Sometimes, wellness is about the little joys we carve out in our everyday lives — the moments that lift us, make us smile, and remind us to savour the present.
🎶 Music for the Soul
Hallelujah. 🙌 Leonard Cohen gave us the most perfect song, and in 2010, the goddess k.d. lang delivered the most perfect performance of it at the Vancouver Olympics. For me, it remains one of Canada’s most iconic moments — and maybe the best live performance ever. Take a break, press play, and sing along. 💙
🍴 Savouring Local
Closer to home, I stopped by the Orleans Rib and Poutine Fest. I went thinking ribs… but the poutine got me! Wonderful to see so many vendors and neighbours turn out, and of course, I had to go with a classic: St. Albert cheese poutine. Supporting local, and treating yourself, is wellness too. Pay attention to opportunities to shop local. (In Ottawa, sign up for Capital Eats https://www.capitaleats.ca/subscribe , and Ottawa Lookout https://www.ottawalookout.com/subscribe )
🎬 Simple Pleasures
Sometimes, wellness is curling up with an old favourite — I rewatched The Way We Were this week. Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford never fail to tug at the heartstrings (aren’t we all mourning Hubbell again?).
Or maybe rewatch Out of Africa – heck, why not rewatch both?
😂 Laughter is Medicine
And speaking of joy, I’ve booked myself some comedy therapy: Kathy Griffin is coming back to Ottawa in January (see https://www.kathygriffin.net/ ), and Rick Mercer is in town this week (see – https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/39187 it says sold out, but to come back soon – I got some tickets yesterday) — and I’m going to both. Because nothing resets your spirit quite like a good laugh.
✨ Whether it’s music, food, film, or comedy, I encourage you to plan the activities that light you up. And here’s the travel connection: wellness isn’t only found at home. It’s why so many of my clients love wellness-focused travel — whether that’s restorative days on a river cruise, a week at The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia, or simply time away where everything is taken care of so you can focus on yourself.
Because just like at home, it’s the small moments — the song that stirs your soul, the meal that makes you smile, the laugh that lifts your spirit — that add up to true wellness, wherever you are in the world. 🌍💙