Cathy Goddard: Just Being Lily

11/10/2026

💛

Be someone's sunshine when the skies are gray.

11/07/2026

I love carrying on my Mom's tradition of filling shoeboxes through Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.

For years, she meticulously filled two shoeboxes - one for a girl and one for a boy. She put so much thought into choosing just the right things, even knitting little toys and washcloths for the children who would receive them. I shopped right alongside her and vowed to always carry on her tradition.

So I do. A little different now because it is so easy to simply make my donation online, knowing the children will receive the things they need most.

It makes me feel that she's a little closer as the holiday season approaches.

A shoebox for a girl and a boy. Just like my mama used to do. ♥️

National Collection Week | Nov. Operation Christmas Child It's All About Jesus. Operation Christmas Child demonstrates God’s love by sending gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world. Every shoebox is an opportunity to reach a child with the Gospel. Drop-off Locations Pack a Shoeb...

11/07/2026

I love carrying on my Mom's tradition of filling shoeboxes through Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.

For years, she meticulously filled two shoeboxes - one for a girl and one for a boy. She put so much thought into choosing just the right things, even knitting little toys and washcloths for the children who would receive them. I shopped right alongside her and vowed to always carry on her tradition.

So I do. A little different now because it is so easy to simply make my donation online, knowing the children will receive the things they need most.

It makes me feel that she's a little closer as the holiday season approaches.

A shoebox for a girl and a boy. Just like my mama used to do. ♥️

11/07/2026

One of the things I love most about travel is that the souvenirs we bring home aren't always things we can put in a suitcase.

In a previous Substack post, *Perspective: The Greatest Souvenir* (I'll share the link in the comments if you'd like to read it), I wrote about how travel opens us up to so much more than new destinations. It invites open-mindedness, curiosity, perspective, self-development and a willingness to see the world, and the people in it, a little differently.

While travelling through the South Pacific over the last few weeks, I read Tom Freston's memoir, *Unplugged* (a great read, by the way), and came across a passage that really resonated with me. Reflecting on his travels in the 1970s, he wrote:

"Developing cultural competence, curiosity, and fearlessness are essential tools on the road. Open-mindedness, building your empathy muscle, and developing the ability to step into another person's shoes are the gifts of travel."

I love that last thought. The ability to step into another person's shoes. To be curious rather than judgmental, to embrace differences, to listen, learn and appreciate another way of life. Gosh, we need more of that in life, right?

Beyond the photographs and memories of our South Pacific adventure, it's the experiences, conversations and different perspectives on life that stay with me. Travel has a way of reminding us how big the world is, how much there is to learn, and how much we still have to discover.

Perhaps that's the greatest souvenir of all. ❤️

11/07/2026

A little South Pacific photo roundup! It really was spectacular.

We travelled from Tahiti to Raiatea, the Cook Islands, Samoa and Fiji, and while each place had its own beauty and charm, there was a common thread throughout: laid-back island vibes, incredibly friendly people, really good food, beautiful sunsets, full moons lighting up the night sky and so much fun exploring it all with my guy.

As wonderful as it is to travel, I’m always grateful to come home. We arrived to chilly temperatures and rain, with a smattering of white snow settling on our beautiful mountains. Ski season is just around the corner! ❤️

11/05/2026

10/14/2026

Sometimes things just click. After I wrote my Substack about finding Small Joys, The Oracle at Sechelt shared my weekly card as 'Three of Cups'. All about random ease and unplanned joy. There's a beautiful message in there for me... and for all of us! ♥️

Three of Cups: The Comfort of Random Ease and Unplanned Joy
The Three of Cups blesses your gathering with enchanted laughter, sacred silliness, and the kind of joy that feels like a spell. Expect spontaneous dancing, unexpected heart‑open moments, and a chance to feel relaxed and be completely yourself.

May your Thanksgiving be a spell of joy, balanced by Justice, sparkled by the Three of Cups, and anchored by the Emperor.

Justice: Karmic Balance and Fairness
You are due for a touch of grace and a blush of blessings. Justice taps their sword on the table and declares, “Balance shall be restored… and yes, everyone gets equal pie.” Your week will be filled with karmic ease, honest conversations, and signs that the universe is lining things up just right.

Three of Cups: The Comfort of Random Ease and Unplanned Joy
The Three of Cups blesses your gathering with enchanted laughter, sacred silliness, and the kind of joy that feels like a spell. Expect spontaneous dancing, unexpected heart‑open moments, and a chance to feel relaxed and be completely yourself.

The Emperor: Stable and Able
The Emperor arrives like a benevolent guardian who also happens to be very good at organizing dinner. You bring structure, protection, and the mystical authority of someone who can carve a turkey with the precision of a seasoned warlock. Your energy grounds the chaos, fortifies the feast, and ensures the vibes stay strong, safe, and sovereign.

10/14/2026

This ♥️
Thanks Tiny Buddha

10/11/2026

Autumn has always been my favourite time of year. 🍂 🍁

With Thanksgiving here in Canada, I've been thinking about gratitude and the small joys that often go unnoticed in our everyday lives.

There's a difference between being grateful for a warm, comfortable home and savoring a cup of tea under a fuzzy blanket on a rainy afternoon. One is something we appreciate having. The other is a moment we actually stop to enjoy.

I've been learning to pay more attention to these little glimmers of goodness, and I've written about it in my latest Substack post, The Small Joys: Learning to Notice What Lifts Us. Link in bio or cut & paste this: https://cathygoddard.substack.com/p/the-small-joys

Pause & tell me in the comments: What small joy has lifted your day lately?

PS - photo credit to me from a few years back with hubby and doggie on a beautiful fall walk. We miss you Ricky Dog. 🧡

10/01/2026

I’m not one to post about (or even talk much about) politics. That doesn’t mean I don’t have strong opinions. It’s just not a topic I like to put out there publicly. But this upcoming municipal election is too important, so I’m inspired to share.

Last Friday, I was invited to attend a reception introducing two candidates running for our municipal council.

I’ve known Claire Ruddy for years, so my vote will be an easy one. She is smart, connected, engaged in our community and has a rock-solid understanding of the issues our town faces.

I wasn’t familiar with Mandy Rousseau but was definitely intrigued by what I was hearing. She speaks to issues that are important to me and frankly, to some of the things that have increasingly frustrated me about our current municipal direction.

Her three pillars are destination stewardship, environmental protection and fiscal responsibility. The last one is a hot spot for me and we had a candid conversation about municipal spending and the resulting increase in property taxes. I felt she was aligned with my perspective that addressing our financial challenges needs to go beyond simply pointing to aging infrastructure, population growth and increasing service costs. It also means greater transparency in the budgeting process, along with a thorough review of spending (yes, line item by line item) and identifying where meaningful cutbacks may be possible.

I’m sharing this because I believe it’s important to pay attention, ask questions and get to know the people putting their names forward to lead our community.

If you’d like to learn more about either candidate, here are their websites:

Claire: https://claireruddy.ca - seriously, it's all right there.
Mandy: https://www.mandyrousseau.ca - in particular, check out the “Announcement” tab. Mandy has been sharing her thoughts on recent candidate meetings and conversations she’s having with Whistler residents.