Something to Think About

Whether it's the best of times or
the worst of times--it's the only time we've got. ~Art Buchwald


Did you know that the choices you make over the next few days will have a major impact on the direction your life takes?
Please don't let indecisiveness limit your chances to excel.
It will take hard work, that coupled with originality and ingenuity--but if you are willing to think outside the box, all this will help you.

I can help you, but so long as you see me as part of the problem
(not as I really am) I will remain so as part of your perception.

Actually, I am part of the solution (if you are willing to go there).

Realize your self worth and believe in your path.
Be content with what is.
Be proud. You've survived more difficult situations, I assure you.
Choose. Make better choices.
Take responsibility for your decisions.
Drop your worries.

By constantly bashing yourself over what you did and did not do--
and worrying incessantly about every little single thing that has occurred, are you aware that you are missing out on the happiness that you could have had all along?

Determine what sets you apart.
Your mission is to create a reason for being here.

Believe in yourself.
Believe in your decisions.
It all had to happen in order for you to be here, now.

Stay positive.
Keep moving forward.
Accept and love yourself.
Be kind to yourself and your life will be a whole lot brighter as you cease to blame yourself for actually living.

So, you made bad choices.
So, you let yourself and others down.
Isn't that Life 101?

Time to live more consciously.
Events and people are lessons.
There are no mistakes.

You matter.
Know that you are adored.

And after all is said and done--
It doesn't really matter what I think or what it is I have to tell you.
What matters is how you think.
Where you find meaning. How you frame this experience.

And though I can not change your mind,
or take away the fear you are feeling--
Just know that indeed, it all happens for a reason.

I can not get you to change your mind.
Only you are capable of shifting your thoughts.

When the unexpected occurs--
it's best to let it go.
Remain calm and carry on--
And be grateful to have had the chance to express who you are.

Even if it goes against the mainstream,
against popular belief and convention.

Because you were brave enough to think outside the box
for a time--
I am irrevocably changed for the better, because I had the
opportunity to be connected to you. If ever so briefly.

I am so grateful you found me.

Calm in the Face of a Storm

Interestingly, I find myself sitting across a person who is blowing a head gasket. They are animated, red faced, huffing and puffing. I suspect this is most likely their nature, yet at the same time I can see the frustration mounting as I refuse to play the game.

I will not become hysterical, nor teary eyed at the commentary. Oh, I can listen perfectly well to what you are saying.

My taking notes, and mirroring your statements has you taking pot shots at my integrity, my behavior, my vernacular and my race.

So what? I articulate when I am ready. I respond in kind as I see fit.
This may come as a surprise, but I have news for you. I have freewill.

I choose to remain calm in the face of your storm.
Omnipotent as you may believe you are in your role as superior human being
I hate to be the one to burst your bubble.

Yes, I may have caused some distraction, and yes--I admit there are two sides to every story. But it's clear tact and diplomacy are not your strong suits. And the reason you are having difficulty communicating with me is two fold. Firstly--you are having a temper tantrum, and secondly this conversation is more a rant.

Bash me as you will.
List my infractions.
Carry on as you will.
You may be god in your domain.
You may believe your own lies.
You may be just as ugly inside as on the outside.
You may be triggered, and angry and pissed off.

Kindly, I will let you be. You've insulted me enough for the both of us.
Thank you for everything.
The truth does indeed, set you free.

Everyone Means Well

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
~Albert Einstein


What a great quote! In my heart, I believe everyone means well. Even the condescending folks that feel the need to speak down to you. It's more likely they are not even aware they come across that way.

I've made a decision. There is no room for negativity in my life.

It's true, not every encounter inspires.
Not every instance will leave you feeling supported and valued.

People project their stuff.
You could very well be on the receiving end of their stuff.

The good news is, you get to choose your response.
Sure, some disappointments can and will derail you (for a time) if you let it.
There may be a message in the subtext, meant only for you.
What is it that you will you take from this experience?

Maybe it's an instance you should ignore.
Letting go of highly charged situations is recommended.

Maybe it's riddled with meaning, an opportunity to heal, a chance to practice compassion with another, or with one's Self.
Again, you get to choose how you will respond, if in fact you do.


I leave you now with a few quotes that for me, provide definite food for thought.
Have a most wonderful day regardless what occurs.
Remember...You too are a Genius!


