THANKFUL FOR SHADOWS

Shadows. We all have them.  Some bigger than others but there are regrets, experiences, decisions and those less than perfect memories that make us who we are today.   Resiliency is born out of overcoming barriers to which you never thought possible.  

It is often times when you are standing in the light and have the opportunity to reflect that you realize it was those exact trials that made you into the person you are today.

It is how you choose to see your shadows that is the key.  

Instead of self recrimination, regret and despair, take a deep breath,  raise your head up high and go forth with the intention of finding those areas of light that give you hope, purpose and a renewed positivity and passion for life.

Is it easy?  

No. It is hard work getting beyond those things that hold us back. Often times, the hardest being our own self worth.  Choosing to be thankful and showing gratitude is a powerful mindset. Working on how you perceive life and disciplining yourself with positive affirmations and self talk is a powerful tool for embracing a more hope filled life. 

NOT EVERYONE WILL UNDERSTAND

You can never please everyone.

As a people pleaser for most of my life this has been a hard lesson for me to learn.   Becoming confident in yourself and learning to love who you are is an important journey.  Your story is exactly that. YOURS!

It is unique and there is not another one like it.  Get yourself to a place where you don't worry about what others think.   Face it. They will often not understand you anyway.  That doesn't mean you are heartless and don't care. It does mean however, that you respect and love yourself enough to live your life the way you feel led to and to allow the opinions of only the people you choose to matter.

LIFE IS LIKE A VINE

I have come to realize two things, well probably a few more but in this moment, that life is precious and if you stop doing things your world becomes very small.  I am not talking about success but rather the experience of life becomes less interesting, with less to talk about. I have seen this over and over again especially with people who suffer illness or retire too early.   Their social circles tend to be minimized and a daily purpose is removed either on purpose or due to unforeseen circumstances.

I have been thinking about this a lot and relating it to my own life.  Asking myself, what could I do to keep allowing myself to grow and learn and what it means to be 'vibrant' and live a life where my vine is constantly producing new growth.

I haven't arrived at an answer fully but I think it is a great question. Something I will certainly be pondering for some time.

TENDING THE GARDEN

Mental health and the growing burden of stress has become a rampant problem. 1 in 3 people in North America alone suffer from some time of mental health issue.

We all experience stress in some way shape or form. Learning smart coping skills and ways to alleviate some of the daily pressure helps. For those that are courageous and bold enough, taking the time to dig deep to uncover feelings of failure, fear, despair, disappointment, bitterness etc... will be the first step in truly discovering what it means to be released from those life sucking emotions.

As a coach, it is amazing to see the transformation that happens when I see people face their past and their perceptions and start to intentionally make positive change.   The first step is often the hardest but just like running, you get stronger with each passing step and you learn to be resiliency and eventually you find joy and fulfillment in the work you have put in.

JUST PLAIN HAPPY

There is something about sunshine that just makes me happy.

Whether it is reflecting off of an icy lake or those lazy hazy warm weather days where you bask in the peacefulness of the warmth and the light.

We are all solar powered in some way and need light to build vitamin D and a healthier state of mind.  Give your body and your emotional wellness a gift and get outside and move, embracing those glorious sunny days.

PS.  Don't forget your sunscreen!

WHAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

Have you ever stopped to really think about all of the things that you are blessed with?
Instead of looking at what you don't have, maybe it is time to take stock of what you do have.

We live in a society of want.  Always wanting more but do you really need more?
Often times, what we really need, we have, and it is those things right in front of us that we take for granted.

Imagine if you had to go without. If you were stripped of everything.
What is it that you would need first?

Perspective is an interesting thing.  We live in a time where there are more and more people living in poverty, unable to meet their basic needs. More people with medical issues including 1 in 3 people in North America who suffer from mental health diagnoses, 1 in 2 people will get cancer, the exponential rise of diabetes and obesity and the list goes on.

Open your eyes and take a look around you. Even in your own backyard, there are those in need. Maybe it is time to lend a hand as often times, the best way to help yourself is to help others.

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

Embracing gratitude is an art.  It really is. Learning to be grateful in all things is a discipline that, if developed, can substantially change your viewpoint, your health and your whole view and demeanour about life in general.

I believe that we don't practice gratitude enough.  The more we condition ourselves in learning this, the more power we have to show empathy, kindness, consideration and love.  It also releases the mind of the clutter that worry and negativity bring so we can make clearer and more confident decisions.

IN LIFE

I am consistently amazed at the behaviour of people. For a long time, I thought it was just human nature for people to want to see the negative in one another. To tear one another down out of jealousy, envy or just plain competition.

Throughout the years though, I have been pleasantly proven wrong by the people who see the potential of working together, cheering one another on, and generally looking out for the good of others.

I guess you need to choose what kind of giver you want to be. One that tears down someone who might be working hard and trying or one that can be used to build another up.

in the end it is up to you. It is also up to you who you want to surround yourself with as you will always learn from both sides of this and there is value in both.

Food for thought...

AWE-INSPIRING

I am in awe of the sheer amount of snow that we received last night. The landscape this morning is beautiful from the inside and windy and challenging to navigate on the outside.

There are many moments in my life where I have forgotten to stop in awe and take the time to take it all in. 

I realize that I should do this more often rather than just seeing the challenge. 

Have an "awe" inspiring day.

GRACE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY

Yesterday was an interesting day for me. Got some terrific press in the Financial Post for my new technology venture and at the same time, had to bid adieu to someone that has been speaking ill of me. It is interesting what you learn about yourself, many times more through the negative experiences.

What I continue to learn is this. There is no price large enough to see the rewards of extending grace to a situation or a person.

Rising above conflict, negativity or worry and extending not only grace to yourself but to others is a gift to learn. It also releases you from holding bitterness and anger and allows you to hold fast to the morales and values that set you apart.

Is that weakness or is that strength? Well, for me it is strength.

Today I stand thankful for the people and situations that remind me that I am on the right track. For the ones that give me the gift of seeing and refining who it is I want in my life, both in business and in my personal life and to embrace my gut instinct to know and stand true to my value system and never sway.

THE ART OF BEING GRATEFUL

It is amazing when you starting letting go and being grateful for things in your life, you stop looking for the negative and you start seeking out the positive.

Thought to ponder...