We've got a way in Newfoundland of keeping things simple and making the most of what might seem like less than ideal conditions. A rugged, windswept land, harsh climate and isolation are at once challenging and beautiful. These conditions demand that we live simply and appreciate our surroundings and the people around us - exactly what those inviting tourism advertisements portray. A world of difference. People who are resilient and tenacious, who can overcome challenges and make a wonderful fine life. Living in remote outport settlements for so many years led to many unique colloquialisms still in use today. "Wonderful fine" is a delightful expression and one of my personal favourites. It means extremely fine, the best version of fine, the ultimate in fineness. Here are some typical examples of its use in everyday conversation: "It's a wonderful fine day on clothes" - it is a perfect day to dry laundry on the clothesline "That's a wonderful fine scoff you've got cooked up there" - that meal looks delicious "Buddy, that was a wonderful fine time last night"- what an excellent party My island and its people have helped me on my personal journey with chronic illness over the last three years. At first, it seemed that my illness was a harsh hand to be dealt. Focusing on the negatives and hardships would be easy, and initially that was exactly what I did. But I am a Newfoundlander, and I began to draw on that resiliency inherent in the people here. Lessons learned from this island and the people where I live helped me on my path back to wellness. By using the resources available to me, working on what was most important and keeping things simple I created a new lifestyle which allowed healing to happen. I flourished and went from being ill, to being fine, to being wonderful fine. My healing lifestyle can be summed up in these five areas of wonderful fineness: 1. Enjoy the support of a wonderful fine, friendly community of people. 2. Nourish the body with wonderful fine food, wild and grown in our own soil and caught in our own waters. 3. Move the body in wonderful fine ways, especially in our great outdoors, breathing the fresh, salty air and among our beautiful boreal forests. 4. Prioritize wonderful fine, peaceful sleep, in a dark, quiet place under a sea of stars. 5. Relax, step back, and live simply in the wonderful fine moment. Are you facing a health challenge in your own life? Try applying these lessons from Newfoundland to create your own wonderful fine life. Jane Karasek Hogan Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach Steady Brook, NL www.janehoganhealth.com   Submitted By: Jane Hogan