Today has been a rough day. It was filled with heavy hearts all around as news broke late in the morning. Devastating news. A young, filled with life, well loved coworker had succumbed to injuries from an apartment fire the night before.
There was shock. Disbelief. And, of course, great sadness and many, many tears.
But the moment that shone through all this was one where I watched my fellow coworkers comfort one another. Shared stories and photos of the deceased fluttered throughout the store - it was heartwarming in a time of grief.
The best moment, however, was when I watched two long-term employees embrace one another. Within a couple of seconds, one backed up and looked at the other and said, "I love you, you know." The look on the recipient's face was of surprise, likely taken aback by the sharing of such special words. She quickly pulled him in for a tighter hug and returned the same special sentiment right back.
It was a beautiful moment shining through the deepest darkness.
Moments grieving a life lost.
Moments inspired by that life to celebrate love amoung friends and coworkers.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Moments D682: New Teammates
It's Thursday. It's volleyball night. As I drove to my set of games tonight, I was a touch nervous as we've mixed up the ladies into four new teams. Tonight was my first night with my new volleyball teammates and there were quite a few of them I've never played with before. What to expect?
Tonight ended up being a pretty spectacular round of games. Sure, we actually won every game we played, but that's not why it was a spectacular night. No, it's because I'm in like with my new teammates. These ladies communicate well, we manage to play competitively without losing sight of the goal - to have fun. It was also quite a confidence builder to be on a team that was happily surprised that I could play any position they needed me in, including setting. I even set a game - a first in this league.
Yes a fun, easy evening of volleyball. Perfect.
Moments anticipating the energy of a new team.
Moments enjoying the tightness of the teamwork.
Tonight ended up being a pretty spectacular round of games. Sure, we actually won every game we played, but that's not why it was a spectacular night. No, it's because I'm in like with my new teammates. These ladies communicate well, we manage to play competitively without losing sight of the goal - to have fun. It was also quite a confidence builder to be on a team that was happily surprised that I could play any position they needed me in, including setting. I even set a game - a first in this league.
Yes a fun, easy evening of volleyball. Perfect.
Moments anticipating the energy of a new team.
Moments enjoying the tightness of the teamwork.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Moments D681: Insights to a man's world
After a very long day and a seemingly endless class, I had had enough of my day. Not that it wasn't productive, or offering up inspiring moments or an opportunity for self-reflection. No no. It was full of these things. As you can imagine, but the end of this kind of day, I found myself drained.
As tired as I was, as defeated as I felt, I had plans after class and I wasn't going to skip out. First and foremost, it's Comic Guy's birthday early next week and EQ and I are going to be away. Secondly, I really, really needed a few extra hugs.
And so, I made my way, after class to met up with EQ, Comic Guy and Archie. After a tour of Archie's new office, we made our way to the local hotel bar for shared conversation and a beverage. Before I knew it, today's moment found me as I realized I was in the middle of a male discussion on shaving practices.
Yes, that's right. Shaving one's face. Doh! I couldn't really join in on that discussion. It was highly amusing to listen to the three of them discuss the merits of their shaving practices. Shaving cream or not. Soap or not. Hot water versus warm. How to get the closest shave. And so on.
I felt like I was eavesdropping in on a locker room conversation, right at the table in the bar and I couldn't help but smile. (After all, I don't shave my face, so I really had nothing to contribute to the conversation. All I could do was listen & learn!)
Moments re-connecting with friends.
Moments realizing you are in the middle of a gender specific conversation.
As tired as I was, as defeated as I felt, I had plans after class and I wasn't going to skip out. First and foremost, it's Comic Guy's birthday early next week and EQ and I are going to be away. Secondly, I really, really needed a few extra hugs.
And so, I made my way, after class to met up with EQ, Comic Guy and Archie. After a tour of Archie's new office, we made our way to the local hotel bar for shared conversation and a beverage. Before I knew it, today's moment found me as I realized I was in the middle of a male discussion on shaving practices.
Yes, that's right. Shaving one's face. Doh! I couldn't really join in on that discussion. It was highly amusing to listen to the three of them discuss the merits of their shaving practices. Shaving cream or not. Soap or not. Hot water versus warm. How to get the closest shave. And so on.
I felt like I was eavesdropping in on a locker room conversation, right at the table in the bar and I couldn't help but smile. (After all, I don't shave my face, so I really had nothing to contribute to the conversation. All I could do was listen & learn!)
Moments re-connecting with friends.
Moments realizing you are in the middle of a gender specific conversation.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Moments D680: Snow birds
Today I woke to the sound of birds chirping. What a delight! It's one of my most favourite ways to wake up. It's a sign that spring is just around the corner. Spring, my favourite time of year as the world around me begins to slowly come to life again.
