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Attitude alignment…

I recently read a quote that hit home with me and I wanted to share it with you. It said “The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude”

How freaking true is that?

This got me thinking, like inspirational quotes often do. A guilty pleasure of mine is that I love quotes. I have quotes all around my house. No matter where I am in the house it reminds me to choose positivity. Kind, simple words, often put me in a much better mood. Remind me that being in a good mood will make the day much easier and enjoyable. This is not just for myself but for those who are around me.

I set positive quotes as my background on my phone, tablet, laptop and this computer I write from. I use positive quotes as my passwords. I turn beautiful pictures that I have taken into the backgrounds for quotes on this website. Sometimes when I am finding it particularly difficult to get through the day I make quotes with my favourite sayings so I always have them with me. I keep a file on my phone, because I usually have my phone everywhere I go, so I can stop and redirect myself at any time of the day. I have the power. My favourite quote comes from my Opa. My life’s motto is “Do your best and if your best isn’t good enough fuck it” This quote always put me right back on track. I never give up and I always keep working towards my goals. I know that I am doing my best

What is your favourite quote?

I have mentioned before that in my office is a vision wall. It started out as a board and quickly grew to the whole side of my office. Anytime I am working and I feel like I need inspiration, bam, right there, a whole wall. My wall is covered in quotes that I love to read, quotes that inspire me. My wall is filled with my accomplishments. My accomplishments remind me I am fierce and I can do this. My wall has visions of all the things I plan to do in the future. My wall has beautiful pictures from places I have traveled and places I still want to go. I do my running in front of this wall to remind myself that I always have something to be thankful for. Running helps me clear my mind and I often write these blogs after a run. Staring at my visions, quotes, hopes, dreams and accomplishments often sparks an idea for the next blog.

I admit I have been guilty of being that girl with a bad attitude. If you could only see the negative and be in a bad mood, well that was me for years on repeat. What a waste of a life! Again, as a reminder, my change did not happen overnight or even in a year. It has taken me years of work on the path to being a better positive person. It’s a lifetime of work. When you are stuck being negative what do you attract? The same kind of people! My life was filled with negativity. I had toxic friendships and relationships. I didn’t want to be alone in my negativity and misery loves company. It is possible to remove toxic people from your life and it is possible to change from being that toxic person. You do not have to stay stuck in negativity anymore. You have to want to change and you have to believe in yourself. It is the best thing I ever did.

Today I am happy to say that for the most part my days are good. My attitude is that of understanding. I understand that not every day is going to go as planned. I understand that I cannot control the way my day goes. I understand I can control my attitude when things do happen. This is probably the hardest adjustment I have had to make and I still struggle sometimes. I am not perfect but I am trying. I understand I have to be flexible and deal with things as they come up. I know that I cannot solve all my problems on my own and its okay to ask for help. I used to think asking for help meant I failed and I had to admit it. In a way asking for help is a sign I failed but it’s also a great opportunity to meet other people, to see other people’s point of views or the way they do things. Asking for help has allowed me to network with so many wonderful people I am thankful to have in my life.
I have learned that the only thing you can change is yourself and how you react to the challenges you face every day be it big or small. A negative reaction will not solve anything or make life better, only choosing to face the challenges in a positive way and ask for help. Oh yes and when you ask for help accept it with gratitude. You will find the positivity will be returned and your life will be better for it.

I am positive if I can do it than so can you!

Siblings…

I grew up with my brother. We look alike, we grew up in the same house but we turned out to be two very- different people. I think my brother is a lot like our mom and I am more like our dad. I find it fascinating to meet siblings. To hear stories of how alike or dislike siblings can be.

After having found a corgi that I think is the sister to my late beloved Charleston, it got me thinking about my siblings. Yes buckle up I warned you before my family is filled with nuts, but these crazy nuts love like no others.

My parents separated and divorced when I was around 7 years old. My brother and I lived with our mom full time and visited our dad. I’m not going to lie, if given the chance I would have lived with my Opa. I laugh when I type that because I feel like I spent most of my time there anyways, I might as well have lived there. As a child it was my happy place. I am honoured to say it still is my happy place and I visit often. I love that I get to share this amazing place with my son. My heart is so full with memories made and memories still in the making.

