It's a no-brainer - life is short. Even the longest of lives seem like a dream, whether that person is no longer with us, or is nearing the end of their life's journey. Old and young. We watch a life unfold. Their childhood, and teens, journeys and struggles, trials and triumphs. Stories of how they influenced others around them. Family and friends, neighbours and strangers. There are many wonderful stories. So many people touched, so many footprints on our lives.
I have thought back to the lives of others as they have grown with me or have passed on before me, and I am struck by one thing.
No one commented on the wealth earned, the gadgets accumulated, the house and car. No on talked about promotions, and bonuses. Everyone shared memories, experiences, laughter and tears. Good deeds and helpful hands, support and celebration.
These individuals moved people without material gain. But with actions and words. With kindness.
So, I'm back to the simple act of kindness. From offering a cup of tea to building a house, acts of kindness will be part of your legacy and will come back to you. Just when you need it. You'll see.
My wish for you as you go about your day, is that you spare some precious time to nurture your legacy of kindness. I know I'm going to try.
Karen
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Something new adds pieces to you...
A few weeks back, I celebrated my 42nd birthday, and if you asked me 5 years ago how I would feel about advancing through my 40s I would probably have answered with a glare and a very quick subject change! I didn't even want to think about it. There were so many ideas I had about aging, about what was supposed to happen when you advance in years and I wondered if I had let myself down...
But I looked around and well, was pretty happy with what I saw. So what was missing?
"I" was missing!
As a rule, I do not make New Year's Resolutions - the one to stop cursing lasted all of 10 minutes "Holy #!@%^, those fireworks are *&$@ing awesome!" But the year I was to turn 40 I was going to do something different. That year, I resolved to do at least one thing I had never done before. And I wouldn't wait until someone could come with me. This was just for me.
In January 2007, I enrolled in acting classes at the Basement Theatre of the Arts and Culture Centre. I was apprehensive going somewhere I was not familiar, and I knew I would not know anyone. I nearly turned around when I got to the parking lot but I willed my feet to take me in. I was not disappointed. Walking into that class lead me to writing and performing 2 monologues for a packed theatre (ok mostly our family and friends - but it's all good!)
The next step led me to The Neighbourhood Strays Belly dance and Wild Lily Dance Studio. What an experience that has been (more later)! I started a novel, joined (and spoken to) the Positive Thinkers Club, rowed a Dragon Boat, zip lined through the jungle, signed up with a trainer, Bollywood danced, hoola hooped - yes something I haven't done in, say...30 years or more! It goes on...and what a trip!
Since that initial step, I have never looked back. Some things I did only once, others, I don't know how I lived without it for this long! I did these things for me and the reward was meeting new people who have enriched my life so much.
My wish for you is that you promise to do something for yourself once every year, and keep that promise. It only has to be once. Don't worry about how you look, focus on how you feel. Just be yourself!
Karen
But I looked around and well, was pretty happy with what I saw. So what was missing?
"I" was missing!
As a rule, I do not make New Year's Resolutions - the one to stop cursing lasted all of 10 minutes "Holy #!@%^, those fireworks are *&$@ing awesome!" But the year I was to turn 40 I was going to do something different. That year, I resolved to do at least one thing I had never done before. And I wouldn't wait until someone could come with me. This was just for me.
In January 2007, I enrolled in acting classes at the Basement Theatre of the Arts and Culture Centre. I was apprehensive going somewhere I was not familiar, and I knew I would not know anyone. I nearly turned around when I got to the parking lot but I willed my feet to take me in. I was not disappointed. Walking into that class lead me to writing and performing 2 monologues for a packed theatre (ok mostly our family and friends - but it's all good!)
The next step led me to The Neighbourhood Strays Belly dance and Wild Lily Dance Studio. What an experience that has been (more later)! I started a novel, joined (and spoken to) the Positive Thinkers Club, rowed a Dragon Boat, zip lined through the jungle, signed up with a trainer, Bollywood danced, hoola hooped - yes something I haven't done in, say...30 years or more! It goes on...and what a trip!
