apply to your life.
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1. Better be safe than sorry
When I bought my bike, Harold at Earle Industries told me “now you have a car!”. I’d bought so many extras: headlight, 2 tail lights, reflectors, helmet, mirror, etc. I may have added weight to the bike, but I also have much greater peace of mind.  Drivers here just aren’t used to seeing bikes on the road, and so by helping them see me, I help myself.
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2. Even if the road is rough, don’t give up.
The steepest uphill climb on my journey is the long driveway where I live. I’m pushing so hard at such an angle that I get to the top panting. That’s just the warm-up.
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3. Be ready. Invest in the tools you need for the job.
It may be summer, but during my first weeks of teaching it felt like 2°C (35 °F) in the morning with highs of 11°C (52 °F). I prefer it cool, but like to be comfortable. So that meant equipping myself with the right gear – gloves, ear protector for under my helmet, etc. It was worth the investment. I hate wind in my ears. I also appreciate my new matching padded bike pants and long-sleeved high-collared sport shirt that protects me from cold and sunburns. And those saddle bags are perfect to carry my school books, wardrobe, and groceries – they’re sparing my neck and shoulders after decades of heavy backpacks.  Plus we’ve got a great gravel trail on the old railway bed. My old 10 speed road bike just wouldn’t cut it here. I’m so glad I got a hybrid with hydraulic brakes and a front shock to spare my carpal tunnel from a bumpy ride.
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4. Plan ahead.
There’s no way I can bike to school in my teaching clothes. I have to give myself a sponge bath when I get there. So before classes started, I brought enough clothing for 1.5 weeks to give it time to de-wrinkle hanging on the clothes tree in my office. It’s a good system.
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5. There’s a time for everything.
I’ve got 24 gears on this bike. I use ALL of them! I just couldn’t stay in the same gear for the variety of terrain on my journey. And when the bike works, but I don’t, it’s OK to get off and walk.
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6. From one opportunity comes many hidden benefits:
One reason I bought my bike was to get in shape -legs, cardio, etc. I didn’t expect that the sorest part of my body after my first few rides would be my thumbs from changing gears so much on the hills of St. John’s. I’m improving my hand-strength and manual dexterity too. Bonus!  To add to that, my arms get quite the workout, both pushing the bike up 2 steep hills and keeping myself from flying over the handlebars on the one roller-coaster dip down 18th St.
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7. Some rules are smart to follow.
There’s a reason St. John’s doesn’t have a cyclist-friendly reputation. First, there are so few bikes on the road that drivers aren’t used to them. Second, cyclists don’t always follow the rules of the road and lose the respect of drivers. On my first day, when I used my hand signals to indicate a turn, a driver slowed beside me, rolled his window down, and thanked me for signalling. I’m not sure why, but that brought tears to my eyes – maybe because I’d heard of drinks being thrown at cyclists. I appreciated the kindness. If you want to share the road, show respect.  It’ll be returned. I’m also grateful for the many cars that have stopped to let me to turn left in traffic.
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8, Balance is bliss.
St. John’s is hilly! You got that. I live in the Waterford valley at sea level, and campus is on the other side of a big hill. Although there’s plenty of walking and peddling uphill, there’s also coasting and braking downhill, no matter which direction I’m coming from. It only takes me 30-40 minutes to get to my destination, but it’s a workout both ways. I’m happy with this balance. I’d hate for it to be all uphill one way and all downhill the other. It’s fun to know though, that if I’m working hard on one stretch of my journey to work, I’ll be coasting there on my way home.
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9. What may be easy one day can be hard the next. Go with your flow. 
I may be able to make it 3/4 up a long steep hill before walking the rest one day, but only 1/2 the next. That’s OK. My energy or physical stamina aren’t the same every day. Not surprisingly, I’ve noticed that hill is easier on Mondays, once I’ve given my body a break.
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10. When there’s a strong headwind, you may need to walk even on the flat stretches.
Newfoundland is infamous for its winds.  It wasn’t unusual to have 70km/hr (44 miles/hr) gusts in the forecast my first weeks of school.  External circumstances out of our control can turn what was once easy into a challenge. Don’t quit; just do what you need to do move forward the best way you can.
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11. There’s nothing so refreshing as a paradigm shift.
I had a choice. I knew it’d be raining and cold the next morning. It may have been July, but we were still getting frost warnings at night. I could have dreaded my bike ride or even backed out, but instead, I looked forward to it. I saw it as an adventure. What a feat! I geared up with my rain pants, Gortex, gloves, hiking boots and headed out. It was actually the happiest I’d been biking to work to that point. I may have looked soaked, but I was dry and just so proud of myself.  Sephira handled herself great too in the rain! Fun!
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12. Be flexible and adaptable. Sometimes you need to let go of plans.
I’d made it my goal to bike to campus every day during my 5-week contract. I was committed. But there are times you’ve just got to be flexible.  With a storm watch, heavy rainfall warning, and risks of flash floods, heavy fog, and winds up to 100km/hr, I reluctantly yet gratefully accepted my housemate’s offer to drive me. Cycling that day wouldn’t have been nice to myself or drivers.
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13. There’s a whole world to discover just off the beaten path:
I’m no stranger to Cashin Ave., a long wide hilly road on my trajectory. But on the first Friday of classes, I wandered just one block off my familiar path to discover Ropewalk Lane, a commercial street with several malls, a big grocery store, and most importantly, a delicious and affordable Filipino restaurant. I’d usually avoid such a street, but it’s great to know it’s there when I need it.
