Monday, December 8, 2025

A Journey of Gifts

Rubber duck reflections from the tub

By Quentin Steen, Representative

There’s something sacred about the quiet moments, when the world slows down enough for you to hear the subtle whispers within.

It’s in these moments that I often find myself reflecting, especially in the tub. The warm water surrounds me, offering a sense of comfort, while my mind drifts to the practice of meditation I’ve been exploring with the BREETHE app.

Today, my meditation was a journey through my own reality, filtered through the lens of my current relationships.

I closed my eyes, letting the quiet settle in, and I asked myself, what do I have to offer right now?

In an instant, I was transported back to moments in my life where I felt most alive, most present. I could hear the subtle hum of my own intuition—the quiet moments when people would tell me, “You have a gift.”

It’s strange to think of it that way, but they were right. I’ve been told that I create moments in a room where you could hear a pin drop, a kind of stillness that allows others to feel safe, heard, and seen.

But I know that this gift isn’t mine alone. It’s a combination of two parts of me.

The warrior part, fierce and unyielding, gives me the strength to stand in front of others and speak. The medicinal part, soft yet unwavering, instilled in me the healing power of stillness, of listening, of holding space.

Together, these energies have shaped who Quentin is.

I realized, in that moment, that my gift doesn’t come from doing. It comes from being.

The truth is, I’ve always had this gift within me, but it’s only when I am guided by my authentic, wise self that it fully shines. And that’s what I need to bring to the moments in front of me.

In moments where the room is filled with people eager to learn, I know that I have something unique to offer. It’s not about performing, not about impressing anyone. It’s about being present, being authentic, and letting that energy guide the space.

After most of these moments, I take time to reflect, almost like a postmortem. I ask myself, what went well? What did I learn? How did I show up?

I think it’s important to look back and take note of the small details, the subtleties that we often miss in the rush of life.

But the real magic happens when I carry that gift into my current reality, when I feel those strong, powerful emotions rising up—whether it’s excitement, fear, or even frustration. And in those moments, I remind myself: there is nothing to do.

Doing does nothing. Being does everything.

It’s the being that matters. The act of showing up fully, as I am, without the need to fix or control. It’s a practice, a constant reminder that when I step into my truest self, everything flows naturally.

As I sat in the tub, the meditation wrapped itself around me like a warm embrace. I didn’t need to push or strive. I just needed to be. And in that space of being, I could feel the power of my gifts ready to guide me through whatever came next.

Oh, and I also thought, it’s time to get myself a rubber duck!

Quentin Steen is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Get your BRAIN right and your MIND will follow!

3 Mental Health Resources to Help You

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, CLAC has a number of resources and interactive tools available to help you at My Health and Wellness.
Stronger Minds features videos and quick reads from mental health experts, activities to help you gain resilience, and ask-an-expert videos in response to questions.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides accessible, reliable, and professionally produced resources on an array of health topics including (but not limited to): addictions, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, depression, etc.

A Journey of Gifts

3 Mental Health Resources to Help You

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