As a child I always dreamed of having a sister. When you grow up with a brother who always wrecked your dolls instead of playing dolls with you, well you dream of a sister, someone to play dolls with. My dad was in a relationship with a woman for roughly 8 years or so who had 2 daughters. Oh my step sisters came in like two raging bulls and we have been laughing ever since. Even though our parents have gone separate ways we have always remained sisters. I am that sister who bugs them, who keeps in touch and demands we all get together. Sisters for life and I wouldn’t have it any other way! You gals forever changed my life in the best way possible!

Both my parents dating over the years has added many great people into my life, not all of them stay forever but for the times we shared I am thankful.

I admit it I am a family person, family means the world to me. I am lucky to have so many people to call my family. I enjoy checking in with family near and far. I do my best to keep in touch. I love texting, emailing and Facebook for this reason. It’s so easy now to keep in touch. To remind those crazy nuts how important they are!

When I was a teenager I was on a solo trip to B.C. to visit some of my family. Oh B.C. is my destination happy place. I have so many fond memories of the years of travel to the west coast there is no were else in the world that makes me this happy! The one trip to B.C. that forever changed my life was finding out I had a half-brother. Oh goodness biggest and best shock of my life. I hate the term half or step, you’re my brother. I will never forget this day. I was sitting at my aunt’s kitchen table right by the door where you walked in and I am sure my jaw hit the floor. I think this brother and I are so much alike. We didn’t grow up together but when we met it was like we had always known each other. I was seventeen years old when we met. Now, we don’t always get along, we’re siblings. We have gotten into fights or disagreements and not always been able to see eye to eye. I think mostly because I am the little BIG sister and you are the big LITTLE brother (I am taller than both my older brothers) but we always come to a solution and you know how much I love you! I am forever grateful for our aunt bringing us together. You, my sister in law and my nephews hold a huge part of my heart. You all make my days filled with laughter and love. Thank you!

I also have a friend that’s like a sister even though she grew up with sisters. Too bad you are stuck with me for life. You will forever be the sister I chose. Kelly your family has always shown me love. Your parents became like second parents to me. Your sisters became my friends. No matter where life takes us you will forever be a part of my family. Love ya girl! Thank you for always being the greatest friend a girl could ask for.

As a kid my world felt small with just my brother picking on me. Ha, but who knew I would have so many people come into my life over the years. To all my brothers and sisters thank you! You brighten each and every one of my days and remind me how much I love and am loved.

RUN…

I have always had a love of running. As a tall girl I have always been known for my legs. I started running in grade school and I won the 400 meters. I felt like I could take on the world. I knew with these legs I was born to be a runner.

In my early 20s when I broke my back and messed up my leg, my physical fitness slowed to non-existent. After having my son and struggling with sleep problems I thought I would start running again. I purchased a jogging stroller and we took off, corgi dog too. My son thought these runs were great fun. We would run towards the lake and back in what I can only be described as chaos. I am pretty sure running with a stroller and a corgi, stopping for water, snacks and the millions of things my son saw would have been hilarious to watch. Not only that but I am sure I looked like a giraffe on roller skates just going all out, legs everywhere. I apologize to anyone who witnessed that. With my injured back and leg, running on sidewalks started to take its toll and the pain was just too much to handle. I would be down and out for days with pain and limited mobility. I stopped running outside so we stuck to walking and we had way more fun! Funny how when you slow down you come to appreciate the adorable things your toddler finds or the crazy places your dog wants to discover.

I refused to give up on my goal of running. Going to the gym was out of the question for me I already didn’t have enough hours in the day. I am not as comfortable at the gym as I am at home. I packed on the weight and I struggled to stay on a path of positivity. I knew I needed to run!

At the time I lived in a quaint two bedroom apartment and space with an active boy was limited but I found the solution. An apartment sized, compact elliptical runner. I got the last one in stock so it was meant to be. I started running again. I ran five kilometers every morning and every night. I felt like I could run a marathon- an inside marathon on an elliptical of course ha. The low impact of the elliptical let me get my running out. I feel that when I run on the elliptical I get my run out and I don’t wanna run from things in life. Running has always helped me clear my mind and keeps me grounded on what to do next. Before I took up running I used to run in life but more so run away from life. I ran from relationships, weddings, and I even ran from where I lived. I ran from tough situations instead of dealing with them. When the going got tough I thought I could out run my problems. Spoiler alert you can run but your problems will follow.

When I moved to my house a few years back, well, I have moved the elliptical I think to every room. I run every now and again but I always fell behind. I dusted it off last week and set a goal. RUN! Run five kilometers every day. It’s a great way to stay fit and busy during the lock down of the current pandemic situation. I also wanna get my legs warmed up because biking season is upon us.

