Category: #BoundaryWatersCanoeArea

#BoundaryWatersCanoeArea, #naturelover, Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Innerwork

Boundary Waters Solo Mission Day 1

Emy Minzel

I will not lie. I was a little nervous as my favorite Guide Lawrence, drove me and the rented solo canoe to Slim Lake. Pulling into the tiny parking lot and setting all the gear down, he said. “The most important thing to remember is to always wear your life vest and take your time. Don’t hurry, that’s when you make mistakes.” I thought this was sound advice, and since I was planning to stay for four days, I was not in any hurry.

When I got all my gear and the canoe to the lake, I had noticed it was windy, and the waves were strong. Luckily the water was flowing north to the direction I had planned on paddling, which is a plus. I loaded my canoe with two portage packs, a soft-sided backpack cooler, and my trusty brown backpack that has accompanied me on all my BWCA adventures. I pushed off and went feeling adventure calling me home.

My heart was racing, but the majestic beauty of the landscape seemed to calm me, reminding me to relax. I knew deep down that I got this. The waves were strong, and it took some effort as I paddled to my intended campsite, I saw that it was already occupied by two women. I asked if they knew if the next site to the north was open and they said they had not seen anyone else all day. Perfect!

I kept going north hoping that the campsite was free; otherwise, I would have to turn around and fight the waves all the way back down to the southern end of the lake where there was another site. Thankfully when I arrived, I saw the site was free, and it looked perfect for me. It was on a point, and I noticed it even had a lovely small sandy beach where I could pull up the canoe. There was a lone butterfly that fluttered around me the whole time I was setting up as if to say. “I am so happy to see you!” I took this as a good omen and continued on.

Welcoming committee!
Private Beach
Picture of Contentment
Solo swim smile!

Deciding that when I had set up the tent and got situated, I knew this beach is where I would be sitting that evening. By the time I was done, I was warm and needed to cool off. I decided to put my swimming suit on and test out the water to enjoy my own little piece of heaven. The water was warm, and the wind had died down considerably. It was if Slim Lake was giving me a warm, gentle welcoming because the first day was the best weather of my stay.

The campsite was so peaceful I did not once feel scared! I felt secure knowing that experience had taught me enough to stay warm, watch my footing, and like Lawrence said, take my time doing everything! As I sat in my camp chair on the mini beach, eating a peanut butter sandwich, I couldn’t help but feel anything but gratitude for this moment. Appreciation for being in the middle of a postcard picture moment and being brave enough to journey to that spot alone.

As dragonflies zoomed by taking care of the flies that may have bugged me, I felt contentment seep into my body. The peace and calm I felt was the exact reason why I love the BWCA as much as I do. I am telling you, nowhere in the world do I feel as connected and centered to my self and Spirit as I do when I am there. I kept repeating my mantra for my stay, which was simply. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

As the sun sank behind the giant pines and the dusk grew into darkness, I noticed that I was tired, so got ready for bed without having a campfire. I put everything away and tucked my portage packs under the rainfly. I used bungee cords to secure my cooler to a pine tree that was farthest away from my tent. It wasn’t hanging or fancy, but it would help to detour forest critters from food theft. Besides, I figure if a bear wants my food, I’m going to just let them go ahead and have it!

As I lay in the tent alone, the sound of the nocturnal critters coming alive kept me up for a bit. Beavers came to the campsite and chatted so loudly that I thought it was a gang of raccoons! I clapped my hands a few times and said. “Hey, you! That’s mine!” to detour them from my cooler tied to a tree. It seemed to work just fine, and after a bit, they skedaddled. I fell asleep and woke up around midnight to see the moon shining brightly through the screen window of my tent. It was so pretty I tried to take a picture, but of course, you cannot capture the beauty of the moon on a camera.

Moon in the tent

This first day was so enjoyable and fantastic!  Again, I just have to say. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I felt that I had indeed made the right choice to go out on my solo adventure. That was until the next morning when the tides will change. But I will save that story for tomorrow! Hope you enjoyed the story and pictures of my first alone in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as much as I enjoy sharing my love with you!

