Serenity Prayer

Many of us know the serenity prayer and its message of hope. Although the exact origin of the prayer is unknown, most sources agree that the version we all know and love was written by Portestant theologican Rheinhold Niebuhr in the 1940s.
Loved by many, the language of the prayer is humble, the lessons are simple and the message is both personal and universal. It has become part of the official material used by AA’s worldwide and is used on a daily basis by thousands of people around the globe.

Maybe the biggest reason for its popularity is the fact that the lessons are timeless. Allowing ourselves to surrender to our higher power (God/Universe or many others) and trust that everything will work out in its own time is a powerful experience. It allows to accept, let go and have faith in the outcome. It takes courage to challenge ourselves and find a way to change our lives. Each and everyone of us will find obstacles on our journey through life. When we can view those obstacles as opportunities to grow and learn, we overcome our hardships.

This prayer has helped many in their efforts to take life one day at the time, finding happiness in our daily lives:

“God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”

(long version includes the following:)
“Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.”

At our stores in Calgary or in our online store you can find several versions of inspirational banners including this serenity prayer. They would make a lovely addition to your home, sacred space, office or studio, or it could be great meaningful gift for someone dear to you.

Hang Drum in Bali

The ancient practice of drumming can be a healing experience, releasing our emotions and helping us in our meditation. It can be one of the most creative and pleasurable ways to tap into the healing nature of rhythm.

Most of the drums we sell in our stores come from a local music factory on the island of Bali. Gopal is the owner of a musical instrument factory in Ubud. They produce many drums and other musical instruments, hand-made and often with recycled and sustainable materials. In our stores you may find their hang drums (also called hand pans, constructed from steel, shaped by hand and made to play with your hands), djembe drums (rope-tuned skin-covered goblet-shaped drums, also made to play with your hands) and didgeridoos (originally developed by the indigenous peoples of Australia, also known as natural wooden trumpet or “drone pipes”), these are very popular with our customers!

You can find these drums in our stores in Calgary and in our online store. Check out our unique assortment of drums!

Watch the talented Gopal play the hang drum for us, it’s truly amazing!

Roasting Coffee in Bali

For the production of coffee, the raw fruit is taken off the coffee plant. The cherry has the fruit or pulp removed leaving the seed or bean which is then dried. Then the beans are sorted and roasted. After cooling down they are packaged. In larger roasting houses the beans might be grounded before packaging.

Here we are visiting a coffee plantation in Bali and watching the roasting process. Love seeing the process with my own eyes! Way better than going to Starbucks 😉