The Gift of Change

I recently reviewed a book called Brainstorm, Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions by Eric Maisel, PhD and Ann Maisel. Chapter 5 is titled Making the Ordinary Extraordinary, and Chapter 12 is called Early Daze. I deeply resonated with this book as it relates to what I will call my "Sacred Obsession" with the creation of Ravenheart Farms.

I would describe this Sacred Obsession as an inspired journey of the heart. Following is the first paragraph of Brainstorm. "In this book I'm going to describe a wonderful habit of mind that's available to you right now. When you get into the habit of biting more fully into your own ideas, stirring up brainstorms, and productively obsessing, you feel more alive and become more creative".

I can fully relate to this description when I think about my journey with Ravenheart. And I call it a "sacred obsession" because of the love, friendship and healing that Ravenheart has inpsired, for myself, the land, the circle of friends and family that have supported the vision with love and encouragement, the Wwoofers/helpers/volunteers whose dedication, hard work and friendship have helped to create and maintain the vision, and the many guests and workshop participants who have found their hearts here.

As the pelicans fly overhead with their grace and beauty, I think about the decision to move on and let this place go, knowing that it is waiting to inspire the dreams and vision of another.

We are being called to another place, another dream. It is time for Melva and I to create a place together. Although we have talked for many hours about how we might continue to develop and expand on this land, we have come to realize that it is important to purchase something together, that fills us both with new dreams and visions, and meets each of our needs for our businesses and way of life.

The community that has been created around Ravenheart Farms will have a deep and lasting memory, and although the connections will change somewhat, they will never be lost. I am so grateful for a chance to live this dream of passionate obsession, for the community of beautiful friendships and connections, and for the ability to let it this all go with love, and embrace the new.

I was joking tonight with a long-time friend about how I must have the most "strike-throughs" in her address book of all her friends. Really, if I think about how many times I have moved in my life, I wonder how "stable" I really am. And yet, here I am in the midst of another major life change, and I am feeling really grounded and settled. I am grateful for my ability "gift of change", also the title of a book I recently read by a favourite author, Marianne Williamson.

It is so peaceful here in the country. With trees surrounding the land, a small forest on each side of the yard, and no major roadways, traffic, or lights, it is truly a sanctuary of nature. Well, until Polly and the new dog (Laci, the dog that stayed with the farm) dog start fighting with each other, and I start yelling for them to stop!

In Service to the Horses

In Service to the Horses

Normally, as I haul heavy bags of feed from the vehicle to the barn in a plastic sleigh, especially in winter when I can’t get my vehicle as close to the barn as I’d like due to the snow, I laugh at the idea of me pulling the heavy load while the horses look on over the fence. I find myself saying to them, “hey, why don’t you gals get over here and help me”, or “what’s wrong with this picture?” Today I had 3 heavy bags of horse feed, along with a large bag of cat food. I took the sleigh to the garage and hefted the bags out of the trunk of the car. That went pretty well. I then tried to haul the very heavy sleigh up and over a small step from the garage to the driveway. As I heaved on the rope, it broke, and I flew backwards, landing softly in a big snow bank, thankfully, and laughing as the dogs came running back to check on me after hearing the scuffle. After repairing the rope I began the haul up the long driveway to the barn yard. Yes, in hind sight it would have made much more sense to make a couple of trips! Nevertheless, as I was pulling the heavy load, I found myself feeling much appreciation for how the horses have been in service to us for thousands and thousands of years. I thought about the many ways they made life easier for us and for all the things we could never have done without them; the heavy loads they have pulled, the many miles they travelled with riders, or pulling wagons and carriages, the harsh weather conditions they have endured, and for many, the unkind treatment, neglect, indifference, and pain they have experienced at the hands of humans. I felt my heart open, and I began to thank the horses as I pulled my load. I thanked them for all they have done to make our lives easier, for the fun and adventure they provide for us, for the joy they bring, for all they have endured, for their hard work, patience, determination, for their losses, and their willingness. The horses watched me as I pulled the load, and began to jump and play in obvious anticipation of the treat bowls they knew were coming shortly. I told them that I felt blessed to be in service to them now, and that I would always do my best to provide for them, in a way that is as natural and comfortable for them as I can. I thanked them for being patient and gentle with me over the years as I’ve learned to care and provide for them, for the many mistakes I’ve made along the way, and for the lessons they have taught me. I honoured them for their service and the service of their ancestors. I apologized for all we have taken from them; their wild spaces, their freedom, their babies, their family members, their herd mates. I apologized for the ways we have trained them, using pain, fear, power, control, intimidation, and harsh equipment. Then I thanked them again for helping us “wake up” to a new way of being with horses, for the many ways they continue to be in service, in coaching and therapy, sport, pleasure, work, and as our beloved companions. I promised them that I would continue to learn, to be better at caring for them, to treat them with respect and appreciation, to ask permission, to pay attention, to honour their needs, to offer them choices, to share what I learn with others, and to support in any way I can, the many courageous people out there who are caring for horses in desperate situations, nurturing and rehabilitating these beautiful animals, while discovering their own hearts are healing too. I got close to the barn but wasn’t able to pull the sleigh up over a snowbank, and didn’t want to risk breaking the rope again, so I brought the feed bins, which thankfully are on wheels, out to the sleigh. Then, the hardest part for me is always lifting the bags out of the sleigh on the ground and hoisting them into the bins. I asked the horses for their service once again and said “please help me find the strength to lift these bags up and into the bins”. Sure enough I managed each bag with relative ease! I truly appreciate horse power! Carol Marriott www.ravenheartfarms.com Jan.-29-14

