Beauty in Growth

One can choose to go back toward safety or froward toward growth.
Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.

Abraham Maslow

Whether you are held back by the confines of your upbringing or held hostage by an unhealthy relationship, choose courage and break free. Each determined step will lead you to the freedom of being who you are meant to be. 

Trust that you have the strength, be bold in changing your thoughts, get the support you need from others. There are many of us here ready to lend you our hand.

The Yardstick of your Life

Life is fast. It happens so quickly that there are weeks and months when you look back which are just a blur. How could I possibly have children in their thirties. Wasn’t it only yesterday that I was their age?

How did it come to pass that I am at an age when my parents were “old”? Thank goodness we are now of a generation who are relatively active, fit and still have goals and plans. I believe that this is what keeps us youthful. We are a cohort who will go down fighting with our carry-on luggage jammed with running shoes, comfy socks and fuel belts. The days I hung out on the sofa with a good book and a beverage by my side in my twenties and thirties are just a vague memory now. These days we are so busy that both PVR’s are sitting at 85% full.

I’ve never been one to waste time (please note: sitting and reading does NOT come into that category of wasting time!). But as the years go by, what fills our time must change if we are to grow. Do you remember the days of having a child or two or three all down with Chicken Pox? The days spent with an unwell child seemed to last forever. However, look back now. Those days were just a tiny blip on the radar of our lives. Those times hardly register in your memory as time goes on.

Look at the whole yardstick of your days, at times you inched forward and other times you galloped. Each fraction moved you forward to your current spot, they all became You.

 Every moment, every choice is precious, not good nor bad, just a little inch forward. Enjoy the chaotic times, you will be given the stamina and courage to deal with it. Relish the quiet times, they are a gift to allow you to make plans, learn, research and reach out for your next adventure. We need to let go, and trust that all things will work out in the end. We need to have faith that we will be given the strength to make it through the tough times, and wings to soar when we have a new creative idea.

Take a look at the yardstick of your Life thus far. What choices will you make today to set yourself up for a happy finish line?

Flooded with Love

And Life will go on. Sunny, blue skies for the last few days. Calgary is a city held up by Love.

Thank you to everyone for your unselfish acts of helping others. For those of you still in crisis, we are awed by your resilience and your courage. You have taught us a lot about ourselves.

Running for Time

Spokane, May 5

There are days when all of us feel like we are running out of time. Time to be a truly good at something important to us. We may want to be a great creative artist, photographer, walker or runner, business man or cook. I've talked to those who regret taking a different path than what made their hearts sing.

Is it ever too late? Is there not always something within our grasp that makes us feel super, fantastic and happy to be alive? Should we ever stop? Are we ever to old?

My answer is NO, and I will tell you why by the end of this post.

We gathered from many regions and countries. Some of us had trained in winter and the heat was welcome but presented a different challenge. I know that I sure needed the first water station at 2.7 miles. That little niggling feeling that I hadn't prepared enough scurried around my brain now and then. But when you are surrounded by motivated folks who are determined to have a great time, you are swept along.

Doomsday Hill

When the final race results came in, I was quite pleased with my numbers. I had done it alone and I had done it faster than I had hoped. Far more encouraging than that was that there were at least six age categories older than me! I still had time to be really, really good at something that I enjoy.

I give applause to all the participants but especially to the three most senior age categories. This past week, I've thought about the 49, 80-84 year olds; the 20, 85-89 year olds; and the 4 over 90s who participated. What kind of dedication do you think these people possess? Do you think that they feel they are too old to try?

I would love to meet Vincent. He was the final over 90 who finished in 3:07:33, coming in hours after the first person. However, he finished, he won.

The Kingdom of Magic

Setting a new goal, can start tomorrow or maybe next week. 

Until then, let's savour and relish the journey you've taken to get to where you stand today. 

Because starting each new goal, takes courage and sometimes you are just feeling your way in the dark.

but before you know it, you gain momentum, and Fireworks light your imagination.

There are like-minded on the same pathway, and you stay together because you all Believe!






And although, you might look different from each other....you really are all the same inside.

 It might be difficult at times but you keep the faith as you are surrounded by "your people".

And the best part of all, is that you get encouragement from the most unexpected places.

                       

Medals are FANTASTIC but may each day following also be full of Magic.

For some fun entertainment Downtown Disney
For some great pasta Portabello
For a good rest Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

Have the courage

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.  

W. Clement Stone
1902-2002, Businessman, Philanthropist and Author

365th

Wonder and celebrate this 365th day of our year.

Give thanks for the small and large experiences, for the laughs and tears we shared together. Each moment made us 365 days more of whom we are inside.

May your experiences have taught you the real you that you are. May you have seen a sunset, heard a piece of music, captured an encounter with a fellow traveller that gave you continued juice for your own road.

May you have learned a lesson or two, and shared that lesson to spare someone else.

May your pain have been carried with a friend, may your lips have cherished a special moment, may the awe in your own life have expanded with each day.

May you have found something that made your heart soar with delight. May you have walked/run your fastest pace, balanced in a pose you've wanted to accomplish, ridden your bike down an awesome road, painted something worth hanging, photographed an emotion, done a fantastic renovation, expanded your tea shoppe or finalized your thesis.

May you have been given Grace through the darkest hours. May you have learned your own strength.

Honour yourself today for the days that have passed. Have faith, give of yourself, recognize the mystery of life.

May you have thrown down the walls that have contained your true Spirit and released the people who will not support it.

May you have found yourself and your bliss.



Thank you for your support and encouragement. It is good to know that my words are reaching your heart.

Blessings!
Gail

Face Your Week with Courage!