Moments D704: 22 Quotes

When I woke this morning, my niece had texted me a photo overnight:

That is her dorm room at university.  And all those little papers on the wall?  Those are quotes I stuffed into her highschool graduation card.  There were 22 quotes in fact. Each and everyone are on the wall beside her bed.

Wow.  How truly incredible.  That was the best warm fuzzy I've had in a long time.  What a fabulous way to start the day!

Moments knowing that loving your family is reciprocated.

Moments waking up the a warm fuzzy.

Moments D638: Question. Always ask Questions

"Never let life impede on your ability to manifest your dreams. Dig deeper into your dreams and deeper into yourself and believe that anything is possible, and make it happen." ~ Corin Nemec

Today was an interesting day.  Swirling energy.  Personally.  Professionally.  Boy oh boy were my boundaries pushed on all fronts.

But that's good, right?  Growth.  Right?

My day started with a workout, and then a light reading of this list of questions to ask yourself.

These questions were with me as I began my work day.

I was thankful for that as out of the gate, I was dealing with a sensitive issue at work.  In my numerous discussions over the course of the morning and into the afternoon,  I had an opportunity to share some of the insights of the article that I had read earlier and I found myself asking questions that I wouldn't normally ask.

As the conversation meandered, I found myself drawing out information that wouldn't have otherwise seen the light of day.  How incredible it was.

Because of questions.

The one question that came up more than once at work was this:  "You do know that it is not your fault, right?"  This, of course spanned a deeper conversation and deeper thoughts within myself and how I engage with the world around me.

(the proverbial light bulb went off!)

Yes, it's true.  I admit it.  I own too much responsibility in many situations that I need not.  I am aware of this (more so than ever) and I'm working on it.   That said, I really don't want to turn into that person that shirks responsibility.

I found myself reflecting, questioning my words, questioning my position.  For the most part I know what I did (or didn't do).   I can look long and deep into the mirror and accept my faults and apologize for them when I need too.  This is not always easy and many times I falter during the process.  Sometimes I apologize too much and other times I completely miss the point.  Successful or not, I am always asking questions, either of myself or of others.

But what I realized during this introspection is that there are some that struggle more to look into the mirror.  Hey, there are some are unable to do it at all.  Just look at our mayor, Rob Ford.  He openly believes he's done nothing wrong!  My point:  It's not easy to question.  Not yourself.  Not others.  And certainly not when the emotional stakes are high.

But there is a strength in questioning.  With the right environment, with the right words, it brings depth.  It brings clarity. And, if nothing else, I continue to believe that communication is the key to healthy deep relationships.  To dig deeper within yourself and to see the relationship from another perspective.

The energy of those conversations and my introspection spilled into a personal conversation later in the day.  I found myself explaining words from two months ago.  It's not easy having a daily blog.  I've been questioned more than once on my motives for my words, but my blog has helped me to grow and evolve.

Because every day I ask the question "What moved me today?"

Questions.

Today I celebrate asking questions because not only did it help me navigate a challenging situation at work, it also allowed me to navigate (with a different voice) a tumultuous personal situation.

Moments being inspired by powerful words.

Moments sharing those powerful words and realizing just how important it is to always ask questions.

Moments D613: Takes a chillin' and keeps on swimmin'

Okay, the title of today's blog is not nearly as catchy as "...takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'...", but it gets my point across and it makes me laugh.  That counts, right?

Today my parents, EQ and I spent part of the day snorkelling in the waters around Nassau.  Only a three hour tour (no joke!) as our day in Nassau was a short one.  That didn't stop us from enjoying a cooler, partially cloudy day in the water surrounded by many, many, brightly coloured fish of all shapes and sizes.

Me - I was chilled on the boat ride out to the reef.  Absurd.  I know!  That said, it wasn't as warm as it had been in days past, the sun wasn't hot on our faces because of the coming and going clouds and I was a touch tired and drained feeling this morning.  All a good combination to create a slight chilled feeling.

That chill was not going to stop me from snorkelling today.  No way, no how.  I was ready for the promised 60 minutes in the water and come hell or high water I was going to enjoy every single second in the water.

I was not disappointed!  It was incredible.  I honestly wish I could share a snippet of my video with you, but I haven't had a chance to process the videos I took just yet.  But boy, oh boy did I have fun!  I chased schools of fish.  I dove and was up close and personal with different corals in the reef.  For awhile, I simply floated in the waves and watched the marine life do their thing below me.

And I had goosebumps the entire time.  Yes.  That's right, as soon as I hit the water my body exploded into goosebumps.  I ignored them.  And I was good for about 45 minutes at which point I admitted to EQ that I was cold.  He nearly convinced me to get out at that point.  Instead, we swam off and enjoyed the reef for another 10 minutes or so.  

