The last glass half full day

I started this blog on November 20th with the goal of getting to full, whole and complete by being inspired and inpsiring to others.

Here we are six months later, and I'm delighted to tell you last best experiences that will close out this blog, as its personal goal has been met.

A former colleage I met over lunch a couple weeks back commented afterwards that I was a completely different picture of who I was / who she knew. I was happier and more aware and calm. What I took away from that, and others with similar observations, was that focusing on others and other things - the essence of spirituality - is what opens your mind and frees your soul.

And then this week, I buried my mother; stricken with a debilitating 6-year battle with vascular dementia / Alzheimer. It was a blessing. My last memory was taking her to the annual BBQ at the home, feeding her a big lunch, watching a balladeer sing Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line", and witnessing an ear-to-ear smile, laugh and what appeared to be tears of sheer joy at being a part of it.

It's only fitting with such two very special oooos and ahhs, that the need to seek random acts of kindness and a generous spirit is no more. I am of that.

As a started this blog with a pic "that started it all", I end with one that draws me to conclude there is joy in human failure, there are lessons to learn, with spirituality wakened in me. There is deep meaning and core purpose in my life, and a tremendous sense of joy and contentment. I am experiencing more of what I want in my life, and less of what I don't want.

A new chapter unfolds.

Goodbye Mom, I will love you now, forever and always.

Incredible what we'll do for a Tim Horton's!

Was driving out of a Tim Horton's drive-thru for my java jolt and noticed a rather zaftig woman on a battery-operated wheelchair, hooked up to an oxygen tank, struggling to get over the curb into the driveway. I parked my car on the road, got out and asked if she wanted help. "Yes!," she said, "I would love some help... I want to get a Tim Horton's coffee!" Along came an itsby bity young gal and an elderly man. Together, we pushed her into the coffee shop and waited to get her back to where she was going... back to the hospital where she was waiting for some testing. What we do for our Tim's, huh?

Pay for parking this way, ma'am

It was taking a while to self pay for parking today. Why? Seems someone was having a hard time figuring out whether the stripe of a credit card was up or down, or to the right or left, or before or after the ticket. A few times over. Rather than watch my time tic, toc to a second 1/2 hour @$2.50, I excused my way to the front. Even though the lady was struggling through with instructions from the invisible man on the 'help' line, I offered to assist, and voila!, she was paid and out, with a receipt to boot! "Thank you so much for your help," she smiled. "You're most welcome. Happy Monday."

Oilageddon in the Gulf

I know, I know.... what kind of positive title is that to write about. Here's the rub. We have to be a voice for birds, mammals and wildlife. Who else will? BP? They consider the death of wildlife and animals to be collateral damage. The cost of doing business. What's the price of a pelican, frog, jellyfish, otter, shark, dolphin or manatee?

So yes, while BP says it will pay for cleanup of birds and wildlife, their resources simply aren't enough TODAY for the oilageddon we are witness to in the gulf region, now and in days, months and years to come. Even the thick-skinned of us can't stomach the videos and photos held back till now. Wakey, wakey. Let's deal with it.

For that reason, I'm doing a tiny part by way of donations and offering to help the wildlife organizations, such as NWF, or The Audobon Societies, or even the Dophin Research Centre now booming to protect the lagooned dolphins in the Keys. Folks on the ground are working hard to preserve life and beauty of nature we every once in a while stop from day-to-day madness to enjoy. (As are all the people on the rig trying to cap it, close it, stuff it, top it...) Blessings to you.

Prayers also to the region. To lives and livelihods lost. Bless your souls.

If there's any glimmer of a positive outcome to this oilageddon, it's awakened and united us around the globe. Arctic? Tar sands? I'm watching you.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.--Mahatma Gandhi

Goodness, weeeeee, indeed - Thursday, 3 June 2010

Was on my way to a girls-who-lunch-after-mani-pedi outing in my kitten cork (clomp, comp) mules when I noticed a little old lady ahead of me struggling with her buggy and climbing down the subway stairs. "May I help you with that?" (I kind of wondered as a clomped along in platform mules whether I even could... but hey, baby, I still got it.) The reward? A warm,endearing smile and a 'thank-you' to make my day.

PS my feet and toes are rockin' in these mules... hello, gorgeous little piggies... as I weeeee'd all the way home.

Would you like my seat? Friday, May 28, 2010

Commuted by t.dot red rocket midday for my downtown mtg. As I looked around me, I noticed the avg age of my fellow riders was around 24 if not less. Then a lovely pregnant lady waddled her way in from the underground heat. Hmm, deliberately I wondered if anyone would offer her their seat? When no one did, I did. Lovely pregnant lady smiled, said thanks muchly for offering, but declined saying she was getting off at the next stop and if she dared sit down, wouldn't get back up in time. hee hee. It did amaze me that no one else even looked up or noticed... so busy on texts and catching up on beauty sleep. (Mind you, I caught me a couple winks too, and missed my stop, so took the long way but got to my appt in time and included a stop for a Starbucks!)

