Articles - MARIA LISA POLEGATTO

My Spiritual Ocean Retreat

6/3/2018

My Spiritual Ocean Retreat. I used to think a retreat was only about going with other people to a place to pray in union, to reflect on life and grow spiritually. And while all of these things nourish the soul, my retreat is very personal and reflective in nature that lives and breathes all around me.

As published in the Edge Magazine online

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

I used to think a retreat was only about going with other people to a place to pray in union, to reflect on life and grow spiritually. And while all of these things nourish the soul, my retreat is very personal and reflective in nature that lives and breathes all around me.

Intuition Leads Me

3/2/2018

Intuition Leads Me. Being in tune with oneself can lead to many benefits, some of which can not be fully explained. Intuition is more than knowing the phone is going to ring before it does. It is the knowing and feeling you are on the right path, when you need to change your path to avert danger and having knowledge about things that others have done and left unsaid before you.

As published in the Edge Magazine

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Being in tune with oneself can lead to many benefits, some of which can not be fully explained. Intuition is more than knowing the phone is going to ring before it does. It is the knowing and feeling you are on the right path, when you need to change your path to avert danger and having knowledge about things that others have done and left unsaid before you.

Yoga Balances My Spirit

27/1/2018

Yoga Balances My Spirit. I have fond memories of being a child practicing yoga with my mother. We sat on the floor and bent ourselves in many poses to strengthen our minds and bodies. It has served to balance my spirit as life unfolded over the years.

As published in the Edge Magazine online and in print

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

I have fond memories of being a child practicing yoga with my Mother. We would sit on the floor and bend ourselves in many poses to strengthen our minds and bodies. It helps balance my spirit as life unfolds over the years.

Miracles of Nature

23/12/2017

Miracles of Nature. When I seek inspiration, I go out into nature. It never disappoints in any season.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

When I seek inspiration, I go out into nature. It never disappoints in any season. While winter is now upon us, nature keeps on delighting with its beauty, I am full of gratitude with each trip I make to see the sun shining brightly in the sky above, the natural landscapes that set out before me, the air that fills me with revitalization and resilience.

Wild Sable Island Horse: Mabel From Sable

23/11/2017

Wild Sable Island Horses. Her name was Mabel. We had a lot in common. We both loved being in nature. We were both French Acadian Canadians, distant cousins if you will. We were both born in Nova Scotia but both originate from Loudon, France, from ancestors years gone past.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Her name was Mabel. We had a lot in common. We both loved being in nature. We were both French Acadian Canadians, distant cousins if you will. We were both born in Nova Scotia but both originate from Loudon, France, from ancestors years gone past.

Finding Your Happy Place

13/10/2017

Everyone needs to have a happy place to go to whether you physically go there in person or go in your mind when you need to rest and rejuvenate. Walking meditations are my favorite ways to discover all that nature has to offer.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Everyone needs to have a happy place to go to whether you physically go there in person or go in your mind when you need to rest and rejuvenate. Walking meditations are my favorite ways to discover all that nature has to offer.

Happiness is.....

1/9/2017

Once upon a time, I thought I found happiness in the beaming brightness of a rainbow as I traveled up and down the hills chasing the elusive pot of gold. Now when I see a rainbow it makes me smile happy thoughts and lifts my spirit but deep down I know that happiness is about so much more than the hills and valleys before us.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Once upon a time, I thought I found happiness in the beaming brightness of a rainbow as I traveled up and down the hills chasing the elusive pot of gold. Now when I see a rainbow it makes me smile happy thoughts and lifts my spirit but deep down I know that happiness is about so much more than the hills and valleys before us.

Awakening With Spirit

1/8/2017

In today's world we are so caught up with keeping up that it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Our bodies are fine tuned entities that exist not just for our pleasure of use but to help us through this life in as much ease as we offer it. No matter how much I feel I have lead a healthy life, I am constantly finding new ways to care for myself not just physically but also spiritually.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

In today's world we are so caught up with keeping up that it is easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Our bodies are fine tuned entities that exist not just for our pleasure of use but to help us through this life in as much ease as we offer it. No matter how much I feel I have lead a healthy life, I am constantly finding new ways to care for myself not just physically but also spiritually.

