Warm greetings, dear Friend!
I hope that you’ve been enjoying autumn (or spring, if you’re in the southern hemisphere).

I have three themes to share with you this month – one from the past, one from the present, and one from the future.

The past: My second Camino (through Portugal and Spain) was – eventful! On the plus side, it led me through some beautiful country (the photo above was taken as the first rays of daylight shone down upon the small town of Oia in Spain). On the challenging side, my backpack didn’t arrive until 48 hours after I arrived in Porto; I developed a serious injury on the very first day of walking (a BIG blister on the ball of my left foot); I got lost a few times (the Senda Litoral is a newer variation of the Camino Portugués and is not as well marked as its other variations); and finding accommodation was tricky at times.
And, since I’ve come home, I’ve been doing a LOT of research about the route I just walked and have already started doing training walks for my “do-over” of the same route in May of ’25 – and I’m excited! I’m reminded of a TED talk given by my dear friend Harold Payne entitled “Preparing for Spontaneity“; being better prepared allows us to be more present and ready for whatever unfolds. My intention is to make my Caminos walking meditations – and, more broadly, to be as present in every moment of my life as I possibly can. Onward!
(If you’d like to see some of the photos I took on my recent Camino, please visit my Facebook page and look at the entries between Aug. 28th and Sept. 13th.)

The present: Here in Canada, we just celebrated Thanksgiving – my favourite holiday of the year. I love having a day devoted to giving thanks, and I chose that day, 32 years ago, to move to Vancouver from Montreal, knowing that in the years that would follow I’d have even more to be grateful for. Thank YOU, dear Friend, for walking and sharing YOUR journey with me. 🙏🏻

The future: In just a few days, I will begin a 14-month training program on becoming a Sacred Sound Healer! My intention is to make every note that I sing or play be one that heals, and I’m excited about learning how to do that more fully. I look forward to sharing more with you about that journey as it unfolds.

In honour of this month’s themes – Presence, Gratitude and Fullest Expression – I offer you three of my Chants/Songs for the Soul. May they serve you well.

Be Here Now
Appreciation
Fullest Expression

How about YOU, dear Friend? What’s been happening in YOUR experience? WHEREVER you are on your journey, I would love to hear from you. Please e-mail me; we’re all in this together, and we have much to learn from each other.
(THANKS for being a part of my journey, and SPECIAL THANKS to all of the kind souls who respond to my newsletters; reading your comments is always a highlight of my month.)

And, as always…
You can listen to my songs and chants here and here.
You can find the words to my songs and chants here.
You can buy my CDs here.

 

UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS

– PERFORMANCES

I perform on my own for many churches in both Canada and the U.S. (live, online via streaming, and with pre-recorded videos), as well as for many local retirement homes. I also perform in several local musical groups as a vocalist, bassist, and/or Chapman Stickist. And all of my Chants/Songs for the Soul can be viewed any time on my YouTube channel. 

For more detailed information on any of my performances, please click on any date in my online calendar. And if I can serve YOU in any way with my words and music, please know that it would be my great pleasure to do so! 

– VIDEOS

To watch my
Morning Musings,
Keynote Concerts,
Facebook Live Concerts,
Performance Videos,
and Small Steps Big Life: Walking The Camino videos,
please click here. 

As a very dear and wise friend in Montreal once said to me, “All I can offer you is my experience”.

My sincere desire, in every one of my newsletters, is to encourage us all to live our Big Lives one Small Step at a time.

Much love to you, dear Friend!
I bless you on your journey,
and I wish you Ease and Grace and JOY
in being Present, being Grateful and living your Fullest Expression.

Go with Love,
– Nathen

Nathen Aswell
Performing Songwriter / Inspirational Speaker
Encouraging people to live Big Lives one Small Step at a time
https://www.nathenaswell.com/
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/NathenAswell
(604) 618-4429