It seems that every second year we are swimming in apples. Years past I would be an apple sauce making machine but this year I go the lead on an apple cider presser in town that is happy to pull out his Apple Jack to serve the apple bobbing community.

There is only so much apple sauce we can eat, and not to mention make ,so it was off to visit Apple Jack and get dem apples squished in no time flat. So. Much. Easier. And drinkable too!

While it may look like to the naked eye that I’m writing a blog post in reality I’m in the midst of Parallel Universe Time.

No, I haven’t consumed my twin sister in utero and am currently living her unlived life in a deep trance.

Parallel Universe is a coaching tool I picked up from my Kaizen Muse Coaching training that I’m applying in the values section of my Simplicity Parenting workshops for participants to explore their values and ideals in a creative way.

I am just on a conference call with the lovely mamas having just led them through a guided meditation before they began their collage play with images, words, colours and textures that conjure up the feeling of their families at their best. We are reconvening in about half an hour but I decided to hold that space for them by reflecting on my own values through one of my favourite creative mediums; writing to you.

While I encourage the participants to flip through the stacks of magazines they had at the ready to pick up these clues to the hopes and ideals they hold for their family’s lives I am flipping through my images of the last week.

Here I  find reminders of the values that can help lift me during this doozy of week that had me reeling in the “where’s my life coach I need to talk to her now!?!” kind of way.

Photos of Mr Apple Jack :: I have discovered the value of honoring and living with the rhythm of the seasons. The bounty of nature. The tastiness of working with what you got. Trusting in the wisdom that we’re approaching a time of rest, reflection and will make our way out of it deeply rejuvenated.

Photos of Edie’s horseback riding lessons: After a values chat with Craig I was inspired to embrace the value of adventure; trying new things, facing a morsel of fear everyday and coming out of it stronger ~ or as Kale would say ‘brave and true’.

Photos of Edie’s school harvest lunch: The value of community and the strength behind numbers, being open to help and opening lines of communication through kindness and compassion. And if it calls for it, a jug of apple cider.

Peeking at the collage I made last year: I found the words ‘seeds of change’, ‘conscious choice’, ‘wake up to joy’ among the images that capture the cozy warmth of home, family time and this one hot guy wearing matching knitted gnome hats with his kid that kind of reminds me of Craig.

Want to play?

Grab a stack of magazines (great excuse to purchase a few if you’re like me and only treat yourself to smutty celeb gossip rags when on road trips), some card stock and let her rip. Literally. I suggest tearing instead of cutting with scissors. Funner, a lot quicker and prettier in a wabi sabi kind of way.

Have you had a date with your glue stick lately? Would love to hear in the comments below.

PS I have two spots opening in November for Get Your Bliss Back Mama! coaching clients. If you would like to discuss if this would be a blissful fit for you please book a 15 minute chat with me by visiting my online scheduler. I would totally value hearing from you!