Moments D240: The World has not Ended

This is no laughing matter! Today was supposed to be the end of the world as we know it. After all the Mayan calendar ends today. It was to mark the end of civilization. (Who said we were so damned civilized in the first place?) In the end, it’s just another Winter Solstice coming to pass.

I thought I should dedicate today’s blog to the world not ending. Why not right? It’s the talk of the day and it has forced many upon the earth to stop and reflect. This really isn’t a bad thing!

Of course I too took a moment to reflect and ponder my path. Had the world ended today, how would I feel? (Besides being dead of course!)

Overall, I think I’d be pretty content. I’ve managed to do quite well for myself. I’ve survived dark moments and been present for some of the best soul filling moments. I’ve learned and grown much over my years on the earth and I know I haven’t lost that passion or drive for life.

I’ve decided that I am pretty happy that I’m still here. I kinda like my life. I like knowing that I’ll have an opportunity to continue to grow, learn and love. I like knowing that my bucket list is still something I can work on. I like knowing I still have time to explore this beautiful world around us.

And so, as the clock/calendar is reset for another 5125 years I look forward to new experiences and adventures. I am thankful to all the beautiful people in my life. I am also thankful to those that challenge me too. We all need darkness to appreciate the light. As we head back into longer days, I send out light and love to all - may we all dig a little deeper!

Moments to be thankful.

Moments to reflect.

Moments D176: Costumes

Today was decision day. Am I going to stay home and reflect upon my year or actually go out and enjoy my favourite holiday this year? Last year where I was depressed and sulking and had bombed my marriage with our years of issues weighing too heavily on me. Is it necessary to take this special day and reflect?

No. I think I’ve done more than enough of that over the past year. And sure, I may have spent a lot of the year keeping myself busy and NOT thinking about it, but there have been plenty of moments to pause and consider my path. And so, I committed to myself to get out there and enjoy my favourite holiday once again. Baby steps though. I won’t decorate, but I will visit Church street on Halloween.

So, today’s moment is brought to you by Value Village. What a fantastic Halloween section they had set up. Wigs, hats, costumes (new and gently used) and makeup. It was Halloween heaven. Easily an hour later of laughing and giggling and sharing ideas, I had not one but TWO costumes to choose from. SO. MUCH. FUN!

I ended up with a raccoon and an evil fairy outfit….and after my shop at Canuck Sport for new volleyball shoes before, I could possibly reorganized bits of clothing to pull off a roller derby gal! Yes, my creative juices were flowing! Both of the costumes I went home with are quite cute. I think the raccoon outfit will be warmer outside while walking Church street….BUT the wig I have for the fairy is quite fun and drawing me in….

Anyway, it was a big day for me and my moment was the realization that I don’t have to reflect; instead I can start to rebuild the meaning of that holiday FOR ME.

Moments to make a decision.

Moments of being free.

Moments D173: Magic Number 11

Today was my 11 year anniversary with the company I work for. It came and went without notice for those I work with. On the one hand, and really the more dominant one, I'm quite alright (perhaps all right) with the lack of attention. I would much rather work hard in the background without the spotlight on me. However, a small part of me was saddened that no one person realized my milestone; after all who doesn't like to be recognized for their loyalty and hard work.

No matter though. It was just another day like any day before it and I was happy to have the time to focus on finishing up my big proposal for tomorrow’s meeting.

My moment today came to me when I realized that today the end of my 11th year with my company. Eleven is a special number to some with a vibration that is slightly more amplified than others. Called a “Master Number” in Numerology 11 is the most intuitive of all numbers and it is associated with spiritual awareness. Eleven brings an understanding and knowledge beyond the grasp of rational thought. The energy from an 11 can be avant-garde, idealistic, visionary, and cultured. Extremes to be sure. According to this website: ”The 11 walks the edge between greatness and self-destruction. Its potential for growth, stability, and personal power lies in its acceptance of intuitive understanding, and of spiritual truths.”

Wow! While 11 is not my life path or my expression, the energy of 11 was a part of my life this past year on a career level and partially personally (after all who’s career doesn't affect them personally?). And believe me, with everything that I've been through this past year, I've felt the potential for growth and for self-destruction. It’s been a tireless pursuit and balancing act. And yet, every step of the way I've managed to dig deeper than I ever thought possible. Perhaps it’s because of the energy of the 11 with me through this past year.

So today was a moment to pause amoung the chaos around me personally and at work to note that it’s been 11 years. I've had 11 years in the making with this company. I was green when I started here and filled with ambition and drive. I'm a lot less green, but I'm happy to realize that I'm still filled with that ambition and drive. That makes me smile.

So today I quietly celebrate my milestone. One where I feel I've manage to stave off self-destruction and ride the wave of growth.

I pause and give thanks to my mentors, my co-workers and all of my (many) business contacts. Each and everyone of you have helped me to grow in my career and in my life. (And yes, having a “9” for a life path means that I can be overly compassionate. But I genuinely do appreciate all that have touched my life, for each moment, each interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow.)

Moments to reflect.

Moments to appreciate.

Moments D150: Sunrise

The thing about staying at my BFFs post volleyball, is that she lives a 45-50min drive away from work. That’s WITHOUT any traffic. So the trick was to leave uber early to miss the worst of it.

I was out of bed by 5:45am and on the road with a traveler coffee (thank you BFF for getting up to make me coffee!) shortly after 6:30am . That’s nearly 2 hours earlier than normal for me to jump out of bed. Honestly, I don’t know how the commuter crowd does it. Blarg!

The drive was easy for the first 35min or so and around 7am the traffic began to thicken and slow. The drive alone was a great time to ponder life and to pause and reflect. And then, as if the universe were listening in, as highways merged, the trees parted and I had a moment to fully appreciate the sunrise to my left. It was stunning. And, with traffic dead stopped, I managed to capture a picture.

With the autumn solstice around the corner I thought it was fitting to appreciate the natural beauty around me.  The faintest of red on the valley trees. A smattering of yellow here and orange there. The low laying clouds sitting in the valley, waiting for the sun to burn them away. All. So. Beautiful.

A glimpse. A moment. Pause.

What a fabulous way to start my day and better yet, what fabulous way to start my weekend.

Moments alone to reflect.

Moments to appreciate nature.

Moments D121: Second Chances

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This morning I had to stop and admire the second round of roses on a dying rose bush outside my apartment.  (Actually, it’s ONE single rose on the bush this time around.)

It’s not a pretty bush.  It is actually pretty gnarly and dried up looking.  Honestly, I was surprised that it was in bloom again.  (This is the second set of roses this season!)  I’m surprised that without anyone taking care of it, it was able to find enough energy to create such a beautiful flower.  

This got me to thinking about a parallel into life.  It’s not unlike the lives around me.  There are people (myself included) that have gone through phases of feeling gnarly (not in a good way) and dried up.  But there is always something deep down inside pushing us to share the beauty within.  It’s not always easy (especially when you have been ignored and uncared for), but it ALWAYS feels so wonderful to share the beauty.  Even if it is but a single flower.

Moments with stopping to appreciate the flowers.

Moments to reflect.

Moments - D20; Hot Hot Baths

Today I had a hot hot bath at the end of my day.  Being home sick, I feel fortunate to be able to have hot hot baths whenever I want/need one.

Hot hot baths.  A luxury really.  One that helps with achy muscles and stuffed up heads.

A moment to pause and reflect and appreciate.