Submitted by Christine Whelan

Nov 25, 2021, VOL. 3 ISSUE 7

Post-pandemic times may require a little kickstart to get us feeling more ourselves again. This can involve learning new things, doing something different, reaching out, outside our comfort zones. Mental stimulation has the potential to shake our spirit awake.

Taking ourselves out of our comfort zones can create just enough good stress to ramp up our focus, creativity, pace, and drive. It can help us respond to life stress when unexpected things happen.

Now, we’re talkin’.

Trying new things, getting creative, and reaching outside our comfort zones also gives us the opportunity to:

• Discover a new interest that we would not have otherwise discovered
• Meet new people, starting new friendships
• Learn to deal with new challenges, which can increase self-confidence
• Flexing our muscles of imagination, which can cause us to ask questions we might not have thought of before.

Return to Atlantis: A Presentation That Made The Audience Think

An enchanted evening was had by all at Aroma Bubbles Lifestyle Boutique on Jarvis Street Friday, November 5th. Lisa Iris, a local artist, whose artwork is represented by www.crystalwind.ca, and owner of Mythos Art and Counselling captivated the full room (full to restrictions) with her fascinating oration of “Return to Atlantis”.

Lisa’s strong passion for, and understanding of, the writings and teachings of Atlantis made for a delightfully educational evening. Her artwork is considered fantasy art and is strongly influenced by the goddesses and gods of mythology. The choice to surround herself with selected, relevant artwork during her presentation just added to the effect.

“A myth is a story written in code that grows more complex and fantastic over time,” Iris explained, as she told the story to her audience.

Atlantis was described in 360 BC by the Greek philosopher Plato in his books, as well as was discussed amongst historians, geographers, and philosophers.

Lisa asked the room to, “Consider the Pyramid of Giza, built from 2.3 million, three-ton granite blocks cut with laser precision, impossible using the copper implements of the age, placing the Pyramid at the exact center of the earth’s landmass, coordinated with the cardinal directions in alignment with the Orion constellation.”

Then she asked the question, “How DOES a civilization emerge into being fully formed?”

Lisa described the experiments that were published in The 2018 Journal of Applied Physics that proved that the Pyramid of Giza has the capacity to create wireless energy.

She looked out at her audience, “Was this pyramid simply a tomb or part of a global energy grid?”

The artist referred to her painting over her left shoulder, Hypatia’s portrait, to remind us of how much there is to be regained. She read, the Library of Alexandria is believed to have contained between 200 thousand and 700 thousand scrolls — all of them destroyed.

Iris encouraged her audience to, “imagine how different our consciousness would be if this wealth of information had not been eradicated.”

And finally, in a quiet, captivating voice, making eye contact, one at a time, she encouraged, “Imagine, if we remembered and reclaimed our true identity and purpose? That is returning to Atlantis! You don’t have to wait for it to rise from the ocean or be proven by experts. Just open your eyes and look in the mirror. Look into your heart to find it. Atlantis is not in the past but in the new world YOU are creating.”

Lisa thanked her audience for listening to her. She added, “However, don’t take my word for it. Do your own research. Find out for yourself, what all of this means. And what it means to you.”

The enlightened presentation was followed by a time of mingling and a little bit of inspired shopping in the store. Distances were kept and masks were worn, however, connections were still made. Friendships were formed. Spirits were lifted.

Something New? Something Different?

Whether you’ve been around for years and need something completely different, pushing you outside your comfort zone, or you are new to the area and even traditional activities in the Greater Fort Erie area are new to you, here are a few ideas to ponder:

For the country and animal lovers: Last Chance Horse and Pony Rescue and Sanctuary at 4269 Rebstock Rd., Crystal Beach is having a Christmas Open House on Saturday, Dec. 4th, 1-4 pm. There’ll be crafts, you can meet Santa, enjoy Christmas music and meet the new residents Romeo and Julliet, Peaches and Pickles, and Gracie.

For the kids: Do your kids write letters to Santa? Here’s something a little different this year; Stop in at the library and write your letters! This is available until December 18th.

Maybe you feel like getting physically expressive. Debbie Baer-Gilbert is running her Nia dance classes Mondays at 6:30 pm at the Crystal Ridge Community Centre. Women and men are welcome!

Looking for different gifts this year? Aroma Bubbles Lifestyle Boutique at 12 Jarvis St. has a vast collection of extraordinary crystals, jewellery, and mystical treasures.

For the art lovers who seek the creative gifts, Fort Erie Arts Council’s Christmas Art Market is back, starting December 2nd to December 23rd at the Hub and Gallery, 246 Ridge Rd. N., Ridgeway.

And to help beat the winter blues, the Beach House Restaurant at 4130 Erie Rd., Crystal Beach plays Euchre every Wednesday; lunch at noon, cards at 12:45.

This is not all. The Greater Fort Erie area has several pockets of unique, mystical, and unusual activities and events that may be of the norm for one person, but for another, might just be the very thing that nudges a little outside their comfort zone; and at that moment, present the opportunity of bringing a little spark to the spirit.

I encourage you to do your own search, as Lisa Iris suggests, and find that treasure, that moment that causes you to ponder different concepts, to ask questions you never thought to ask before. Mental stimulation. It’s an exhilarating thing.

Photos by Christine Whelan