The Labyrinth in Fleetwood Gardens

The winter season has finally ended in Canada. Gone are the snows, frosts, and unbearable coldness for a newcomer like me. 

Finally, here comes the much-awaited season of all; spring. The blossoming of flowers and tree leaves are just everywhere. I can't wait to see the cherry blossoms in different places on the metro as it gives a naturally stunning view of a picture-perfect scene. 

As we welcome spring, it's the best time to visit a nearby park on a lovely sunny day. Enjoy the fun moment and relax, strolling and seeing people around. 

Fleetwood gardens are the best place to be due to its proximity to our home. It's in a vast park where cherry blossoms are waiting to bloom. The pergola gives a feel of a romantic walk for a couple, and the benches sit for soulful conversations.

The most impressive feature is the presence of a labyrinth. It's an ancient pattern found in many places and cultures worldwide. A maze has only a single path and no dead ends. As we walk inside, it winds throughout and mirrors our current state in life. We walk in peace with an open heart and a clear mind. 

The labyrinth in Fleetwood gardens is a classical 7- circuit or path. It's now installed in many places like wellness centers, churches, and community parks as an alternative for healing the body, mind, and soul. 

As we walk the path, we become more mindful of the sensation of walking. And as we go along, we develop a strong sense of concentration and awareness needed to gain insights. 

A labyrinth walk has 3 stages, and it gives beautiful healing benefits. The first stage is releasing or purgation. This is the time when we remove all unwanted thoughts and mental distractions. This is also the time to quiet the mind and open our hearts. 

The second stage is receiving or illumination. As we reach the center, we stay for a moment to sit and stand as we meditate, offer prayer, and allow ourselves to receive guidance from a higher power source. 

The final stage is returning or union. As we're about to exit, we follow the same path back out. We then experience a stronger sense of well-being and clarity of mind. We feel more empowered to pursue our life purpose and heart's desire. 

It feels good to welcome spring with an open heart and a clear mind. Like the spring season, we're about to bloom like colorful, fragrant flowers. A wonderful being with a beautiful soul, living daily to find meaning and purpose. We live our best life, give back and be generous. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Fitness Goals in Fleetwood

Fitness continues from Manila to Surrey, British Columbia. Back home in the Philippines, I used to do a lot of fitness exercises on the streets of BGC on a cool morning and even on warm summer days.

How could I step out for an outdoor walk on a rainy week here in British Columbia? Yes, it rains a lot in BC, but the weather seems favorable as I expect a sunny day perfect for an afternoon stroll in the neighborhood.

Fitness goals could be challenging when stuck at home on gloomy and rainy winter days, but whenever I woke up with the rays of sunlight, I must enjoy the outdoors. 

It's cold outside even when it's sunny, with a daytime high of 10 degrees. However, the winter season is about to end, and the best of spring is coming on the 20th of March.

Walking on the residential streets of Fleetwood on a cold afternoon is an excellent activity as I aim to become more physically fit. No sweat, but it makes me feel warm in less than an hour. That's already about half of my 6000 daily steps target. It feels good to get moving and see the beautiful neighborhood around.

We travel to places occasionally, and we try different global cuisine that suits the palate. Metro Vancouver has diverse food choices, and we couldn't resist the best Asian cuisine. However, this could be a challenge to my fitness goals as I increase caloric intake resulting in weight gain.

That's the reason why I need to burn calories and unwanted fats. I need to walk. I need to run. I need to climb. And I need to jump up high. I'm glad to start my fitness journey here in Fleetwood by simply taking a stroll. Having a long walk in a day makes me feel energized and revitalized.

In the coming days and weeks, I'll be able to discover more places in Fleetwood where I can fully achieve my fitness goals. The quietness of the site and the simplicity of living is ideal for a healthy mind and body. This is where I have always wanted to be. And here I am, about to live my most extraordinary life.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Promenade Walk at Garry Point Park

Vancouver, Canada, is on the top list of the world's most livable cities. It's surrounded by scenic mountain ranges and bodies of water that are naturally wonderful. 

When I arrived in Vancouver at the end of February, I finally landed in beautiful British Columbia. I was greeted with cold and gloomy weather for several days. From then on, I'm still waiting to see sunny weather ideal for sightseeing and walking in the neighborhood.

A few days after I arrived, I was glad to see the blue skies as we visited a dear friend in Richmond.

That was a lovely sunny day in Steveston. A village in the Southwest of Richmond, British Columbia. The sea, the sand, the sun, and the cool winter air match the scenic view of the surrounding sandy trail for a romantic stroll.

Looking at the horizon along the seaside is a spectacular view of Vancouver Island, Victoria's capital city. That's a beautiful island to visit and explore, but I must enjoy the moment at Garry Point Park this time. The ambiance and serenity are genuinely captivating and soothing, perfect for a promenade walk to remember.

Metro Vancouver has a lot of parks, and I am grateful to have seen one of the many beautiful parks in the metro. It feels good to live in a city that is blessed with natural scenery that heals the body and the soul. And whenever I need to unwind and rejuvenate, I'm glad there's always a place I can go to.

Garry Point Park is a place for recreation. It has an open-air green space and trails for strolling and fitness activities. Young and old people would walk along the promenade with their partners and loved ones. Others would love to take their dogs while enjoying the cool sea breeze on a sunny day.

The coastline was once a fishing village and a site for canneries and boatbuilding warehouses. One of the prominent structures in the Park is the Steveston Memorial Needle which is a marker for all those who were injured or died in the fishing industry in this place. 

Sitting on the big rock while watching the sailboats and commercial boats pass by is a beautiful scene. It reminds people about its historical past as a thriving fishing village. 

The winter season in Canada is about to end, but the warm welcome feels like home. That's one thing I need; to get warmth. Living in a tropical country for so long makes a slight adjustment to the cold weather in Canada. However, I must remember that the season changes and only stays for a while. Soon the winter is over, and the spring season awaits.

Like the hundreds of cherry blossom trees in Garry Point Park, it's beginning to blossom once again. When the spring season begins, I'll witness the blooming of the Sakura trees and the cherry blossoms. And it blooms in many parks in the metro. It just blooms when it is ready. It blooms at the right season. And it blooms at the right time.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

A Thousand Miles of Dreams

Chasing for a dream above the sky is truly a magical moment. We soar high to achieve our goals and plan our next life chapter, even in the most uncertain times.

Life is meaningful when getting ready to launch life's best shot. The processes we've been through and the sacrifices we've made make us wiser and braver.

As I embark on my next journey, I remember the good things and those memories that have contributed to where I'm heading. 

Life has its fair share of bittersweet happenings, but we learned to be driven by our life purpose. We do not stop, but we continue the desires of our hearts. We become unstoppable. We become limitless.

In our aspiration for a better life, we have to cross beyond borders and see what lies ahead. Because only when we face our fears and doubts that we become fierce. We become fearless. 

As I begin a new life chapter, I am grateful for the love and support of my loved ones. People who are dear to me and close to my heart. They inspire me and help me achieve my deepest desires. 

Looking forward, I'll take the road ahead with caution and limits. I'll be taking the crossroads with certainty and ability. Because, in the end, I believe in a mighty spirit within me. With a thousand miles of dreams, be guided by the Almighty.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay