Moments D568: More Poppies

Today I decided to wear my poppy into work again.  As I pinned it on me this morning, I wondered why we didn't take more time to remember those who perished for us, for those that continue to fight in our name.  As I wake from a warm, dry bed, I wonder how those serving today aren't likely as fortunate.  As I look to my day ahead, drudging through the daily mundane task list, I think of them drudging through their days fighting for peace and freedom.

And so, today, I decided that November (yes the entire month) was going to be a month of remembering our protectors.

As a side bar, because I'm feeling a touch philosophical:  Do I wish we could abolish war?  Yes, of course! Unfortunately I'm not so naive.  I think we would all like to believe we can be humanitarian, share, and love one another in one big community watching out for one another.  If only life were that simple.  Simple it is not.

We live in a society that thrives on power and ownership.  A world where there are many different beliefs in how to achieve either, or, or both.  Naturally there is a clash of beliefs, a clash of wants, and sometimes an actual clash of needs.  I've seen enough apocalyptic and zombie movies to know that when push comes to shove, when someone comes to steal your way of life, you need to protect it.  Think about it.  What are your choices?  Give it away (and perish) or protect it (fight to keep it).   When someone is in dire need of something (and sometimes people are foolish enough to believe that their wants are needs), they will not stop until they either get what they want, or they are stopped.  Dark?  I suppose.  I think it's just reality.

All that being said, do I think we can slowly find better ways of sharing than the world we currently live in? To ease those extreme moments of clashing?  You better believe I do.  Everyday I chip away at that.  Everyday I try to find a special moment with people in my life to share with them.  Family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances.  I share.  I share my bizarre ideas of spreading light and positive energy.  I have (and will continue) to share my knowledge, my love, my patience, my food, my shelter, hell, my finances with many.  I will, at least I hope I will, always continue to do so because I believe that in sharing, we create a society of trust and love.

But I have learned, especially over the past year, that not all are deserving of trust and love.  Sometimes people will take advantage of you.  Sometimes they are malicious about it, in their search for power or ownership, sometimes it comes naturally and subconsciously.  Either way, no matter what the intent, the process is the same: they manipulate and take advantage of you for their own benefit.  This conniving, it's like someone trying to steal something you need away from you.  I am stronger now, and I recognize the manipulation more easily and I now choose to stand and protect myself from those people instead of being plundered.

Wow.  What a long winded way of me saying:  I think today, more than ever I can extrapolate from my experiences and see the reasoning behind armies and war.

So today, I wore my poppy into work again.

Not five minutes after I was sitting at my desk and Arizona asked me why I was still wearing my poppy.  I told her that I was going to remember our protectors all November.  She smiled, clapped her hands and told me she was going to wear her poppy into work tomorrow as well.

New tradition started?  Maybe.  Either way, that moment made me smile.

Moments pushing the limits and connecting dots.

Moments inspiring others.

Moments D567: Honour Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day. I recently found out that this is a holiday that is mostly celebrated by the commonwealth countries since the end of World War I.  In the US, today is actually Veteran's Day, which is not the same as Memorial Day.   (From what I understand, in the US Veteran's Day celebrates the services of US military veterans, whereas Memorial Day remembers those who have died serving their country.  Here in Canada, we celebrate it all in one, today.  Remembrance Day has always been on my radar as far as I can remember, after all my grandfather was in the Canadian army and served in World War II.  In fact, thinking back now, I remember that I wrote a poem for Remembrance Day back in grade school that won some type of award.   I wonder where that poem is now, or if I'll ever re-read those words.  Perhaps one day, I'll stumble across my words as an eleven year old so that I might share them.

Back to point.  Today's moment is all about remembering.  Our department took two minutes of silence at 11:11 am to pause and gift thanks.  I was proud to see so many blood red poppies over the hearts of many around me.  However, the most touching moment, hands down, was when I ran into Mr. B on his daily walk over lunch.  He was proudly wearing his father's military beret.  It stopped me dead in my tracks.  BRILLIANT.  What an incredible way to not only remember his father, but to signify gratitude to those who fought for and those who continue to fight and maintain the freedoms we enjoy today.

It was so brilliant, I was at a loss for words when I saw him.  It was simply perfect.  I'm sure his father was smiling down proudly.

Moments to pause and reflect upon one's fortunes.

Moments being grateful for those who paved the way.

Moments D551: Poppy Time

Today I bought my first poppy of the season.  I know it's early, but I don't care.  I even bought a fancy poppy last year too, so I really didn't need to buy a poppy.  AND, I also have a poppy stabbed into the ceiling of my car as I feel we should be remembering those who fought for our freedoms everyday.  With the poppy above my head every day, I definitely have that daily reminder.  I just wanted to show my support.

Why the connection?  I suppose it's because my grandfather was a vet.  He never spoke of what he saw or what he had to deal with.  Not even on his death bed did he share his experience.  (My mother, nursing at his side until he passed, tried many times and ways to gather some information of his experience, if only to document his life fully.)

Needless to say, what we do know, is that it was traumatic and something he was unable to verbalize.

I've known this about my grandfather my entire life.  He fought in the war, then he came home and was, for the most part, an unhappy man.  I know that's highly simplified, but as a child, that is all I ever learned.  What I felt, was, that he was always distant to me.  Lost perhaps.

And because of what he suffered (after the war, back home), because I grew up not really ever knowing my grandfather due to his walls, I've always been sensitive to Remembrance Day.  This year, I smiled when I saw the volunteer selling poppies.  Let the remembering begin a little earlier.  Why not!?