Since that initial step, I have never looked back. Some things I did only once, others, I don't know how I lived without it for this long! I did these things for me and the reward was meeting new people who have enriched my life so much.
My wish for you is that you promise to do something for yourself once every year, and keep that promise. It only has to be once. Don't worry about how you look, focus on how you feel. Just be yourself!
Karen
Monday, September 7, 2009
Fairwell Downtown Girl!!
So Monday was supposed to be my last "official" day as a Downtown Girl (thank you Jim Fiddler for that song)! And even though I love my new spot and don't regret the move at all, it was still a sad day. I decided to spend the afternoon doing one of my favorite downtown past-times: walking the old streets, reading and writing by the waterfront.
I strolled in the sun and was thrilled that the big yellow ball decided to stick around for a while and not be swallowed up by a wall of fog rolling in the narrows! I spent a lot of time noticing the sights. The colours, the coastline, the people. As I walked I was struck by the feeling that has never left me - even after 7 years living in the downtown core. Downtown St. John's, love it or hate it, is a unique place. From the Jellybean houses, mini flower gardens, rooftop balconies, colourful characters, one-way streets, hidden alley-ways...nothing can compare to this little gem. It is a place where I meet friends in our usual coffee spots (no appointment necessary), or I can also sit quietly and read in my favourite place.
Then there are the sounds. How can I forget the sounds? On an overcast night you can sit in your balcony and hear the live music on George Street as if you were there. And if you were actually there, and added bonus was was being able to pop up over the hill and use your own facilities! It was not only music, the working dockyard offered it's own symphony, that I only really noticed around 3:00am!
Downtown St. John's is changing. Everywhere is changing, when you look at it. More and more we are inundated with negative stories about the happenings in our city and it seems even more focused in the downtown. I eventually had to adapt to the changing times, "for the times they are a changing"!
In a city that us adapting to the world around it, we become more aware city dwellers. Regardless if we live in the "Burbs" or if we live in a home looking out through the narrows. We can't ignore our safety and protection.
But as I sat and wrote this blog in my notebook, I stopped a lot and looked around and listened to everything. I figured that while we regard our city with cautious optimism, we must not paint it with the same brush as every growing city. Look around, really look around. No one uses the same paintbrush in downtown St. John's.
My wish for you is that you adapt to whatever change is happening around you, look at your life and your surroundings with fresh eyes and cautious optimism. You have your paintbrush...use it!
Karen
I strolled in the sun and was thrilled that the big yellow ball decided to stick around for a while and not be swallowed up by a wall of fog rolling in the narrows! I spent a lot of time noticing the sights. The colours, the coastline, the people. As I walked I was struck by the feeling that has never left me - even after 7 years living in the downtown core. Downtown St. John's, love it or hate it, is a unique place. From the Jellybean houses, mini flower gardens, rooftop balconies, colourful characters, one-way streets, hidden alley-ways...nothing can compare to this little gem. It is a place where I meet friends in our usual coffee spots (no appointment necessary), or I can also sit quietly and read in my favourite place.
Then there are the sounds. How can I forget the sounds? On an overcast night you can sit in your balcony and hear the live music on George Street as if you were there. And if you were actually there, and added bonus was was being able to pop up over the hill and use your own facilities! It was not only music, the working dockyard offered it's own symphony, that I only really noticed around 3:00am!
Downtown St. John's is changing. Everywhere is changing, when you look at it. More and more we are inundated with negative stories about the happenings in our city and it seems even more focused in the downtown. I eventually had to adapt to the changing times, "for the times they are a changing"!
In a city that us adapting to the world around it, we become more aware city dwellers. Regardless if we live in the "Burbs" or if we live in a home looking out through the narrows. We can't ignore our safety and protection.
But as I sat and wrote this blog in my notebook, I stopped a lot and looked around and listened to everything. I figured that while we regard our city with cautious optimism, we must not paint it with the same brush as every growing city. Look around, really look around. No one uses the same paintbrush in downtown St. John's.
My wish for you is that you adapt to whatever change is happening around you, look at your life and your surroundings with fresh eyes and cautious optimism. You have your paintbrush...use it!
Karen
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