Ravenheart Horses At Play

"My name is Sandra, I’m from Germany and I like ice cream… :-)

I spent 5 weeks at Ravenheart and would like to give you a short description about this place. Ravenheart is more than just a farm. Those who get the chance to spend a few weeks at Ravenheart understand what I mean. It takes only a few days and you feel as a part of the “big farm family”.
Ravenheart is for me like a little cosmos – discovered from Carol is it a place who is changing and developing every day by Carol, her friends and the visitors from all over the world.
In addition to daily chores you have the possibility to co-create Ravenheart with your ideas, creativity and vision and be a part of this little cosmos. So you find at Ravenheart tracks from all over the world which illustrate the openness and hospitality you will get from Carol and her friends.
My time at Ravenheart has shown me not only that I really love “dirt-playing” farm work or playing with power tools, I learned more about myself and above all I’ve met great people.

Not that someone may come to the idea that staying at Ravenheart is more like a nice holiday trip…it’s hard work of course, but for the work you don’t get only accommodation and meals…you get the opportunity to spend time on a magic place with special people! And I heard stories from people they have seen little leprechauns… ;-)

The decision to work at Ravenheart is a life changing experience - at least this was it for me."

Reise Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Kanada: Farmalltag in der kanadischen Prärie…. globalzoo.de

Reise Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Kanada: Farmalltag in der kanadischen Prärie…. globalzoo.de

'Two World Class Events this June that you don't want to miss...'

'Two World Class Events this June that you don't want to miss...'

Only Kindness Matters - Jewel

“Only Kindness Matters” Jewel
(article written for Wholife Journal "Angels In Action" feature March/April issue 2010 )

A neatly bearded, gentle, soft-spoken, humble, yet undeniably powerful, James Folster, our featured Angel In Action, is a true example of the nature of humanitarians, or a Mystic without a Monestary as author Caroline Myss would say, that are quietly and faithfully bringing positive change and love to our world.

Growing up on a farm in central Saskatchewan, James describes his personality as a child, as painfully shy, timid, anxious and very withdrawn. His father was (still is) a musician and from the time he can remember, everyone around him drank and partied. His circle was deeply entrenched in this lifestyle – siblings, neighbours, cousins, friends, except for his Mother who didn’t drink at all.

By his early teens this was James path as well. Drugs and alcohol became an everyday habit. Loss of precious relationships, broken homes, friends and family members in jail, suicide, fatal injuries, law breaking, all ingredients in the mix.

Life for James for the next 20 or so years was one big soul-defeating, relationship destroying, body poisoning, mind numbing, life-force crushing party.

