Kerri On Down The Road

 Yesterday marked a remarkable milestone for me - 365 consecutive days of cold exposure.   When I first stepped foot in Lake Ontario late last January, I did so out of curiosity and a desire to add a new recovery modality to my running regime.  I did not expect nor intend for this to become a daily ritual...and yet here I was yesterday morning, easing back into one of the snowdrifts outside of my house in the wee hours of the morning, taking deep and slow breaths and allowing the cold to seep into my body. Unlike other habits or hobbies I hold dear, cold dipping over the past year has opened me up to some unexpected life lessons, often taught at the water's edge only to be applied at later dates and times. I have felt myself open up, expand my thinking, and come back to my true essence by simply allowing myself to let go of fear and reframe what it means to be temporarily uncomfortable.  One of the most impactful aspects of this journey has centred on the act of...

In light of Valentine's Day and the focus on relationships this time of year brings, I found myself reflecting on the relationship that I have had with my body over the years.  I was not what you would call an athletic child.  Sure I would spend many hours outdoors with my friends riding bikes, playing games, and adventuring around the neighbourhood, but I was not involved in any organized sports and did not excel in gym class at school.  I was a bit chubby and remember hoping and wishing that I would magically grow into my body one day, sprouting up enough inches to stretch my flesh across a longer frame.  That wish didn't come true, and I found myself looking for other ways to try and combat what I had determined was a problem -- restrictive eating, excessing exercising, and eventually going to a weight counselling centre where I was put on a diet that helped me lose excess weight.  At no time on that weight-loss journey did anyone mention the importance of re...

I love it when I receive the right message at the right time. What's even better is when you don't realize that you are looking for direction, and then it lands right in your lap—or, in my case, in my email inbox. Last week I opened up an email from the  Waking Up app and read the following quote:     "  Everything you do will have a last time"  My automatic response was to start thinking about all the negative connotations that these few words could have, centering on feelings of loss and sadness around the changes that take place outside of our control.  I was then able to move towards viewing this sentiment in a more positive light, focusing on changes I have been able to control, like the last time I took a drink, the last time I told myself a negative story, the last time I accepted less than what I deserve in a relationship.  It felt empowering to know that despite so many factors in our lives feeling outside our control, we can and often do make...

Growing up, I had very little time for thoughts of faith or what I considered spirituality. When I thought of those terms, all that came to mind was the rigidity and blind faith that I equated with traditional religion. I did not feel drawn to the beliefs or practices of the church, and therefore, I assumed I was someone who did not need spirituality in my life.  Oh, how times have changed. It's not that I am now a regular at a local parish, or that I silently pray before turning in at night. Where I have felt a shift is in my understanding of what spirituality can look like and in allowing myself to remain open to the idea of greater powers being present in our lives.  Part of my spirituality includes daily meditation where I let go and follow a guide who helps me unwind the questions and thoughts that are often knocking around in my head.  I feel grateful to have found some teachers who post free guided meditations online and have a short list of favourites that I ...