Posts Tagged ‘Gratitude/Thankful’

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A Simple ‘Hello’

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Today has been a day filled with many emotions: joy, tears, remembrance, gratitude and confirmation. It started when a friend from very long ago reached out and typed a simple message of ‘hello’. The circumstances of how and why our friendship came to a halt were because of a personal life-changing decision I had to make for myself. That was over thirteen years ago and we have not spoken since.

After receiving and reading this note I had to dry my tears to answer the telephone. The ringing quickly brought me back from the past into the present. Not recognizing the number I simply said ‘hello’. The second the caller spoke it was impossible not to share my joy upon hearing from another dear friend. You would never know that a year had wedged its way between us since we last spoke because the conversation flowed so easily. 

Can the absence of communication destroy the strong bond between friends? I have often wondered about that until today. I always hoped that because of distance and silence my true friends would not think their friendship meant nothing to me. Today, two of those friends, who matter to me, told me with a simple ‘hello’ that I matter to them too!

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The Gift

Monday, April 9th, 2012

I still get shivers whenever I get connected with individuals who were meant to be a part of my journey. I know that you know what I am talking about. You meet someone out of the blue and the conversation flows easily and is never forced. You can be yourself with no apologies or regrets and the ‘gift’ is that they too, revealed their true self to you in return.

I like to call these gifts ‘friends’.

I think it is marvelous that in our adult life we can approach a ‘stranger’ like we did when we were children playing in a sandbox. Simply walk up to them and say, “Would you like to be my friend?” We may not be holding a pail and shovel in our hands but the simplicity is still there.

I dedicate this blog to my new friend, Chynna. I would never have met Chynna had it not been for another ‘gift’ that fortunately found his way into my life, Randy. These are only two of my most recent friends that I happened to meet in the largest, adult playground in the world: Facebook. Something tells me that these two ‘gifts’ are going to be a part of my journey for a very long time. That something is me.

When the gift of friendship comes into your life it is up to you to nurture it in order to keep it alive. The special ‘gifts’ that come our way are meant to be treasured and never meant to be taken for granted.

The Gift Blog – By Chynna Laird

 

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For Aunty Dora

Monday, March 12th, 2012

The Little Farm House on the Hill

As a little girl it seemed as though the frequent weekend drives took forever to get to Auntie’s home. It was hard to contain my excitement knowing that eventually I would be walking into a home filled with love and into the arms of someone who always made me feel special and that I mattered.

Butterflies would begin to flutter in my stomach at the first sight of seeing the little farm house on the hill. The fluttering would only get stronger when I would finally see Auntie running from any given direction to make sure she was there to welcome everyone who piled out of the Volkswagen Beetle to visit with her. Her body language along with her smile that went from ear to ear told us all, without even uttering a word, that she was just as excited to see us as we were to see her.

We knew that as we entered her home that it wasn’t our home. But Auntie had a way of making everyone who walked through her door feel as though the little farm house on the hill was your home too!

Spending time with Auntie if it were only for a day, weekend or for the two amazing summers I stayed with her were gifts that are mine to treasure. Returning to school after those two particular summers, my school friends would brag about their vacations to places like Disney World. They never quite understood how this city girl could be so excited about visiting a little farm house on the hill located in Fisher Branch, MB. Being so young, I too, found it difficult to explain why this place was so special to me. All I knew was that every time I went to visit, I felt that Auntie’s home was my own magical kingdom where dreams could come true. My friends could keep their memories of meeting Mickey Mouse and the whole gang but I knew I had something much more special and real. I had Auntie. We all had Auntie.

As I grew older and when all my sisters and brother would reminisce about all their special times with Auntie, I quickly realized that Auntie’s love was not only reserved for me. My siblings have their special memories of times spent with this amazing woman. Auntie’s incredible gift and legacy that she leaves behind was her ability to make EVERYONE feel special and loved.

Every time we will think of borscht, puffed wheat cake, lemon meringue pie, donuts, BANANA’s, looking for a pair of lost contact lenses in slop pails, Hola, Guts, Bingo, Spoons, chicken coops, stones & rocks, gardens, flowers, riding lawn mowers or summer kitchens we will also remember our Auntie who lived in the little farm house on the hill and who loved with every part of herself, how her whole body jiggled when she laughed, how she never had a bad thing to say about anyone or how she always looked into your eyes when she spoke to you or took the time to sit down and really listen to whatever you had to say whether you were a child or an adult. We will never forget you Auntie because it’s impossible to forget those who gave us so much to remember.