As I pinned my first poppy of the season to my jacket (I always lose them!), I couldn't help thinking back to my grandfather's funeral years ago.  He had a legion funeral and his casket was covered in the bright red flower.  It was a beautiful sight to watch men in uniform salute a man I barely knew, who I called grandpa.  It was a bittersweet moment as I found myself filled with pride for his commitment, but also filled with such a depth of sadness knowing that he was never able to leave the past in the past.

Random share:  here he is with my grandma on their wedding day; just before he left to fight in the war:

The pinning of the poppy also also reminded me that we all have our own dark moments and darkness to overcome.  We have a choice, we can either let the darkness consume us, or we can walk through the darkness.

I will always (I hope!) walk through the darkness, for I never want to find myself lost, cold and distant.
Does that mean I will always be in the light?  No.  Not at all.  But I will fight to find it.  I will fight to walk a path of love and light because I do believe that walking in light and love is the only way to find peace.  Peace within and peace outside of self.

Moments remembering the war, its horrors and the people that suffered through it.

Moments remember that love and light are a path to peace.

Moments D200: Remembrance Day

What a perfect day for my 200th post. Remembrance Day.

I can’t believe it’s been 200 days since I started this journey blogging about special moments from each and every day. For better or for worse, I’ve managed to find a special moment that brought a smile to me for 200 days. I won’t lie. Some days were much harder than others to find that moment that brought me the warmth of a smile. Other days there were many, many moments to choose from.

Today, as I find myself exhausted from a long, late evening of fun, I am slow moving and my mind is quietly reflecting upon my journey of the past 200 days and when it dawned on me that this milestone is shared with the timing of Remembrance Day….I smiled.

While I have learned much in the past 200 days of writing, one thing has become ever apparent. There is a tendency for people to be self-centered. I don’t know how we managed to find ourselves down this path of entitlement and I don’t think most are even aware of it happening. But then I think to myself, “Where would we be if we didn’t have those on the front line fighting for our freedoms?” They keep us in a place that is safe and they are doing it for the greater good. I am thankful to those selfless souls.

I know it isn’t easy to step outside of self and to think of others. The everyday creeps in and often overrules the bigger picture of honour and respect. My wish, my hope, is that today, Remembrance Day, may inspire more moments of selflessness. Honour your words. Honour your actions. Honour those around you. Yes it takes time. Yes it takes energy and awareness. But, isn’t that why we are here? For one another, not self? Who are you if you are not with others? (Just another good reason to surround yourself with the best people!)

So in this shared moment I want to look beyond my personal toils, pains and ultimate growth over the past year and remember those who fought to allow me the safety of being here to experience this life.

Let us remember the past and look to the future.

Let us remember the people in our lives matter while being true to self.

Moments for others.

Moments D197: Veterans

Today I had two moments before I even made it into work. The first was as I was getting into my car. A lovely older (likely retired!) gentleman was just getting out of his car to have a round of tennis with his mates. Given that there was frost on my car, I had to smile. These guys were hard core! As he walked away from the cars, he turned back and said “Have a great day!”. I couldn't help but smile as I returned the warm thought back.

Then as I drove to work I noticed a sign in front of one of the retirement residences.

It made me smile. How smart of the building/landlord to put up such a message in front of a retirement home. And it worked. I stopped and though of the vets that fought for us for the freedoms we enjoy today. And I smiled.

Two warm smiles before the day began. I suppose that’s a sign of a good day to come?

Moments with shared words.

Moments to remember those who fought for our freedoms.

Moments D191: Photos & Poppies

Tonight’s Albert Watson event was amazing. Albert Watson, the man was incredible and his works are inspirational. For the record, he is also having a showing in a local gallery. I must make sure to find time to check it out.

Today’s moment was brought to me by this amazing artist. The moment he stepped on stage, I felt his positive creative energy. And, he was wearing a poppy. I immediately fell in love with him. Why? Poppies mean a lot to me. It’s one time a year that we stop and remember the vets that fought so hard, manywith their lives, to give the rest of us freedom.

Mr. Watson lives in New York City. He’s recently lived through a trying time with hurricane Sandy devastating his condo building and his home town. And yet, in his tenaciousness, he and his family made it to Toronto for the event. And, he remembered to wear a poppy.

A wee side-bar: Poppy wearing is not very popular in the USA. I’m not sure why this is, but it’s something I’ve been aware of for some time. So the fact that he pushed out of his devastated home town and wore a poppy….I was impressed.

During the next 2.5 hours he continued to impress and inspire. What an incredible life story to share; I know I wasn’t the only one inspired by his words.

During the Q&A, an 18 year old student asked about what types of projects she should focus on to get her career started, but she also commented about having limited time to do so. Albert, called her on this, for like anything, to become good, to push beyond the mediocre, one needs to invest time into it. Make the time. Find the time. Shift priorities. That, like anything in your life, hard work WILL pay off.

Why is it that we are so afraid to work hard? It saddens me, as I see it often. Many are lazy and complain about hard work. And sure, I have my moments too, but for the most part, I know that if I put the time and energy into something I see the results. The hardest part is determining where to spend one’s time and energy for there isn’t enough time to go around for ALL the things one wants to do and/or excel at. Choosing paths, for me, is harder than the hard work.

So today’s post - a celebration of a beautiful soul, an inspiring artist, and a true, gentle man - Albert Watson.

Moments to remember.

Moments in art.

Moments D188: Remembering

It’s coming up to that time of year where I pull out my poppy. I love that simple symbol of solidarity. And every year, when I first put my poppy on, I remember my grandfather’s coffin covered in poppies. It is a vision that will be with me for a lifetime.

Today’s moment was from a high school sign. It made me smile and remember and wonder why the heck I hadn't pulled out my poppy yet.

Let’s all smile today.

Moments to remember.

Moments of thanks.