This morning as I put out my recycling and compost, I spied a very fun moment that made me smile and followed me through the day. It reminds me that while we live in a world where the humdrum of life can pull us down, we have a choice to inject love and light into moments when and where we can.
As I was dropping off my refuse curbside, a convertible with a Dad and two very cute blond girls in the back seat slowed on the street to say hi to a contractor getting out of his truck. Both of the girls were singing at the top of their lungs to tunes that Dad had blaring. Huge smiles were upon the three arriving faces and the contractor quickly joined the ranks with a huge smile of his own.
Dad turned down the tunes as he said hello to the contractor. The girls quickly followed suit in very bright, eager voices. (If I had to guess, the contractor was their Uncle.) They all had a couple of laughs and then Dad looked back at the girls and said that it was time to go because "...who's got to make money today?" And the girls chimed back, "...YOU do Daddy. Time for work." They all waved at that contractor and in a blink the tunes were blaring again and the girls were loudly singing along as the convertible drove off.
The scene brought a smile to me too.
And as I walked past the contractor I said to him, "...there is a happy bunch." His reply, "Yes. I love those kids. Lots of fun." And then we exchanged good day pleasantries and we went about our day.
Moments with strangers.
Moments realizing that we're not such strangers after all.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Moments D483: Hard Earned Thank Yous
Today was a pretty "plain Jane" kinda day. That's okay, they can't all be amazing. Having "plain Jane" days allows for those amazing days to be all that more amazing.
Anyhooooo.....
Today I share in Heini's moment. It really is the most inspiring moment of my day. Not only does it warm my heart, it renews my faith in the corporate world. (After my class this past summer on power, technology and change, I've seen a whole new side to the corporate world and one that is not so shiny!)
Heini has been working a lot of overtime as her office is short handed. She's gone above and beyond for her employer, nearing the point of exhaustion and being only immersed in work for a few weeks. That's a tough gig to keep running. It's isolating, it's depressing and it's exhausting. She and I have talked often of being better at maintaining a better work-life balance. And yet, she persevered through the tough times and did it all with a smile.
Well, today that love and energy was reflected back to her. All her hard work was recognized and celebrated. Her employer is going to send her away to the Caribbean for her birthday. Yes. You read that correctly. She'll be heading out on an airplane, away from the hub-bub, to rest and relax upon the white sands of the Caribbean as a reward.
Wow. Amazing right? What an incredible thank you gift.
Moments enjoying the high from one of your best friend's moments.
Moments of renewed faith.
Anyhooooo.....
Today I share in Heini's moment. It really is the most inspiring moment of my day. Not only does it warm my heart, it renews my faith in the corporate world. (After my class this past summer on power, technology and change, I've seen a whole new side to the corporate world and one that is not so shiny!)
Heini has been working a lot of overtime as her office is short handed. She's gone above and beyond for her employer, nearing the point of exhaustion and being only immersed in work for a few weeks. That's a tough gig to keep running. It's isolating, it's depressing and it's exhausting. She and I have talked often of being better at maintaining a better work-life balance. And yet, she persevered through the tough times and did it all with a smile.
Well, today that love and energy was reflected back to her. All her hard work was recognized and celebrated. Her employer is going to send her away to the Caribbean for her birthday. Yes. You read that correctly. She'll be heading out on an airplane, away from the hub-bub, to rest and relax upon the white sands of the Caribbean as a reward.
Wow. Amazing right? What an incredible thank you gift.
Moments enjoying the high from one of your best friend's moments.
Moments of renewed faith.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Moments D482: Slow and steady
I had a lot of plans for today. A project, a workout, another project, groceries, cleaning up, etc. I woke up later than normal, which was a lovely treat. Where I would normally jump out of bed and dive into my list of "to do's", I, instead, stayed in bed and sat reading for a good hour or so.
Fortunately it was still pretty early by the time I did jump out of bed. First thing I did was check off my workout. (What a workout it was too - nearly 2 hours later!) After puttering and tidying up around my apartment, it was time to get myself some lunch, which meant getting groceries.
