Fear almost stopped me in my tracks

Last week I was on the way to a hockey game, almost in the arena when it happened.  With my mitted hands full of coffee, trying to get to the door without having my face freeze from the outside wind and below 20 degrees Celsius.  They were right behind me chatting away.  3 or 4 boys.  The voices stopped and as I reached for the door and it happened.  

Foot steps sounds were quicker in stride, out of the corner of my sight a body reached ...

around me to grab the door.  I almost jumped out of my skin as I wasn’t anticipating the help.  

All of them had hockey bags and their sticks. 

I am sure the expression on my face went from fear to relief and then laughter.  I said thank you and that’s when it started.  

I sat down with the parents and handed out the coffee... they offered to pay and I say.. “nah.. pay it forward”  Thanks was given and they said it would happen.  

Today, I went to the next game and 2 of the parents said they did it.  I had to ask.. as I forgot what they were talking about.  “I bought coffee for the driver behind me today”  the other mum said “I paid for the dinner of the couple across from us”.  

This what happens folks.  One pebble across the pond creates ripples.  They start out small and get larger as they go further. 

Personalities are like a mixed bowl of fruit

I work in an office environment where the culture, personalities, likes or dislikes are varied like a mixed bowl of fruit.  

Surrounded by this can either help build your charter, show others what you are truly like or break you down.  Either way, positive or negative it’s up to you to choose how to react.  

This reaction will determine your work ethics, your time spent in the office and so much as your health. Stress becomes more when you let it bother you, life becomes less when you refuse to accept people for who they are.  We cannot change a charter, nor would I want to.

I love where I work for the simple pleasure of diversity.  It makes life interesting and challenging.  Regardless of something that was said or done, if I disagree I welcome it so I can learn another’s perspective.  If you are closed to this, you won’t grow, you can’t learn.

My thought to you is, why expel that energy (trust me, you feel drained when you get angry, frustrated and upset).  So why do it?  Let it go.  You cannot change whoever is bothering you.  

Have fun with the diversity and remember you are only in control of yourself, actions and thoughts. 

Be the bird

If by chance you think your smallest actions will not make a difference, think again.

Yesterday, you took a moment to make eye contact and say hello.  Did you know how that other person was feeling inside?  Perhaps slightly down due to lack of sleep or feeling low due to abuse or neglect?  That eye contact and communication you did, might have given them confidence enough to know they are not alone. 

During the week of February 10th to 16th, you did some Random Act’s of Kindness (RAK week) such as buy a coffee for the person behind you in the drive through.  Sure they were ready to pay for themselves, but perhaps the chain followed as far as giving food to someone homeless later in the day?  

Let’s be real.  Your small gestures can turn a life around one step at a time.  Your moments that are surrendered to be part of something bigger has impacts beyond what you see and know.  

This is why you shouldn't hold judgement of that girl in class who came with the same clothing.  Sure you have the opportunity to have clean clothing but instead of thinking her family is lazy, perhaps they cannot afford to wash them or provide more.  Have empathy and accept people for who they are.  The good and the bad cannot exist without each other but if you keep singing like a bird in the morning, eventually, your persistence will get across and you will make a change.  

Why do you wear pink today?

Today represents kindness and compassion.  It also represents a portion of people who have been privy to an act that has gone on for decades.  

This act is supported by apathy, anger, contempt, cruel, unkind emotions.  

It is Anti-bully day here and many people, schools & companies support this day.  Why?  We’ve been there either by being a survivor, a witness or for some the bully.  

There is no reason to step back any further, no excuse to think it’s okay to berate another person, instill fear or make them feel anything less than a wonderful, kind human being.  Be part of this wonderful movement and show everyone that it is okay to be who you are.  

I can recall my elementary days.  We moved lots and I was always an outsider.  For every school I attended, it became harder and harder to adjust and fit in.  No matter what I would say, it was never the right thing and when jealousy’s head came up from others, I was the flea bag, the stupid one.  Not ever worth the protection of teachers or school administrators.  I walked home after school on countless days being pushed, name called and kicked.  I would get home and run to my bedroom, crying and wondering why this was happening.  I wanted to be angry but inside I knew it wasn’t about me, it was about them.  They couldn’t accept change nor were they taught to.  