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14. Choose peace
I made the mistake of biking at rush hour once. It frazzled my nerves and I’m sure drivers’ nerves too. So I’ve chosen to bike between 6-6:30am to avoid traffic. I then have lots of time at school to let my hair dry after I get rid of that helmet imprint,set up the classroom, and correct essays. It’s more relaxing that way. Plus, I’m an early bird by nature.  And luckily I finished classes before rush hour.
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15. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Many wouldn’t think that my goal to bike to work every day this summer was a big deal. So what!? … an hour of biking a day. But for me, it is! I used to bike all the time, but that was in Ottawa or the flat prairies. It’s hilly here! I also used to walk 1-2 hours a day to work or school for most of my life. I’d choose my housing location to ensure it. Since moving to my current home 2 years ago, however, I’ve been much more sedentary. It’s too far to walk to campus in the summer, and the rest of the year I work from home. So biking to work this summer was a big deal for me. My goals are mine. It doesn’t matter what others think.
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16. Be grateful for breaks, even forced ones.
I can be very goal oriented, forgetting to enjoy the journey. If I could, I’d bike without stopping until I got to where I’m going. I’m finding myself thankful though when the light turns red at the top of a hill. It forces me to stop and take a breather or a sip of water.  I can feel my heart pounding, and it’s a nice break. Be grateful for your stop signs.
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17. Be fully present.
Even if drivers mean well, they’re often oblivious. I’m so glad for my mirror. But still, there was this one time when I was just standing still beside a car – slightly behind the front seats –  at a red light. The driver decided to make room for cars in the next lane (very polite of her) so she squeezed me against the curb and didn’t hear me shout. Be aware of your environment. Make eye contact. Learn from your lessons. I sure have.
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18. Have vision but pay attention to the road right in front of you too.
It’s thrilling to pick up speed going downhill, but you need to do 2 things.  First look ahead to make sure cars aren’t about to cut you off from upcoming side roads and intersections. But also look right in front of you. It’s amazing what you’ll find: potholes, nails, broken glass, toothbrushes, banana peels, and more large machinery bolts than you can imagine…
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19. Balance work and play.
It was the bliss of my leisurely bike rides on an island resort in San Diego that inspired me to buy a bike. Biking to campus on city streets, however, feels like work – or at least a workout. It’s a whole different feeling when I take Sephira for a ride on the Trailway or up to Cape Amhearst to sit by the lighthouse and contemplate the open seas. I need more of that.  Our relationship isn’t only functional; it’s meant to be uplifting and fun!
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20. Solitude is precious, but sometimes, it’s more fun with friends. 
I love my solo bikerides. But I’ve enjoyed sharing the adventure too. My friend Leslie and I have plans to explore different trails this summer. She’s got a rack for the back of her car, and I foresee a few seaside cycles this August. Yay!
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21. A smile changes everything.
Biking is not only about sharing the road with cars, but sharing the trails with pedestrian. What a difference it makes to smile and say hello, or use my pretty sounding copper bell instead of shouting that I’m coming up behind someone.
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22. Trust in God, but tie your camel.
I may invite Archangel Michael to ride with me and guard my bike when I’m shopping, but I also have 2 locks to keep it safe. One’s a U-lock for the frame and the other’s a cable lock for the wheels. It’s just best not tempt those who, for their own reasons, choose to take others’ belongings as their part-time job. That’s why I was relieved to find out I could lock Sephira in my office while on campus. More peace of mind.
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23. There are no coincidences.
You know me. I’m all about signs and symbolism. Everything has meaning. So I couldn’t help but laugh when the wind blew an empty chip bag from up high to right under my wheels when biking to school one day. I’m both a health food nut and a chipaholic, so the message was clear. Sephira’s helping me make up for my chip cravings.
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24. Don’t believe everything they say.
Just because they say there’s 0% chance of rain, it doesn’t mean you won’t get soaked. Surprise showers, heavy fog or mist – they’re all refreshing reminders that it’s good to be prepared. There’s no use blaming anyone for anything.  It’s healthier to take responsibility or to simply enjoy the surprises.
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25. Don’t get stuck in a rut.
After 4 weeks, my bike rides are much less exciting. I’m not collecting philosophical gems like I used to. Instead, I think of what I’ll eat when I get home. Biking to work has become routine. It’s just something I do – that’s gotta get done. The honeymoon stage is over …  How can I add variety or mindfulness back in my ride for my last few days of work? How can I avoid the rut of routine? I don’t want to take Sephira or this opportunity for granted. That’s my responsibility. My choice. We both deserve it.
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26. Acknowledge your successes.
This is the last week of my teaching contract. I skipped a day because of severe weather, but made it up when I joined my class for a whale watching trip on the weekend (photos below). I’m thrilled with my results. No wasted time waiting for the bus. No nauseous bus rides. Freedom. Better health. More fresh air. It’s all good! Thank you Sephira for a great ride! I’m so glad I invested to bring you into my life. We’re worth it.
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Enjoy being alive – no matter the weather or your fitness level. Happy August!
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Join me on a Voyage of Connection – A Guided Visualization

