We sit at the dining room table eating our breakfast on a Sunday morning. The geese are flying in, following the river from the north to our house then they turn and head back up the river. Is it spring or is it not? That is the burning question these days. The goldfinches are inContinue reading “Simply Because”
Author Archives: Janis
This blog started while walking El Camino de Santiago in Spain. Upon returning I decided to keep writing, offering my reflections on the day-to-day life journey. River Spirit is the name of our home on the Rum River and life for me entails one step after the other in this physical form, moving to wholeness. The lens I look through is influenced by my years as grief counselor, the artist journey of mixing water and paint on paper, studies in meditation and mindfulness, and my own unique life experiences of study, travel and exploration.
Since retiring from my role as grief counselor and no longer counseling individuals, I find that my reflections on the journey of a soul continue to be a way of service and might be helpful for those who are trying to navigate life with its many transitions and opportunities for transformation.
I walk this journey with my husband, Leo, our two adult children and 4 grandchildren. They keep it real and greatly increase my opportunities for laugh and play.
Brother Sun
This morning’s waking gift was the pink horizon anticipation of the sun along with the crescent moon with a reflection on mother Superior. It reminded me of St. Francis prayer, Canticle of the Sun. ….Praised be You God for all Your creatures, especially Brother Sun, Who is the day through whom You give us light.Continue reading “Brother Sun”
Reflections From The North Shore
Leo and I set out to snowshoe on the north shore of Lake Superior near the mouth of the Caribou River. It had begun to thaw a bit and we sank up to our knees in places, got off the trail and made our way to the road and then back on another trail closerContinue reading “Reflections From The North Shore”
An Embodied Journey
This appeared as my morning reflection (by Jon Kabat-Zinn): The rehabilitation of the body, in the sense of fully inhabiting it and cultivating intimacy with it is, however it is, is a universal attribute of mindfulness practice… Since it is of limited value to speak of the body as separate from the mind,Continue reading “An Embodied Journey”
Our Daily Work
It feels as if spring is arriving and we are being nudged out of hibernation. We are enjoying the warmth of the sun on our skin, if not a bit cool. We saw two young men in shorts. Maybe my brain will thaw as well and I will be able to write again or maybeContinue reading “Our Daily Work”
The Warmth of Love in a Cold Climate
We are in a new month. I am noticing closely as we are not going anywhere for the winter months and it is interesting to watch the movement of weather while noticing how I feel about the weather. For the most part, being here in the cold and snow is fine. It just is. WhatContinue reading “The Warmth of Love in a Cold Climate”
No Struggle to Joy
As a follow up to my last post, I am now going to be in the community art show. I had let go of the struggle, stepped back and let go of the feelings of chaos around it all, and then on Monday was gifted by a dear friend and her husband with the loanContinue reading “No Struggle to Joy”
Rest in the Posture
The highlight and largest breath of this week was a reminder, I don’t have to follow through on someone else’s wish for me if it does not fit or feel right in the moment. A no brainer, right? But one we easily forget to implement. A week ago, in the first night at the college drawingContinue reading “Rest in the Posture”
The Darks and The Lights
In 1982, I declared myself a life long learner as I went back to finish my BA. I have achieved an MA and many certificates in programs 2 and 3 years long. Now, after 12 years away from formal education, I am back as a student and the delightful thing is, it is now purelyContinue reading “The Darks and The Lights”
Return To Love
Today, a young woman is dying and moving closer to her last breath. She will be leaving three little ones who will be too young to remember her. She is struggling and acknowledged to the Hospice team member, in a soft whisper, ‘I am afraid of dying.” She is young and we are used toContinue reading “Return To Love”