Wishing you a beautiful blessed day,

Love, Emy Minzel

Visit me at EmyMinzel.com

EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel

#BoundaryWatersCanoeArea, #lifelessons, #naturelover, adventure, Boundary Waters Canoe Area

My first solo Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventure!

Emy Minzel

I got the news today that the friend who was planning to accompany me to the Boundary Waters was not going to be able to make it. It doesn’t matter the reason. I trust that she did not want to have to cancel plans, so I could not be upset. As we know, life can change our plans for us even when we don’t want it too.

I had a feeling this was going to happen for some reason, yet I brushed it off. So, when my friend called to say she could not go, I was not surprised or troubled by the news. I had decided that no matter what, I was still going to go the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. My soul told me I must, and I just knew I better listen.

I even had an interesting dream a few nights before. I dreamt there was a person who came to me and asked. “What do you most need to get rid of in your life?” Without hesitating, I said. “My fear.” Just like that the person in my dream opened a door behind me and off my fear went! Isn’t that the craziest thing?! I believe your dreams are your subconscious communicating with you, so this dream was right on.

The even cooler thing about this dream is that when I woke up, I was no longer scared to go the BWCA alone. Well just a little, but nothing like I usually would be! If there is something, I am supposed to worry about, well, you know darn well that I’m going to give that worry all I got! Do you do this too? Which is another reason why I was so relieved not to feel enough fear to stay home from the BWCA.

Honestly, I love it there so much that not going would have hurt me more than anything. I knew I needed to go. It is so quiet and peaceful in the BWCA that I tell everyone it’s where God lives and where I go to talk to Spirit. Clearly, we needed to chat because my fear seemed to be lifted as if by magic so I could go.

I love it so much! But it’s not for everyone, and I have found it challenging to find friends who would like to accompany me. P.s. I am now accepting applications for water-loving, outdoor enthusiast, who are brave, fun and who want to BWCA Adventure with me! Ha!

A few times over the years, I have had to cancel the ‘annual’ trip to the Boundary Waters because a friend canceled on short notice, too late to fill their spot with someone else who enjoys roughing it. I just don’t have an abundance of friends who love portaging and pit toilet vacations for some reason!

If I were offering a free trip to the Bahama’s, I am sure there would be no problem filling the vacancy. But a trip to the BWCA is not for the meek. This last-minute cancelation that has happened yet again has me sitting with my thoughts.

I believe that a situation that keeps repeating is a sign that there is a message from the Universe/God/Creator. It means life is trying to teach me something so listen up. There is a spiritual lesson in this, I know it! Bear with me as I talk myself through this learning experience.

So, Universe, what am I supposed to learn from this?

I could get mad, but I won’t, because that’s wasted time and energy. Do I stop trusting people and decide to learn that there is nobody I can depend on? No, I don’t think that would be wise either. I do believe most people are good and do the best they can in the time and space they are given. Do I stop going to the BWCA? That’s a firm no way.

I do not need someone to hold my hand; I only think I do. I believe this is part of my lesson. These dreams and goals are mine alone. I think the message is it’s up to me and only me to make them happen. I am thinking, what I need to learn from this pattern is to be brave enough to go it alone.

I must conjure the courage to adventure into the remote wilderness by myself, and to be okay with doing anything that I desire to manifest, alone. I mean when it comes down to it, we are all alone on our path to travel. What I need is to believe in myself more than anyone else does. To face my fears and to do it anyway.

Sure, it is indeed safer in numbers, especially when in the wild but maybe, I am playing too safe in my regular life which can also be pretty darn wild too?! It seems that I am supposed to learn to listen to my inner knowing instead of the opinion of others.

I see now that in some ways, I have been allowing others to ‘drive the bus’ in some areas of life. Do you know how many people told me I am crazy for going to the BWCA alone? All of them. Had I allowed their thoughts to affect mine, I would not have gone.

Just maybe this is happening to get me away from the sway of people’s suggestion and opinions and back into the flow of my intuition, back onto my path. If I chose not to live the life I desire, go to the places that call my soul, or heed my knowing, am I doing enough to keep myself fulfilled truly?

I believe that being brave enough to go it alone once in a while will allow me to hear my intuitive guidance and will enable me to be authentically me.Whatever the message of repeating patterns ends up meaning, I know I will persevere as I always do.

