The Joy Within

“ And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

The setting sun lately, paints the freshly fallen snow on the mountains with a delicate blush, the peaks in sharp relief, as if outlined in white chalk. These past few weeks of snow and cold have been a welcome change from our usual grey skies, the vistas ever changing… A recent early evening walk down to English Bay turned into a joy within, the sunset splashed across the Caribbean blue sky catching my breath with its palette of dusky peach and orange – there was a washed out effect all around in the below zero weather, the cold air bracing, making one feel alive.

I’ve been trying to sneak in small moments of joy each day and often go walking on icy sidewalks stained with autumn’s fallen leaves in search of festive lights or banner sunsets. One of my favourite light installations is found across from English Bay near the giant bronze sculptures of the laughing Buddhas nestled among exotic palms wrapped in blue and white lights. Sitting there is a life-sized metal sculpture of an orca whale named Luna who never fails to bring a smile to my lips as I make my way down to the seawall, lit up in her glorious white lights just as the sun sets with twilight not too far behind. It is moments like these that bring the magic of the season to life for me – remembering the feel of soft, cool snowflakes blowing through the always open bedroom window; chasing sunsets without a cloud in the sky, only flocks of gulls riding the thermals high above with the roar of the ocean, nature’s own music reminding me to slow down and take it all in – the winter colours making my eyes glow with warmth!

With a brand new year just around the corner, I hope we all can do better – digging deeper and reaching farther to find our humanity, lost among the bloodied and forsaken. To create sacred spaces in which to find the joy within; whether found burning brightly in the flame of a single candle or in the smile of a child clutching a new toy , small moments to stem the tide, push back the darkness and allow the light in.

The forest comes alive with magic during “Bright Nights” in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).

Our recent snowfalls have added their own magic creating a winter wonderland at “Bright Nights” in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C,).

Another shot of the Narnia-like setting at “Bright Nights” in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).