Let the games begin!

Post 31 - So Proud to be Canadian

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." The Olympic Creed

With glowing hearts Canadians are ready to be the world's stage for the next 16 days, and I couldn't be more proud.

Even amidst the reports of 30+ athletes failing their doping tests (no Canucks in the group), mother nature not exactly smiling her favour on the snow-dependent venues, or even the crazed security measures at Pearson (and likely Vancouver) airport; there is nothing that can dampen this Canadian's Olympic spirit.

I am grateful to be able to share these next couple of weeks with my kids; sitting next to them as they are exposed to new sports like Skeleton and Nordic Combined (what are the going to shoot asked E), as well as the favourites like Figure Skating and of course Hockey. Whether we win the first or last gold medal is not important, it is that we, as a nation, have come together to support and champion these games and our athletes. That from far and wide, we stand with pride and cheer all those who have made it to the games. Because really, that is the achievement; the medals won are the icing on the cake.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Post 31 - The beauty of freshly fallen snow

Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers”

Like so many Canadians, weather is one of my past times. That is not to say I spend an inordinate amount of time tracking storms or clouds or wind patterns (that is just geeky), but I am um usually on top of the weather forecast for at least the next couple of days. So this morning I was taken by surprise to see a few centimetres (that is an inch or so for my American readers) of white fluffy stuff as I left the house for my morning run.

At this sight; everything fresh, and clean, and bright (as bright as it can be at 5 am on winter's morning), my mood was lifted. Gone was the drag of not quite being awake yet; replaced by a smile and positive perspective on the day.

Amazing what a little bit of frozen, crystalized rain (for all of you who consider snow anther 4-letter word) can do for someone.

Now, how many days until we leave for Florida?

The Saints bring it home

Post 30 - Support from a city

Good things come to those who wait." Proverb

Okay, so the New Orleans Saints haven't exactly been sitting around waiting for the Super Bowl to land in their lap for the past 43 years (although if you look at their record since their inception in 1967 that might be debated; it took them fifteen seasons to rack up a record of more wins than losses in a year - yikes!). But that is history.

The Saints' (no longer will they be called "The Aints") victory symbolised New Orleans’ resurgence after the worst natural disaster in US history which left 85 per cent of the city under water and sparked mass evacuations. Tom Benson, the owner of The Saints put it succintly: 'Not only the city but the entire state of Louisiana and New Orleans is back. This win shows the whole world we’re back."

You can be sure the festivities leading up to this year's Mardi Gras (Tuesday, February 16) is going to be like nothing the city has seen before.

Go Saints ... I love it when the underdog wins!

We can set our own rules

Post 29 - Words to live by

There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth... it is you!" Author Unknown

Everyone at some point in time is "working" on something; being a better parent, spouse, friend ..., losing weight/gaining weight, setting a PB in whatever sport it is you part take in. You get the picture. Many of us will abandon these "works in progress" for many reasons (or excuses as the case may be); too tired, too hungry, too sore (insert appendage name here), going on vacation, not going on vacation, etc. Why do we give up? Why do we set unrealistic expectations only to have ourselves dash them at a moments notice. And then, even when we do fall off whatever wagon we are riding at the time, why don't we just pick ourselves and continue on the journey rather than doling out the punishment of having to return to the start line?

This is life, not a game of Monopoly; we don' have to pass GO everytime in order to gain something.

So as I embark on my own personal challenge over the next couple of weeks, I am dedicated to my own success. That being said, I am not going to toss all the gains I make a the first slip (if there is one). I will just pick myself up and continue on. Because after all I am only human, and none of us is perfect (no matter how hard we try to be or our mothers tell us we are).

Still impactful 8 years later

Post 28 - Remembering those lost

We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While I am often in NYC, I haven't been by Ground Zero in several years. This time it was unavoidable (not that I have avoided the area, it just hasn't been near where I was for those other visits) as my hotel was right down the street, and my client's office was literally on the other side of the street to where the Towers once stood; and is now a construction pit just reaching surface level in the building stage.

