Editorial
Volume 11 Issue 1— May/June 2005
by Melva Armstrong

Welcome to the Tenth Anniversary issue of WHOLifE Journal! I find it hard to believe that ten years have passed since I started this publication. These years have been filled with many unique and diverse experiences, all of which have made me a much stronger and more confident individual. Starting one’s own business is not like eating a piece of cake, as many who have undertaken such a task will know, and I would say it was mostly my naïveté that allowed me to begin such a project and to continue with it, especially in the early years. I mean naïveté in a very positive sense, for it was my total innocence and trust in my inner voice that gave me the confidence to begin the journal and the desire to keep doing it from issue to issue.

At the beginning of this undertaking I had known, through my spiritual education, that when we ask questions we always get answers, and every time I asked for help (guidance) it would always come, and thus I felt I must be moving in an appropriate direction, as there were no roadblocks. That is how I approached things at the start and how I continue to approach this work. At the beginning I believed, and I still believe, that this journal had been created to serve the people of Saskatchewan by providing information on the abundant choices that are available in order for each individual to fulfill a healthy and whole lifestyle. I also believe there is a need to maintain a connecting link among all those who have a common goal of good health and well-being, and most importantly I believe that communication is a vital element in our community’s growth and development. For all these reasons, and more, I continue to do this work and, in so-doing, I feel grateful and blessed.

Since 1995 I have noticed many positive changes in our Saskatchewan wholistic community. Every day there seem to be more folks waking up to the importance of taking responsibility for their health and wellness and many of them are recognizing the need to have balance in body, mind, and spirit. It is exciting to see so many more people searching for natural ways to keep themselves healthy and fit. It is also exciting to see so many folks being educated in the various healing fields and becoming practitioners in communities throughout the province. Today there are massage therapists in nearly every small town, as well as in the cities. There are health foods stores in many small communities and a growing number of dedicated organic farmers who are joyfully providing the best food on the planet for us to eat. Thank you to all the many folks who are part of our wholistic community and who are helping to make our part of the world a healthier and happier place.

I am grateful to all the advertisers who have supported WHOLifE over the ten years. Without your contributions the journal could not be published, so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I also thank those who have contributed articles and other editorial material that provide the journal’s important educational element. My gratitude also goes to the current and previous proofreaders, for their work is vital to the high quality of all the material in the journal. Thanks to those who deliver and distribute the journal, for without this part of the process, they wouldn’t reach you, the readers. I am blessed with talented print and website designers who are part of an awesome design company. Working with these folks fills my world with great joy. I also want to thank the staff at the printers for their excellent work in providing such a fine-quality finished product and thanks to our fabulous accountant. Coordinating the process of each issue is like putting the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle together. When the last piece is in place I stand back and admire the wonderful product and I feel extremely joyful.

We start our eleventh year with another fine line-up of articles and advertisers. Our feature article, A Traditional Knowledge Keeper Awakens Spirit Through Stories by Naomi Lepage, speaks of the healing power of traditional storytelling, where laughter is an important and vital part of awakening the spirit within. What better way to start our new year than with the precious gifts of stories and laughter!
May you enjoy all the gifts that are part of this issue and may you share these gifts with all those you meet. We enjoy hearing from you so please remember to contact us with your thoughts and feelings about anything you see in WHOLifE. We value your opinions and feedback.

May the blossoms of spring bring joy to your heart!

Namaste!
(I honour the Spirit in you!)