Can dog poo deliver a good deed? - May 20, 2010

Was enjoying a delightful outdoor patio lunch with a friend at a busy swishy spot in the chi chi part of town when lo and behold, this woman is strolling her little Jack Russell alongside the walkway where we're eating when the poor guy has a bout of kaka-loolly poop... right... beside... our... table... eeeeewwww. What would you do?

It occurred to me that if I didn't offer to help, we'd not be enjoying our swishy lunch so much. The lady didn't appear to have a poop bag and seemed content to keep walking. Seeing that, and rather than rip out, 'pick up after your dog!', I suggested she needed to go into the restaurant and ask for napkins or something. And while she'd stoop and scoop, I offered to hold her dog. She did just that, and on saying goodbye, told us the dog's name was Willie... HE did it. Willieeeeeeeeeeeee, stinky pooper.

Bonus good deed: On my return home, I had a few bags to struggle with through all the doors from the underground, upstairs... it was refreshing that a young woman actually rushed and came up behind me to open, hold the doors, push the elevator button, and say, "have a good evening!" Ah, sweet. I then put all the stuff in my unit, grabbed my dog Boris for a walk, and on my walk back into the building, here's this same girl dashing out heavy with luggage and bags for the long weekend. It was my turn to say, 'one good deed deserves another', and opened up all the doors for her, even to her waiting cab. She beamed.

I feel good.

Blessings, Grace - Saturday, May 16

Visited my mom (with dementia-related Alzheimers) in the long-term care facility yesterday and fed her a muffin and coffee to wash it down. Boris, my dog, had his little treat, and then did his nibble thing on mom's limp hand. We were both caught by surprise when Boris then snatched like a bandit a piece of muffin from her mouth (since she can't use her hands to defend herself)... what a riot... we both laughed as his tail spun like a helicopter waiting for another steal!!!

Then beautiful graceful Grace, the Saturday nurse, came in to bathe Mom. Mom needs two people to attend to her now, so I offered to help. What an interesting experience (hmpft). Blessings to all the Grace's out there who work tirelessly and with pride attending to those in their care. I gave Grace a big hug and 'thanks a lot' and there was a smile from ear to ear in exchange.

PS I never did get the pic of the raccoon family from my previous post... the limb was gone, and hopefully the family found a new home.

Ahhh, but... Thursday, May 13, 2010

Today, city crews were cutting down trees on my street felled by the windstorm this past weekend. One of the large hollowed limbs was sitting on its side. Why was Boris, my Russian Bolonka pup, taking such a particular liking and tugging to check it out? Lo and behold, inside was a mother raccoon nesting and from what I could see, at least four teeny tiny little babies smaller than a fist with hardly any hair snuggled up next to her. Ahhh... but... would they be safe in full view to sorry ass and sick people out there? Myself and another neighbour walked down the road to the crew working on the tree cutting. We were told the limb was deliberately left on its side so that mom could take care of and move her babies after dark. They assured us she would. They also said that if any dog were to come along and poke its head in that trunk, they'd be in for it. Let's hope they're right... I'll check back with you. Maybe I can get a pic?!

Enjoy your ride

I'm baaaack! Hey, where’d I go?? Besides dealing with and recovering from an extended bout of pneumonia, I chose to go for a week where the air was dry, the scenery splendid, and the energy truly positive: Sedona, Arizona. While my blog break interrupted my rhythm, I’m more than ok now. In fact, I’m whole again.
What I took back with me… I am grateful for this day and this life. If you knew today was your last day on earth how would you live this day? Think about it, there may be some changes needed for you to really fulfill your life. These were my thoughts as I a drove solo through snow, hail, a sandstorm, rain and sun on a recent road trip in a silver Camaro through the Grand Canyon.
Knowing I fully participated in the creation of my experience reminded me that I can choose again, and again, and get different results. I like that idea, a new choice = a new result: awesome. Take a look at your current experience and ask yourself, "am I willing to make the changes necessary to change my condition?" and if you are start now to live fully. Woohoo! Enjoy and live your ride! In color or in black & white. It’s all goodness.

Random acts of compliments

Have you ever noticed someone nicely dressed, coiffed or stylin' and wanted to tell them so but were afraid to be seen as a perv or the compliment as a come on? Well, in my journey of putting out positivity, I did just that.

I saw this lovely, career-put-together, basketball-pregnant-to-there woman on the subway yesterday. And I gulped, excused myself, and told her so. Her response? "Thank you! You just made my day... and probably my weekend too!!!"