I started off each day taking a picture of the 5 kilometers completed. I made it 4 days in a row as if I was going to win the gold medal. Then on the fifth and what was to be the final run, I was running my heart out. My angry tunes were flowing through me. My legs were on fire. I thought I was gonna push past five and go further. What I didn’t know, because of the loud angry music, is that the machine was making a horrible sound. A bolt snapped and I went flying. I hit hard. That’s a long ways down for me. Tall girl problems (that and finding 38 inseam pants). The fall knocked the wind out of me and brought tears to my eyes. Good news I am okay!

I am thankful for my mister fix it son. He came running to me and said “Mom are you okay?” “Do you need me to get my tools?” This kid has a tool for everything he was able to help me take apart the machine figure out what I needed. I am thankful for the internet. I went online and searched the company. I found the user manual and it had the part number. I am thankful for e-mail. I shot off an e-mail and behold the part for the machine is still available and I was able to order it. I am now waiting on the shipping. I am told it will be a few weeks because of the Covid-19 everything shipping wise has slowed down. Gone are the days of overnight shipping and instant ordering. My legs are itching to get back running.

I am thankful for the weather warming up. I was able on a cool but sunny day get my bike out and do a practice run. With my son being 7 now, he is into biking. He biked 9km the other day. He’s gonna be joining me on long bike rides soon!

Keep fit. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you have some type of fitness. Get out enjoy the sights of nature. Walk, run, hit the gym or bike whatever your passion is. Do something you enjoy and that keeps your body going!

Let go….

Let go and let the positivity flow. This is a lesson I wish I had learned a long time ago. I was the queen of holding on. I wore this crown of negativity with great pride. I held on to the negativity like it was my security blanket. My happy place looked black and hopeless. I took every negative thing, that was ever said about me or to me, everywhere I went. I only focused on the bad, the mean and the down-right ugly parts of my life. I let the negativity destroy my life. I only envisioned the black hole of doom. I could only hear the negative remarks on repeat. Slowly, but surely driving me mad. I packed it around day after day, month after month and year after year, until I finally had enough. I broke free.

I saw the light of positivity and once I jumped in with both feet I haven’t looked back. I think I have changed every part of my life. Listen up, this didn’t happen overnight. It took years to believe my negativity, you can guarantee it has taken years to accept my positivity. It is a lifetime of a work always in progress. Always learning and always trying something new. I am not an expert. I am just doing my best. I am proof that anyone can change. You just have to want it. Anything is possible. If I can do, it then so can you!

I have gained many tools and coping techniques from a lot of different people on this journey. I have done my best to keep an open heart and mind to everyone’s recommendations. No matter how crazy the thought or idea were. Trust me I would have tried anything to kick this madness of living in negativity. Living in negativity only ends in one way. You give up and you no longer want to live. I tasted that. I almost died. I almost died before I got to experience the best parts of my life. Don’t give up. Your life is worth living.

It was not easy to rid myself of my negativity. To free myself of the things I held on for so long. I had a lot of negative things I carried around with me for so many years, some since childhood. I’m in my late 30’s working towards 40, so that’s a long time. When I can start a story with, 20 years ago, it’s been too long. LET GO. Get rid of the negative thoughts that have held you back. Learn to replace them with empowering positive thoughts.

I have said a lot of apologies to people who I know I hurt. I had to accept that I wouldn’t get an apology from everyone I felt wronged me. I had to accept that my life wasn’t perfect. I had to accept my failures as lessons learned. The fact that I tried, whether I failed or succeeded, made me who I am today. For this reason, no I would not change my life. Do I wish I would have done things differently? YES! Do I wish I had snapped out of my negative wasteful life sooner? HELL YES! Wanting, hoping and dreaming of changing the past is just down right crazy! It cannot be done so don’t waste your time trying to defend your past. Understand the lessons learned. Move forward, that’s the only way to go. Jump two feet into today and rock it. Know that you can start each morning over. So yesterday sucked? Big deal not every day can be the best freaking day ever. I still have days where I sit down and I think what the heck was that? But now instead of crying and sinking into the black hole of death, doom and woe is me crap. I sit down and I think wow I got through that day and usually I learned something. No, the days don’t always go as planned but I am not in charge of everything. I cannot control the world. Imagine if I could though. Oh, the blinged out, bejeweled crown I would wear. You would need sunglasses just to look at it. I am thankful when I have a bad day I have wonderful friends, family, coworkers and people in the community to turn to. I can take the Caddy out for a cruise pending the bad day happens between April and October. I can sit out on my deck looking at the lake and breathe and remember how freaking lucky I am.

