Today’s moment is a silly one, but it made me smile none-the-less.
I worked later than expected and was running late for my night class. My ETA was 10 minutes into class. Sadly, by the time I got to the parking garage at my school the lot was full. Now, I was really going to be late.
As I drove around looking for another parking spot I contemplated skipping class. I was tired, I’ve been working too hard and I was frustrated with being late.
And then, I found a new parking garage, closer to the building my class is in. It was only $1 more for the evening. That was a mini-score in itself.
And I rushed my way to class, hoping to be only 10 minutes late. I quickly opened the door to my classroom and realized - the prof was missing. The class was half empty. What a surprise indeed.
I wasn’t late after all. And then it dawned on me. There had been an email last week from our prof about him being late this week. I had completely forgotten. What a silly surprise and a moment for me to breathe and de-stress from the hectic day I had had.
My smile: I was late, but I wasn’t late! :)
Moments of silly surprises.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Moments D201: Overtime
Tonight was the Raptors game versus the Utah Jazz. It was an unexpected evening of fun and excitement on many levels.
The best part wasn’t dinner (though I was nearly going to write today’s moment about cheese today because of my awesome dinner at PicNic, but I figure I am sure to have another moment with cheese in my future!), nor was the best part being in one of the corporate boxes with food and beverages. The best part of my day was when the Raptors went into overtime. Okay, okay. You’re right. The moment wasn’t going into the first overtime because the Raptors should have won the game in regular play, but the Jazz fought to catch up. It was the second and third overtimes that we fought through - those were very exciting moments!
For me, it became reminiscent of life. Perhaps a reach, but bear with me. I enjoy relating every day things to the bigger picture.
Life is a bit like a team sport. We are surrounded by teammates (family/friends/partners/lovers) and together we work/play towards a common goal. And while it might be cheeky to say that we’re all trying to “win the game of life”, I think that is exactly what we all strive to do on one level or another. The tricky part? Defining what a “win” is in the game of life. The goal will be different for every individual, but at the core of it, I think for most, it is finding happiness and fulfillment. What happiness and fulfillment looks like may take many forms.
So why the ramble of sports and life? I guess the triple overtime inspired me and is therefore became my moment of the day. Like the Raptors going into overtime tonight (over and over again!), I feel like my game of life has been in overtime as of late too. I keep fighting the good fight and trying to increase the point spread only to find myself tied at the end of the quarter. Not quite a win. Not quite a loss. For much of this year, I’ve felt as though I’m shot for shot for and against me. The overtime for this round isn’t over yet and I’m hopeful that by the end of the year I pull out a win in this match. I won’t/can’t give up without a good fight.
What really inspires me about this whole concept is when I think about my “teammates” in this game of life. I know my “series of games” aren’t over (by far) and I have many more matches and overtimes to fight through before the series is over. I know that I have become much better at surrounding myself with teammates that will help me win. They will be there for me when I look to them to help push through the fatigue as much as I am for them. On an important level, this is a win in and of itself….choosing strong teammates.
So today I celebrate overtime. Digging deep and finding more energy to play the game you thought should have been won and over already. Digging deep and inspiring your teammates as much as they inspire you to push through the fatigue and pain.
Moments where life goes into overtime.
Moments with teammates.
The best part wasn’t dinner (though I was nearly going to write today’s moment about cheese today because of my awesome dinner at PicNic, but I figure I am sure to have another moment with cheese in my future!), nor was the best part being in one of the corporate boxes with food and beverages. The best part of my day was when the Raptors went into overtime. Okay, okay. You’re right. The moment wasn’t going into the first overtime because the Raptors should have won the game in regular play, but the Jazz fought to catch up. It was the second and third overtimes that we fought through - those were very exciting moments!
For me, it became reminiscent of life. Perhaps a reach, but bear with me. I enjoy relating every day things to the bigger picture.
Life is a bit like a team sport. We are surrounded by teammates (family/friends/partners/lovers) and together we work/play towards a common goal. And while it might be cheeky to say that we’re all trying to “win the game of life”, I think that is exactly what we all strive to do on one level or another. The tricky part? Defining what a “win” is in the game of life. The goal will be different for every individual, but at the core of it, I think for most, it is finding happiness and fulfillment. What happiness and fulfillment looks like may take many forms.
