smart |life


Let’s make some everyday magic H


Five ways to find the sparkle in your life right now


ow would you rate your life on a scale from one to magical? Most of us have a checklist for what would


be required in order for our lives to reach fairy tale status – and I’m all about having goals – but how do you find the magic in your life as it is right here, right now? If all we have is this very moment, I want


to make this moment beyond epic. But you don’t have to sell all your worldly possessions and sell handmade seashell necklaces in Costa Rica in order to feel like you’re living a full and adventurous life. I mean, if that’s your dream, go get it, Babe. YOLO! But either way, there is awesomeness in your everyday life right now that is just waiting to be tapped into. Here are a few ways to get


in on that. Plan to have fun


You know how life just feels


so much better the weeks lead- ing up to a vacation or a big event? Tat feel- ing of having something to look forward to seems to just inject a little extra sunshine into the day. Recreate that on a smaller scale by doing


one thing just for you on a regular basis. It could be each day, each week, each month – and it could be anything from getting your nails done to making a batch of cookie dough just to straight up eat (don’t judge), or planning a full-day adventure outdoors. Whatever gets you excited. Treat yourself! Be in nature


Speaking of being outdoors: do that.


Connecting with nature is refreshing, en- ergizing, and can help you stay grounded. Meditate, explore, take photos, connect with a friend, connect with yourself, just sit and enjoy – anything to get out there! Tere is something so inspiring and magical in observing how the cycles of nature just flow so… naturally! Breathe it all in. Find the connection to your vision When I was working at my very first job in retail, I remember thinking: “I definitely


A little something to look forward to can make a big difference.


don’t want to do this for the rest of my life.” Not that there’s anything wrong with work- ing in retail, it just didn’t inspire me. Te thing is, most people don’t have the luxury of having a job that inspires them. So how do you find the passion in something that doesn’t inspire you? Tie it back to your vi- sion. Here’s an example: I want to help people.


Tat has always been my vision and that is what I am passionate about. So what got me through working in the mall (besides the discount) was finding the moments that related to helping others. Did I change anyone’s life by selling them a pair of shoes? Probably not. Did I get to help them and


make a positive difference in their day? Absolutely! Whatever your vision is, look for the op-


portunities and moments that allow you to live it each day in some way. Feed your soul


It’s easy to fall into a pattern of stagnant


energy if you stop challenging yourself. You can’t glow if you don’t grow. Make a commitment to your own per-


sonal growth. Read a book, take a class, learn a new skill, volunteer – anything that welcomes new experiences into your life and promotes growth will do. Practise love


If you want to love your life, live your life


with love. It’s not always easy to approach things and people in a loving way, but it is something to strive for. Tis means being compassionate, looking at things from other people’s perspectives, and quite sim- ply, being genuinely kind. Yep, that’s a tall order some days, but love


is one of those things that you get more of the more you give away. Dole it out freely and watch the magic happen. Faye Armstrong is a life coach based in


Winnipeg who is passionate about living life to the fullest and helping others do the same. For a little motivation or to learn more about personal coaching, visit www. fayeaarmstrong.com.


cal chart to get a better understanding of who they were as a human being. It helped me understand their motives so I could use an ap- proach that worked for them. I know; it's not too many


times you hear about some- thing left-brained like finance co-mingle with something abstract like astrology. But our natal charts can be shockingly informative, even silencing some of those people who think horoscopes are sheer and utter bologna. As soon as we comprehend


Astrology 101: knowing your natal chart can help you learn something about yourself F


act: when I was working in finance be- fore I had my financial column, I often secretly found out my client's astrologi-


stardust are factors that affect you in the same way. I recommend picking up the book "Te Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need" to find out your entire chart.


Sun sign You've heard this before – it's


that tired pick-up line used on you when you wear your favourite lipstick. "What's your sign? Oh really? I'm a Libra. We're so compatible." Your sun sign is depicted by


that we're not just ONE sign, the whole practice of astrology begins to make some rather sound sense. Below are the three most important signs


Rogue Wood Vanessa Kunderman


in your natal chart when beginning to learn about your astrological profile: What is a natal chart?


Most importantly, what the heck is a natal


chart? When we are born, we are immersed into the centre of a complex map. Astrol- ogy credits the planets, constellations and universe itself for providing the mapped framework to dictate information about who we are as individuals. By using the exact time we were born, we can track where specific planets and stars were at that moment and how their position around us affects who we are. You know how the Earth's moon affects


the ocean tides? Well, think of yourself like an ocean, and all the moons, planets and


14 Smart Biz


which day of the month you were born. Tere are twelve zo- diac signs, as many as there are months. A lot of babies born in December are the sign of Sagit- tarius, just like a lot of August babies are the sign of Leo the lion. Yes, these signs typically have specific traits, but our natal charts are comprised of


multiple signs. Tat’s why not every Gemini you know is just like the other. Our varying signs shape who we are, and


though we may have a lot of Taurus in our chart, we will undoubtedly have other signs mixed in there as well. Your sun sign is who you are as a person


when you're not thinking about it – when you're mindlessly being you. Moon sign


Tis one might be new to you. It's a per-


sonal favourite of mine – I love learning a person's moon sign. Your moon sign is that secret part of yourself that only a couple people get to know. You don't show it to everyone. It is your


undertone, your morals – that undercurrent of who you are and why you do things. Learn- ing a person's moon sign is a huge advantage


to understanding how they work. While I'm a Libra and am always striving


for peace and balance, my moon sign is Ar- ies, an incredibly motivated and driven sign that can often cause conflict without trying. Aries moon signs can put a lot of pressure on themselves and even come off harsher than they mean to. A harsh Libra? Tere's no such thing! But


there is when you read a person's whole chart. Tese two signs are practically op- posites, and learning that hugely helped me in my understanding of myself. Reading your sun sign and moon sign together is a great way to really discover how a person ticks, and you might just have an epiphany about yourself.


www.smartbizwpg.com Ascendant sign This is sometimes called your Rising


Sign, and it's another important one to know because of what it doesn't show. Your ascendant sign is the mask you wear when you first meet someone. It is the impres- sion you give and how you carry yourself – though it might not be who you really are. Do people ever misread you or say you


come off differently? I have a friend who always leaves others with the impression that she is this mysterious creature who keeps to herself, with a wildly attractive sexual undertone to her nature. She has a Scorpio ascendant sign, but


she's really just a bubbly Gemini! But in new situations and experiences, she is unsure, so she defaults to her ascendant sign, Scorpio. I'm a Leo Ascendant, which means I charge into a room, ready to shake everyone's hand and introduce myself. I come off confident even if I'm feeling a little insecure, busy wondering if everyone in the room is having a good time (Libra). Finding out your ascendant sign can


help you understand the first impression you give off, helping you become more aware of how those around you are react- ing to you. While there are many aspects to your


natal chart, each sign giving you valuable information about yourself and even the generation you were born in – learning these three signs can be a great first start to learning more about who you are. And how you tick! So, baby, what’re your three signs? Rogue Wood is a mindful resource for


curious individuals looking for modern satisfaction when it comes to spirituality. For more, visit www.roguewoodblog.com.


June 2015


Note to Self Faye Armstrong


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