Month: December 2020

If you have been reading my blog I want to thank you and yes, especially you Paul. I’ve decided to take a break. I committed to writing every day for a year and I have been writing most every day since July 1st , but I have decided I will alter my goal.

I have lots of goals not just this one and I took on two jobs in this pandemic, which I am very happy to do. It gives me purpose in this pandemic. However, I don’t feel I need to write every day. Exercise is one of my top priorities. Self care is also important so I have given myself permission to NOT write every day. This is not easy for me . Pat of it feels like I have not committed to my goals, but I also know it is OK to alter goals when it is in your best interest to do so.

I need some downtime , not feeling like I have to write when I have little to say. Again thanks to those of you who come back often. I will continue to blog just not as often.

As I take some downtime in the holiday season, I will have time to reflect and maybe the next time I write it will be more meaningful.

Take care of yourself. I know I plan to, sometimes goals need to be altered to make room for things you need. Virtual hugs.

Affirmations help teens to reframe their thoughts into more positive ones. They are uplifting, affirming and with repetition can stick in teens minds. What we say to our mind matters. Having teens repeat affirmations long enough can help start to believe the words.

I like to have students write them on their mirrors and or write an affirmation and put it in their phone or in their wallet. Whichever place they know they will look at often makes the most sense.

If we want teens to be kind to their mind using affirmations is one way that could help.

20 Positive Affirmations for Teens

I am enough

I matter

I believe I can

I can cope with difficult times

I will live each day fully to the best of my ability

I am strong

I am courageous

I will trust my feelings

I accept myself for who I am

I will have hope that all will turn out ok

I am brave

I believe it is ok to not be ok

I will reach out for supports when I need them

I will speak to myself kindly

I will love and accept my body

I have a purpose for being in this world

I will not give up

I will say no when I need to

All those who work with teens want to get to know them better. here are a few questions to get that started .

Some days life just passes by and before you know it , I’m too tired to write . It’s much easier to fit in exercise than to write daily. There have been days when I missed writing because I fell asleep. I am going to forgive myself because I am living through a pandemic. Life is different and so am I. It’s so hard to let go of not fulfilling my promise to myself to write each day for one year. I have fallen short , but I will let go of my inability to be 100%.

if I am able to write most every day then that is good enough. If I miss a few days this year of living differently in a pandemic then so be it !

My friend Kent reminded me of all the traditions that we have at Christmas time that will have to wait until next year to celebrate.

We usually start the season with a gift exchange and dinner at Leena and Roger’s with a lovely tourtiere dinner. I usually bring my art as a gift and we play the stealing game of presents. There is no lack of laughter in the room.

Kent has taken our children along with Darlene and Leonard’s children to see Christmas Carol for over the past 20 years and they have never tired of going or this lovely tradition.

Kent usually holds a pre Christmas roast beef dinner with enough food to last the next 10 meals.

I have hosted Christmas eve at my home for over 30 years and I must say it saddens me as I write this to say we won’t be doing that this year. I love that all of our friends have continued to come and bring their now grown children and significant others. The grown kids have always played games and often we join in or tell stories around the table while eating our now tradition spiral ham Christmas eve dinner.

Christmas morning was a time I had my neighbours over for breakfast. I love my neighbours.

Christmas day we rotate who holds the dinner. At Paul and Shelley’s or somewhere we are that year we take family pics. We all have been friends for 35 plus years and none of us have had our family here (parents, siblings etc.) so we consider each other family. Christmas time we eat too much , laugh too much , play games and tell stories around beautifully decorated tables. More importantly we love being together, we love each others company we are family. there have been some years where family and friends have come out to visit and join us at our tables of joy.

New years eve we also spend together. Often ordering in from Leena’s Italian , playing games and celebrating life. There is never a time we have run out of laughter or conversation.

New years day we all come together again, rotating whose turn it is , but celebrating again with another turkey dinner. Each bringing our special dish and loving every moment we have together.

Christmas season will be different this year , but I’m thinking we have to come up with a new tradition, maybe all chipping in to help a family have a better holiday season as we have had the blessings of so many..

Take time to explore all the fabulous things about the city you live in. Take time to support local.

Calgary is a beautiful city. Get out and walk. It is great for your well being. There are so many places to walk in this fabulous city.

1. Live life just for today in a meaningful way.

2. Let go.

3. If you are in doubt DON’T.

4. You are not your thoughts.

5. Control your thoughts before they control you.

6. Gratitude is the attitude that helps us take personal responsibility for improving our lives.

7. Do a small good deed as much as possible.

8. See problems as challenges that with help can be overcome

9. Surround yourself with those that lift you up not tear you down (even from a distance).

10. Choose HOPE

I think I’d rather be here today. It’s the view from where our summer cottage is. The photo was taken by my neighbour. Who would not feel better looking out at this ?