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.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Moments D239: Snowflakes
Today was quite the productive day. Amazing what you can get done when you focus and stick to a plan.
And today, I managed to squeak in the time to get my nails done for the holidays. I’ve been waiting to try this new dark green glitter nail polish. The Christmas holiday seemed like the best time for it (as red really isn't my colour - only on very special occasions!)
As we were doing my nails, I asked if we could put a snowflake design on my thumbs. My esthetician was quite excited by the idea! In the end, her design looked so great that she decided to do her thumbs that way for Christmas too!
And yet, that wasn’t the moment that brought the biggest smile. It was actually when I was back home later that evening wrapping presents for the fun with family to come. Every time I creased the colourful paper and I saw my new snowflakes I smiled. It was an evening of smiles!
Check it out:
So - thank you to my girls at Five Star Nails. They always find a way to make me feel special when I visit them, and this time, that smile follows me on my thumbs!
Moments to think outside the box.
Moments to appreciate simple things.
And today, I managed to squeak in the time to get my nails done for the holidays. I’ve been waiting to try this new dark green glitter nail polish. The Christmas holiday seemed like the best time for it (as red really isn't my colour - only on very special occasions!)
As we were doing my nails, I asked if we could put a snowflake design on my thumbs. My esthetician was quite excited by the idea! In the end, her design looked so great that she decided to do her thumbs that way for Christmas too!
And yet, that wasn’t the moment that brought the biggest smile. It was actually when I was back home later that evening wrapping presents for the fun with family to come. Every time I creased the colourful paper and I saw my new snowflakes I smiled. It was an evening of smiles!
Check it out:
So - thank you to my girls at Five Star Nails. They always find a way to make me feel special when I visit them, and this time, that smile follows me on my thumbs!
Moments to think outside the box.
Moments to appreciate simple things.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Moments D238: Kindness & Appreciation
This morning it was tough to get out of bed. I didn’t sleep well and I still had two things on my “to do” list from last night that I needed to get done this morning. (Ah, the joys of a creeping deadline!) But early in the day, it was already a two-special-moment kinda day!
Kindness:
Once I was moving and focused on getting things done things seemed to settle in a bit. I stopped at Tim’s for a couple of gift certificates (finishing my Christmas list - YES!). I felt badly for the gentleman behind me as he was waiting for the cashier & I to process the 5 cards I bought. I turned to him to apologize for the wait and he gave me a big ‘ol smile and said “Take your time. The longer the better. I’m in no rush.”
He was an older gentleman. He had a twinkle of kindness in his eye. He’ll never know just how much I needed to have that kindness shared with me, nor how that took the stress away from me (for running late to work, for holding him up etc.).
Appreciation:
Once I reached work, I received a Christmas card from a fellow employee that literally brought tears to my eyes. Now this is a man that I look up to. He’s brilliant. He’s been in the advertising industry for nearly as long as I’ve been on the earth. He’s a fountain of knowledge and laughter. His words were simple, but they touched me deeply. I impress him and he appreciates me. I was literally stunned. I re-read the card three times before I collected myself and went to his office to give him a hug.
Moments of random kindness.
Moments of hard work paying of.
Kindness:
Once I was moving and focused on getting things done things seemed to settle in a bit. I stopped at Tim’s for a couple of gift certificates (finishing my Christmas list - YES!). I felt badly for the gentleman behind me as he was waiting for the cashier & I to process the 5 cards I bought. I turned to him to apologize for the wait and he gave me a big ‘ol smile and said “Take your time. The longer the better. I’m in no rush.”
He was an older gentleman. He had a twinkle of kindness in his eye. He’ll never know just how much I needed to have that kindness shared with me, nor how that took the stress away from me (for running late to work, for holding him up etc.).
Appreciation:
Once I reached work, I received a Christmas card from a fellow employee that literally brought tears to my eyes. Now this is a man that I look up to. He’s brilliant. He’s been in the advertising industry for nearly as long as I’ve been on the earth. He’s a fountain of knowledge and laughter. His words were simple, but they touched me deeply. I impress him and he appreciates me. I was literally stunned. I re-read the card three times before I collected myself and went to his office to give him a hug.
Moments of random kindness.
Moments of hard work paying of.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Moments D237: Mind Meld
You know those moments where you think of something and it either happens exactly as you had hoped (or envisioned) or those moments where someone close to you reads your mind?
Well that happened to me today and it brought the biggest smile to my face!
Tonight I was out last minute Christmas shopping with someone very important and close to me. I’m not so good with last minute shopping as I find it stressful. It’s busy, it’s crowded and people are usually not in the best of moods. The list was long and time was short, but surprisingly we made use of every moment with smiles and laughter and we even managed to get dinner in earlier than expected. (A good thing since I was hungry when we started shopping….and those that know me know that when I’m hungry, grumpy isn’t far around the corner!)
We were driving two cars as we met at the Toy store right after work. On the way home, I was thinking I really should stop at Starbucks on the way and pick up the gift certificates on my list. The next thing I know, I’m following his car into the parking lot of Starbucks. Yup. Mind meld. Very cool.
Moments realizing that someone’s paid attention to your words.
Moments appreciating that realization.
Well that happened to me today and it brought the biggest smile to my face!
Tonight I was out last minute Christmas shopping with someone very important and close to me. I’m not so good with last minute shopping as I find it stressful. It’s busy, it’s crowded and people are usually not in the best of moods. The list was long and time was short, but surprisingly we made use of every moment with smiles and laughter and we even managed to get dinner in earlier than expected. (A good thing since I was hungry when we started shopping….and those that know me know that when I’m hungry, grumpy isn’t far around the corner!)