Remember to be kind to yourself. Do something you love each day. Remind yourself how lucky you are to still be here. Make a list of all the things you need to let go and slowly but surely tackle that list. It could take a minute, an hour, a day, a month, a year or a lifetime. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. Just keep moving forward. Let go and let the positivity flow.

Overcoming fears….

As a child I developed a fear of snakes. How do they move so quick without legs? When I was just a little girl I crawled under my Oma’s (grandmas) porch to have a tea party with my doll when I saw a snake slithering towards me. I stood up to scream. I guess I forgot how tall I was and that I couldn’t stand up under the deck. I smashed my head and knocked myself out. When I woke up I had snakes on me and I was frozen in fear. Side note snakes local to where I live can NOT kill you so I wasn’t scared of that, I was just freaked right out. My Oma always had snakes at her house. I can remember pushing her in front of me to avoid snakes coming towards me. Yes, I am winning granddaughter of the year over here. I also had an incident with a water snake at our cottage. I swam to shore and thought I won. I was safe but, that little bugger came out of the water onto land and right up to the cottage. I was freaking terrified! My heart was just a going! Snakes always had a way of finding me and giving me an unnecessary fear.

My second fear, I would have to admit, is birds. Why do birds always fly into me? My brother convinced me when I was a kid that I had an abnormally large head. I became super self-conscious as a result. Before we had the internet I couldn’t google how big is the average sized head. Oh brothers, always gotta pick on the little sister. I had a duck bite me once at a park for no reason. I was minding my own business. We had a rooster on the farm who used to come down from the top of the barn wings flapping in my face. My aunt had birds as pets and she used to let fly around her house. Guess who they flew into? ME! Birds of all shapes and sizes always found me outside and flew right into my head. I was always watching the sky and dodging out of the way. What the heck birds?

I am happy to say I have overcome my fears of both these animals. I have held a snake and I didn’t die. I no longer run screaming from snakes. I breathe and I remind myself I can get through this. Birds don’t seem to fly into me so much anymore. They must have gotten the memo about me being in the flight path and they went up in altitude? My beautiful friend Anna has chickens and ducks as pets that you can snuggle. She invited my son and me over to meet her bird crew. I had a full on panic attack thinking about it but I knew my son wanted to go so I sucked it up and we went. My son wants chickens as pets. Anna has a chicken named Social, that if you call, comes right over and you can hold her. That was a first for us, but oh my goodness snugly chicken made our day. But wait there’s more. Then along comes Ducky the duck who is too cute, running full speed right towards me, had a lot to tell me, very vocal and ate out of my hand. I would say this was a bird win day. I remembered to breathe and I not only got through it I want a pet duck!

When my Oma was alive she always loved blue herons. She always seemed to see them and point them out. After her passing I find myself always seeing blue herons and I feel like it’s her way of saying hello. So when I see a blue heron I always say “Hi Oma”.

I feel like if I was a bird I would be a pink flamingo. The bird that is all legs just like me. My house is decorated with pink flamingos. They make me happy! I feel like the flamingo is my spirit animal. Obviously I googled the meaning of the pink flamingo being your spirit animal and it says: “may be a symbol for joy and fun. Seeing a flamingo can mean that you need to bring more fun into your life. Forgive yourself and get rid of all negative emotions. If the flamingo has appeared for you, it is the sign that you should live your life to the fullest.” Well that fits right in with my life!

I guess my biggest fear as an adult was to be alone. I always hated being alone. I always wanted to spend every second of the day with someone else. I didn’t know how to be alone. On the path to self-discovery I found out being alone and doing my own thing is refreshing. I have never enjoyed my life more than I do now. I know who I am, what I like and where I wanna go in life. I no longer live for anyone else. I live every day to the fullest. Like a pink flamingo, I have fun.

I am grateful for every day that I wake up. I try to be productive in making a difference in not only my life but the lives of those around me. I am blessed to have the most amazing group of friends, family, co-workers and community. When I am fearful I remind myself to breathe and this isn’t forever, I will get through this. I know that local snakes can’t hurt me. I know that birds can fly higher, but sometimes they choose me to say hello to me by flying into my averaged sized head. I know that being alone is a wonderful feeling. I know that I am safe and protected. I slow down and enjoy my life.

