Are you looking for ways for how to find happiness when things just aren’t going well?
Well, you’re in for a treat. I have Marie here today who has been through many difficult circumstances. But she always comes out winning.
How does she do it? Here’s what she’ll cover in this episode:
- Living self-sufficiently
- Life after brain cancer surgery
- Loving her life and her family
And so much more. Keep on reading or listen to the audio interview. I hope you enjoy episode 13.
FIRST OF ALL, ABOUT MARIE
- Homesteader (City, Off-Grid and Rural Village)
- Busy Mom of 4 little kids and Wife of EJ
- From Nova Scotia, Canada
AND A PIECE OF ADVICE FROM MARIE
Don’t try to do it all! A self sufficient life style can be very full-filling. But there’s only so many hours in the day.
MOST BENEFICIAL SELF SUFFICIENT SKILL
All skills Marie has learned has been beneficial to her. Everything she has learned has helped her build on her knowledge about self sufficient homesteading.
She shares her knowledge in her cook book: A Cabin Full of Food.
MOST ENJOYABLE SELF SUFFICIENT SKILL
Making cheese! Especially mozzarella because it’s fast. You can make it the same day as your meal.
NEXT, LOW POINTS THROUGH HER JOURNEY
There are two low points:
- Brain Cancer – Anticipating life after brain cancer.
- Mountain cabin walls were covered with black mold. This completely transformed plans for living self-sufficiently.
But she believes that out of dark times come beautiful things.
AS A RESULT, SOME LESSONS LEARNED
Something wonderful that came from the moving experience is the discovery of the importance of community and friendships. “Your neighbors do not need you – But you need neighbors!”
How to be happy and find community:
- Attend a Church
- Get to know your neighbors
Also, bad situations can build good futures. The key for how to find happiness is to learn how to be happy with yourself.
THEN, MARIE DESCRIBES THE “AHA MOMENT”
The outcome of brain surgery was a huge aha moment for Marie. She explains that she was told what to expect after brain tumor surgery and the side effects after brain tumor surgery she would experience.
And she was also warned of the brain tumor surgery survival rate. If she woke up from surgery, it would be a big deal.
Marie did wake up from the surgery and now she seizes the day each and every day. She’s so thankful to be alive!
NEXT, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT MARIE STRUGGLES WITH?
Laziness. She doesn’t feel happy when she feels like being lazy.
Human beings are made to work and to accomplish good things. Accomplishments are the key to true happiness in life.
CONSEQUENTLY, WHAT IS MARIE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
She looks at her four kids and is excited about raising her kids to grow and learn independence, strength and confidence.
Also, building up her new house and homestead:
- Solar Electricity
- Small-Scale food production
- More Off-Grid Living
MARIE’S COMMUNITY IN CANADA:
- Great Libraries
- Excellent Firehalls
- Very Welcoming to Others
- Diverse – Many residents from other countries.
SO, WHAT IS HOLDING MARIE BACK FROM REACHING HER GOALS?
Marie’s goal is to gain food self-sufficiency for her family. Age and health has held her back from achieving this goal.
She would love to someday take her children into the mountains to live for a year to learn about a self sufficient lifestyle and how to be a self sufficient person. And how chores are an important part of learning how to be self reliant.
Eventually, their self sustaining farm layout would include:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Crab apples and apples
- Maybe Wheat
- Potatoes & Squash
- Rabbits (See a picture of a Silver Fox Rabbit here)
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED
Her father gave her this advice: “Always Shoot Your Own Horse.”
Meaning behind this: When you screw up, you need to fix it yourself.
FURTHERMORE, HER BEST PERSONAL HABIT FOR HOW TO FIND JOY IN LIFE
She tries to look at what she’s happy about. To find something to be glad about in every situation.
And even when you encounter a bad situation, you need to figure out how to find happiness again. Don’t dwell on that situation. You’ll be able to move on and discover how to find joy in daily living.
GO-TO MEAL
- Homemade Spaghetti with home canned spaghetti sauce.
FAVORITE APP?
She doesn’t use apps. They use white boards for scheduling.
FAVORITE TOOL?
Indoors: Electric Pressure Cooker
Outdoors: Eco Weed Wacker
THEN, BEST BOOK SHE WOULD RECOMMEND
- Pollyanna – Learn the Glad Game. Learn how to be a happy person by finding the glad in every situation.
- How to Grow More Food than you Could Ever Imagine – John Jeavons – Lots of great self sufficient living tips for growing your own food.
AND, IF MARIE WOKE UP TOMORROW, ACQUIRED 10 ACRES AND $1000, WHAT WOULD SHE DO?
She would turn it into a Permaculture Food Forest for her children. It would be a long term project.
IN CONCLUSION, SOME PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM
- Carpe Diem
- You do need your neighbors
- Teach Your Children to Work
FINALLY, CONTACT MARIE
Facebook Messenger: Marie Campbell Beausoleil
Blog: Just Plain Marie
GIVEAWAY
- 95 Important Questions to Consider before starting your homestead: Get It Here
Finally, catch all the past episodes of Rural Women Inspired!
RURALITES, HONE YOUR DREAMS, OWN YOUR LIFE AND I’LL SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD.
~ MUCH LOVE ~
I hope you enjoyed Marie’s episode about living self-sufficiently, life after brain cancer and ultimately learning how to find happiness. Please leave a comment one thing you do each day to live a happy life.