We all have family traditions. Sometimes they are as simple as a holiday dinner at a grandparent’s house or a trip to the same tropical destination every year. As time passes some of these traditions have to change and new one’s start up. I know some people resist breaking a tradition but I have always been one to embrace it. I’m actually looking forward to creating many new traditions with my own family one day.
One of my favourite traditions is the “End of Summer Day” that Dave and I started a few years ago. As September approached everyone starts to feel sad, so we thought of doing something fun each year in order to always end the summer on a good note.
This year we took a ferry to Toronto Island and spent the day there. In my 27 years of living in Ontario I have never been to Toronto Island. It was beautiful! We toured the islands on old-school bikes, which I must say is the only way to go. We had a picnic, we ate ice cream, and we relaxed on the beach. I have always been grateful to live in Canada, and seeing the beauty of Toronto Island just made this feeling even stronger. Sometimes we think that we need to leave the country in order to have a vacation, but to me going to places like Toronto Island or even up to cottage country is all I need to do to feel content. Vacation is a state of mind. If you are saving money like me but are desperate for a break from the every day, just look at all the things you can do right here in Ontario.
So my advice to everyone is don’t be scared to be a tourist for a day in your own country and definitely think of ways you can start your own traditions.
This past weekend was great from start to finish. The August long weekend has always been my favourite. I went to the bar, I camped, I ate, I laughed, I tanned, I danced. Boy did I dance! I found myself dancing it up Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night all at different events. I just can’t get enough of dancing and I'm one of those people that doesn’t need a drop of alcohol to do it. Just give me a fun beat or a song I can sing to and I will dance until the sun comes up.
I starting thinking of all those people, especially men, that hold back when then are at the bar or out listening to a band. I wish I could convince these people that they are really missing out. The excuse that most people use is “I’m a terrible dancer!” which is code for they don’t want to embarrass themselves. My response is that is there are only a few people that are amazing dancers the rest are just having fun, so get over yourself and start moving! No one expects you to bust out JT or Beyoncé moves. I'm not good by any means, but if the beat is good I just go with the flow. Throw your hands up, lift your legs, do the two-step, lean-back, do whatever you feel like doing because dancing is way better then watching. Beside how fun it is, did you know that dancing can also burn as many calories as riding a bike? Imagine burning all those calories and not having to move more then a few feet in any direction or wear those horrible biking shorts!
While we may not all be hip-hopping into our nineties, dancing is one activity we can (hopefully) do for the rest of our lives and the sociability it provides is part of its allure. It's a great way to make new friends, be creative and expressive, and just plain old enjoy life.
So like the song says, “If you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.”
I try to keep an open mind about everything, from religion to trying new food. I’m not completely into holistic thinking but more and more I have started to believe in the concept of people being made up of or projecting energy.
Have you ever noticed the impact different people have on your mood?
For example, have you ever been around a group of negative people at work and after spending time with them you no longer feel eager to do anything. On the flip side, have you ever been feeling low but the moment a friend walks into the room you start to feel better?
I have also come to appreciate the fact that some people have stronger energy than others. Perhaps the level of energy projected is relative to persons confidence or maybe it is simply genetic makeup. All I know is that not everyone has the same impact on me.
My Pilates teacher is the person that has really turned me into a human energy believer. I love my Wednesday night class. Being in that room is not just about exercise for me. I find it is the one place where my mind is completely at ease. It isn’t because of the relaxing music or the movements, but instead it is my teacher. The moment I see her, my body feels stronger and my mind relaxes. Her energy is strong.
A few months ago my mind was going a million miles a minute during my class. I had not said a word to her but during one of the exercises she came over put her hands on my head and whispered quietly, “Stop thinking”. I instantly let out a long exhale and let go of my thoughts. For those of you who know me, you know that making me mellow-out can be a difficult task, but somehow she has the power. As a result, I find I’m drawn to her because my mind and body feel good around her energy.
Maybe I am the only one that can relate to this but I hope not. There is nothing better then meeting people that make you feel good by just being near them. I can only hope that my energy has the same impact on someone.
We all have family traditions. Sometimes they are as simple as a holiday dinner at a grandparent’s house or a trip to the same tropical destination every year. As time passes some of these traditions have to change and new one’s start up. I know some people resist breaking a tradition but I have always been one to embrace it. I’m actually looking forward to creating many new traditions with my own family one day.