Know that if you feel fearful, you can reach out. It’s okay to ask for help. Especially in the ever fast changing times of Covid-19 everyone seems fearful. I am always here for you! Reach out and tell me your fears. I love you all! Stay safe and healthy! Wash your hands!

Podcasts….

I first came across podcasts when I was struggling to sleep. Years ago I was diagnosed with sleep paralysis. I dream the same terrifying dream on repeat year after year. My dream is a terrifying life event. It’s a dream that feels so real to me. In my dream I am fighting for my life. I wake up in a haze of confusion arms and legs swinging thinking I am fighting for my life. I have broken many things in the night because of this terror. I have tried many things to sleep and yet years have passed and I still fight to sleep. My brother told me about a podcast he listens to at night to help him sleep and I thought well it can’t hurt. I downloaded an app to listen to podcasts on my phone because it has an app for everything. I started listening to the podcast called “sleep with me” this guy meanders on and on about nothing and everything in the most lulling voice. It’s helped me drift off and at first I thought it was going to work. I thought I was going to sleep but then as always, BAM, hello haunting dream. I still enjoying putting this podcast on if nothing else it turns off my thoughts and lets me drift. If you haven’t checked out “sleep with me” and you like to listen to something before or while falling asleep this guy has a sleepy way with words.

I start listening to a podcast series when I was out for a walk with my beloved dog Charleston. Sometimes our walks would last for hours as we would be lost in nature enjoying the beautiful days down by the lake. I found a podcast to capture my attention when I came across a series of weekly podcasts in investigative journalism. A series called “Serial” the first season was about the trial and conviction of Adnan Syed a teenager who was accused and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years for killing his high school girlfriend. This podcast had me fired up about this trial and the evidence. I originally went to school for corrections with a hope of getting into a fight for justice for those wrongfully convicted. I absolutely love cases of wrongful convictions or stories of those who spend years on the inside but were innocent. In college I worked with a program providing family counseling in prison and it was a huge eye opener as to what it’s like to be in prison. If you love true crime and podcasts I highly recommend tuning in to “Serial”. What do you think about the case? Is he innocent?

After the “sleep with me” podcast and the fire me up trail presented by “Serial” I was searching for another podcast but this time I wanted something with a more positive vibe. I have to admit at this time I didn’t really know what a life coach was. I don’t remember exactly how I came to find the mortality mindset podcast with Patrick Mathieu. I am beyond excited that I found this podcast because this is the podcast that forever changed my life. I started listening in again on my walks with my beloved dog Charleston and I still listen in on my walks with Queen Kelsey dog. I have to say I was immediately sucked in from the first episode I couldn’t stop listening. Patrick has a calming voice and he grabs your attention and almost shakes you with his questions. He got me fired up in a different kind of way. He fired me up as in, I could do this too. He has an extraordinary story to share and a powerful message. He was born with a one of a kind heart that no one can figure out. He has seen many medical professionals in his lifetime. His heart is a one of a kind heart no one understands how it works. Patrick was given his expiry date. Imagine if you knew when you were going to die? He was told when he would die. He didn’t give up, he got up and he challenged what the medical professionals said. He fought, he conquered and he’s a huge inspiration to so many people. He has lived long past his expiry date. I highly recommend listening to this podcast. It’s a game changer. He will challenge how you think.

After the first listen, I had to google Patrick and find out more. I found out not only was he a life coach but he was training other people to be life coaches. I stalked that page until I saw he was coming to Kingston, Ontario. I hummed and hawed at the idea of being a life coach. I didn’t sign up until the last possible moment. Remember I like to plan but not to do it, but I did do this. I was joined in that class by three other amazing women and it will forever be a weekend to remember. From listening to a podcast to now becoming a life coach, making my own website, blogging and many more things along the way. Heck yes I AM DOING IT!

Thank you Patrick for continuing to make the podcast that forever changed my life. I would be lying if I said it was just the podcast. Check out his book and his online learning. Google him you will be amazed like I was and still am!

As I finished writing this blog I was completing another amazing course created by Patrick. I just completed his “how to be a better person” online course and the certificate hangs on my vision wall as a constant reminder of all the amazing things I have completed and the extraordinary things I am still working on. Stay tuned always more to come from me.