And then, I realized, it was snowing outside. I giggled to myself, knowing that others, most in fact, would be grumbling about it.
They were big fluffy snowflakes. Very pretty.
Grumble, grumble. All day. But not me. When I finally had an opportunity to get outside and into the fluffy snowflakes, I stomped my way through the fluffy snow on the ground and watched it float around my boots....and smiled.....and did it again.
I like the pretty fluffy snow. I know that spring is around the corner. The sun is higher in the sky, the birds wake me in the morning, and when I leave work at night, the sky is no longer dark. It's coming and I am patient. No, that's not even true. I'm actually enjoying the last moments of our beautiful winter, no patience needed!
Moments enjoying the tease of spring.
Moments enjoying the last of winter.
And then, I realized, it was snowing outside. I giggled to myself, knowing that others, most in fact, would be grumbling about it.
They were big fluffy snowflakes. Very pretty.
Grumble, grumble. All day. But not me. When I finally had an opportunity to get outside and into the fluffy snowflakes, I stomped my way through the fluffy snow on the ground and watched it float around my boots....and smiled.....and did it again.
I like the pretty fluffy snow. I know that spring is around the corner. The sun is higher in the sky, the birds wake me in the morning, and when I leave work at night, the sky is no longer dark. It's coming and I am patient. No, that's not even true. I'm actually enjoying the last moments of our beautiful winter, no patience needed!
Moments enjoying the tease of spring.
Moments enjoying the last of winter.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Moments D679: Shared lunch
Today's moment is a random one that brought a big smile to my face.
My CD came over to my desk and dropped off a 1/4 of a freshly cut avocado that had been lightly juice with a fresh lime. I know he could have eaten it all, but he wanted to share.landed on my desk.
What a delightful, unexpected treat.
Bangarang!
Moments being surprised by a co-worker.
Moments enjoying fresh foods.
My CD came over to my desk and dropped off a 1/4 of a freshly cut avocado that had been lightly juice with a fresh lime. I know he could have eaten it all, but he wanted to share.landed on my desk.
What a delightful, unexpected treat.
Bangarang!
Moments being surprised by a co-worker.
Moments enjoying fresh foods.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Moments D678: Waiting
Today is Oscar night. Not typically a big night for me. I know, however, that it is for many as they anticipate the "best of..." for the year. After yesterday's eye-opening moment, it got me to thinking about waiting for answers. (Can you imagine sitting in the audience, waiting for the announcement of your name.....or not?)
Waiting for an announcement.Waiting for results. Waiting for answers.Waiting on someone else for something you need.
From the big moments to the small ones, how incredibly challenging waiting can be. I think of those sitting in the waiting rooms of hospitals waiting for their loved ones to come out of surgery, waiting for answers. I think of the students waiting for the results from their recent midterms and the anxiety that goes with that wait. I think of those waiting for the call back to a new job or simply waiting at your doctor's office. Never mind someone waiting for the announcement of the biggest prize or accolade of their life's works.
The anxiety. The anticipation.
It's no wonder I don't like waiting rooms! Today I realized, however, that sometimes waiting isn't such a terrible thing. I don't know my midterm mark yet and that's okay, it's not like it's as high on my priority list as it once was. Sometimes waiting is a good thing. Sometimes feeling that anxiety, flipping through the possibilities in your mind is a healthy feeling because when the answer is finally revealed, it's not such a surprise and, on some level, you can live the fantasy of landing that perfect mark.
Today's moment: a better understanding that waiting isn't so bad after all.
Moments waiting.
Moments just before the answers are revealed. It's like the calm before the storm.
Waiting for an announcement.Waiting for results. Waiting for answers.Waiting on someone else for something you need.
From the big moments to the small ones, how incredibly challenging waiting can be. I think of those sitting in the waiting rooms of hospitals waiting for their loved ones to come out of surgery, waiting for answers. I think of the students waiting for the results from their recent midterms and the anxiety that goes with that wait. I think of those waiting for the call back to a new job or simply waiting at your doctor's office. Never mind someone waiting for the announcement of the biggest prize or accolade of their life's works.
The anxiety. The anticipation.
It's no wonder I don't like waiting rooms! Today I realized, however, that sometimes waiting isn't such a terrible thing. I don't know my midterm mark yet and that's okay, it's not like it's as high on my priority list as it once was. Sometimes waiting is a good thing. Sometimes feeling that anxiety, flipping through the possibilities in your mind is a healthy feeling because when the answer is finally revealed, it's not such a surprise and, on some level, you can live the fantasy of landing that perfect mark.
