Thresholds: When Life Calls You Forward
December 11, 2025
Moonstone Sanctuary — A Blog by Melissa HorrellSet on Vancouver Island There comes a moment in every woman’s life when the ground beneath her shifts
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Morning Rituals for the Quiet Leader
December 11, 2025
The quietest leaders often hold the deepest power. They do not demand attention with grand gestures or booming voices, but their presence resonates in
The Whisper of Cathedral Grove
December 11, 2025
There is a forest on Vancouver Island where time seems to pause. Cathedral Grove, tucked within MacMillan Provincial Park, is not just a collection
The Island Teaches Courage
December 8, 2025
Vancouver Island is more than home; it is a living teacher. Its forests, rivers, and ocean cliffs hold lessons too complex for language, yet unmistakable
Reiki, Stones, and Sacred Symbols: The Quiet Magic That Guides Us
December 7, 2025
There are places in the world where the unseen feels close. Vancouver Island is one of them — a land where mist moves like breath
Gentle Leadership in a Noisy World
December 6, 2025
For the quiet women, the intuitive leaders, and the ones who guide through presence rather than volume. There is a particular kind of woman I
Restoring Rituals: The Slow Art of Coming Home to Yourself
December 2, 2025
There comes a moment in every woman’s life when the speed of the world becomes too loud to bear. The hustle. The noise. The expectations.
The Power of Gathering: Stories from Sisterhood
December 1, 2025
There is a subtle kind of magic in gathering. Not the flash of spectacle or the hum of applause, but the quiet pulse of
The Island Philosophy: How The Little Book of Stoic Wisdom Inspires Slow Living, Kindness, and Eudaimonia on Vancouver Island
November 17, 2025
On Vancouver Island, the pace of life moves to the rhythm of the tides. There’s a humility to the landscape — an unspoken reminder that
Modern-Day Pioneers: The Spirit of Resilience on Vancouver Island
November 15, 2025
When Adam Shoalts closed A History of Canada in Ten Maps with the explorers’ first glimpses of the Pacific, it felt like a revelation
Mapping the Inner Landscape: Leadership Lessons from A History of Canada in Ten Maps
November 13, 2025
When I finished reading Adam Shoalts’ A History of Canada in Ten Maps, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much those early explorers and
Mapping a Nation: A Journey Through A History of Canada in Ten Maps
November 10, 2025
“Every map tells a story. And every map has a purpose—it invites us to go somewhere we’ve never been.” — Adam Shoalts If you’ve
Stillness in Motion: Reflections from a Morning at Kind Yoga Society – Death & Rebirth
November 9, 2025
This morning, I rolled out my mat at Kind Yoga Society, a gentle sanctuary tucked into a quiet corner of Nanaimo. The room was
Wildcrafted Wellness: Foraging Herbs and Mushrooms on Vancouver Island
November 7, 2025
Wildcrafted Wellness: Foraging Herbs and Mushrooms on Vancouver Island by Melissa Horrell There’s a special kind of alchemy that happens when you let the Island
Stillness and Renewal in Nanaimo: A Story of City and Self
November 7, 2025
A blustery Friday evening in November found me wandering along Commercial Street in Nanaimo, coat collar turned up against the wind. The street was
Living with Heart on Vancouver Island: Lessons from Community Work
November 6, 2025
The morning fog drifts lazily over the forested hills of Vancouver Island, softening the edges of the towering Douglas firs and cedar trees. I
Abkhazi Gardens of Victoria: Mindfulness, Culture, and the Abkhazi Tea House
November 3, 2025
The Garden as Teacher Stepping into Abkhazi Garden in Victoria is like entering a sanctuary. The air smells of wet earth and cedar, the
Brunch in Victoria: It’s What the City’s Known For
November 1, 2025
Experience Victoria’s soulful brunch culture — where wholesome food, connection, and mindful living come together to nourish your day.
Leadership Rooted in Compassion: What My Brother’s Story Taught Me About True Strength
October 20, 2025
There are moments in life that quietly change the course of who we become as leaders. For me, that moment came through my brother’s journey
Brunch in Nanaimo: Where Locals Gather
October 14, 2025
Brunch in Nanaimo: Where Locals Gather By Melissa Horrell Nanaimo, a city where the morning mist dances over the harbour and the scent of saltwater
Wellness Escape in Nanaimo: Couples Retreat – Mother-Daughter | Friends
October 14, 2025
Reconnect and recharge in Nanaimo — a serene coastal retreat perfect for mothers, friends, or couples seeking balance, joy, and shared wellness.
Embracing Kindness as a Daily Way of Life
October 14, 2025
Embrace kindness as a daily practice — a gentle force that heals, uplifts, and connects us to a more mindful life
Victoria’s Best Neighbourhoods to Stay (and Play)
October 14, 2025
Discover Victoria’s most vibrant, peaceful neighbourhoods — each offering its own balance of relaxation, inspiration, and mindful living.
Spirit of the Harbour: A Haunted Walk Through Nanaimo’s Past
October 12, 2025
Walk through Nanaimo’s haunted history and uncover how its ghostly past reveals stories of healing, connection, and timeless human spirit.
Exploring Nanaimo from Your Island Retreat: Sea, Forest, and Soul
August 12, 2025
There’s a rhythm to life on Vancouver Island that slows time and heightens the senses. The scent of cedar on a morning walk, the gentle
Ammonite Falls: A Stunning Fall Hike
January 11, 2025
Discovering Ammonite Falls If you’re looking for a breathtaking outdoor escape this autumn, Ammonite Falls in Vancouver Island’s Mount Benson Regional Park is an absolute