As always if you have a podcast recommendation reach out and share it with me. I love hearing from you all!

Number 26…

The number 26 had no real meaning to me before today. As I sat down to write this blog I realized it is my 26th blog. What? That’s wild, right? I know it feels like the last 26 blogging weeks have flown by. When I set a goal of 52 blogs my intention was to write once weekly. This officially marks the half way point. I am half way to crushing this goal. My dream since an early child has been to write, with the end goal of a book. I am making this dream my reality. I will write my book.

I decided to write once weekly on Tuesdays. I later found out I was born on a Tuesday so clearly it’s a great day. I decided to write once weekly to get out some ideas I had in my head. I never thought I would write pages and pages. I had no real plan when I started. Just write weekly about whatever comes to mind. My general concept and idea was to spread positivity, kindness, and to send thank you messages. I wanted to inspire people that if I can change so can you.

I haven’t nailed my goal of a blog every Tuesday since I began as life happens. I am a single mom, I have a paper pushing job at the local hospital, I have pets and I have hobbies. Life gets busy but I do my best to always make time for writing. Sometimes the writing ideas come quickly and I have so many ideas but there are sometimes I get stuck. I was super stuck while coping with the passing of my beloved dog Charleston. Well there’s no other way to describe than it just down right sucked. His passing took a lot out of me. I didn’t write around the holidays because he was sick and I just wanted to suck up every gosh darn minute I had left with him. He left me far too soon and I couldn’t write. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t stop crying. Truth is I wasn’t sure I could keep going down a path of positivity without him. I had to come back with a blog about twenty things I was grateful for in January as a reminder of how blessed I am. I may not have gotten a blog out every Tuesday but for the most part I have and I have not given up even when I wanted. I pushed forward. I forgive myself and remind myself it’s okay to not make each and every goal exactly on time as long as you keep working towards it. Take a deep breath and get back on track. Keep moving forward and don’t give up!

I admit when I started this chapter of my life I was down-right terrified. The thought of creating and launching my website was overwhelming. I have never had a website and I have never had a blog, both experiences are very new to me. I felt safer when it was just in the planning stages. My fear of failure and exposing myself to criticism or controversy or disagreement would creep into my thoughts. Then I found the courage and I decided to just do it, launch the site. It was close to a year after I got my certification for life coaching in October 2018. (more on that next week) I had stayed stuck in the planning mode for almost a year with being hung up in the details. In September 2019 I decided to just go for it. Launch the website and start the blog and whatever happens just go with it. I knew I couldn’t move forward and succeed unless I tried. Any criticism will make me grow and any accolades will encourage me. I know I have done my best.

I am grateful for all the comments, discussion, e-mails, Facebook messages, phone calls and text messages about the website and the blog. I cannot say thank you enough for coming along this journey with me. Here’s to 26 down and 26 more to go with a book in the works. Thank you to all of you!

Networking….

During my first Louise Hay convention titled ”I can do it” which was all about how to heal your life. I sat in the audience with thousands of other people and I listened to Louise talk about networking and about how people don’t just talk to others. She encouraged us to have random chats with strangers. At the time this thought scared me. We were always taught not to talk to strangers. What would I talk to strangers about? I had a bad habit of over sharing my life’s disasters and not filtering well. Louise told a story about having something wrong with her foot and she couldn’t find any relief. She was sitting beside this person one day and they just started a random conversation. It turns out that person sitting right beside her did healing so they got together and fixed this foot issue. I was scribbling my notes down like a mad woman trying to suck in every bit of knowledge. I laugh now at the thought because the energy was electric and in that moment I wanted to change. Picture thousands of people with so much positive energy radiating from them the vibe is unreal. I met some of the most amazing people at those conventions. I came home from those conventions year after year with so many thoughts and ideas and then slipped right back into my old way of life. I never changed. I planned and I dreamed but I never took any action. Man I could plan thought. I would plan every little detail out and do NOTHING. Welcome to my life for years and years. I was stuck. I was sucked into the everlasting planning mode. I had pretty post it notes all over with hopes and dreams but I never made them my reality. I lived with my head in the clouds. Forever dreaming and forever planning.

I have never been great at turning plans into action or seeing plans from start all the way through to success. I got the organization down pat. I mastered the make it look pretty, neat and tidy, straight up NAILED IT. The going from the paper plan or the vision in my head to the real life I failed over and over. I failed so many times I often wonder how I got up off the floor and planned some more?

