Contributors; Sharon Cooke, Karen Connon, Spencer St. Amand, Paula Malandruccolo, Serena Taylor

New Days, New Ways begins!

This newsletter is a project that has come together as collaborative; a collective energy with a singular intention. Sharing, to inspire going forward.

Inclusivity and diversity through our lived experiences; our stories.

Thank you to all who contributed to our first edition.

Thank you to 10am Creative who is responsible for the design and maintaining of my website. Their expertise, knowledge, patience and of course creativity is valued. I’ve worked with them for over ten years and that alone, says it all.

When you take a step, Life reaches out a hand.
Enjoy,
Sharon Cooke

“Where thou art, that is home.”
Emily Dickinson
1830-1886

A Season of Growth

We are in a season of growth – and growth requires space.

We create that space by letting go of what we accumulated over time … what no longer serves us.
In that space, new energy enters. There’s a lightness to it.

Seasonal Cleaning

(Spring Cleaning as needed, all year long!)

Seasonal cleaning is about intentionally deciding what you want to keep.

What holds real value for you – what still matters – and what has changed.

Clearing your emotional space matters too!

Think about the expensive jacket in your closet that no longer fits.

Every time you see it, it brings up shame, negative self-talk, or sadness.

It’s not just taking up physical space—it’s taking up emotional space too.
Sometimes, letting it go is what allows you to move forward with ease.

Everything we own carries weight.
Ask yourself, does the piece nourish your soul with lightness,
or does it feel heavy?

Remember, what we keep reveals who we are.

What we surround ourselves with reflects what we value.

Are the items in your home intentional – or simply accumulated?
 Do they energize you and support your next chapter?
 Or do they weigh on you?

A full cup can’t receive anything new.
But a cup with space — even a little —
is ready for what comes next.

Inspired by, Chen Li’s  podcast on Spotify.  Life Wisdom – By Words of Taoism
Episode: Spring, the Season of Letting Go – Taoism

Contributor; Karen Connon

For a long time, I didn’t really know what home meant.

I struggled with identity, addiction, and spent years in and out of incarceration. There were times I lived on the streets, searching for stability in places that never truly felt safe.

Over the last four and a half years, I’ve worked hard to turn my life around. Through that process, I learned that home is not just a building or a place you grow up in. For some people, home is where they were raised or where their family is. For me, home is something I had to build for myself.

Home is wherever I can create peace, security, and a sense of belonging. It’s the environment I create through the people around me, the choices I make, and the life I continue to work toward every day. It doesn’t have to be tied to one location. It’s a feeling of safety and stability that I never had before but now understand deeply.

To me, home means finally having a place  physically, mentally, and emotionally where I can be myself and keep moving forward.

Contributor; Spencer St. Amand

I never imagined myself going to a shelter.

I believed I was managing the situation. I made sure that when he was home, my son, my dog, and I were rarely there. I kept making excuses for his behaviour and did everything I could to avoid upsetting him.

When his work hours changed and he was home more often, everything changed. I tried my best to hold things together and make it work. But when my son witnessed one of his outbursts, I knew it was no longer safe for us to stay. Even though I was terrified, I knew I had to leave.

I reached out to trusted friends for support and slowly began making a plan. With their help, I packed a go bag for my son and I, found a safe place for my dog, and contacted a shelter to make arrangements for us to go there.

It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I faced the fear and shame I felt about needing a shelter. I cried often and questioned whether I was making the right choice for my son. But over time, I realized this was exactly where we needed to be in order to move forward. We deserved safety, support, peace, and the chance to heal.

During this experience, there were several important things that helped us stay safe and begin to rebuild:

• We created a safe word to alert trusted friends in an emergency.
• My son learned where to go with our dog if he needed safety quickly.
• I gathered medications, important documents, and emergency contacts in one secure place.
• I applied for housing support through the Region and Kitchener Housing as soon as possible.
• I connected with local food banks, community services, and emergency support.I contacted Waterloo Region Emergency Housing Support and First Connect for assistance.
• I kept 911 preset on my phone whenever we were not at the shelter.

Leaving was not easy, but it was the beginning of a safer and more hopeful future for us.

Contributor; Paula Malandruccolo

Sanctuary

• Upon leaving my home, I turn and tell it how grateful I am. I love my space.
• I touch my Door Charm, recite its message and off I go.
• I affirm it is safe, there is peace within.
• Smudge, use a Singing Bowl, a Selenite Wand and other items for clearing on a regular basis.
• Lay Cedar at your front door.
• This is your space to maintain, keeping the energy clear, clean and balanced.
• Always welcoming joy and love within.
• Home is not a space to hide in, isolating yourself. This will only lead to illness.
• Home can be a retreat where you pause and allow for realigning, healing, reflection.
• Home is a place to return to where you lay your head at night.
• Home is where Life will present what you need in order to grow, in the glow of light, laughter, love and yes, dancing.
• This is your sanctuary

I now have adopted; The Entering 

• When I arrive home, I pause before stepping inside.
• I rest my hand on the door handle and take a slow breathe.
• I choose to leave the outside world where it belongs.
• The noise, the stress, the nonsense – stays beyond the door.
• My home, my space.
• I enter with clear energy.

The Entering, Inspired by; Saydee Williams, Instagram

Contributor; Sharon Cooke

Door Charm and Message

Ladybug

Allow your dreams to come true.
Trust in the right time, for all to unfold.
Divinely guided and protected.

Koala

Be good to you, care for you.
Embrace joy.
Wrap yourself in love.

Dragonfly

Breathe into your vision,
Fill it with colour and light.
See through the illusion, see your truth.

Hang them at your door to connect to their energy before you leave your home.

Contributor / Creator; Serena Taylor
TripleThread.Connect@gmail.com
Instagram; Triple Thread – Artisan Bead Weaving @triplethreadstudio