Cathy Goddard: Just Being Lily

Cathy Goddard: Just Being Lily Living and writing through my 2026 theme: BLOOM 🌱 A new chapter honoring healing and wayfinding through life to discover what fits now. Hello! I'm Cathy Goddard.

I share reflections, frameworks and perspectives through my writing on Substack: https://substack.com/ After many meaningful years, Lighthouse has closed and I’ve retired from business. This page now reflects a new chapter: slower, more spacious and guided by curiosity, creativity and what wants to bloom next. 🌱

I will continue to foster connection and reflection on this page, and I’ll be sharing longer musings on Substack here: https://substack.com/

Today my sister would have turned 72. It’s not lost on me that both my mom and dad died at 72. Peggy never made it to th...
09/13/2026

Today my sister would have turned 72. It’s not lost on me that both my mom and dad died at 72. Peggy never made it to that age.

Today I rode my bike to the lake, to the spot where I sat five years ago while my family, 3,000 miles away in Ontario spread her ashes.

Staring out at one of my favourite places, my heart was full of gratitude for having Peggy in my life. What a huge impact she had on me. Our relationship was special and I miss her so much.

Happy birthday, Peg. ❤️

Happy birthday in heaven to the bestest sister. I miss the heck out of you and will carry you in my heart forever. xox...
09/12/2026

Happy birthday in heaven to the bestest sister. I miss the heck out of you and will carry you in my heart forever. xoxo

Forever
is a long time
to miss someone
Especially when
their absence leaves
such a lasting mark
on your heart
They say time
heals all wounds
But some absences
create such deep scars
in our hearts, that
time moving forward
only seems to
deepen our longing
Yet in this ache
there is comfort in
the small things ~
old pictures,
a familiar scent,
a song …
a connection that
existed on earth and
now in Heaven
To miss someone forever
is to keep a part of them
alive within us ,
to hold onto who they were
and what they meant to us
As life moves forward
you learn to carry
them with you,
not only in your thoughts
but in who you are
And so life goes on
New memories are made ~
Yet that special
place in your heart
always remains theirs
Forever is a long time,
but it also a testament
to the ever lasting
power of love
Until we meet again …

Author unknown
From Still Standing Magazine

It’s been one week since Dolly Parton died, and I’ve found myself immersing myself in stories about her life and reading...
09/01/2026

It’s been one week since Dolly Parton died, and I’ve found myself immersing myself in stories about her life and reading a million wise Dolly quotes. Oh, and playing my Dolly vinyl! 🎶 🎤 💃

One thing keeps coming to mind: I haven’t come across anyone saying something bad about her. And Dolly herself seemed to have this extraordinary ability to never speak badly about other people.

Isn’t that something we could all strive for?

As I’ve sifted through the beautiful comments and stories about her, I’ve also come across some that are cruel. Not about Dolly, but about other people - comments driven by political differences, even wishing ill on someone.

I won’t repeat them. But I couldn’t help thinking: Dolly Parton would never say something like that. And I don’t think she would be happy to see her memory used as a reason to bring more darkness into the world.

People feel her loss so deeply because she did wonderful things. She made beautiful music. She was an incredible businesswoman. She gave generously. She made people laugh. And, in a sometimes very dark world, she was a light.

So maybe the best way to honour Dolly isn’t simply to talk about how much we loved her. Maybe it’s to be a little more like her. To choose kindness.

Be a Dolly. 💗

Memories of that fur boy. So much love. Still miss you Ricky Dog! 💙
08/31/2026

Memories of that fur boy. So much love. Still miss you Ricky Dog! 💙

I read something recently that stopped me in my tracks:"I have an extremely low tolerance for my own misery."It’s a hard...
08/29/2026

I read something recently that stopped me in my tracks:

"I have an extremely low tolerance for my own misery."

It’s a hard truth about myself. I have endless patience, empathy, and optimism for other people's struggles. My own? Not so much.

When I move into an emotional state that feels distressing, or when my body doesn’t heal as fast as I want it to, I get incredibly impatient with myself.

So, my latest Substack post is a personal reflection on retirement, nervous system regulation, chronic pain, and the frustration of feeling like your body is letting you down.

Mostly though, it’s about learning to give myself the same grace I so readily give to everyone else.

If you’ve ever struggled to be patient with yourself when you’re not feeling your best, this one is for you.

👇 Read the full piece at the link in comments/bio.

"Not everything I write is good, but it's all good for me - like therapy."I share with so many others that losing Dolly ...
08/28/2026

"Not everything I write is good, but it's all good for me - like therapy."

I share with so many others that losing Dolly Parton in this world feels like a light went out. I've filled my heart this week with stories of her life and the timeless wisdom that she spoke and sang.

For me, writing is indeed like therapy. My thoughts live everywhere - in paper journals, my online journal, my Substack, digital spaces, my former website blog, and even ragged scraps of paper. Every so often, I face the urge to organize it all, to tidy up my mind. But then I revert to the reality that it’s all a true reflection of me. It is perfect in its chaos.

I'll continue writing what I write, exactly as I feel it, in whatever way it needs to come out at any given moment.

08/26/2026

Oh Rebecca - thanks for posting this. Such beautiful words to describe this incredible, iconic human. Dolly Parton really was one of a kind. 🪽🤍

One of my favourite souvenirs from Nashville. She was the best. 😢
08/25/2026

One of my favourite souvenirs from Nashville. She was the best. 😢

When did “I’m sooo busy” become our default answer to “How are you?”I get it. I love being busy. I just didn’t love lett...
08/22/2026

When did “I’m sooo busy” become our default answer to “How are you?”

I get it. I love being busy. I just didn’t love letting it define me, my time and my relationships. I was caught in the busy trap.

So, I do what I do: write about it.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about the impact of creating an overstuffed, busy life, but a question from stopped me in my tracks:

Where am I confusing momentum with meaning, and what happens if I slow the story down?

That question led me to think about busyness, The Boggle, saying no, and why a full calendar shouldn’t be confused with a full life.

So, I just hit publish on my blog: The Busy Trap: How I’m Learning to Slow the Story Down.

I'd love for you to give it a read and let me know your thoughts. Substack link in bio or cut/paste the link below.

You can also subscribe for free to my Substack at Goddard: Just Being Lily and it’ll land in your inbox.

https://cathygoddard.substack.com/p/the-busy-trap

08/21/2026

Just floating along and wait, what? 🐻

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