I was surprised at my emotional reaction as I am generally not a very outwardly emotional individual (understatement of the year perhaps). As I walked past the site I found myself choked up at the memory of that day; for those who were lost, those left behind, and my own reaction watching the news as it happened while I nursed my month old baby girl. It is the only time, and the feeling didn't last long, that I questioned bringing a new life into this world. As I walked into the World Financial Tower, gathering my composure, I was struck again, harder (actual tears), by the memorial for the lives lost who were member of my client's team. Their names, and a list of six single words describing them and who they were immortalized in marble. So simple. So beautiful.

These reminders reminded me to be thankful that there are teams of people looking out for me and my family so that this kind of tragegy can be avoided. So apropos to yesterday's post; I will smile at the security teams, and fill out yet another form, and answer the same questions time and time again without complaint if it means that no one ever has to memorialize the life of someone lost to an act of terror ever again.

She who laughs last laughs loudest

Post 27 - Laughing it off

Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit. Unknown

Not many would find much to laugh about at Pearson Airports increase boarder security processes. They have doubled the staff and it now takes (at least) twice as long to get through the security checks. Reminiscent of the high-tech Cancun airport where you press a button to see if you get a green light (no bag inspection), or red light (be prepared to have all your bags' contents spilled for the world to see), you now step on a plastic mat to see whether the arrow points you left (every bag is inspected), or right (random bag check - much faster FYI). Very clever.

In any case, I was filtered to the left and it took FOREVER to get through the line up. But as these clearly new inspectors did their job,what else can you do but laugh it off. I guess you could bitch and complain (as you hear many doing), but where is that going to get you, except perhaps standing in line even longer. As I chatted and joked with the British bloke in front of me, I think the inspectors appreciated us taking their prodding and invasion of privacy in stride.

So even though I was running a bit tight for time to catch my flight, it put me (and I think those around me) in a better mood by not making a crappy situation worse by turning into a sour puss.

Seeing the err of my ways ... better late than never .. right?

Post 27 - Admitting I am wrong, and apologizing

An apology is the superglue of life.  It can repair just about anything.  Lynn Johnston

So after a crappy day where an inanimate object received my full compliment of patience (seriously, I didn't even have patience for the dogs when the barked to come in from the snow squalls), our night went something like this:

Mom (me): Yelling at kid 1for something that didn't deserve the tone they received
Kid 1: "OK mummy"
Mom: Yelling at kid 2 for something equally as trivial
Kid 2: "I'm sorry mummy"
Repeat.
Mom: "I am sorry kids. Reeeaalllly sorry. Mum had a crappy day and I shouldn't have yelled at you. I love you very much, even when I am yelling, and I will work really hard not to yell so much tomorrow. I love you."
Kids: "We love you too. Can we have ice cream now?"
Mom: No (I didn't yell THAT loud)

Yeah, so, I scored no "good mommy points" today. At all. May have even lost some that I have accrued up to now. Sigh. Tomorrow is another day, and I promise that I won't yell at my kids at all ... did I mention I'm out of town for the day.  :)  Lucky kids.

Mirror of Erised

Post 26 - Happy with what I have

Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” Napolean

E & I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, I had forgotten what a great book it is.

We spent a lot of time talking about the Mirror of Erised (desire) and its inscription (I show not your face but your heart's desire); E asked what I would see if we looked into the mirror. Good question. I thought about it for a minute. Would I see myself with bank statements that showed the mortgage paid off, enough money for the kids' education and a care-free retirement? Me running and winning the Boston Marathon and the DCR Hockey league playoffs? I don't think so (but those things would be cool). I am pretty sure that I could look into that mirror and see pretty much what I have now;a happy and healthy family, a good home, the ability to provide a few "extras" for the kids like summer camp and a vacation here and there, and people around me that I care for and that care about me.

Sure it would be nice to be finanically care-free, but is there ever really "enough" of anything once you start down that path? I can't answer that question. So I am going to be happy with what we have, and will focus my energy on acheiving goals I set for myself; not because I have to keep up with what others have or what media tells me I should want, but rather because that is just who I am.