Hey, joyful humans!

Thank you so much for being here.

March brings up weird feelings for me, and I wonder if it does the same for you.

For me, March feels like bumping into an old friend I haven't talked to in years. As we catch up, I feel awkward because I'm so far removed from the person I was when I first met them that I don't know what version they expect to see.

March reminds me of the COVID shutdowns, which occurred only five years ago. It's a month when I've always experienced something weird or an unexpected change. It's too warm for the coziness of winter, but it's too cold for the comfort of summer.

I call it the in-between time.

How do we cope?

I have this image on my Notion homepage (it's a digital workspace that I think everyone could benefit from using), and I see it as the line of the season:

Let's think about this for a second—we are making it through winter! Huzzah! The wind doesn't hurt our faces as much. Where we're going (towards summer), blue skies and sunshine are guaranteed (IYKYK). But we're in neither spot, and puddles are a thing.

But since we're alive, we get to enjoy the spot we're in now.

We get to exist together in this weird little moment, and I'm really happy we don't have to do it alone.

If this time brings up old memories for you, take a breath and take pride in how much you've grown since then. If it feels like a rebirth or a jubilant second coming of New Year's Day, I raise my glass of bubbly with you.

Wherever you are, I hope that when you ask yourself, "What will make today a good day despite how I'm feeling?," you'll have a few good answers.

Onward and upward, my friends.

Join my Monday night IRL yoga classes!

Slow-flow yoga is a great way to connect with your body, check on how it's feeling, and ease yourself into a more active lifestyle. If you've been looking for a community to hang out with in person, practice yoga, and have fun, join my Monday night classes in Winnipeg! They're an excellent option for those who have always wanted to go to a yoga class but feel intimidated by a typical studio or need a more wallet-friendly option for in-person classes.

Song of the Week

Hello - The Cat Empire

We got the Winnipeg Folk Fest lineup!! Admittedly, I only know the Paper Kites and Begonia this year, which means it's a fun opportunity to cruise around Spotify and taste-test this year's vibes. I heard The Cat Empire had some fun, soulful beats and was not disappointed. Enjoy them with me!

Hello The Cat Empire PREVIEW   ​

Find this song and all the others on the ​Joyful Beats playlist​ on Spotify!

Video of the Week

​Three Things To Do If You're Starting Your Fitness Journey from Zero​

The snow is melting, which means it's a nice time to get outside and consider a more active lifestyle - but where to begin? If I were starting my fitness journey from scratch, here's what I would do that can help you.

While you're at it, follow me on Instagram!​

Good News Wednesday

Check out the good news around the world! In our fast-paced world, it’s important to remember “the helpers.”

• After a rise of 2SLGBTQIA+ weddings were requesting to bump up their wedding dates in Cambridge, Massachusetts in reflection of the US government, the community came together and put on Queerly Beloved, a beautiful event where over 100 vendors came together to marry seven couples in one day.​
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• In the last 30 years, almost everyone in Bangladesh has gained access to basic electricity!!​
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• Under a new plan in the UK, over a million lower-paid workers will receive 80% of their weekly salary as statutory sick days. ​
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• Back in January, Marcus Freeman became the first Black head coach of a college football national championship game.​
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• US newspapers are considering pulling old media coverage of people’s past arrests so they can have a brighter future.
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• Scientists in the US and Spain have found the ‘Achilles’ heel’ of antibiotic-resistance bacteria so more people can heal from their illnesses.
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• Tony Clark introduced the Backpack Bed - an ergonomic backpack that can roll out into an insulated bed with a built-in mattress! He’s looking to help every person experiencing homelessness in Chicago, where he resides.
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• Learn more about Malayika Murinzi, or “Guardian Angels,” an army of Rwandan trained foster parents aiming to make Rwanda an orphanage-free country.​
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• For the first time in history, there are more female doctors than male in the UK.
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• A church in Alaska has set up tiny homes in their parking lot to help homeless seniors deal with the cold winter conditions.

Find more good news at Good Good Good!​

Book of the Week

​Lost and Lassoed - Lyla Sage​

I've shared about this series before, and as I read more into them, they continue to be really, really cute. As you're transported to Blue Rebel Ranch in Meadowlark, Wyoming, you'll start to ask yourself, "Should I get cowgirl boots? What about a cowgirl hat?" The answer is yes. Plus, this one is enemies to lovers - my favourite romance trope. I hope you enjoy Teddy and Gus's story as much as I did!

Book Synopsis

Teddy Andersen doesn't have a plan. She's never needed one before. She's always been more of a go-with-the-flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn't seem to be going her way this time.​
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Her favourite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it's starting to change. Teddy is used to being a leader, but now she feels like she's getting left behind, wondering if life in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore.
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Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn't know what's harder: taking care of his family's 8,000 acre ranch, or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he has to admit that he can't manage everything on his own. He needs help.
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His little sister's best friend, the woman he can't stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he's got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he'll never find what he needs.
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Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether they should act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?

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In gratitude and thanks,