Eulogy for my Aunt Doreen (my mentor) – 1919 – 2012.

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Halftime Analysis

Monday, February 6th, 2012

I never thought that I would have learned a life lesson by watching a football game. Of course, the game I’m referring to was yesterday’s Superbowl. I was thoroughly entertained watching the nail-biter game but my lesson came from what I heard hours earlier in the day as opposed to what I witnessed.

As I multi-tasked around the house cleaning and preparing the food we would eat during the game (because we all know how important food and snacks are for any sporting event) the TV was on. I listened to a lot of pre-game interviews and commentaries from sports analysts predicting who they thought would walk away as the world champions. I could not help notice how much focus was placed on the two men who would dictate how the game would unfold – the quarterbacks.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t football a team sport? We need our leaders but what about the other team members who have their jobs to do in order to secure a victory? Why do we constantly put so much pressure on one member of the team when we are supposed to be a united front all wanting the same outcome – success?

Global economists say that 2012 is going to be another rough year but it looks as though we are halfway through the hard times. It’s kind of like the world is sitting in the locker room and looking at the score at the end of the half. If we want to hoist the trophy up over our heads when the final whistle blows, we know that we will have to give it our all in the last half of the game. Pointing the finger at the quarterback to get us out of a difficult situation doesn’t work if the entire team is not willing to give 100%.

If we want to have a winning outcome it’s time that we all get suited up, roll up our sleeves and do our jobs to make it happen. Let’s not forget that we are in this game together!

 

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Who You Laughing At?

Monday, January 16th, 2012

I hope you said ‘yourself’. Studies have shown those of us who can laugh at some of the idiotic things we do only builds our self-esteem. It is estimated that 2 out of 3 people suffer from low self-esteem. The next time you are out for lunch with your friends, take a good look around the table and access if you, literally, are the lucky 1.

The ability to laugh at ourselves allows us the opportunity to embrace our imperfections, flaws and promotes self-acceptance. How many times have we heard that laughter is the best medicine?

There are oodles of reports and studies detailing the health benefits from having a good sense of humour. Laughter can strengthen your immune system, prevent heart disease, boost your energy, diminish pain and reduces stress. One study even went as far to say that laughing can actually help reduce weight. What?

Think about that for a moment. When we are feeling stressed or depressed, a high percentage of people will turn to something to pick us up or give us immediate pleasure: food. And it usually is not the good or healthy kind. It will be the type of food that was wrapped in paper and the containers were most likely ‘super-sized!’

Humour has just as many external and social benefits as it does for our internal health. Laughter can be shared. It can bind and bring friends and family members closer together. It increases happiness, joy and triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Laughter keeps us young in our mind, body and soul. Best of all, this medicine will not cost you a dime. It’s priceless, easy to swallow and you will never have to run out in the middle of night to get your prescription refilled. Laugh yourself back to higher self-esteem, better health and a happier life.

And that my friend, (pardon the pun) is no laughing matter!

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The Key To Peace

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Have you ever noticed that there are people around you who always seem to be naturally happy? It doesn’t matter the time of day, the season or what is going on around the world. They seem to be able to shield themselves from it all to remain in their ‘happy’ state. What I find fascinating about happiness is when you ask people to try to define it for themselves. It becomes very clear to me that the ‘happy-go-lucky’ people share one thing in common that the rest struggle with.

Whether it came from our parents, friends, society or the media, it seems like we have been conditioned to think that there is a connection with money to happiness. The more we have and acquire will be the solution to living a happier life. I know that you know that is simply not true. Some of the unhappiest people come from wealth; whereas, some of the happiest people come from nothing.

I have traveled to impoverished places in the world and when I looked into the eyes of the local residents who had so little, I remember feeling they had something very precious that so many of us were searching for. They held the key to happiness. It was contentment. Being content with what you have as opposed to what you don’t gives you peace of mind.

Is it so bad to want for little? I know that goes against so many theories and beliefs about saying we should want and deserve to have it all. I believe we can have it all, but not until we are truly happy with what we already possess. Happiness has nothing to do with what is happening on the outside. It has everything to do with what is going on in the inside.

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To The Rescue

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

I adore and have recently become a huge fan of Melissa McCarthy. By now, most of you may be familiar with who Melissa is because she won the Emmy for her role as lead female actress in the hit comedy series, ‘Mike and Molly.’