Inward Community

1/7/2017

Introvert. Introversion. We are all thrust into this world racing through the day and into the night to do it all again over and over. While we can be open and eager to spend time in the bright lights, we also need those who can teach us how life can be enjoyed by oneself. When we accept ourselves for who we are, we can teach ourselves and others so much about life.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto (As published in the Edge Magazine online)

We are all thrust into this world racing through the day and into the night to do it all again over and over. While we can be open and eager to spend time in the bright lights, we also need those who can teach us how life can be enjoyed by oneself. When we accept ourselves for who we are, we can teach ourselves and others so much about life.

Abundance of Spirit

1/6/2017

Spirituality. We are constantly on the search for abundance in the form of great amounts of wealth, health, happiness, possessions, and prosperity in life. But there is still more to abundance that can give us great peace and solitude within. An abundance of all that which sustains us - Spirit. When we are filled with spirit, we are filled with the Light that guides our way towards abundance.

Published in The Edge Magazine

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

We are constantly on the search for abundance in the form of great amounts of wealth, health, happiness, possessions, and prosperity in life. But there is still more to abundance that can give us great peace and solitude within. An abundance of all that which sustains us - Spirit. When we are filled with spirit, we are filled with the Light that guides our way towards abundance.

Nature Expands My Consciousness

1/5/2017

Spirituality. To think, to feel, to be aware of oneself and of that which surrounds us in our daily life; consciousness. So simple yet so complex that it requires your full awareness to achieve. In life we often look for the complexities instead of these simplicities for healing our soul, but healing occurs when we enter into stillness, awareness and the unfolding of emotions where consciousness exists. What a better place to find this place of sweet serenity than nature.

Published online in The Edge Magazine

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

To think, to feel, to be aware of oneself and of that which surrounds us in our daily life; consciousness. So simple yet so complex that it requires your full awareness to achieve. In life we often look for the complexities instead of these simplicities for healing our soul, but healing occurs when we enter into stillness, awareness and the unfolding of emotions where consciousness exists. What a better place to find this place of sweet serenity than nature.

Healing Spirit

1/4/2017

Spirituality. As the morning dawn comes upon me, the Light opens my heart to a new day. Prayers of plenitude for others awaken my spirit preparing me for the day. It is in these early morning hours that healing takes hold setting me forth for the daily journey that awaits.

Published in the Edge Magazine

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

As the morning dawn comes upon me, the Light opens my heart to a new day. Prayers of plenitude for others awaken my spirit preparing me for the day. It is in these early morning hours that healing takes hold setting me forth for the daily journey that awaits.

Nature Revives My Spirit

2/3/2017

Life leads us many places, good and bad, through daylight and darkness. Each step leading us toward another event that molds us into ourselves. As days pass by quickly, we can still slow down the pace by taking time for ourselves to revive our soul to new heights. My place for this renewal is the depths of nature and all of the treasures it has to offer. A walking meditation along the path that Light has opened before me.

Published by the Edge Magazine.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Life leads us many places, good and bad, through daylight and darkness. Each step leading us toward another event that molds us into ourselves. As days pass by quickly, we can still slow down the pace by taking time for ourselves to revive our soul to new heights. My place for this renewal is the depths of nature and all of the treasures it has to offer. A walking meditation along the path that Light has opened before me.

Valentine Love

31/1/2017

Valentine. With this month arrives many questions in moments of need of answers and most often from men questioning their love for their special someone and how deep does it go or should they show it. Should I get them anything? I don't want them to think I love them like that. How much do I spend? What do I get? What if they don't like it?

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

February, Dear February, how can it be? Another year gone by and there you are right in front of me :)

With February comes Valentine's Day. For the romantics this day is full of love and fun, messages and notes and special efforts of love. Where love abounds all around and excites those in romance to new heights of blissful love, while at the same time others live in dread of this mushy day coming along again while they feel alone and are glad when it passes by.

