Today, I bid farewell to my cabin, my little haven in the boreal forest of the Yukon

By embracing change, we can overcome past pains and release ourselves from emotional prisons and shadows, paving the way for healing, comfort and joy.

For half a decade, a quaint, secluded cabin nestled in the serene Yukon wilderness has served as my sanctuary. It's been a tranquil refuge, a place where I could take a breath, ground myself, and form a reassuring connection with the natural world. This cabin, while minimal in its amenities, has been a place of abundant life lessons, wisdom and experiences. Here, I lived a simple life, utilizing an outhouse lit by candlelight year-round, a life devoid of running water or modern plumbing.

This humble abode, amidst the vast wilderness, was my fortress during the global pandemic. It was a place where I earned my degree in education, marking a significant milestone in my life. Within its wooden walls, I transitioned from a government employee serving the Yukon government, to a full-time artist, breathing life into blank canvases.

This cabin has witnessed my moments of joy; I've danced in its embrace, creating hundreds of videos to spread a message of hope and positivity amid a time of uncertainty. Its doors have welcomed visitors from all corners of the country, serving as a beacon of warmth and human-connection. Both national and international media outlets have sought stories within its walls, interviewing me in this place of peace and solitude.

This group of women attended elementary school together in Saskatchewan. Now, they are all 70 years old and still keep in touch with each other, even though they live in different provinces. They decided to travel to the Yukon together and visited me at my cabin three years ago. We danced together. Here is a video from that moment:

During the peak of the pandemic, this cabin transformed into a virtual classroom, from where I taught nearly 10,000 Canadian school students in almost every province and territory. My heart warmed as I received hundreds of handwritten letters in this lovely nest, each one an example of how we appreciate human connection.

But today, I bid a farewell to my cabin, my little haven in the boreal woods. Before departing, I paid homage to its warmth, kissing the wood of its outer wall. Yes, I shed a tear when I saw my dear home for the last time, but I was acutely aware that it was time to move on, to flow onward like a river, finding joy and promise in every stone, grain of sand, and unexpected turn.

Joy is akin to a flowing river, continually changing. It serves as a fitting metaphor for our lives, emphasizing the need to perpetually move forward. Stagnant water, as in a pond, can become stale or even start to rot. However, water that flows remains fresh and vibrant. Similarly, in life, we should strive for continual flow. By embracing change, we can overcome past pains and release ourselves from emotional prisons and shadows, paving the way for healing, comfort and joy.

For an unknown period, I will be without a permanent place to call home, but I carry with me a spirit of optimism and confidence that I will find something that resonates with my spirit, just as my beloved cabin once did.

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