Are you feeling disconnected?

Join me on this voyage of connection.

It’s another guided visualization meditation I channeled live during a group session.

This time, you’ll be transported in a bubble of light into magical worlds.

You’ll connect to Guides and receive messages and tools for your journey to your Highest Good.

It’s a lot faster than some of my other co-created meditations. There’s more movement and less pauses for you to explore the space on your own. It asks you to immediately trust what comes up for you and just play along.  May it be whatever you need it to be.

Your discovery journey will be different every time you listen.

Guided visualizations are more than just a focused time to tap into Guidance.

Depending on the theme, a guided visualization can help you activate the natural healing properties of the Life Force dancing within you.

This is one of those.

So find a comfortable spot, close your eyes, and enjoy the journey. Do not use while driving.

(best enjoyed with headphones)

P.S.. If you’d like to listen to / download another one, sign-up by clicking here. You’ll receive the access link in your email inbox and my ezine every 2 weeks.

P.P.S You can also order a custom channeled meditation co-created with your Team of Divine Helpers. My introductory prices end September 1st, so act fast. Click here to learn more.

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Playing with the Fairies

 

Queen Anne's Lace in my backyardMy heart filled with joy as I stood in my backyard earlier this month and looked at the expanse of Queen Anne’s Lace along the river. What a blessing it is to live next to a fairy playground!

I’m sure they’re in there. I haven’t seen them, but I can sense their presence – inviting me to play, dance, sing, and cherish Mother Earth in all her beauty.

Children here in Newfoundland were taught to fear fairies who would turn babies into changelings. Folks carried hard tack bread in their pockets for protection.  But this was just another way to keep children from wandering too far at night.

I see fairies as keepers of the land. They connect us to our earthly roots and teach us the wisdom of nature. They’re healers – a big part of why we feel so much better after spending time in nature.

I’ve been more aware of fairy energy these days than usual. Maybe because it’s finally summer here.

Fairy Tea Party

Just a few weeks ago, during Summer Solstice, a group of us gathered in Bauline to celebrate the occasion with a Fairy Tea Party.  

My new friend Maggie Power hosted it and longtime friend and collaborator Regina Wright led our fire ceremony.

We ate, danced, sang, laughed, and drummed.

It felt sooooo good to reconnect with Regina’s Destiny Drum. Of all my painted drums, I resonate most with the voice of this fire horse.

We then blew our concerns, troubles, prayers, and wishes into magic bubbles that we released into the Universe.  Oh how I love bubbles!

And with reverence, we infused our thanks and wishes for Mother Earth into a beautifully crafted prayer stick that we added to the fire.

As Regina guided us in a musical fairy meditation, my visions came streaming in. I knew they held messages for the group and was welcomed to share a mini- Divine Storytelling Time to support them on their journey. The fairies had an unmistakable hand in that!

The whole afternoon was magical. It was playful. We radiated with joy.

I need to play more. Believe it or not, I’m way too serious!

What about you?

When was the last time you let your inner child out to play?

Trust me, it’s such a happy healthy thing to do.

Ask your heart: “How can I reconnect to that childlike joy today?”

Invite the fairies to relieve you of your troubles and to tickle your fancy so that you too can laugh and play.

EnJOY!

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On the Trail to Paradise

IMG_0715When was the last time you went somewhere you’ve never been before?

I just love that moment when I pass the threshold from the known to the unknown. 

It’s both exciting and scary; it awakens my childlike wonder, curiosity, sense of adventure, as well as the little voices of fear and doubt that tag along for the ride.

That’s how I felt when I took my bike for a solo ride on the T’Railway from my house to the town of Paradise.  I’d walked it plenty of times through the neighbouring Bowring Park and a little past that, but not much.

When my familiar path ended,  I stopped. I had no idea where to go. The trail ended on a busy street. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the trail didn’t go all the way to Paradise. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe I should go back or wait to do it with someone who’s been here before…

I took a deep breath, asked for Guidance and waited.

I soon spotted a couple of cyclists across the busy street. As they turned a corner, my eyes spotted a pathway sign hidden in the trees. My courage returned!

Yay! Smooth sailing from here! Well, not quite… Bumpy gravelly riding, but hey! That’s why I bought a hybrid.

Without the high winds and cold from the week before, it was perfect – and so much flatter than my roller-coaster ride to campus!

After about 15 km (~9.5 miles) I reached Octagon Pond. Friendly strollers told me I was still far from the ocean, so I decided that was enough.

My way back was much faster. I hadn’t realized there’d been a slight incline most of the way.

I love how you see different things when you’re heading in the opposite direction.

This time, I spotted Berg’s Famous Ice Cream when the trail crossed a major intersection. I treated myself to a double scoop of mint-chocolate & cherry cheese cake on a cone. Bonus!

3.5 hours later, I was back home. I was proud and happy I’d answered that call to get out of the studio and explore the world around me.

What about you?

When was the last time you played tourist in your own town?

Do you ever walk or drive not knowing where you’re going – listening for an inner “Left” or “Right” at every intersection?

Is there an activity you’ve always wanted to try “some day”?  

What adventure calls you?

Listen. Stretch. Grow. And have fun with it. 

Then tell what this post inspired you to do in the comments below. I’d love to know.

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Oh Ego, You’re So Silly…

intuition quoteWhat does decision-making look like when intuition / Spirit takes the lead? Listen in.

It sure gets quicker with practice.

The more aware you are of what’s happening inside and out, the easier and clearer it all becomes.

I couldn’t help but smile the other day when my Observer Self recorded this conversation between ego and inner knowing.

It all happened so fast – faster than you can read this.

It started when I received an email from Memorial University of Newfoundland asking me to commit to teaching in their intensive English Language Summer School program for a 6th year in a row.

Here’s how it played out.

 

Ego: “But we told the world we were a full-time artist this year.” (defensive)

Heart: “That’s right. And we were. We are. We’ll now be a part-time teacher too.” (loving)

Ego: “But what will they think? We’ll look like a failure.” (scared)

Heart: “There’s no need to fear what others think. That’s none of our business. There’s only a need to follow our Path, no matter where Spirit leads. This is exactly what we’re teaching with our Ignite Your Intuition Formula. (loving)

Ego: “But this job is so intensive, we’ll have no time for our art. We need to focus on marketing to find clients. We can’t drop all the hard work and dedication we’ve put into it.” (belligerent)