I shopped slowly today. I was in no rush. I had no list. I walked up and down all the isles. (This is something I love to do when I have time!) Once home I made myself lunch and instead of eating it while working on one of my projects at the dining room table, I decided to sit my lazy-feeling-butt down on the couch and watch an episode of Sons of Anarchy. What a treat. Sunday afternoon, watching TV.
I then decided to make my way outside to enjoy the last hours of the beautiful summer sunshine. I worked on a couple of things from my to do list: had a chat with my boyfriend, browsed all BFF's skydiving pictures, I made myself a big tasty Indian dinner with plenty of leftovers for lunch tomorrow, and sent out my own fundraising request to my peeps for my coming Tough Mudder event. (Total sidebar, BUT, by the end of the day, I've already seen some funds come in for the Wounded Warriors Project! I hope I can keep the funds coming in as it's an amazing cause to support. One of the reasons I signed up for this crazy event in the first place!)
Slowly and steadily I checked things off my list. And the upside: I wasn't stressed about the pieces that I didn't get done today. (I do have a couple of things that I will need to work on tomorrow night after work but I look forward to it!) It ended up being a lazier productive day. Not bad.
All in all a lovely day, but the moment, was the fact that it was all slow and steady and not a frantic (and typical) pace. A perfect Sunday. Well, a mostly perfect Sunday, there was only one thing missing, but that will come with time.
Moments being productive at a slower pace.
Moments enjoying the slower pace (and not just being frustrated by it!)
Fortunately it was still pretty early by the time I did jump out of bed. First thing I did was check off my workout. (What a workout it was too - nearly 2 hours later!) After puttering and tidying up around my apartment, it was time to get myself some lunch, which meant getting groceries.
I shopped slowly today. I was in no rush. I had no list. I walked up and down all the isles. (This is something I love to do when I have time!) Once home I made myself lunch and instead of eating it while working on one of my projects at the dining room table, I decided to sit my lazy-feeling-butt down on the couch and watch an episode of Sons of Anarchy. What a treat. Sunday afternoon, watching TV.
I then decided to make my way outside to enjoy the last hours of the beautiful summer sunshine. I worked on a couple of things from my to do list: had a chat with my boyfriend, browsed all BFF's skydiving pictures, I made myself a big tasty Indian dinner with plenty of leftovers for lunch tomorrow, and sent out my own fundraising request to my peeps for my coming Tough Mudder event. (Total sidebar, BUT, by the end of the day, I've already seen some funds come in for the Wounded Warriors Project! I hope I can keep the funds coming in as it's an amazing cause to support. One of the reasons I signed up for this crazy event in the first place!)
Slowly and steadily I checked things off my list. And the upside: I wasn't stressed about the pieces that I didn't get done today. (I do have a couple of things that I will need to work on tomorrow night after work but I look forward to it!) It ended up being a lazier productive day. Not bad.
All in all a lovely day, but the moment, was the fact that it was all slow and steady and not a frantic (and typical) pace. A perfect Sunday. Well, a mostly perfect Sunday, there was only one thing missing, but that will come with time.
Moments being productive at a slower pace.
Moments enjoying the slower pace (and not just being frustrated by it!)
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Moments D481: Stretching for charity
Today BFF jumped out of a perfectly good air plane this morning, not just to check if off her bucket list. She was inspired to do so for a great fund raising cause - ALS. (Documented well here.) One of BFF's dearest friends' father is fighting the disease every day. BFF has seen just how hard this disease is on the family and of course for her friend's father.
Top that off with the fact that BFF has had her own struggles this year. Too many and too personal to share, but suffice it to say that this fundraising event was a big stretch for her and she did it with the smile and grace that a best friend does for her friend and her family. This is her way of giving back.
BFF not only met her fundraising goal, but she was also a great spokesperson for the cause as she spoke on camera about why she was supporting the PALS skydive.
