My friends are very important to me. I have a small family and as a result I have come to the realization that my heart holds my girlfriends closer than what is probably common.
I started to think about my friends tonight and how each of them has added something wonderful to my life. I believe they have played a huge role in who I am today. Each friend has something that I admire or attribute that makes me want to be a better person. Today my friend Erin ran the 30km "Around The Bay" run in Hamilton (oldest road race in North America) in 2 hours and 39 minutes – AMAZING! Over a delicious sushi dinner, she told me about the experience and about her plans to do more. We may have joked about her inability to walk after the race today but in my head I was thinking how incredible she is and how proud I am of her. You will never meet a girl with more drive and determination than Erin. Being around her makes me want to do more for my health and use each day to the fullest. My other friend Nat just had a beautiful little girl, Sophie Rose. She called me only a few hours after her labour. I could sense her excitement but could also hear the calmness in her voice, which made me feel a sense of pride. I was so impressed that she delivered a baby and was already doing so well. Within hours of birth, I could tell she is going to be a fabulous mother. Woman are seriously awesome.
The people in our lives truly influence our character. I guess that is why most parents want their teenagers to stay away from the “bad kids”. At this stage of my life I can say from the bottom of my heart that I have the most wonderful friends and with continue to admire them for the woman they are, even if they think they are nothing special.
At 8:00pm on Saturday night, the Agro family and I joined the millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off our lights for Earth Hour.
We were fortunate to be at their ski chalet up north and really got to see the beauty of nature. At first we were a little hesitant to stop what we were doing but knew that the event was important and something we should share together. So we proceeded to light several candles and had a fire roaring in the fireplace. We peaked out the windows to see candles flickering in the houses around us. It was thrilling to take part in something that the whole world was involved in. For the hour we decided to sit around the fireplace and chat. It was such a calm and relaxing hour. We may have been turning off the lights to save energy, but at the same time this event was forcing everyone to stop and enjoy life. The time absolutely flew by, but before we turned the lights back on we went outside and looked at the beauty of the sky. The stars were so bright and made the purpose of the hour even more prominent. I hope everyone enjoyed the experience and will continue to improve the way we use energy in order to save the environment.
Have you ever noticed how easily people can rub off on you? If you are like me, then you have probably pick up habits or mannerisms from the people in your life. I rub my hands together when I'm excited, which I got from my friend Heather. I describe anything cute as "tiny" as a result of my sister. The list goes on and on. Personally I think it is a compliment. For the most part it is not intentional but there are the occasional things that I purposely try to introduce into my life. To spice up the regular routine. One line that is new to my repetuare is "Don't be a hater!" or "Why do you have to be a hater?". Yes, I know that I'm not a gangsta and I'm far from being a teenager, but this line just works for me. A "Hater" is someone who is generally negative and in bad spirits. Someone who is constantly putting someone or something down or always finding fault in something, rather than seeing the good. The best part about the line is that it is not super serious and can therefore be used in many situations. The next time you find yourself telling a friend or colleague about something that you like to do in your spare time; if they say that they wish they the had the time to do that (in a condensending voice), you say back to them "Don't be a hater!". Feel free to add in the word "hommie" at the end of you are in a good mood.
The other day my sister and I were having one of our regular phone chats about life. Typically when either of us are experiencing a bad day we try to put a positive spin on it, but this time my sister said, “Sometimes it is just too exhausting to be positive!”
That comment really got me thinking...just like choosing to relax on the couch instead of going to the gym, do our minds subconsciously find it easier to take a woe-is-me attitude instead of working hard to see the silver-lining?
I think it may be true.
As positive as I try to be, sometimes it is easier to let things get the best of you especially when the people around you are 'downers'. We all know those people that are like human black holes that come out of nowhere and just suck the life out of you. You try to stay positive and remain strong but their negativity ends up just completely draining you, you feel exhausted, and you may also start to feel depressed too.
