The view from my family cabin at Katepwa Lake. 

(Originally published in REWILD)

When I was 15, I spent a summer in the most beautiful location: Tunnel Mountain, up near Banff surrounded by mountains; doing what I loved: dancing, all of the ballet; and eating the most amazing food (not to mention desserts) by world-class chefs. I was happy. I was beyond happy. One day, a group of girls suggested we all go down to the gym to weigh ourselves. Ok, I thought, this sounds fun. I never gave much thought to my weight before then.

There were about five of us...

​Agency Definition: the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; something used to achieve an end
― Merriam-Webster Dictionary
 
Synonyms : agent, activator, catalyst, energizer, influence, inspiration, instrument, launcher, medium, mover, responsibility 

Photo credit to George Dimitrov

As a new year arrives, so does a new tax season. Now, this isn't the most fun or glamorous part about being self-employed (unless you in fact love organizing like me...) but it is highly necesarry. Now, I'm not an accountant. This is simply a guide that I use and find helpful. For sure go to tax information sessions, you can usually find them for free for artists and yoga teachers: chat with your community, to gain accurate and up to date information on what the laws are in your region.

What is your first reaction when you hear the word "No" ?

Is it a cringing? A pang? A sadness or sense of rejection? Loss of confidence?

Or is it a sense of excitement and empowerment? Possibility? An opportunity for something else?

I've always had a hard time with the word no, hearing it and speaking it. I grew up as a people pleaser, an enabler of sorts. Yes sir, yes ma'am, yes mom and dad, yes world even if it hurts me. I did not have any sense of boundaries or even the feeling that it was ok to have boundaries.

Hearing no was hard too. I was very lucky as a child and was afforded all of the opportunities I wanted. I really didn't hear no that often, so when I did, it came as a shock.

Image by Charles Gollob