I’m attracted to laughter so it’s no surprise that when I want to watch a movie or something on TV it will most likely be a comedy. If you are ever feeling low on a Saturday night, choosing to watch SNL will most times make you burst out into laughter and help you forget about your worries for a brief moment. Sometimes that’s really all we need to get over our humps in life.

Melissa is more than just a brilliant comedian. She is a refreshing change to what is normally seen on the covers of magazines or what Hollywood tells us our leading women should look like. Melissa is a beacon of hope and has come to our rescue when we seem to need her the most.

When you read the body image statistics it is clearly evident that people are seriously preoccupied with how they look. What is most alarming is that these beliefs are affecting our children at younger and younger ages. Click here to read just one of thousands of articles that share some of the disturbing facts about how children battle with body image issues.

What really has drawn me to Melissa is not her comedic genius; however, that is a big pull. It’s the courage and strength she finds within herself to stand face-to-face with the skinny and sickly majority of Hollywood female stars. Melissa is an inspiration to women, young and old all over North America. This confident, talented and very funny woman is quietly telling us that beauty and happiness is an inside job first, last and always!

 

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Princess vs Queen

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Aging is a blessing. Oh sure, we may have our bumps, bruises and perhaps a few scars, but overall we made it through! Our reward for standing the ‘tests’ of time is that we walk through life a little smarter, wiser, braver and if we are fortunate enough, we still look pretty darn good.

My days of being jealous, insecure and afraid are long gone and now replaced with confidence, courage and a much better understanding of how the world works. For the most part, in my 20s and 30s, I felt that life was working against me but have come to understand that I was very wrong about that. When I discovered that it was actually my thoughts working against me it was as though I had uncovered the Holy Grail to living a happier and more meaningful life.

I compare the first part of my life as if I were a young and innocent princess. Outsiders look at this princess thinking that she has it all; however, she holds in her secret and does not dare tell a soul that she has no clue on how to be herself. Everyone around her is telling her who and what she needs to be. Because she has no time to sit and be still to think for herself she goes along with what is expected of her. Then one day, something, anything can happen that will make this princess stand up and say…’no more’.

A queen walks with grace and confidence. She understands that she is more than a title and more importantly, she knows that life is not just about her. She realizes that she has been groomed to be in service of others. In order for her reign to be successful she must know and be happy with the person she has grown into. Whatever choices, decisions and mistakes she has made towards her throne all served their purpose. She accepts and is grateful for everything because it all led to her being prepared to rule her kingdom.

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Memory Lane

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

When you are taking a stroll down memory lane and reflect on a past relationship that did not end amicably do you find yourself thinking, ‘I wonder how things would have turned out if…?’ I call these the ‘unfinished’ relationships. When there are things left unsaid or undone one tends to naturally wonder what could have been. I started to think what if ‘unfinished’ was exactly as far as the relationship was meant to go? What if all that there was, was all that it was meant to be? Can we learn to live and be happy knowing that unfinished relationships are simply a part of our journey?

When we meet someone who ends up becoming a special part of our life it’s a very sad thing to find out in the end that it was never meant to last. I am not only referring to intimate relationships but to our platonic friendships as well. When those special relationships come to an end the hurt does not discriminate based on the type of relationship it was. Simply put. It sucks when something that once was so right turns out to be not so right any longer.

I consider myself fortunate not to have had many of those ‘limbo’ state relationships go south but I definitely have a few. Instead of wondering ‘what if’ I choose to reflect on ‘what was’. Celebrate the good things and be grateful to have had something so special that when it came time to say goodbye it was terribly difficult to imagine your life without them.

 

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Memory Thief

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

I have an ever-growing list of books that friends and family suggest that I read. I keep this list because I simply cannot remember every single title thrown my way. Hmmm…can’t remember! What a great segue to introduce a fabulous book I recently read that deals with not being able to remember.

Lisa Cerasoli’s award-winning memoir As Nora Jo Fades Away is the heart-warming and heart-breaking story that deals honestly and humorously about caring for her beloved Grams (aka: Nora Jo). There is a thief lingering throughout the story and this criminal has one purpose; to steal the memory of Nora Jo.

It wasn’t until I saw the trailer that I was finally able to cross one book off of my reading list.

Alzheimer’s is no laughing matter. It’s a cruel disease. For the family and friends watching the mind of someone they love disappear is truly agonizing. Cerasoli gives the reader a sneak peek of the toll this unfair disease can have on the caregiver and everyone else around. The trailer only confirms the main message of the book. Alzheimer’s can never erase the love we carry in our memories and hearts for the special people in our lives that, through no fault of their own, end up fading away.

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