Heart: “We’ll still have some afternoons and weekends when we’re not correcting essays. Plus, we’ve already done the hard work and put it out there. I know we’ll be shown ways to keep it up with ease and grace all while doing a great job teaching. Let the Universe take care of finding clients for 5 weeks. You’ve already got a waiting list for Co-Creative Soul Energy Portraits. More will come. We’ll be O.K.” (loving)

Ego: “But I could make that salary in a few days if I got more clients”. (argumentative)

Heart: “This isn’t really about money. We need to be there. Trust that.” (loving)

Ego: “But why?” (doubtful)

Heart: “Don’t you remember the Facebook message we got this morning from a student from 2 years ago wanting to meet because he was back in Newfoundland for a visit? Do you think that’s a coincidence? It’s the first message from a student we receive in almost a year. Don’t you remember the difference you made in his life? Can’t you remember how he shone once you helped him change his mind about quitting?” (loving)

Ego: “Yeah…” (hesitant)

Heart: “When Dominique prays “Make me an instrument of thy Peace”, who says that’s always going to be as an artist? Our life purpose is to explore and express our love of beauty and the beauty of love. That comes in many ways.

Ego: “Yes, but…” (stubborn)

Heart: “Has Dominique ever regretted a decision that was intuitively guided and supported by such a strong sign?” (loving)

Ego: “No…. but I’m just trying to protect her.” (pouting)

Heart: “I know, m’luv. You’re just doing your job. Thanks for sharing. But we’re saying “yes” to this full-heartedly and embracing the mystery of where it leads. The sign was clear. This is the Path. Plus, it’ll be fun to get out of the studio more during the summer and witness another group of students blossom. We can bike those hills to work and get into shape too. That was one of our goals! Isn’t this exciting?!” (still loving)

Decision made and I stand 100% behind it. That’s the only way to go!

Don’t worry – I’ll still make time to be of service to you too – through my artwork for sale, intuitive services, and blog.

 

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When a 2D Community Becomes 3D

DLH_6831I’m not big on crowds. Never have been.

I may have organized city-wide festivals and love being on stage, but entering a room of 600 strangers isn’t something I look forward to.

If you’re an introvert or empath, you can relate.

That’s why I was so surprised last month in San Diego when I experienced the power of a 2D community becoming a 3D one.

It’s all because of Facebook.

I’m one of those who joined social media really late in the game. I wanted to participate in my online course discussion groups.

At first, that was overwhelming too.

My B-School group had over 2000 students in it! It took me a while to accept that I couldn’t read everything or help everyone. I had to trust that I’d see what I was meant to see and let go of the rest.

The support and help I received when I had a question was amazing! I truly learned the value of a 2D online community during that course.

So when I joined Lisa Sasevich‘s Speak to Sell online course for big-hearted entrepreneurs this year, I brought that collaborative spirit to its Facebook group.  The exchange was rich.

It really helped me get more out of the course. I didn’t have to figure it all out on my own.

We also had group calls with Lisa, and I managed to get my questions answered on many of them.

So when I got to her bootcamp in San Diego, things were a lot different than the huge workshops I attended before the age of social media.

I can’t tell you how many people came up to me and hugged me or said things like:

“Oh Dominique, I was so hoping I’d meet you here”.

“Thank you for asking that question on the call. I was having the same problem!”

“You’re the one from Newfoundland! I loved my visit there …”

“I love your art! I’m so glad we’re getting to connect in person.”

I wasn’t a stranger surrounded by strangers.  Names and thumbnails were now real live people I’d shared with online. We could skip the small talk and connect at a deeper level.

My willingness to stretch my comfort zones by joining social media (and learn not to get swallowed up by it) led to a truly heart-warming real-life community experience.

For that I am grateful!

Oh – and it also helped me find 3 great roommates to share the expenses with. Now we’re friends and in our own little mastermind group!

What’s your favourite 2D online Group? Name 1 benefit of being a part of it in the comments below. I’d love examples and stories.

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Get Your Butt Moving!

Paradise Point-San Diego-Dominique Hurley-_DLH4647

Lots of photos for you today!

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Trust me. This isn’t easy. I’ve been blogging at least twice a week for years! But I’m slowing down for the summer.

I’ll be posting every Tuesday, but skipping Thursdays to spend more time outside. I need the air, the beauty, the exercise. I hope that’s OK with you.

You see, I was smart and arrived 2 days early for my business bootcamp at the Paradise Point Resort  in San Diego. I also stayed 2 days after it.