We were driving two cars as we met at the Toy store right after work. On the way home, I was thinking I really should stop at Starbucks on the way and pick up the gift certificates on my list. The next thing I know, I’m following his car into the parking lot of Starbucks. Yup. Mind meld. Very cool.
Moments realizing that someone’s paid attention to your words.
Moments appreciating that realization.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Moments D236: Horse Eyes
Today I went to see a plastic surgeon for a lipoma in my back. It’s not very big, nor would most see it, but it bothers me when I’m working out and I've had it for a few years now.
The doctor that I was a very sweet gentle soul with a huge sense of humour. He asked me if I had any children. When he found out I hadn't, his response: GOOD! That’s not a typical response and I must admit it was a breath of fresh air. It certainly got us off to a good start!
After inspecting my lipoma we discussed age spots. I have one appearing on my face and so I took off my glasses and showed him. He literally pulled me into the light to see, tilted my head by my chin to find the right angle to best see and when I turned to look at him as he explained possible procedures he said “Wow, you really have beautiful eyes. Ha. It’s like I’m inspecting a horse. How are your teeth.” Random. But VERY funny - we both had a chuckle!
A moment to laugh with a stranger.
A moment of silly.
The doctor that I was a very sweet gentle soul with a huge sense of humour. He asked me if I had any children. When he found out I hadn't, his response: GOOD! That’s not a typical response and I must admit it was a breath of fresh air. It certainly got us off to a good start!
After inspecting my lipoma we discussed age spots. I have one appearing on my face and so I took off my glasses and showed him. He literally pulled me into the light to see, tilted my head by my chin to find the right angle to best see and when I turned to look at him as he explained possible procedures he said “Wow, you really have beautiful eyes. Ha. It’s like I’m inspecting a horse. How are your teeth.” Random. But VERY funny - we both had a chuckle!
A moment to laugh with a stranger.
A moment of silly.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Moments D235: Bills towels
Today I went to my first NFL game. I didn’t know what to expect, but I certainly had hoped that it would be another incredible experience to add to my list.
And that it was. We were running late to get to the game. We missed the kickoff and by the time we had found our seats Seatle already had 14 points on the board. But Buffalo did get their first touchdown in the first quarter too.
And yes, the NFL knows how to do it BIG. Pyrotechnics, canons booming, waving flags and more. The game itself was lacking. (It was a blowout! There really wasn’t much of a competitive game happening.) The highly anticipated hotdog was sad too! (No sauerkraut, nor any pickles!) And while we were surrounded by many intoxicated fans, my moment came to me when I realized that we might be able to score a couple of the Bills towels that were handed out earlier on. People were dropping them left & right!
Side note: My mom is a HUGE Bills fan. Of course she was my first choice to join me on this new adventure. Sadly she had to pass as she had other commitments, but, knowing that she was torn to say no, I know that grabbing her a couple of towels from the game will bring her a very big smile the next time I see her.
And so, the search began for a towel for my Mom. In the end, it really wasn’t that hard - I could have picked up more than the four I went home with! (There were many abandoned at the end of the game!)
That’s my moment of the day, realizing that I’d be able to bring a piece of the game home for my Mom even though she wasn’t able to physically be there.
SCORE!
And that it was. We were running late to get to the game. We missed the kickoff and by the time we had found our seats Seatle already had 14 points on the board. But Buffalo did get their first touchdown in the first quarter too.
And yes, the NFL knows how to do it BIG. Pyrotechnics, canons booming, waving flags and more. The game itself was lacking. (It was a blowout! There really wasn’t much of a competitive game happening.) The highly anticipated hotdog was sad too! (No sauerkraut, nor any pickles!) And while we were surrounded by many intoxicated fans, my moment came to me when I realized that we might be able to score a couple of the Bills towels that were handed out earlier on. People were dropping them left & right!
Side note: My mom is a HUGE Bills fan. Of course she was my first choice to join me on this new adventure. Sadly she had to pass as she had other commitments, but, knowing that she was torn to say no, I know that grabbing her a couple of towels from the game will bring her a very big smile the next time I see her.
And so, the search began for a towel for my Mom. In the end, it really wasn’t that hard - I could have picked up more than the four I went home with! (There were many abandoned at the end of the game!)
That’s my moment of the day, realizing that I’d be able to bring a piece of the game home for my Mom even though she wasn’t able to physically be there.
SCORE!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Moments D234: Playing with Dolls
Today was a busy day, but the best smiling moment was when I had an opportunity to sit with a new 8 year old friend. Today being the first time I met this lovely girl, I never thought we’d get along so well, after all there are many children that are shy at this age.
But not this vivacious eight-year old. She shared her cheer jumps with me (it helped that I had a friend that once coached a cheering squads, so I knew the terminology!) and then, once she opened her highly anticipated gift, she felt I was okay to share her new McKenna doll with me.
What a treat that was. We tried on each of the outfits she received along with the doll and we even did McKenna’s hair. It was quite cute and sweet to have shared that moment.
It took me back in time, to a place where my “nieces” were once this age. Back further in time to when I’d sit and play with my dolls only to get bored of them and then find my brother to crash up some GI Joe things.
Yes it was a good moment with much depth.
Moments in the present and new future.
Moments in memories.
But not this vivacious eight-year old. She shared her cheer jumps with me (it helped that I had a friend that once coached a cheering squads, so I knew the terminology!) and then, once she opened her highly anticipated gift, she felt I was okay to share her new McKenna doll with me.
What a treat that was. We tried on each of the outfits she received along with the doll and we even did McKenna’s hair. It was quite cute and sweet to have shared that moment.
It took me back in time, to a place where my “nieces” were once this age. Back further in time to when I’d sit and play with my dolls only to get bored of them and then find my brother to crash up some GI Joe things.
Yes it was a good moment with much depth.
Moments in the present and new future.
Moments in memories.
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