Hi Friends,

This is just a quick hello to let you know I am still out here doing my thing. A new teaching position awaits my return in the fall. I have been writing, publishing books and doing some life strategy coaching. I had a bathroom reno planned for this summer and little else because I was feeling uninspired. Tired. Bored.

Yawn.

Wildfires have been threatening my family cabin all spring and summer, we still have not been able to get there. Bless the firefighters doing their best out there! Little Hip has been parked in the driveway. But ... I was searching for ... something. I had an itch I couldn't quite scratch. I moved a few things around and was making space. For what, I didn't know.

But, life took an unexpected turn for me this summer when I followed my heart without having all the details and said YES to an exciting invitation.

I said YES, and I was not ready.

I said YES, and I was nervous.

I said YES and I was a wee bit afraid (of bears, the wild, the duration).

There is SO MUCH more to how this amazing bucket list invitation unfolded that is serendipitously magical (that's a whole other story). Still, I ended up on a backcountry canoe expedition on the Churchill River. (I have not been in a canoe for more than an hour in 35 years.) I spent 10 days pushing some personal limits and learning a lot about white water canoeing, backcountry camping and myself. My paddling companion and I were dependent on one another to stay safe and to enjoy our time out there. As each day moved into the next, we got into a rhythm. I began to unwind. Settle. Breathe. Expand.

There were lots of unexpected things that happened, and thankfully, I had taken Back40Training's Trail Wise and Trip Ready Course the previous year, which helped me feel confident when shit went sideways. For some, this trip would be very unappealing, but for me, it was good medicine. Life-changing. Awe-inspiring. 12/10 would highly recommend.

There were minor injuries, a flat tire, wildfire smoke that made navigation difficult, leech removals and tick checks, capsizing and extra time in the water adrift, leg cramps, and accidental bear spray deployment during a portage, super thick smoke and threatening fires on our last day, and a tonne of belly laughs, deep and meaningful conversations, humble and helpful people, personal reflection, and celebration of the beautiful things in life... the people, connection, sacred places and the natural world fed my soul. I came home invigorated. Excited. Focused.

Click the image below to see a few of my pictures and follow me on Instagram - please feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts! (Or hit reply.) Have you ever said YES to something even when you were not ready? Even when you were afraid? How did it turn out for you? I'd love to know!

Until next time,

Jennifer Sparks

(Websites are currently under construction.)

STOKEPublishing.com

JenniferSparks.ca