When Life Comes Calling

4/1/2017

You can continue to run from it, over and over, but it's going to find you. It's life. It's your life. You don't really want to escape from it, do you? And you can try to keep running, but it will be right there with you, all the days of your life. But when life has something to say to you, to teach you, it will whether you like it or not. For there comes a time when life comes calling. Will you hear it knock upon your door of life? Will you pay attention? Will you heed its warning? Life Coaching.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto
Published in The Edge Magazine

We live life as though it will always be there for us. We wake up, jump up, run through our day, eat, drink, run, run, run, off to bed and it all starts again the next day, over and over. It can be so exhausting. Until one day, one day when life says, "Ok, now it's time. Now it's time to show you what life is all about."

Breathe Love

1/12/2016

Breath Love. We all know how to breathe and how to love but do we know how to have that love heal you? Breathing allows your body to flow air in and circulate that air through your body to keep your cells healthy. Love is so many things. Most of us think of love as being something you give but it's so much more than that.

Published online in the Edge Magazine

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

We all know how to breathe and how to love but do we know how to have that love heal you? Breathing allows your body to flow air in and circulate that air through your body to keep your cells healthy. Love is so many things. Most of us think of love as being something you give but it's so much more than that.

Let The Light Shine In

1/11/2016

Everyone wants their piece of the world to be a happy place. A place that is bright and joyful. A place where they feel at home, safe and secure, relaxed and comfortable. But sometimes we all experience a bit of dark in our world and that is when we must learn to grow above it so it doesn't grow within us. We have to experience our lives and feel the emotions of our days.

Everyone wants their piece of the world to be a happy place. A place that is bright and joyful. A place where they feel at home, safe and secure, relaxed and comfortable. But sometimes we all experience a bit of dark in our world and that is when we must learn to grow above it so it doesn't grow within us. We have to experience our lives and feel the emotions of our days.

Everyone wants their piece of the world to be a happy place. A place that is bright and joyful. A place where they feel at home, safe and secure, relaxed and comfortable. But sometimes we all experience a bit of dark in our world and that is when we must learn to grow above it so it doesn't grow within us. We have to experience our lives and feel the emotions of our days.

Everyone wants their piece of the world to be a happy place. A place that is bright and joyful. A place where they feel at home, safe and secure, relaxed and comfortable. But sometimes we all experience a bit of dark in our world and that is when we must learn to grow above it so it doesn't grow within us. We have to experience our lives and feel the emotions of our days.

Meditation: Cloud Skipping

1/10/2016

Ok, it's time for another exercise :) Come, lets play in our minds :) Close your eyes. Ok, wait, keep them open to read this first :), then you can close them to practice as often as you like.

Published online in the Edge Magazine

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Ok, it's time for another exercise :) Come, lets play in our minds :) Close your eyes. Ok, wait, keep them open to read this first :), then you can close them to practice as often as you like.

I see too much stress in the world, don't we all, it's everywhere - let's take a moment to relax into our peaceful soul, deep within ourselves to find some tranquility within. For what happens within will mirror what happens outside of us.

Pets & Grief: How Do You Say Goodbye

1/9/2016

Pets and Grief. So how do you say goodbye to your furry love? How do you wake up each morning and not see their precious face, feel their precious fur and hug their precious body again and again? I'm not going to lie to you. You go through life for awhile wandering aimlessly thinking it’s a bad dream, it's not real. You wake up crying, you go to bed crying, you cry until you think you can't cry anymore and then you cry some more. The house feels so empty with their physical presence gone. You feel empty and alone. You want to hug everyone you meet because you have no furry love to hug anymore. You look at all the places they used to lay and they're not there anymore and it makes you sad, really, really sad.

Whiskey

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

I've loved and lost many animals in life but this time my love was deeper than I had ever experienced before. Furry loves are all special and loved beyond measure there is no question about that. But this time my love ran deeper than even I realized probably because we battled so many ups and downs together and spent so much time in each other's love.