Do the best you can, with what you have, where you are.
~Theodore Roosevelt

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
~Anais Nin

People who express gratitude create pools of generosity in the world
around them. ~Martha Beck

Whenever two people meet there are really six people present.
There is each man as he sees himself,
Each man as the other sees him-
And each man as he really is. ~William James 1842-1910

A Love of Books

My favourite quote by Jorge Luis Borges is:
“I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library”.

I am someone who loves to read. I have a love of books. Any kind of book. According to a recent entry on Wikipedia, their definition of a classic bibliophile is “one who loves to read, admire and collect books, often amassing a large and specialized collection”. I couldn’t agree more.

I grew up in home where books were considered dust collectors, and we as a family owned very few. I see myself making up for lost time, with my vast personal home library. Everything I need to know I can find on those bookshelves. (And the internet of course, but my collecting started before the web became what it is today). Think of it as a place of instantaneous information at my fingertips without ever having to leave home. Joy.

Reading a book is pure escapism and entertainment. It’s learning. It’s pleasure. All wrapped up into one. They say, do what you love.
I love to read.

I am happiest when I have a dozen titles on the go. I have little stacks of books just waiting for me to relish. Could say I am an avid and voracious reader.

I’ve discovered a great website www.alibris.com that carries used, new, and out-of-print books. Joy.

Browsing garage sales, used book stores, and recently the book department at Value Village, I am getting my fill. More joy.

My greatest find was picking up a few hundred used books some years back. I sometimes dream of owning a used book depot to share my love for reading while collecting donated books that will keep them in circulation and out of landfills.

There is nothing like being immersed in a great read.
There are times when I’d rather read the book than watch the movie version.

If I could describe my love of reading to you, it would be comparable to breathing. It’s just essential to existing. If I had a mission, it would be to spread the joy of reading to everyone.

Books provide answers to many questions. They are unending sources of knowledge and power. For this reader, it’s that passion, that joy of reading again, taking me places. Stories affect. Words Imprint.
I grow and am changed by what I discover in the text between those covers.
Holding a book is a viseral tactile experience that can never be replaced by a digital book.

Ebooks and eReaders will not kill the joy of reading in my estimation. For me it’s about ease of use. I can carry a dozen or more books at one time if I load up my eReader. My purse will not weigh a ton and should I choose to, I can borrow an ebook from the library with a few clicks of the mouse and not even have to get up or leave the house to do this when I am in couch potato mode. (Pluses not minuses in my book).

Reading is being alone with my thoughts with my book as a constant companion. It’s how I stay informed and connected to my emotional self. What are you reading? Does it evoke similar feelings in you? Will you have the time to finish it?

All I can say is one can never have too many books. One just needs to set aside the time to vacuum them periodically.

The Water Pipes are Frozen

This bout of extreme cold weather has left me with water pipes that are frozen. As I wait for the guy to arrive and solve this problem for me, I am forced to reconsider my relationship with water itself.

Luckily, I have great neighbours next door. They are happy to fill my buckets, pots and my Brita jug with cold water.

The fireplace is gas, so I’ve devised a method of placing dutch ovens atop to heat the water. I still find myself turning on the taps on autopilot. You do get so used to having running water in the bathroom, in the kitchen.

It’s the same with hydro. You flick a switch and the lights are on. The stove heats up. The microwave instantly reheats last night’s leftovers and warms up the room temperature cup of coffee you left sitting on the counter while you schemed.

This is my latest foray into the idea of conservation. The power outage a few years back was also an awakening. As is this situation.

It’s true you can’t do everything yourself. You do need the help of others from time to time. I thought to steam the exposed pipes with a boiling kettle of water as I eased my anxiety. Knowing full well, the water pipes run along the exterior wall of the house, I hope this will make some small difference. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. But I need to do something to kill time while I wait for the guy to arrive.

I’m not the kind that usually panics. I do have to rely on my creative and critical thinking skills to see my way thru this situation.

Things like, leaving filled pitchers near the sinks. Leaving a filled bucket (or two) of precious H20 in the bathtub for easy access to fill the toilet tank. I am not taking for granted just how fortunate I am that I have a home with taps. I live in a time where there are others who have less, no access to the creature comforts I have come to expect and automatically am used to having.
And while it would be easy to focus on the negative aspects of not having water, I will just use this experience to test my resilience, and patience. My latest mantra is: relief is not that far away. The phone rings. The guy is on his way.