It is only an illusion when we think we walk alone! I also believe life is meant to be shared, but our needs are ours to fulfill. I trust and believe that I will be protected on any mission I embark on. Solo or not, I will continue to emerge as an improved and wiser version of myself. Trusting that I was only being nudged by Spirit to level up once again.

Into the forest, I go, to clear my mind and listen to the call of my soul.

Please join me on our Facebook page @BWCAdventureSisters, where I will share pictures and videos of my first solo experience in the Boundary Waters with you!

Thanks for sharing this adventure of life with me! I hope your adventure too!

Wishing you lots of love and blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Visit me at EmyMinzel.com

EmyMinzel.AdventureSister@gmail.com

@EmyMinzel

#BoundaryWatersCanoeArea, Political

Curveballs or Divine Guidance?

Emy Minzel

How do you react when you find yourself in a situation you never expected? Out of the blue you may find out you are expecting a bundle of joy, or you lose a job only to find an opportunity that suits you better anyways. Maybe you go through a rough break-up to later be blessed by Cupid’s arrow walking into a room full of strangers. Before you know it, a new exciting and healing romance blooms into your life filling your heart with hope. Sometimes you look up at the heavens and think “Whoa, how did that happen?” I believe it is divine guidance.

I have found those days in my life that change everything to come in my future, are scary, exciting, and uncertain. Yet, they have made my whole life better, like finding out I was expecting a baby. I was scared, excited and uncertain, and it changed the direction of my life for the better. I grew up quickly, I put my baby first, I put my drive to succeed for our future prosperity second on the list and started moving forward with purpose.

Several years ago, in my early twenties, I quit a job that paid me well, but I never felt appreciated. In an expression of setting boundaries and demanding respect for myself, I walked out and quit. I was scared because that was not the in the plan that day, but also certain I deserved to be treated better.

It took me a few months, but I found a job that paid me much more, I enjoyed working there and it is where I met my husband! It was uncomfortable to be in limbo of uncertainty and unknowing if I was going to be okay or not. For some reason, I just knew I could not take this disrespect anymore and the universe supported this decision by rewarding me with a better situation.

This brings me to where I am today. I have decided to put myself ‘out there’ in a very public way. As a semi-introverted person this takes a good amount of courage and gumption. Attributes that I learned while adventuring to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and through living the adventure that is my life. I learned I can do more then I think I can, I learned I am smarter then I thought, I learned I am brave and strong. I have learned a great deal about what I can do, by doing things I never thought I could or would.

How we act when life throws us a curve ball is what determines our future. We can be fearful, drag our feet or go kicking and screaming. Or we can choose to trust that God/Universe sent this revolution because you needed it, dig in and move forward. After being endorsed by the DFL, I found myself a little scared, excited and unsure of the path that lay before me. I choose to fully embrace the opportunity to hopefully represent my community for the greater good with my whole being.

When I decided “Yes, thank you Universe for this amazing opportunity,” is when synchronicities started to happen, I could not believe how effortlessly everything was falling into place. Extremely qualified and wonderful people appeared to help me and support every step of this journey.

The first day I made my stump speech I mentioned my grandmother was my hero. Moments later I met a woman who worked with my grandma for 10 years! Her presence was kind and very supportive which helped me move forward to the next convention. By the next week I had acquired a campaign team that helped reinforce and verify that this is the path for me.

I had been asking for a big map of my district for about a week, I had mentioned it again the morning we were heading to a local pizza and politics meeting for dinner. When we walked into the pizza place the first woman to greet me was holding a giant map of my district and asked me if I would like to have it along with a very generous campaign donation I was not expecting. My heart swelled.

I had no choice but to look up at the heaven’s and say “Thank you. I know you are helping me, thank you for listening!” I have felt as if this whole political adventure has indeed been divinely guided. The less energy I give to the fear of unknown, the more synchronistic happenings appearing as if by magic or miracles.

My life experiences taught me to referred to life’s curve balls as divine guidance from now on. I trust them.

When have you experience divine guidance in your life? I would love to hear your stories!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel

* I saved this picture off of the internet many moons ago, if it yours I will gladly give you the photo credit. – Emy