All articles, tagged with “nature”

Do you have trouble getting to sleep?

We keep hearing from people that lack of rest is one of life’s major disruptions. So, we decided to create a guided meditation that can give sleep assistance to others.

The video process incorporates simple techniques to relax the body and mind. In addition, you’ll bring your waking hours to a close with appreciation for your life and the events of the day while releasing any racing thoughts.

You may close your eyes at any time during this guided meditation and just listen to the audio.

When you finish the video and get into bed, you may continue to use the technique in which you imagine writing down your thoughts and setting them into the river. Or, you may just follow your breathing in and out as you drift off to sleep.

Please remove all distractions from the area where you watch this video to experience the full benefit.

There is also an audio-only version of this video on the Creative Mentor page of our website.

Sweet dreams :)

Our latest multimedia innovation is designed to help people perform music with confidence. Most people who play or sing music wish to express themselves fully to others through this universal form of communication.

However, many people worry about being judged, compare themselves to others, and get anxious about making mistakes while delivering their musical message. Their focus turns away from the joy of expression to the fear of performing and being vulnerable.

A simple guided process, this brand new video was created to give both amateur and professional performers:

1. self-acceptance
2. self-confidence
3. freedom of expression
4. the idea that music is a universal language of connection
5. tools for mental preparation

For full instructions on how to use the video, go to the video’s page on YouTube and look at the description below the video.

As performers, Candice and I have used all of these techniques and experienced fantastic results. We also teach these concepts to our students. But, this is the first time we’ve organized the system in such a comprehensive, yet concise package.

If you know anyone who would like to be more peaceful and expressive while performing, feel free to share this video with them.

This video is the first installment in our brand new series entitled, GC Meditation Series. Upcoming videos will address topics like sleeplessness, goal attainment, public speaking, appreciation, exercise and health, abundance and forming an effective practice habit.

Greg, our two traveling cats and I spent Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (2nd weekend in October) on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands in Ontario. We were enthralled by the quiet beauty and uniqueness of the area.

There are around 1865 islands in a 50 mile span of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario that vary greatly in size. Some smaller ones have a charming house or two on them with small bridges connecting a couple tiny islands. Imagine living on your own private island! The Iroquois referred to this area as “Garden of the Great Spirit”. And this IS where Thousand Island dressing was created.

We accessed the Thousand Islands from Gananoque, ON, a lovely little town (pop. 5285) about midway between Toronto and Montreal. We were so impressed by the friendliness of the people. The optimal time to see Fall colors is generally the 3rd weekend in October. Here are some of our trip highlights and links for more info:

In order to see the islands, it’s best to take a boat cruise. The Gananoque Boat Line offers journeys of various lengths including a 5-hour Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise. The 1-hour cruise ($20 per person) was a perfect length for us. We happened upon the boat just as it was departing and since we missed the ticket counter, the dockhand trustingly let us on without tickets. We did buy them afterwards, and it saved us a 1.5 hr. wait for the next boat. The Gan Boat Line gift shop was offering 40% off most items for the holiday, and the cashier was very informative about the area.

For lunch, the gift shop cashier recommended the Ganonoque Inn and Spa for their waterfront view and wi-fi. We tried one of the Inn’s restaurants, Muskie Jake’s, which features delicious casual fare and generous portions. Try the lemon beer-battered fish and chips or veggie wrap. For Thanksgiving weekend, they serve a special all-inclusive turkey dinner for $20 on Sunday night by reservation only. Good deal!

Only 25 minutes away, Kingston sports a pretty waterfront reminiscent of Vancouver’s marina with some nice pubs along the river.

Visit 1000 Islands Gananoque for places to stay, like the picturesque Athlone Inn, and more activities. For campers, there are many nice resorts, including 1000 Islands Camping Resort which is quiet, pretty and has full hook-ups. The 1000 Islands/Ivy Lea KOA has Thanksgiving dinner and Trick or Treat this weekend, but it books up early.

If you want to access this area from upstate New York, click on Visit 1000 Islands.

Happy travels!

Recently, we got a private tour of a tranquil little spot in Northeast Ohio. “Stebbins Gulch” is part of Holden Arboretum.

This newest Water Film provides you with an experience of this amazingly peaceful slice of nature.

If you enjoy the soundtrack for this film you can download it here.

Press play and enjoy!

You can also watch it on YouTube in HD.

Our Water Films DVD, with over 2.5 hours of content, is also available on Amazon.

Kananaskis Country is just outside Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The peace, quiet and grandeur of the area inspire awe and a deep sense of calm.

This new Water Film also features music inspired by the lakes.

If you enjoy the soundtrack for this film you can download it here.

Press play and enjoy!

You can also watch it on YouTube in HD.

If you wish to purchase Water Films on DVD, they are available on Amazon.

Yellowstone National Park boasts some of the most beautiful and mysterious scenery in North America. Here are a few shots from our most recent visit . . .

Here’s a snapshot of some of the beauty that exists in Glacier National Park, Montana. It may be isolated, but it is well worth the visit!

We’re curious. What does being “immersed in nature” mean for you?

Everyone has a different idea about this concept.

We just spent a week in the Canadian Rockies — around Banff, Kananaskis Country and Canmore. Just driving around the area is a powerful experience. It’s as if our eyes are being gently massaged by the magnificent scenery.

Aquamarine glacial lakes and rivers, asymmetrical granite peaks, mountain wildflowers and wildlife provide a living meditation. It’s total rejuvenation and we realize that the weather conditions seem unimportant. If it’s chilly and raining, you choose different activities, but you’re still experiencing the peace and inspiration of your surroundings.

We don’t live a stressful life, but we can feel our bodies relax and our minds become clear as we hike and explore this spectacular environment. There is a healing simplicity in the mountains and it is our desire to share the essence of this experience with anyone who seeks this connection.

We’d love to hear from you. In what way do you connect with nature and what effect does it have on your life, your mind, your creativity and your spirit?

Here’s an image from Two Jack Lake in Banff National Park with Mount Rundle in the background.

We spent time in Kananaskis Country today. This awesome natural area in the Canadian Rockies is not as well known as its famous neighbor, Banff National Park.

But, it is definitely worth a visit if you’re into wildlife, unique jagged peaks, beautiful water features and hiking.

We just visited Chicago over the weekend. In addition to shopping and eating, we were looking for interesting ways in which nature shows up, even in a dense urban setting like the area around Michigan Avenue.

Millennium Park afforded us some cool partnerships between human design and nature.

Take a look.

“The bean” or the Cloud Gate Sculpture is framed by nearby trees. The sculpture is also reflecting a row of trees while hosting a group of five seagulls (they are lining the top right).

An extra large allium (along with other nice flowers) is blooming in a nicely designed bed at the entrance to Millennium Park.

Mother Nature rolled in some clouds behind this museum lion, obscuring the skyscaper background. Two large trees occupy the bottom of the image, giving the scene color.

Of course, we always find water. Here are two contrasting fountains, displaying different flow patterns.