Soul Forge Podcast

Time, Life & Aging - 275

Time, life and aging. Time moves quickly, but where does it go? The seasons of life keep on turning. Before you know it, you have become an older person. This week on the podcast, Shawn and Melissa talk about aging and growing up.

This topic came up because of an article Melissa shared with Shawn. The article was about suddenly finding yourself in the last quarter of your life and not really knowing how you got there. Aging, aches and pains, and wrinkles appear as if by magic. You're dying your hair to hide the grey. You look for an adult and then realize you are the adult.

Also in this episode: stop saving things for good. Good never comes because good is all the time. Change your mindset from 'I have to' into 'I get to'. Don't let fear hold you back from living your best life. Tell your people that you love them. Wear your favourite outfit. Do the things.

Here is the article/post that is responsible for this episode:

You know …… time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young and embarking on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.

I know that I lived them all.

I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

However, here it is …… the last quarter of my life and it catches me by surprise.

How did I get here so fast?

Where did the years go and where did my youth go?

I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first quarter and that the fourth quarter was so far off that I could not visualise it or imagine fully what it would be like.

Yet, here it is …… my friends are retired and getting grey - they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me but I see the great change. They’re not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant …… but like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! and taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it's mandatory! because if I don't of my own free will, I fall asleep where I sit!

And so …… now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did! But at least I know that, though I’m on the last quarter and I'm not sure how long it will last, that when it's over on this earth... it's over.

A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done …… things I should have done but truely there are many things I'm happy to have done.

It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not on the last quarter yet, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life do it quickly!

Don't put things off too long! Life goes by so quickly.

So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you're on the last quarter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of life.... so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember - and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

‘Life’ is a gift to you.

Be Happy!

Have a great day!

 

This week's podcast promo: Thunder Talk

Another Look at Minimalism - 274

Let's take another look at minimalism. In the first year of the podcast we took a dive into that world. In fact, we did two episodes about the minimalism journey. You can find those on episodes 25 and 50. Well, it's been 5 years since our last look. That means it is time to jump back in and see how our journey has gone. Did minimalism become our new normal? Have we utterly failed? You will learn the answers to these questions and more on episode 274!

Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around.

That doesn’t mean there’s anything inherently wrong with owning material possessions. Today’s problem seems to be the meaning we assign to stuff: we assign too much meaning to things, often forsaking our health, our relationships, our passions, our personal growth, and our desire to contribute beyond ourselves. Becoming a minimalist slows down life and frees us from this modern hysteria to live faster. It offers freedom to disengage. It seeks to keep only the essentials. It aims to remove the frivolous and keep the significant. It values the intentional endeavors that add value to life.

In addition to another look at minimalism, this episode also talks about the quest for new toys. No one ever said downsizing was going to be easy. So in that regard, finding the best deals, getting rid of the things we don't need, and watching a lot of quality television is a part of the journey.

This week's podcast promo: The Epsilon Three

The G Spot - 273

The G spot. What is it? Where is it? Find out all about the G spot on the 273rd episode of the Soul Forge Podcast.

This week on the podcast we are at Amore For Your Pleasure. Amore is the premier adult store in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Amore's owner is Gaelyn MacKenzie

Gaelyn is better known as G. She has been the owner/operator of Amore for 11 years. The most important aspect of her business is making her clients feel seen and welcome. This is not a sex shop. This is an adult store.

For a long time, the term "sex shop" invoked a certain image – a seedy place with a neon sign, shelves stacked with porno mags and blow-up dolls and a peep-show booth in the back where mostly male patrons watched X-rated movies for a fee.

Amore is a bright and friendly place that is welcoming to couples, women, LBGT people and men. Men are becoming more comfortable and open. Gaelyn makes sure that her store is a safe space. There is no judgement. Questions are encouraged.

There are 5 categories of products at Amore. 1. Novelty items such as fun party stuff. 2. Videos. 3. Lotions, lubes, massage oils and bath products. 4. Toys and lingerie. 5. Fetish and fantasy.

Amore is located in the west end of Sault Ste. Marie. It's right at the corner of Korah and Douglas. Find them on Facebook at Amore For Your Pleasure.

This week's podcast promo: Monkeeing Around

Best of 2022 - 272

Best of 2022 lists are everywhere. Here is another one!

The first episode of the new year sees Shawn and Krista looking back over the year that was. 2022 is a year that won't soon be forgotten. From books and movies to television and events, 2022 was quite a year!

Krista's year was quite eventful. She moved out on her own for the first time in 22 years. No roommates. No kids. Just Krista. And then she started a new job. This is apparently the best job she has ever had. Her boss is also the most awesome boss a girl could want. Other than being sick for nearly half the year, Krista had a fairly decent 2022.

Shawn made some major moves in the past year. After talking about it for nearly two decades, he finally made the decision to move back to his home town. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, he has lived in Timmins for nearly 20 years. The decision to move was a gigantic one, but it has been positive beyond expectations.

Re-connecting with old friends, and building new friendships are all part of the journey. Shawn started dating a lovely girl he has known since high school. They have even moved in together. Quite an adventurous year! His son Bishop even likes this new girl. They get along so well!