Pets & Grief: The Love Of A Boy And His Dog Never Ends

3/8/2016

Once up a time there was a Golden Retriever named Whiskey. While she wasn't born in a home made out of gold, her heart certainly was made out of it. Not long after she was born, she made the long journey to Mira with a man named Mark that thought a 10 year old boy needed a dog to grow up with. And Mark was right.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Once up a time there was a Golden Retriever named Whiskey. While she wasn't born in a home made out of gold, her heart certainly was made out of it. Not long after she was born, she made the long journey to Mira with a man named Mark that thought a 10 year old boy needed a dog to grow up with. And Mark was right.

Intro-vert

31/7/2016

introvert. Introversion. While I walk in nature, I am introduced to the many marvels of how our world grows in the quiet recesses of time and space as the rest of the world whips by not stopping to notice the healing that awaits us in the simply pleasures of the complexities our world is made up of.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

I just realized the word "introvert" is part French, just like me. It's an "intro" into "vert". "Vert" being the French word for green. Green as being one of the many colors of nature that grows all around us.The medical definition of "introvert" in the Merriam Webster dictionary is: "one whose attention and interests are directed toward one's own thoughts and feelings". We can all use some time in our lives to focus inward on our emotions.

While I walk in nature, I am introduced to the many marvels of how our world grows in the quiet recesses of time and space as the rest of the world whips by not stopping to notice the healing that awaits us in the simply pleasures of the complexities our world is made up of.

Horses: Moments That Matter for Fearless Relationships

10/7/2016

Horse Massage. Horses, for example, can teach you how to be fearless. Horses don't just feel fear, not just sense it, they can smell fear. And although you can fear horses they can still teach you how not to fear. You see, the more you fear, the more they will fear you. They look at you when you fear and the unpleasant feeling wells up inside of them and they expect danger to come and when they don't see what the danger is, they think that they need to fear you.

Bud

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

The greater the fearlessness, the greater the spirit's ability to grow and connect with that around it.

Fearlessness of course is the lack of fear. So what is fear? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines fear as "a strong unpleasant feeling caused by being aware of danger or expecting something bad to happen." Just reading that makes my stomach roll with a strong unpleasant feeling. So instead, let's be fearless in this world.

Nature and Animals: The Circle of Life

8/6/2016

Once upon a time when the world was happy, before man was created, the animals freely roamed the earth in innocence and bliss as the circle of life naturally occurred.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

Once upon a time when the world was happy, before man was created, the animals freely roamed the earth in innocence and bliss as the circle of life naturally occurred.

Spiritual: Miracles of Nature

11/5/2016

Great Egret. I believe in the miracles of nature. They dance in the leaves of the trees, they swirl in the air like the butterflies, they soar to great heights like the birds up to heaven and return with the love that we need to take flight.

Great Egret. I believe in the miracles of nature. They dance in the leaves of the trees, they swirl in the air like the butterflies, they soar to great heights like the birds up to heaven and return with the love that we need to take flight.

Great Egret. I believe in the miracles of nature. They dance in the leaves of the trees, they swirl in the air like the butterflies, they soar to great heights like the birds up to heaven and return with the love that we need to take flight.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

I believe in the miracles of nature. They dance in the leaves of the trees, they swirl in the air like the butterflies, they soar to great heights like the birds up to heaven and return with the love that we need to take flight. They are all around us waiting to be seen, to be heard, to be felt by everyone. They love us all. They take no prisoners. They choose not one over the other. They exist within to the deepest parts of your soul.

Therapy Dog On A Mission

17/4/2016

Therapy Dog Certification. Have you seen a dog in places dogs are usually not permitted? Chances are the dog could be a therapy dog. Many places you will see a therapy dog is at a nursing home, library, hospital, or rehabilitation center. While they are allowed into the facility, they do not have the right to enter without permission.

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

After just having finished a research project on therapy dogs this month, I was surprised how many people didn't know what a therapy dog is, what they do, how they are certified, how they are different than service dogs to name a few of the questions and comments. While I believe all dogs are special, therapy dogs are pawsitively special.