By now he was married and had two young daughters. One day, upon returning home to his family after a 3-day binge, something inside cried out for James to stop. And he stopped cold turkey.

Shortly after making the decision to give up the alcohol and drugs, James explains that he found a path to God, the Supreme Creator, and describes his spirituality as trusting his own sense of God, like a surrendering, where he asks for strength, and continues to seek answers by listening quietly, turning things over in prayer, and following this guidance.

In 2002, while sharing a meal with his dear friend Marilyn in a local diner a few days before Christmas, they observed an older gentlemen who regularly ate alone. Marilyn commented “somebody should do something for people like that at Christmas”, and then exclaimed, “hey wait a minute, we’re somebody!”

Upon that sudden inspiration, they decided to organize a Christmas dinner at the local senior citizens hall for people alone at Christmas. A church donated food, volunteers showed up, musicians came to play, and for the next 4 years it was a popular seasonal event with 15 or more people sharing Christmas dinner together, who would otherwise be alone.

A few years ago James was diagnosed with a chronic illness, Essential Tremors, which threw him into a tail spin. Unable to work, he spent the next 6 months in a deep depression, anxious and unsure of what the future held, until he choose to accept the situation and make the best of it.

The “best of it” is an understatement. This was the catalyst for a new direction on James’ path. A path now filled with inspiration, compassion and kindness. Knowing intimately what it is like to be alone, hungry and cold, he holds no judgment of where people are in life. He say’s “if you need help, you need help”. “Blaming people for their choices and situation does nothing to help them, so just help them!”

Living with a disability gave James a new perspective on life. It has opened many doors for him that he could never have imagined. He accepted an opportunity to be trained as a facilitator for a Living Well with Chronic Illness support group, a task that previously, due to low self-esteem, anxiety and shyness, would have terrified him.

Following his divine guidance, he was inspired to create a place where people living on their own, new to the area, or wanting to engage in new friendships, he organized a monthly gathering called the Adult Friendship Group in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He is clear that this is not a dating or singles club. The Adult Friendship Group will celebrate its second year in February with a core group “regulars” from all walks of life, enjoying these casual gatherings with potluck meals, card games, movies and companionship.

A year ago, while watching a documentary on television, he learned of a woman in Nova Scotia who started dances for people with disabilities. Inspiration of the heart took hold once again and James shared this idea with a local not for profit organization. The program coordinator enthusiastically embraced his ideas, and with her support, along with the help of volunteers, local businesses, and a DJ, themed dances are now held monthly with attendance now topping 80 people per dance.

More recently, a dedicated group of community members and organizations have formed, in response to James newest calling and mission of service, a Collective Kitchen planning team. His idea is driven by his desire to see that “everyone” has access to a warm meal, in the companionship of others, and an opportunity to learn how to prepare, with assistance if required, their own nutritious meals.

A lover of animals, James shares a small acreage with 7 beloved miniature goats and 20 chickens. Caring for them ensures that he gets out of bed each day with a purpose. His generous nature is once again evident by the dozens of eggs he gives to family and friends, and the local food bank. He says if the Collective Kitchen project gets underway, he’ll raise chickens to contribute too!

On January 20, 2010, during the Humboldt & Area Community Inclusion Support Centre monthly dance, James was awarded the Partners for Rural Family Support Peace Award for 2010. The Peace Award, sponsored by SaskEnergy, is given to an individual who has shown exceptional dedication to helping the community.

Asked what brings him peace of mind, he leans back in his chair, puts his hand over his heart, and shares that when he sees people at the dances or the Friendship Group laughing, dancing, connecting and enjoying the company of others, he breathes a deep sigh of satisfaction and his heart fills with joy. “It does the heart good.”


Carol Marriott is a Certified Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Specialist and the “Lead Mare” at Ravenheart Farms near Humboldt, SK. For more information, workshop dates, and/or private or group sessions call (306) 682-4641, email: ravenheart@yourlink.ca, or visit: www.ravenheartfarms.com and see the colour display in Wholife Journal: www.wholife.com