How often do we take time to notice all the beauty that surrounds us? I take the same walk many times throughout my week, but each day I see something new. Change isn’t always easy, but if we look at change as seeing things from a different perspective, then maybe we will embrace it even more. Although the thought of change can be scary, it can also be exhilarating. So just for today I will take time to embrace change.
It’s so easy during this time to focus on all the bad, however I choose not to. I skip by all the negative news. Oh yes, I do peek at it every now and then, but I don’t stay focussed on it.
If we look for the good we are bound to find it. I love when I hear good news of a wedding or a new baby or that someone’s operation turned out better than they thought. Often times I focus on the small things that I am grateful for. I can walk, see, hear, love, develop friendships, read, dance, sing, and breathe without much effort. There are so many things I can do that others are not able to and I do not take that for granted.
I can focus on the good in every young person I encounter. They have so much potential so much good left to be discovered.
Don’t get me wrong I am no pollyanna, I do sometimes get stuck on the negative, but I never live there long as I know how unhelpful it is. So just for today I chose to focus on the good.
When in Halifax a visit to the public gardens is a must. It was always one of my favourite places and my mom’s too, so I took her there today. We strolled along at a much slower pace, but got to enjoy the beauty that surrounded us.
Spending Quality Time With Mom
My mom is a trooper given all of her physical challenges, I am so grateful to have this time to spend with her as soon enough I will be thousands of miles away for another year..
As I enter this new chapter in my life I am making an extra effort to take care of myself physically. I have hired a personal trainer hoping to kickstart a stronger me. I have always been physically active having played sports like hockey, basketball, volleyball, baseball, ringette and more most of my life. I played lacrosse up to the age of 60. I still play pickleball which is my new love, but I have never done much in the area of weight training. As I age I know I need to ensure my body and mind are strong.
I am constantly looking at ways to improve my life and next month I begin focusing on this new area of my story, hoping a personal trainer will kickstart me off in a positive way.
I do many things that help me including my involvement in Second Chants an adult show choir.
I paint on a regular basis.
I volunteer with Calgary and Area Child Advocacy Centre, Online with School Counsellors and #scchat, Be My Eyes ready to help those with visual impairments.
I walk almost every day.
Keeping active, volunteering and working with adolescents all keep me positive and healthy. It is never too late to start something new, so keep moving forward as we all journey through this pandemic in the best way possible.
If you ever get the chance, make sure to go for a walk on the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail. Every time I go I see things from a different perspective.
I hope you get to experience it too #walkalongwithme.
Each day we have a new opportunity to look at our life from a new perspective. We are never sure what life will bring us as is evident from this pandemic and all that happens to people we love and know. No one gets through life without bumps along the way. No matter what challenges we may encounter , how we perceive them is up to us.
As I walk, I notice the world around me and have time to reflect on how I will deal with life. Today is my opportunity to devour all the goodness that life has to offer and so I will.
When I go on my walks I like to toon out the world, but pay attention to nature. This is today’s pic. So go ahead take out the music earpieces and notice the world around you. Take time to breathe and take in all the wonders of the sights and sounds that pass you by.
After not having walked for 14 days , it has been great to get out the last couple of days. Two years ago I set a goal to walk every single day from July 1st to July 1st and I met my goal. Last year and this year I was unable to walk every single day due to unfortunate circumstances. I would have been very disappointed in not being able to reach my goal had I set that goal for this year. Sometimes goals are like that, things get in the way, but we need to keep moving forward. This year I made a goal of writing in my blog every single day. I just need to take each day and do the best I can. Really it’s just about leaving something behind that my children can hopefully read someday and tell our future grandchildren a bit about their grandmother.
I also write in this blog to help School Counsellors, but this year it’s going to be a bit more personal.
Walking is healing for me. I miss it I am unable to walk, so if you like to walk #walkalongwithme . I’ve been at this for awhile now and I have no intention of stopping.
Walking … I hope you will join me.
I moved to Alberta 40 years ago in August with 500 dollars and 5 boxes. I knew no one who lived where I was about to go to start my teaching career,
I love this province and have happily chosen to make this my home. For the past while I have been exploring parks and places that I have never been to and today my friend Shivaun and I ventured out to Saskatoon Farm to start our day and what a glorious day it was.
There is so much to see as you wonder along in this beautiful space. Start your day with a homestyle breakfast and then explore and shop if you must.
After we spent the morning here we made our way out to beautiful Elbow Falls.
I have had many a picnic here when the kids were small. It will always be a special place that I love to go and sit by the water.
Then it was off to Bragg Creek for a little lunch and shopping. There weren’t many people in any of the shops, so I thoroughly loved browsing and eating outdoors on a patio. Today was amazing. I felt, yes I truly felt “normal” for the first time since Covid19. Being outdoors rejuvenates me and lifts my spirits. There are so many places to explore, but that will have to wait for the fall once I return to Alberta. My next venture Nova Scotia.
After I self isolate for 14 days I plan on exploring the Cape Breton outdoors. I look forward to exploring as many places to walk and stroll along beaches as I can. It’s good for the wellbeing and a lot of fun too.
So get out and explore the outdoors. Thanks to this period in time I am spending so much more time outdoors than in the past and for that I am grateful. Especially when I get to spend quality time with friends. Go ahead and enjoy the outdoors wherever you are.
Each day I walk I am grateful for the ability to do so. So many cannot or are unable to. I have the privilege of being able to walk and so I do as much and as often as I can. When I am out and about it allows me a space in my day to enjoy the outdoors , reflect on life as well as connect from a distance with friends. So many have wanted to join me on this journey this year and while I absolutely enjoy my walks alone, I also love walking along and talking to friends. Such a great way to catch up and get exercise too.
I never take my life for granted knowing that each day is precious. Walking daily adds special moments that I look forward to each and every day. I get to explore my city and am going on paths that I have not taken in my forty years of living in this beautiful city. What makes walking so special ? It clears my mind and nourishes me physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope it can do that for you too.
Counsellor Talk : Creative Collaborative Connections 