I figured once you failed you are just supposed to give up right? I came, I tried, I bought the t-shirt, I failed and so I left. I didn’t have the fight in me. I failed and I gave up. I failed and I gave up because I never really cared about what I was doing. I thought I was unique in my sad story. It wasn’t until I reached out I talked to strangers and I networked with people who had stories like mine. People who went onto live extraordinary lives despite failures and being stuck in different parts of their lives.

I have met so many amazing people who have inspired me to never give up. I have been inspired to share my story. I want to share with you my hopes, my dreams and my failures, because they make me who I am. I am who I am today because despite my failures I never gave up. I always knew I was destined for great things in life. I just had to find people who inspire me not only today but going forward in life. I want to be a person who inspires you. I want you to know no matter where you are in your life there are always more great things to come. I want you to reach out and start a conversation. I am always available to chat.
In troublesome times like the ones we are currently facing with Covid-19 don’t forget to network. Reach out now more than ever and talk to strangers. Find the help you need. Be the help someone else is looking for. Networking now is easier than ever. Go online and start a conversation.

Before ending this blog I reached out to my Opa and Granny and asked them to write something about networking, failure and success. Here is what was written by the wise seniors to share with you. “Failure is not a stopping point but a stepping stone to success. When something doesn’t work, then you move on to the next attempt using a different path or tools. That might fail too but then it makes you more creative to find another way. Expanding your contacts and listening to people with different opinions and theories is the best way to find the new path and the new tools. While you might not agree fully with everyone you listen to, there will be something you can take away and use. Another useful point to remember is “keep it simple”. Eventually, if you persevere, there will be success.”

What in the actual BEEP is going on…

This is not a rant but my thoughts, feeling and a reminder of how kindness is needed now more than ever.

It seems like just yesterday we were going on about our lives. It seems like just yesterday I was reading about this health concern in China. It seemed like a small worry at the start but it quickly escalated. It seems like in a blink of an eye that it has spread to the better part of the world. It didn’t seem like it could be true, a plague like virus affecting so many people. One day it was fine and BOOM it’s here. It’s scary because it’s new. It’s scary because people didn’t take it so seriously at first and it spread so quickly.

Everything is shutting down. My son is home from school for at least 3 weeks now. Daycares are closing. The malls reduced have hours. Restaurants are shutting down. Movie theaters are closing. Casinos are closed. Churches are closed. AA meetings are cancelled. Any March break event you could think of is cancelled. Every concert or show is cancelled. Every sporting event is cancelled. Everywhere you look everything you see is now about the coronavirus. You cannot turn on the TV, the radio, flip through the paper, read the online news, check your e-mail or even load Facebook without seeing updates about the number of cases and where the cases are being confirmed. Every company that has ever had my e-mail is updating me on what they are doing to keep the world safe.

Every passing day is a frightening reminder that it keeps affecting more and more people. Covid-19 has hit fast and scared us good. I am positive I read the symptoms as being cold and flu like and nothing about needing 8 billion rolls of toilet paper. Yet here we are March 2020 and there isn’t a roll to be had. No toilet paper, no hand sanitizer and no cleaning products. I have never seen bare shelves at the grocery store in my life. The isolation period to stay home is 14 days. I don’t know how people managed to buy out the stores. I have to say I am shocked. In a terrifying time like this don’t forget to be kind. You don’t need that much toilet paper. SHARE! Think if the tables were turned and you were out, you sure as heck would hope someone would share with you. Be kind. You do not need 8 billion rolls of toilet paper to beat this.

I am cautious going forward for sure, yes everyone should be. There have been cases all around us and I am sure it’s only a matter of time before it’s here knocking on my door. It’s one heck of a virus. New facts come out all the time and they seem scarier each day. I work at the local hospital doing paperwork and I will be washing my hands like a mad woman, more so then before if that’s possible. I have kind of always been a germophobe.

I know in 2020 we have amazing technology and surely someone is going to figure this out. In the meantime do not go visit the elderly who are at high risk, those with breathing problems or pre-existing medical conditions. Do check-up via phone, email or text to make sure everyone is okay. Offer help where you can. Be kind.

In a time of absolute chaos please do not get caught up in being mean to others. Please don’t rush out and by every single thing you can, think of others. Share what you have and protect not only yourself but everyone else. I have offered many of the items in my home to others. My neighbour shared her sanitizer when it was impossible to purchase any. Come together in your family, your work and your community. Help each other out!