So what can you do? I have tried my best to pass the optimist torch to others but it is not as easy as you think. The more I try to help the more I feel obligated to solve the problems of the energy drainers. Realistically I know that I’m not responsible for the person’s life or their negativity, but that doesn’t seem to prevent me from feeling guilty for their unhappiness.
I don't think people realize it but the negative world of our imagination tends to create a negative world that is real, and one that we are forced to live in. A perfect example is a day in the life of Debbie Downer. She always complains about life saying, “Nowadays young people are so rude and surly.” Then one day inside a coffee shop, she was greeted by a cheerful kid who asked what she would like. Sighing she ordered a medium sized regular coffee. When it arrived, she immediately started complaining. Pointing to the cup, she said, “This is medium? You should have told me your cups are so small; I would have ordered a large one if I knew.” Despite the long line, the kid behind the counter tried to be patient. Without a complaint, he took away the small coffee and replaced it with a large one. As soon as it arrived, Debbie looked at it and bellowed, “You call this regular? There’s not enough cream!” The kid behind the counter, who only moments ago was cheerful, was now upset and sarcastically replied, “Yes, for MOST people, this is regular, but I’ll put in more cream. Perhaps next time you may want to ask for DOUBLE cream!” After Debbie got her coffee she proceeded to say, “What did I say, kids these days are so rude.”
Yes, in Debbie’s world kids appear rude, but what she does not realize is she makes them so.
Complaining is like digging the rut you are in deeper and deeper. Each time you complain, it becomes increasingly difficult to climb out of the ditch you’ve created. To loosen the grip of this vicious habit, we need to become aware of our complaining, stop it in its tracks, and immediately look for something positive to say. It’s just a matter of replacing a bad habit with a good one. If more people did it, maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to stay positive.
Imagine being in a small boat drifting in a river. And imagine being unaware that your boat has a motor. As long as you fail to use that motor you will be a captive of the river. You will be a prisoner without any control over your destination. Yet, the boat that we’re in does have a motor. We can use it to change course. That motor is our power of choice. All we have to do is choose to look for the good, for when we do so, that is all we will find!
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.
This year more than any other I find that I’m suffering from a terrible thing. Normally it just comes and goes, but lately I just can’t shake it. I’m suffering from a great bout of envy and hoping that someone reading this could provide me with a cure.
Envy is often associated with the colour green or a green-eyed monster because nothing good ever comes from it. Envy is definitely different from being jealous. To me jealously is when you are resentful to the people who have what you desire. I'm not that way at all. I’m very happy for all my friends that are successful. Actually, I try to be a super fan for everyone I am close to and will do everything I can to help them. Envy on the other hand is wanting what others have, desiring to possess what they possess. You can be envious of tangible and intangible things like a car, relationships, wealth, and good looks.
I am envious of so many things right now that I’m beginning to realize that I have a problem. I have house envy, vacation envy, car envy, beauty envy, fitness envy, intelligence envy, engagement envy, style envy, and much more.
I know that I'm more fortunate than a lot of people, but after awhile that reasoning is not enough to subside my feelings. I’m grateful for the things that I have been given and have experienced. I’m also proud of what I have accomplished on my own. I’m a smart woman but for some reason I can’t figure out why I'm not perfectly content right now. I’m always looking for the next thing to accomplish, what I can do to improve my life, or looking for something fun and exciting to happen.
If Dr.Phil was reading my entry I’m sure he would say my feelings have something to do with my confidence. If it were Gary Zukav (all from Oprah by the way) he would say that my feelings stem from a fear of something. Maybe they are both right. I do lack confidence in myself. Hence why I thrive in environments where I get constant reassurance and compliments. On some level, I guess I also fear what the future holds for me. But knowing both of these things doesn’t change the way I have been feeling this year. Perhaps it is just another symptom of the quarter life crisis!
Like most things, I'm sure this will eventually pass but in the meantime I need to know if I'm the only one that is experiencing these feelings.
My friends are very important to me. I have a small family and as a result I have come to the realization that my heart holds my girlfriends closer than what is probably common.