Also this year, we have discovered some really great media. The Umbrella Academy and The Last Kingdom did not come out in 2022, but that is when they were discovered. Krista fell in love with Netflix's Wednesday. Shawn read his first book by Terry Pratchett. He also found an amazing flea market type store with multiple vendors called the Vintage Co-op.

This week's podcast promo: Modern Musicology

Cats and Dogs - 271

Cats and dogs are the most popular pets in the world. On this episode, my friend Melissa makes her podcasting debut. She is the proud owner of both a cat and a dog. Her cat's name is Charlie. Max is her handsome black Lab.

Cats are more independent and are generally cheaper and less demanding pets. Dogs are loyal and obedient but require more attention and exercise, including regular walks.

When you can't decide between becoming a cat person and dog person, it seems like there's only one solution: be both. Of course, becoming a dog-and-cat household isn't as simple as bringing a new animal into your home and hoping for the best. There are a number of factors to consider, such as how it will affect your current pet, your home, and lifestyle.

When choosing between a cat or a dog, you should consider how much time you can dedicate to the pet (dogs require more time than cats, and don’t like to be left home alone), how much you can afford to spend (dogs are more expensive than cats), and what temperament of pet you would before (dogs are more needy and affectionate than independent cats). 

Cats enjoy simple games that allow them to stalk and pounce. Popular games include bouncing a ping-pong ball on the floor for the cat to jump after, rolling a crumpled ball of paper along the floor, dragging ribbon along the floor, or playing hide and seek.

Dogs enjoy games that allow them to run and chase. As well as playing “fetch,” dogs enjoy playing tug-of-war, hide and seek, find the treat, and running races.

This week's podcast promo: The Flopcast

Is it Stress or Just Life - 270

Is it stress or just life that causes you to feel the way you do?

This week on the podcast, we are taking a look at what has been on the mind of your host. As of late, there has been a bit of nostalgia on the mind. And as such, it might be time to look ahead to what might be coming. A return to the Rusted Robot Podcast might be in order. Shawn hosted that pop culture podcast for about 7 years. Rusted Robot was your weekly dose of geek style news and reviews. Its return might be in the forecast. Kirstie Alley's death would have been a major topic on this week's episode had the podcast still been a thing.

The Etsy shop is going well. It is called Rusted Robot Toys. If you are looking for some pop culture gifts, the Etsy shop should be your first stop. My YouTube channel is also called Rusted Robot Toys. Check it out!

In other news, I purchased my first hour glass this weekend. I have wanted to collect hour glasses for 30 years but never did so. Will this be the start of a new craze? Time will tell (haha)! You also get to hear the newest promos for my 3 podcasts!

Is it stress or just life? That really is the question. When I lived in Timmins I was always sore. I went to a massage therapist on a regular basis. My back and legs were always in pain. Ever since I moved to the Soo I have not needed to see a massage therapist. I didn't realize until recently how much pain and stress was caused by my living situation.

This week's promo: ES DCU

How To Be Thankful - 269

How to be thankful is a vital skill in society. There are so many ways in which to present yourself in the world. Being polite and grateful will allow you to get ahead. Not everyone has the skills or the resources or even the desire to show thankfulness. Those that do have the knowledge and the willingness are well set for success.

Practicing gratitude can be a game-changer: it has far reaching effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships with others. Living your life with gratitude helps you notice the little wins—like the bus showing up right on time, a stranger holding the door for you, or the sun shining through your window when you wake up in the morning. Each of these small moments strings together to create a web of well-being that, over time, strengthens your ability to notice the good.

Building your capacity for gratitude isn’t difficult. It just takes practice. The more you can bring your attention to that which you feel grateful for, the more you’ll notice to feel grateful for! Most of us know it’s important to express thanks to the people who help us, or silently acknowledge the things we are grateful for in life. Research has linked gratitude with a wide range of benefits, including strengthening your immune system and improving sleep patterns, feeling optimistic and experiencing more joy and pleasure, being more helpful and generous, and feeling less lonely and isolated. 

This week's podcast promo: Drinking With Authors

90 Day Fiance - 268

90 day fiance or long distance fiance? Perhaps it's both! This episode of the Soul Forge dives into the relationship between Dakota and Luke. We will learn their story, their trials and tribulations. Most of all, we will experience the love they feel for each other.

I have known Dakota since the day she turned 8 years old. She is my son's older sister. Dakota sees me as her father which is truly gratifying. I met Luke the day before we recorded this podcast episode. They have been in a long distance relationship for almost 4 years.

Luke likes to travel. One day he decided to see how far north he could get. Dakota and Luke knew each other somewhat through their online gaming platforms. Luke found himself on the way to Timmins, Ontario. He is from Arizona. Due to a combination of factors including bad weather, Luke was stuck in Timmins and they met for the first time. They really hit it off.

Now, 4 years later, they are engaged. Luke moved from Arizona to Wisconsin. Dakota has been desperately trying to get herself a passport for the last year. She hasn't had any luck, yet she remains hopeful. They are applying for a fiance visa so that Dakota can move to Wisconsin. Once her move is complete, they will have 90 days in which to get married.

Dakota and Luke are in constant communication. In fact, they cite communication as the key to the success of their relationship. They are always on a call. Sometimes that call is voice, and sometimes it consists of virtual reality in game mode. No matter how the communication happens, they say that it is the most vital element in a long distance relationship.

This week's podcast promo: Cosmic Pizza Podcast