It was a such beautiful moment to watch her in her element (talking to the committee and people on the drop zone) and it was a beautiful moment to watch her stretch beyond her fears to let go and float her way back down to earth. Her selflessness to the every end of the event. Brilliant!
Moments appreciating the dedication and hard work of all the volunteers.
Moments being inspired by the selflessness of BFF.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Moments D480: Switch it Up
Today was one of those days where things didn't turn out as they were planned. But as the plans shifted, so did I. Over the past year I've become a little better at going with the flow and shifting plans as needed. Today, as I drove to Newmarket instead of driving home and working on a birthday project, I reflected upon this shift.
Why is it that it was so easy for me today?
In the past, I tended to really own my plans and I would feel like I have failed when things fall through. The shift comes because I have started to change as a person in that I realize one really can't control everything. And that's okay. I realize that it's okay to let life happen to you (sometimes). The driven side of me fears becoming like the zombie people I know always letting life happen to them. I'm more aware now, that it doesn't have to be all or nothing, that sometimes, it's easier and makes more sense to just let things organically happen.
That means that I'm really okay with switching it up now more than ever. (I'm not just pretending to be okay about it!) Today's switch up didn't even phase me. There was no negative energy, there was no panic, nor any regret. Today the switch up was easy! I even smiled at the opportunity to do something else just as important to me.
Bangarang.
It just goes to show that with a little awareness and patience old dogs really can learn new tricks.
Moments realizing you've grown as a person.
Moments going with the flow.
Why is it that it was so easy for me today?
In the past, I tended to really own my plans and I would feel like I have failed when things fall through. The shift comes because I have started to change as a person in that I realize one really can't control everything. And that's okay. I realize that it's okay to let life happen to you (sometimes). The driven side of me fears becoming like the zombie people I know always letting life happen to them. I'm more aware now, that it doesn't have to be all or nothing, that sometimes, it's easier and makes more sense to just let things organically happen.
That means that I'm really okay with switching it up now more than ever. (I'm not just pretending to be okay about it!) Today's switch up didn't even phase me. There was no negative energy, there was no panic, nor any regret. Today the switch up was easy! I even smiled at the opportunity to do something else just as important to me.
Bangarang.
It just goes to show that with a little awareness and patience old dogs really can learn new tricks.
Moments realizing you've grown as a person.
Moments going with the flow.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Moments D479: Motivation
Today's moment was inspired by motivation first thing this morning. Throughout the day, this theme seemed to follow me. And so, I'll share a few moments that came to me today based on motivation.
First thing this morning I pulled on my NEW size 4 jeans. Yup. That's right. Size 4. Now, for some that may seem insignificant. For me, it is kind of amazing considering 2.5 years ago I was busting out of size 12 jeans. It was January 2011 that I decided that I wasn't care of my health and that something had to be done about it. I was about 40lbs overweight, puffing after climbing two flights of stairs and incredibly unhappy. I spent the next 3-4 months working very (very) hard to get myself back into shape. I wasn't focused on shedding the weight, for me it was more about getting back into shape and being active. It was about eating more healthy and less processed foods. Both brought me to this point. Now 2.5 years later I am training for Tough Mudder and I couldn't be more motivated for building my strength and maintaining my health. Slipping into a size 4 jean this morning = great motivation to keep up the good (hard) work.
Later on today, I found myself cheering on Heini. After a challenging week of work, she found herself feeling isolated and challenged to find the positive around her. After a brief back and forth, she was feeling better, inspired and ready to tackle the last day of the week. I love helping to pick-up my peeps and make them feel a little better. When I hear that I've made a difference, it gives me ever more motivation to keep sharing my light and love.
Finally, my boyfriend had some challenging news come his way today too. Instead of processing things in the same typical way, he decided to try a new approach, one inspired by our new relationship. As he shared this with me, I was a overwhelmed by the feeling of purpose and of connection. Incredible. Knowing that he soared through the news with a warmth in his heart, filled my own heart. I find myself motivated to give more and share all that I can. Isn't that really what life is about? Sharing with those you love?