And then I was really, truly cold through to my bones.  My teeth chattered as I swam.  I found EQ, and told him it was time, that I needed to get out of the water.  We weren't the last to board the boat (darn it all!), but we certainly weren't the first either.  

My chattering teeth were with me the entire boat ride home.  I was curled up in EQ's arms, in the partial sun/cloud, covered up in two dry (now damp) towels and shivering.  I couldn't help but laugh.

I used to do that as a kid all the time.  Swim until my teeth started to chatter.  I haven't been like that in years.  It felt good.  I felt alive.  And I've made myself a promise.  In the next two years, I'm going to learn how to scuba.  It's been on my list of things to learn for some time and after the past two snorkelling trips, I'm inspired.  It's time to shuffle that up closer to the top of my "to do" list!

Moments ignoring body discomfort and focusing on the joy of nature.

Moments that take you back in time to relive younger days.

Moments D577: A daughter's letters to her Father

Today my friend posted one of the most heart warming and heart wrenching posts to Facebook I think I've ever seen.  Her father passed away on Monday and the family has begun to clean up his belongings, they came across something that was incredibly touching.

This is what her mother found:  

It is a letter my friend had written to her dad when she was 11.  It was found in her father's night stand.  He had saved it there, close to him and obviously treasured, for over 30 years.

I was so very touched by her sharing this moment in her life.  I immediately thought of the notes and poems I have written my own father over the years.  I couldn't help but share the posting out loud with those in earshot of my office.  The flood of emotion from each person listening was incredible.  

Our AD shared that he too has saved all of his daughter's cards and notes.  After a lengthy pause of reflection, he continued to share that he sometimes thought he was being silly saving these pieces, but now, having heard my friends story, he's decided to keep on saving these special moments from his daughter.

One man's death has touched many (as witnessed by the busy wake last night).  Today, he's touched a few more well outside his circle.  And, in the end, he's likely inspired a moment to be felt and shared many years from now when our AD's daughter finds, and realizes, just how much her words were treasured by her father.

Moments sharing intimate, emotional thoughts.

Moments knowing that share has inspired another intimate emotional moment.

Moments D431: Tall Ships

As I drove over the Burlington skyway today, I was surprised to see four tall ships in Lake Ontario.  It was incredible!  There they were, peeking out of the fog, like a movie set.

I couldn't help but watch them as I passed over the skyway.  (Carefully of course, after all I was driving!)  Why were these beauties here?  I have seen the tall ships before, up close and personal in a marina somewhere in Southern Ontario (I can't remember.....I'm no longer a young pup!).  As awe inspired as I was years ago up close and personal, I found myself now awe inspired from afar.  I had never seen them "out and about" before, only docked.  And here they were.  All four of them trekking through the lake.  So lovely.  Lovely enough to pause and watch....if I had the time.

But, I was on a timeline to the Buffalo airport.  My long, long weekend has officially begun.  This sweet inspiring surprise only reminds me just how many more surprises are (likely) in store for me this coming weekend.  I am ready.  It's time to fly.

Moments of surprise.

Moments of remembering first encounters, and enjoying the beauty of a second encounter.

Moments D415: Inspiration, Love and Joy

Today was an intense day. It was a day that started with a simple, yet highly inspirational, email from a dear friend on his way into town this coming weekend. It was followed by an intense day of work, then a mid-term for school (which I think was successful!) and then a meeting for my new business adventure. I drove out to meet the founder and another of his core team members for a 9:30pm meeting! What an inspiring meeting that was, my brain is on fire, even though I’m tired from the rest of my day (well week really!). This business adventure is, if nothing else, going to be an experience for me that will most certainly expand my tool kit. This excites me! As I started my drive home, I thought this was surely my moment to share today, but it was trumped. (And yet I snuck it in!)

The moment that brought me the biggest moment of my day was the phone call on my 30 minute drive home. I called my girl from the North (I am officially going to dub her HAWK, as I believe this is one of her totems. I’m sure she will correct me if I’m wrong, but after reading this summary of HAWK as totem, I think it fits her well.)

Hawk was entertaining guests. I knew she had guests. I expected a short and sweet call. What I didn’t expect was the outpouring of love. From her and from her “boy-next-door” friend. Although short and sweet, the moment filled me with love and joy for my best friend. I was delighted to hear her so happy and so giddy. (She too had a rough week last week!) And, even 230km away, I felt I was right there with her.

Amazing really.

Moments of inspiration, of love and of joy. All in one day. I AM FORTUNATE!

And now that my exam is over, I can think beyond today. The weekend is coming. I have a friend coming in from out of town. I’m further inspired, filled with love and joy for those moments to come. I am ready to learn how to fly.

Moments to be inspired.

Moments being filled with love and joy.