Today, I am no longer the flea bag, the outside girl.  I am who I am and I mostly care what I think about myself.  When I go to bed at night, the last thing I remember is thinking... today I had a great day, with good choices.  Today, I taught my children to accept things they cannot change, the courage to change  which should be changed and the wisdom to distinguish between the two.  

12 year old hockey player has more honor than the adult that is teaching him to play the game.

http://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/109300/Courageous-boy-takes-a-stand#null

You have to read this to believe it!

It's just fine

I can't stress enough the exact word 'stress'.  Situations happen in life that most of us can't control.  How we react is a key to surviving and making it to the next day. 

I'll admit the past week has been tough and although I've not said much I found it hard to do much writing.  Just like yourselves, I felt a cloud of frustration over me at times, emotions that come up unexpected and I had to see the lighter, better side of things. 

All in the past 7 days I’ve had a variety of ’not so fun’ situations happen.  Sure I've had good moments but the other parts took over and I let go. 

Not what I tell everyone to do, not what I believe in.  The one thing that did keep me above water was knowing I am not the only one to slip. 

So this morning, I woke up to a good song got showered and 'washed away' that feeling.  All in the time I had, completed laundry and did the dishes.  Made the morning fruit smoothies, had my coffee and instead of watching the news, I searched facebook for positive stories.  I found a few and before I left the house for work felt like a new person. 

So I suppose, when I reflect and say to you that it's your choice I want you to remember that if you do the same, if you happen to stumble.  Remember it's just fine. 

Crime Worth Forgiving, Thai Commercial True Move H Amazing Thai AD Will ...

Be who you are

I’ve had friends who chose to walk away, some breaking my heart in the process.  I cannot change how they feel but I do know who I am and will always be.  

You can call me names, you can beat me down but I refuse to give you the control of who I am.  I am and always will be me.  I will no longer accept change that isn’t done by anyone other than me.  If it’s not going to fit your mold, your idea of what you wanted, then leave.  Walk away but know that when you do, you will lose out on something amazing, something wonderful and simply put, I will be okay with that.  

Teach your children to live this, they will learn that no man or woman will create them nor give them value.  THEY are in control, that is the best part of being a parent.  Seeing them learn that they can choose the good, the bad and the ugly.  

All the while, it was there.

As though it was intended to be, my life has unfolded all while I felt it was falling apart.  

No one told me where I was going and as much as I wanted my parents to say, ‘be a Lawyer, Doctor, Teacher’ as much as I wanted guidance I suppose without it I received much more.  

I learnt to stand on my own, conquer my fears and become who I am today.  Some would say that it’s a foolish way of parenting, now I would say to you it was wise. 

I see my children become people on their own.  Discover their strengths and conquer their dreams.  I see my older son be who he wants to be without me making that choice, living his life for himself.  I see my younger son enjoy the moments and create his own path.  

This is part of my philosophy.  It may not be right to you but it’s right for them.  I always wanted a book to read about how to be the best parent, I wanted guidance to show them how to be good people.  All the while, it was always there.  

Their voices will carry forward

The first time it happened I was 5 years old.  

They came and left quickly.  All these children who were in abusive situations and had to leave their place for the safety of ours.  They stayed until a home was found for them.  I couldn’t even begin to imagine the life they had been part of.  Their voices stifled so young innocence taken.  

As life passed me I saw children come and go, some lives perhaps changed for the better.  I can’t even describe some of the situations they came from, their state of mind or shape of their physical being.  It was enough for me to learn compassion.  From that point on, I learned not to pass judgment and started to try to understand others.

Now in the present moment.  We went to a hockey game the other night and to sing the anthem were a group of young kids.  Normally, I would pipe in loud and sing along but I kept my voice down and listened to those children and their voices.  It was amazing.

Today when you are out and about take a moment and listen to a child.  Watch how they react and absorb in whatever kindness, goodness and innocence they have.  They don’t have it for long, if it hasn’t already been taken.  Do a RAK for a child.  Perhaps in their future, they will remember your kindness and pay it forward.