Today life is better having this sense of motivation floating around me. It brings a sense of purpose. A sense of direction. By investing time in yourself, and investing time in those you love, it all comes round again in the end. Definitely worth the energy.
Moments celebrating milestones.
Moments sharing your light to help motivate others.
First thing this morning I pulled on my NEW size 4 jeans. Yup. That's right. Size 4. Now, for some that may seem insignificant. For me, it is kind of amazing considering 2.5 years ago I was busting out of size 12 jeans. It was January 2011 that I decided that I wasn't care of my health and that something had to be done about it. I was about 40lbs overweight, puffing after climbing two flights of stairs and incredibly unhappy. I spent the next 3-4 months working very (very) hard to get myself back into shape. I wasn't focused on shedding the weight, for me it was more about getting back into shape and being active. It was about eating more healthy and less processed foods. Both brought me to this point. Now 2.5 years later I am training for Tough Mudder and I couldn't be more motivated for building my strength and maintaining my health. Slipping into a size 4 jean this morning = great motivation to keep up the good (hard) work.
Later on today, I found myself cheering on Heini. After a challenging week of work, she found herself feeling isolated and challenged to find the positive around her. After a brief back and forth, she was feeling better, inspired and ready to tackle the last day of the week. I love helping to pick-up my peeps and make them feel a little better. When I hear that I've made a difference, it gives me ever more motivation to keep sharing my light and love.
Finally, my boyfriend had some challenging news come his way today too. Instead of processing things in the same typical way, he decided to try a new approach, one inspired by our new relationship. As he shared this with me, I was a overwhelmed by the feeling of purpose and of connection. Incredible. Knowing that he soared through the news with a warmth in his heart, filled my own heart. I find myself motivated to give more and share all that I can. Isn't that really what life is about? Sharing with those you love?
Today life is better having this sense of motivation floating around me. It brings a sense of purpose. A sense of direction. By investing time in yourself, and investing time in those you love, it all comes round again in the end. Definitely worth the energy.
Moments celebrating milestones.
Moments sharing your light to help motivate others.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Moments D478: Enveloped in Love
Today was a challenging day, after all, returning from vacation is never easy with a pile on your desk to greet you. Today was no different even though it was only 2 days out of the office - much had transpired while I was away.
Without going into the specifics, suffice it to say that it was a lot. A lot to process, a lot to understand and a lot to dig more deeply into. I'll get through it, I always do, but that doesn't mean that I didn't feel beaten up today because of it.
But you know what happened? My beautiful support group swooped in to help carry the burden and allow me the ability to vent, to process, to see other perspectives. Arizona gave me much needed hugs, Mr. Ray of Light has promised to help out with the logistics and research that is needed, BFF sent much love & light to help push me through the day and remind me that I will get through it all, my parents offered up an interesting perspective (or two) as did my sweet EQ.
So much love and support in a blink of a day. I am very fortunate to have the support system I have. It made today that much more bearable. Everything will be okay. I believe.
Moments processing unexpected information.
Moments leaning into the support of your loved ones and finding peace.
Without going into the specifics, suffice it to say that it was a lot. A lot to process, a lot to understand and a lot to dig more deeply into. I'll get through it, I always do, but that doesn't mean that I didn't feel beaten up today because of it.
But you know what happened? My beautiful support group swooped in to help carry the burden and allow me the ability to vent, to process, to see other perspectives. Arizona gave me much needed hugs, Mr. Ray of Light has promised to help out with the logistics and research that is needed, BFF sent much love & light to help push me through the day and remind me that I will get through it all, my parents offered up an interesting perspective (or two) as did my sweet EQ.
So much love and support in a blink of a day. I am very fortunate to have the support system I have. It made today that much more bearable. Everything will be okay. I believe.
Moments processing unexpected information.
Moments leaning into the support of your loved ones and finding peace.
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