My Opa, the man behind the motto, is approaching his 86th birthday in April and I damn well want to make sure he gets there. I have told my family I will be distancing myself physically as I work at the hospital and I don’t want to risk anyone getting sick. I have made deals that if anyone is sick I would bring the supplies needed. I will leave them on your porch, and wish you well from there. I would do whatever it takes to help anyone in need. I absolutely love to help others at any opportunity I can. I have had so many wonderful people help me in my life so I do whatever I can to pay it forward, to be kind. I know kindness isn’t always taught to everyone but it’s never too late to start.

Kindness, it goes a long way. Kindness, is free to spread. Spread Kindness everywhere! A little bit of kindness goes a long way. The world could use more kindness now more than ever.

Stay safe and stay healthy. As always I am here if you need anything feel free to reach out via phone, text or e-mail. See contact page for more details.

WASH YOUR HANDS!

In a world of texting answer the phone

Did you ever have a corded phone bolted to the wall? A home phone? A rotary phone? A party line? Did I just age myself? Born in the 80s and I became obsessed with the phone in the 90s. I could spend hours and hours talking to friends and family. There was a time before caller identification, when you answered the phone and you had no idea who was calling. I know what a scary world! I dunno what’s scarier not knowing who’s calling, or now knowing and not wanting to answer because you know who it is.

Growing up we had our home phone bolted to the wall in the kitchen. We had an extra-long phone cord so I could wander around the house talking away. I moved around our house pacing like I was running a small business, in charge of a pack of employees, or making a huge business deal. I wish we could have recorded some conversations to play back now. I would love to know what I was talking about for hours on hours, day after day.

We had dial up internet where you couldn’t be on the phone and dial onto the World Wide Web. Do you remember that horrible dial up internet connection sound? And the glorious sound of your brother yelling if you picked up the phone and he got kicked off the internet!

Before the world of cell phones I had a pager so if you needed me you could reach me. I have no idea why I felt the need to have a pager but I didn’t wanna miss a call. I lived for talking on the phone. I could always be reached day or night. I felt important.

The world now has become a world of digital living. Most people are glued to their cell phones. I am also guilty of this! This darn phone has it all. Oh how cell phones have changed over the years and not only in size. Do you remember the first cell phones? They were so big you needed a backpack just to carry one around. They didn’t fit in your pocket. They didn’t have cute cases or accessories. I remember trying to text and you had to punch the number over and over to get the letter. It was so much work that I would give up and just call. When cell phones came out with a sliding keyboard that was life changing and that’s when texting took off for me. I forgot what it was like to talk on the phone. I became all about texting and never talking. I would run when a phone rang. I was never so happy to do away with my home phone. Everyone knew if you wanted to talk to me, text me, I would reply instantly.

Having a cell phone now, well, pretty much everyone has a cellphone it’s rare to find anyone without one now. Gone are the days of payphones on every street corner. Cellphones with data is your go to convenience, banking at your fingertips, online shopping, watch Netflix on your phone, games, e-mail, you can work from your phone and there is literally an app for everything you could possibly want or need. It still seems too good to be true. I can see how it’s addictive to always be on your phone. I understand why mental illness is on the rise. With social media being available 24-7 we often get sucked into how amazing other people’s lives appear. We forget that what we see on social media and what real life looks like can be, and often is, two very different things. People only post the great moments. The picture perfect moments. The moments that make them look perfect to the outside world. Few people post real life struggles of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Everywhere you go now you see people on their phones but few people are talking on the phone. Most people are typing away. The world has become a world with our heads down lost in our phones. People don’t call, people text first and ask if it’s okay or, when could they call. Texting while convenient, quick and easy is still so very impersonal. Often messages are misunderstood and taken out of context. You interpret them how you read them. I have had this struggle. I still prefer to talk on the phone. To hear your voice, to listen to your stories, to hear about your day. To hear laughter and love.

When I decided to get into life coaching I was thrilled at the idea of always being available on my phone. I can read e-mails, text, edit my website and blog all right from my phone but nothing gets me more excited than to hear your voice, to discuss your goals and to make dreams into reality.

My phone is always on and I always do my best to answer every call. I cherish every conversation. I love to hear your voice. In a world of digital living don’t forget to call. Check in on those you love, make time for the important conversations. Let people know you are here for them. Let people know you love them.

Make the call