It felt soooooo good to walk on the beach, kayak around the island, swim in one of the 5 pools, and bike in nature for at least an hour every day. See photos below.

So I came back with a commitment to get my butt moving outdoors this summer.

It’s so easy to spend full-days both in the studio and at the computer. I tend to overdo it. Working at home has been fantastic in many ways, but I don’t get off my butt as much as I’d like to.

So I’m listening to what my body, mind, and spirit had to say as soon as I hopped on that bike in San Diego.

What freedom! What joy! I sang with glee as I explored the deserted trails around the island at 6am. I didn’t stop after I got in the kayak either. Bliss!

So I’m shopping for a bike these days. I sold my 30-year-old men’s 10-speed Peugeot as part of my pre-Vienna fundraiser. Now it’s time for a hybrid that can handle St. John’s hills and the gravel trails on the old rail bed.  Exciting!

I’m also choosing to walk more, especially in the early evenings instead of defaulting to Netflix. I had some great river & canal walks with my Dad in Ottawa after San Diego. I went from palm trees to tulips! I also went from cool California weather to a heat wave!

But it was back to freezing once home in Newfoundland (Yay! I don’t do heat very well.)

And so far so good. I had a lovely hike up Signal Hill next to downtown with my friend Janice. I’m also taking my work strategy sessions to Bowring Park.  I’d much rather walk & talk with clients and collaborators than sit in a coffee shop.

So what about you? Are you going to get your butt moving too this summer? Sound crude, I know. Sorry. But trust me, it’ll love you for it. Haven’t you heard? Sitting is the new smoking! 

What’s your favourite form of outdoor exercise? Comment below.

Oh – and if you’re in the mood for a bit of inspiration between posts,  just come visit the archive. You’ll find lots there!

Here’s to our health!

 

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What do others see when they look at you?

painting Exaltation of blue woman in radiating Light

“Exaltation” prints available

Sorry for gazing at you so much. I just keep looking at you and saying to myself: “I want more of what she’s got”.

That’s what one of the participants told me after my Ignite Your Intuition workshop at last month’s Body Mind & Spirit retreat.

I was doing what I love with open-minded, open-hearted soul seekers. Not only had I been sharing my life experiences and teaching how to use intuition, I spent 40 minutes channeling a reading for the group and witnessing transformation all around me.

How could I not be radiant?!

It’s the same when I’m painting or channeling in the studio!

If you’re connected to Self and Spirit – you can’t help but light up the room. 

So my first question to you is:

“How can you bring more of what you love into your life? At home? At work? During your free time?”

I was grateful for the mirror.  I was obviously on track.

But as I told her, I don’t look / feel that way nearly often enough.

iridescent painting of woman with arms stretched in the light

“I AM” (24″ x 36″) – acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas.

Truth be told, when I look at myself in the mirror after a day of working on the administrative or marketing sides of my business, I don’t see what she saw.

There lies the challenge.

Our job is not only to do what we love, but also love all we do.

So my next question to you is:

“How can you connect to your Self and Source while working on the tasks that just need to be done?”

Until I have the resources to hire others who are passionate about doing the parts of my business that I’m not, I need to bring more curiosity and childlike wonder into all parts of my days.

I’m open to advice / musings on this. Please comment below.

P.S.  I created these sister paintings to represent the radiance that comes from connecting to Self and Source day and night – both literally and figuratively. Can you feel the energy coursing through her as she aligns with her soul to vibrate as both a physical and spiritual being?

 

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When the Body Says No

photograph of bridge to garden

“Bridge of Contemplation” from the Connection Photography Collection available in my shop.

Are you happy? Truly happy?

My grade 6 teacher didn’t think that “being happy” was an appropriate response to “What do you want to be when you grow up?”.

My answer remains unchanged, however, and the Dalai Lama agrees:

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy”.

So how do we do that? The answers, I’ve often been told, are within.

I thought I fully understood what that meant.

I considered myself a good listener when it came to my Spirit Calls, living a life of passion and purpose.

As I’ve written in a previous post, I’ve followed my intuition around the world, constantly growing and stretching my comfort zones.

When the Body Says No

In 2015, however, I realized that my listening skills weren’t as good as I thought.

Although I’d followed my inner guidance, devoting all my time to building my website and artist career, I was still operating with the beliefs and emotional coping patterns learned in childhood.

