These are the first 10 heart-filling memories that spilled onto my journal a week ago, on the Ottawa-Toronto train, after an incredible 4 days with the Coralus community celebrating 10 years of our extraordinary collective. 

(In chronological order)

1️⃣ Pre-event: an afternoon with Dr. Jackie F. Steele exploring the icons of downtown Ottawa 

We've had great zoom-based exchanges since 2018 and this precious time together only deepened my admiration for her as a person and feminist legal scholar. No one better than to share the significance of this monument that I passed that morning in blissful ignorance.

2️⃣ Excursion day

Walking in water and feeling the earth at Brittania Beach, led by Jessica Keats. Touching the land and water was a release and harmonising of my nervous system. This flowed into the next activity: crafting dreamcatchers alongside Karen Monaghan, under the light-hearted guidance of Ashley Clark of Bougie Birch who gave timeless advice

3️⃣ Welcome to Saunders Farm

How many events open with bubbles, glitter, tattoos, palo santo cleansing by Vicki Saunders (She/Her), and a sumptuous, nutritious breakfast spread? 

Only here - and it made a joyous container of reunion and connection to start the event. 

4️⃣ Facilitating the opening small group sessions - Sensing Money: Alignment 

We began with a heartfelt sharing of vulnerabilities from around our circle of participants Aabha Gupta, Holistic Nutritionist Anahita Belanger Roz RainDancer Samantha Slade Danielle Brestel, PE Catherine Woodiwiss LJ Bartle Tyler Ball Mary Lobson Rose Kudlac Jigna Fadia Wendy Cockburn

Then I guided a "dreaming visualisation" to call in aligned partners. We experienced a trust and surrender, and miraculous opening where people seemed to find exactly what they needed within their serendipitous pairings - courage, resources, hope.

Delilah Panio and I - co-hosting in-person for the first time after 4 years of virtual-only collaboration - enjoyed a beautiful flow together. 

5️⃣ "Panels" of powerful human stories 

The family behind Saunders Farm shared their journey and ethos - where "analysis-paralysis" is an alien concept 🤣 - which brought depth to Coralus' roots.

I remember feeling deeply challenged yet curious when Vicki threw me her invitation in 2018 to "gather 50+ people when I come through town to feel the energy". (We co-hosted 2 and I became an activator for life.) 

I was deeply moved when Chenny Xia (Gotcare) and Margaret Magdesian (Ananda Devices) described the heartbreak and triumphs weathered while transforming themselves and their fields - living examples of what's possible when we hold ourselves (and are held by others) with deep kindness and care, the same glue of Saunders Farm. 

6️⃣ A sense of play and discovery on Day 1 afternoon 

Christine Holmes, LL.B, JD and I finally had our ❤️ to ❤️, while cheering on podmates Jennifer Wu and Heather Whyte - MBA, CDMP, APR on the zipline. 

I received Yupin Robson's gift of witnessing others through cards on the lawn (joined by Amal Alhuwayshil, continuing our reciprocal circle from 2 nights ago), and bio-energy healing from Stephanie Sang, before a delightful musical-chairs dinner conversing with Kara-Lee TrevAna, CFC™ Wave Weir, bonfires + s'mores and goofy dancing on stage (no video will be shared on social media!).

7️⃣ Day 2 was not just another day on the fun farm 

We were asked to reflect deeply on the future of our community, and bring our individual expressions to the fore - not only in words but through various creative forms of dance, voice, theatre. I found this occasionally discomforting especially under time pressure. 

And yet, after hearing the backstory of real-time flux from the design team, I appreciate the grace in co-creation even more, as every thread came together beautifully. 

Sharing 2 minutes with Jigna Fadia as we mirrored each other in dance brought me to tears. An exquisite bounty under the canopy gently wove our shared experience into a tapesty of art, music and improv from Vanessa Reid, M.Arch and Azul Carolina Duque.

8️⃣ The Closing Ceremony

Collectively crossing a threshold together to the next chapter will sit vividly in my cognitive and somatic memory. This hour was filled with imagery, ritual, signs that spoke to the moment's significance.

Walking in purposeful silence to the centre of a spiral apple orchard - just right to hold a giant circle of 170 humans - past giant sunflowers lit wonderment. 

The echoing sacred Maori blessings from Stacey Mareroa - Roberts and Awhina Murupaenga brought forth intense grief and gratitude of our journey that reverberated in my body and was released in collective song, led by Andrea Menard. 

And the dual sighting of eagle and phoenix cloud formation over us can only be described as a cosmic message and confirmation. 

9️⃣ Animal wisdom 

I stayed for the last return bus in order to wander through a maze, thinking I'd get some quiet on the return journey to integrate this immersive experience. Apparently, the Universe had more messages for me.

While walking meditatively amongst the hedges, I met the same bunny three times - spells abundance abundantly! 

The intimate group on the bus pulled animal wisdom cards together, unlocking more heartfelt sharing and affirmation. It showed me there was still room in my heart and body for communion and wisdom. Esmeralda Smith Romero Maria Barbu and Tammy Baart who was with us through her Blak Ignited card deck that sparked connection on our bus rides.

🔟 Nourishment in all forms

The homemade, farm-to-table spread that flowed through the days of pies, cookies, charcuterie boards and apple cider doughnuts transmuted the love of the Saunders Farm team. 

Nature also held us lovingly. Open skies and sunshine balanced out the nip of fall. Co-regulating with the earth through our feet and sheer proximity had healing properties. With the approaching fall harvest of ripening pumpkins came a sense of bursting abundance.

Spiritual nourishment - being held in "the biggest hug from the universe" (thanks Moira Were AM for this inimitable phrase) for 4 days - was a revelation to my nervous system. A homecoming to re-unite with siblings-at-heart and experience their gifts and presence in the third dimension Anastasia Mourogova Millin Katy Baker Sam Jockel Mary-Anne Anderson Frankie Edwards Brenda Benham Shulamit Ber Levtov, The Entrepreneurs' Therapist Paolina Calabro CPA, CGA Mary-Anne Healy Faryn Jacobs Hermina Popa, CFA MJ Ryan Julie Se 

For all the rich exchanges and spaciousness provided - with huge credit to the tireless organising force of 

• the Coralus core team Amrita Andaluz Danielle Cadhit Janaki Hadida Deborah Carraro Sarah Cuddie who were responsive and immaculate in running the event

• Hilary Van Welter spearheading a team of activators who shaped the program and roped in many of the attendees to contribute with their gifts

• supported energetically always by Richard Ford -

I have come home with the blush of new friendships from unhurried conversations with Mélanie Tremblay B. Pick Azure Cook Ismat Jahan, CPA, CMA Kirstin Lund and sparks leftover from fleeting interactions, that I hope to nurture in weeks to come. I'm looking at you: Angela Ashawasegai Dale Allen Erin Willett Jenn Bieri, CPA, CA, CPCC, ACC Lisa Burchartz (she/her) Milisa Burns Holly Ziegel Ruxin Myriam FRANCISQUE, LLM Bonnie Gunn, CFA, CAIA Susan Mazonson Helen Hirsh Spence Monica Paraghamian Behi Shafiei BA Psychology, MA Public Policy and Law Jill Valentine Timmy Smith 

As I turn over these exquisite moments, threads of the next chapter are also emerging. I came to this unSummit with a clear sense of transforming inner alchemy and this experience only cemented that changes are coming in my future. And I step forward with renewed solidarity, conviction about what the world needs, and how I shall serve.