Today's moment: a better understanding that waiting isn't so bad after all.
Moments waiting.
Moments just before the answers are revealed. It's like the calm before the storm.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Moments D677: Deeper sense of self
Life happens in a blink of an eye. We're here for such a short period of time and often we find ourselves seeking safe harbours or the excitement of something new. Often we flounder for the right direction as we try to sort out our inner-most workings. That's just part of the path we lead as human beings.
And as we toil with choices, as we flip and flop, we often feel like life passes us by.
In that moment, I also realized that I have fallen more deeply in love than I've ever been before.
And though I've never been here before, I'm not as afraid as I once was. Life will continue to happen. I will continue to plan and make the best of my time here, but I will not life my head one day and feel as though life has passed me by. I recommit to myself, and those I love, that I will ride the wave of life and travel it wherever it will take me. Life happens in a blink of an eye and I'm staring for as long as I can.
Moments breathing deeply and searching within.
And as we toil with choices, as we flip and flop, we often feel like life passes us by.
From time to time, I too fall prey to this mentality.
As I inch ever closer to my 40th birthday, I can't help but press pause and reflect. I worry that being a Jane-of-all-trades and master of none may catch up with me. I've lived big, but with few tangible results. A good example is my goal to finish my finance degree by the time I turned forty. It won't happen. Not even close really. I have 11 more classes to complete. Why did it slip? Life happened. My Mom got sick. Then my Dad got sick. Then I went through a separatation and divorce. Tumultuous indeed, but life happens and as it does we make decisions.
Back to point: today's moment.
About a year ago, I started to dive into a new world. It wasn't long before I found myself falling into this world. Never before had I felt so respected, understood and my input appreciated. The seed, then planted, was slowly cared for as it grew and eventually bloomed into the love I find myself immersed in now.
Today's moment was a deeper understanding of that love and frankly, it rocked my world.
Moments like today's are rare. These are the moments where your entire paradigm shifts. A moment that makes your legs weak. A moment where your heart skips a beat (or three). A moment where you realize, you've never been here before.
Before your eyes, it's that moment where the moon shifted into the sun, where cold warmed into heat, high energy fell still and emptiness was filled. Eyes wide open, it's when the old grew young again and black was undoubtedly white. It was that moment where my inner me surfaced and merged with my outer me. And there was a sense of oneness within myself and my very existence.
Sound dramatic? Good. It should. It was that kind of moment! Seriously, my string of words don't come close to expressing how deep the moment went today for me. I had found an unknown piece of me deep in the shadows of myself and with it, I had a moment of deep peace.
As I inch ever closer to my 40th birthday, I can't help but press pause and reflect. I worry that being a Jane-of-all-trades and master of none may catch up with me. I've lived big, but with few tangible results. A good example is my goal to finish my finance degree by the time I turned forty. It won't happen. Not even close really. I have 11 more classes to complete. Why did it slip? Life happened. My Mom got sick. Then my Dad got sick. Then I went through a separatation and divorce. Tumultuous indeed, but life happens and as it does we make decisions.
Back to point: today's moment.
About a year ago, I started to dive into a new world. It wasn't long before I found myself falling into this world. Never before had I felt so respected, understood and my input appreciated. The seed, then planted, was slowly cared for as it grew and eventually bloomed into the love I find myself immersed in now.
Today's moment was a deeper understanding of that love and frankly, it rocked my world.
Moments like today's are rare. These are the moments where your entire paradigm shifts. A moment that makes your legs weak. A moment where your heart skips a beat (or three). A moment where you realize, you've never been here before.
Before your eyes, it's that moment where the moon shifted into the sun, where cold warmed into heat, high energy fell still and emptiness was filled. Eyes wide open, it's when the old grew young again and black was undoubtedly white. It was that moment where my inner me surfaced and merged with my outer me. And there was a sense of oneness within myself and my very existence.
Sound dramatic? Good. It should. It was that kind of moment! Seriously, my string of words don't come close to expressing how deep the moment went today for me. I had found an unknown piece of me deep in the shadows of myself and with it, I had a moment of deep peace.
In that moment, I also realized that I have fallen more deeply in love than I've ever been before.
And though I've never been here before, I'm not as afraid as I once was. Life will continue to happen. I will continue to plan and make the best of my time here, but I will not life my head one day and feel as though life has passed me by. I recommit to myself, and those I love, that I will ride the wave of life and travel it wherever it will take me. Life happens in a blink of an eye and I'm staring for as long as I can.
Moments breathing deeply and searching within.
Moments appreciating the rawness and balanced inner workings of yourself.
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