I pushed myself too hard and became the toughest boss I’d ever had.

My self-imposed expectations, pressures, and judgments were taking their toll. I could physically feel the anxiety and stress. Fear started running the show.

I became too busy to listen to the gentler voices inside, so my body became the communication channel. It protested.

As Dr. Gabor Maté writes in his book “When the Body Says No – The Hidden Costs of Stress”,

“What has happened is that we have lost touch with the gut feelings designed to be our warning system… (T)he salient stressors in the lives of most human beings today – at least in the industrialized world – are emotional. Just like laboratory animals unable to escape, people find themselves trapped in lifestyles and emotional patterns inimical to their health. The higher the level of economic development, it seems, the more anesthetized we have become to our emotional realities.”

Fortunately, years of mindfulness training helped me recognize the energetic tremors and physical stress, but childhood conditioning kept me pushing longer than was healthy.

I was determined to be good enough, strong enough, perfect enough, etc. Sounds familiar?

Re-Aligning

The cost of repressing, denying, avoiding, or overreacting to our emotions, is high. We’ve been paying it all our lives.

As children, we learned to fulfill the conditions of everyone around us, trying to make them happy and ignoring our own emotional guidance system.

The result is that many have lost touch with the messages of their bodies, minds, and spirits and end up in a state of physical, mental, or spiritual dis-ease.

We end up unhappy and unhealthy.

Luckily, I stopped denying what was happening before I burned out. Instead, I chose to re-establish harmony, balance, and alignment.

This wasn’t easy – leaving the computer for even a day initially made me more anxious. It’s pretty scary jumping off the hamster wheel when you think it’s going somewhere…

As Abraham (a group of evolved spiritual teachers channelled through Esther Hicks) explains,

“Until the stakes are really high, most of you are … chronically holding yourselves away from the vibration of alignment that is so natural to you, so a little bit of attention to how you feel as a determination to feel better more of the time will take an effort.”

Hearing the same message from spiritual and medical experts helped me accept that I was still hanging on to beliefs and emotional coping patterns that no longer served me.

“A major contributor to the genesis of many diseases … is an overload of the stress induced by unconscious beliefs. If we would heal, it is essential to begin the painfully incremental task of reversing the biology of belief we adopted very early in life. Whatever the external treatment is administered, the healing agent lies within. The internal milieu must be changed. To find health, and to know it fully, necessitates a quest, a journey to the centre of our own biology of belief. That means rethinking and recognizing – re-cognizing: literally, to “know again” – our lives.” Dr. Gabor Maté.

My career choices may have been aligned with my purpose and previous intuitive guidance, but the anxious vibrations I was putting out into the world weren’t bringing back the results I wanted – either in my business or in my being.

I was off track. I had to get back on. As Abraham says,

“when you relax and get back on track, you can feel the clarity, abundance, your worthiness, fun, vitality, eagerness, and passion, and life feels good.”

So that’s what I did. I got off the computer, traveled to see my family, connected to Source through nature, painting and inspirational podcasts, and I’ve kept a better balance ever since, even if I’m currently participating in another online business course while also reviewing last year’s course.

But I’m much happier and healthier now.

Hearing Aids for Your Transformational Journey

We have access to Divine Guidance all the time – we simply have a tendency to listen more when dire circumstances cause us to stop and pay attention.

Why wait that long? The answers truly are within. They’re in the stored emotions calling to be healthily expressed and released as well as in our moment-by-moment emotional gage.

For your sake and all those around you, listen. And seek help when you need it.

There are many empowering tools available to help you on this transformational journey. I offer 3 (see Custom Services in the menu tabs). Think of these as hearing aids.

In selecting tools that resonate with you, you’re creating the necessary expectation of healing that enhances their benefits. You create the intention and open yourself to happiness.

As Dr. Maté and Abraham both teach, whichever modality of treatment or empowerment tools people choose, the key to healing and happiness is your willingness to ask the questions and make informed choices in alignment with your true essence.

Active Listening

It’s important to remember though, that alignment with your Higher Self -happiness – is a moment-by-moment process.

It takes time, patience, practice, and unconditional love.

It’s worth it! You’re worth it.

What is your body saying? How are you feeling? What hearing aids do you believe will best help you?

Please don’t wait until your body says no to start listening.

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