So why the ramble of sports and life? I guess the triple overtime inspired me and is therefore became my moment of the day. Like the Raptors going into overtime tonight (over and over again!), I feel like my game of life has been in overtime as of late too. I keep fighting the good fight and trying to increase the point spread only to find myself tied at the end of the quarter. Not quite a win. Not quite a loss. For much of this year, I’ve felt as though I’m shot for shot for and against me. The overtime for this round isn’t over yet and I’m hopeful that by the end of the year I pull out a win in this match. I won’t/can’t give up without a good fight.
What really inspires me about this whole concept is when I think about my “teammates” in this game of life. I know my “series of games” aren’t over (by far) and I have many more matches and overtimes to fight through before the series is over. I know that I have become much better at surrounding myself with teammates that will help me win. They will be there for me when I look to them to help push through the fatigue as much as I am for them. On an important level, this is a win in and of itself….choosing strong teammates.
So today I celebrate overtime. Digging deep and finding more energy to play the game you thought should have been won and over already. Digging deep and inspiring your teammates as much as they inspire you to push through the fatigue and pain.
Moments where life goes into overtime.
Moments with teammates.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Moments D199: First aid
Today ended up being a day of waiting. Waiting for answers. Waiting to head out for the day (or as it turned out for the evening). A test of patience if ever there was one. But, once the wait and drive out of town was over the fun kicked in. This was no night for gentleman Jack….just the regular everyday version. Jack and I were quick to reacquaint ourselves. I had time to make up as everyone at the party was already up to speed…..
As a side bar - What a fantastic group of people and I’m so happy to have met them this past summer. Playing baseball with the lot, or just hanging out over a beverage - these are good peeps. I’m glad I was able to have one last hurrah with them post-baseball season.
Sadly even athletic, good peeps can be klutzy. This was the case of one of our teammates. After surviving a slippery hot tub/pool visit (the mamma bear in me (and being the most sober) had, admittedly expected the worse there), it was the shower that took him out. He arrived back at the “party room” his finger held tight by his other hand. He was bleeding pretty good after cutting himself shaving.
Fortunately I travel with a first aid kit. Yes, yes, I know. Make fun of me if you must, but THIS time, it was handy to have. I immediately kicked into gear and cleaned, wrapped and taped up his bloody finger. The wrap job was so good that it lasted all night. That made me smile.
I’ll take the teasing. I’m just glad we didn’t need to rush out and find band-aids. Instead we were able to just focus on the task at hand and take it all in stride.
Moments to be prepared.
Moments of fun and silliness.
As a side bar - What a fantastic group of people and I’m so happy to have met them this past summer. Playing baseball with the lot, or just hanging out over a beverage - these are good peeps. I’m glad I was able to have one last hurrah with them post-baseball season.
Sadly even athletic, good peeps can be klutzy. This was the case of one of our teammates. After surviving a slippery hot tub/pool visit (the mamma bear in me (and being the most sober) had, admittedly expected the worse there), it was the shower that took him out. He arrived back at the “party room” his finger held tight by his other hand. He was bleeding pretty good after cutting himself shaving.
Fortunately I travel with a first aid kit. Yes, yes, I know. Make fun of me if you must, but THIS time, it was handy to have. I immediately kicked into gear and cleaned, wrapped and taped up his bloody finger. The wrap job was so good that it lasted all night. That made me smile.
I’ll take the teasing. I’m just glad we didn’t need to rush out and find band-aids. Instead we were able to just focus on the task at hand and take it all in stride.
Moments to be prepared.
Moments of fun and silliness.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Moments D198: Highway Video
Today as I was driving home from shopping for a new down filled winter jacket (oh ya - success!), I was on a highway that I don’t typically frequent. The lanes were filled with vehicles, but we were moving along quite well. As I went under one of the underpasses I looked up and saw a gentleman with a video camera on a tripod capturing the flow of traffic.
In that brief moment as I passed under his camera I smiled and I wondered what it was he was doing. Why he was capturing this footage of cars and trucks on the highway. What was he going to use that footage for?
A silly moment, but a moment none-the-less.
Moments of wonder.
Moments to dream.
In that brief moment as I passed under his camera I smiled and I wondered what it was he was doing. Why he was capturing this footage of cars and trucks on the highway. What was he going to use that footage for?
A silly moment, but a moment none-the-less.
Moments of wonder.
Moments to dream.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
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.
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.
A quote to share
“In all of our lives there are days when we die a little, when we are wounded by loss or failure, or by fear, or by seeing the suffering of others for whom we are powerless to aid but are able to offer only pity.”
| — | Dean R. Koontz - “Odd Apocalypse” |
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