The lesson: speak your truth. So I say 'go forth into the world and spread joy.'

Spring for HOPE - April 13, 2010

"It is better to give than receive." And so I did today on behalf of The Greater Toronto Apartment Association (GTAA) and its 10th annual Spring HOPE Food Drive. The drive helps restock depleted food bank shelves with much-needed food items, and it is a great way for neighbours and friends to further build a sense of community while making a difference. It reminded of the time me and my staff took the time out of the busy holiday season to volunteer at the Daily Bread Food Bank... unforgetable.

The Power of Personal Presence

There are times when we all feel out of control. You know what I'm talking about. As spring brings buds and renews, I notice how much Boris stops to smell every single petal or leaf. He is really taking the time to enjoy his presence in it, and he reminded me it was time to pause (paws) from the chaos of my recent life for simplicity, renewal and healing at a yoga retreat long weekend at Grail Springs, near Bancroft, Ontario.

What struck me on this weekend wasn't the labyrinth walk to ask questions and seek a go forward life plan. Nor was it losing 24" of toxic waste from being wrapped like a tootsie roll in minerals or the ion cleanse foot bath. It wasn't even the notion of drinking mud for breakfast, or expressing gratitude, humility, grace and reverance in a 6-minute mantra each morning.

It was bonding with beautiful and strong kindred spirits; women seeking transformation: Jenn, Patricia, Flora, Mary, Brenda, Michelle, Lori and Karen. We didn't know each other's last names. We relinquished interpretation of who each is, what they do for a living, or what they did in the past and interacted without ego, but with attention. What a powerful presence it was sitting around the bonfire or over a meal or in meditation. We were personally alert, still and present in the moments.

Top 5 Ah-Ha Things I've Learned In 3 Months

1. When you first wear a new bra, hook the strap on the first hook. As it wears, increase to the 2nd or 3rd hook for longer use and wear.
2. The size of normal poop should be the length of your forearm.
3. You have less than a 20% likelihood of getting pregnant after the age of 30.
4. Dark chocolate is good for you.
5. Regular massage, orgasms and daily breakfast relieves stress.

Ahh, ah-ha!

Hmph, huh and pause - March 19, 2010

How is it you can live right next door to someone for months--years even--and never run into them??? My next door neighbour moved out today. We bumped into each other as she was moving out. Amazing. Hi! Bye!... Huh.

I took a pause to notice the cleaning lady wiping the glass door and windows of the front building entry with such pride. So clean, I thought, I would have run smack dab through 'em if I didn't know there was a door there. So I took another pause to offer a few simple words of praise and complimented her on how sparkly the front entry door and windows were. That smile of thanks on a sunny spring day was simply positive and infectious. Doesn't take much to pause, huh.

Another random act-lost & found-9 Mar 10

Found a bank card in the lobby of my building the other night heading out to walk the pooper pup... uh oh, I mused... somebody's panicking... so took the card and thought of a couple options for the morning: 1. drop it off at the related bank as 'found', or 2. drop it off in the management office. Choice #2 it was. I chose well. Turned out to be someone who worked for Minto who called in inquiring if it was found! Ahhhh... another good deed.

So here I am reminding myself again about doing things with my life that are positive, powerful and good.

(Am thinking about how to be kind to yet another grumpy snorty guy I seem to share time schedules with... working on it.)

At the end of your street

You just never know what's around the corner... Enjoy a smile with me as I got to the stop sign at the end of my street:

"Snow people and pup" on park bench.

Sending smiles to the end of your street.

Make a wish

Ever gone to the grocery store, only to stand in the endlessly long and wrong checkout line? Maybe a sign of the times, but a woman in front of me was counting coins to pay for her ~$20 groceries. She was short $1 and was endlessly thinking which item should wouldn't take... at which point, I stepped up and said, here's a loonie. She blessed me. The cashier blessed me. The lady behind me blessed me. So there. I'm blessed today!

Positive Energy - 17 Feb 10

Great to see this post's title - positive energy - a trending vibe on Twitter today. Ahhh, am taking in all the white light around me! Can't believe how juicy my brain is - tweets, dreams, ideas, images - what's up wit dat??? Deprogramming? It can only mean fresh and positive beginnings!!! Celebrate us!!!

Meiko so cute

There is now a baby marmot with a name I suggested in a "Name-a-Marmot-Pup contest"! My name was a winning entry: Meiko!

The postman knocked on the door this morning with a package notifying me of my win, along with a very cute plush toy marmot.

The marmot is Canada's most endangered species: www.marmots.org

(This is the second time I've won in a "name something" contest. The first was a polar bear named Aurora a long time ago. She can now be tracked on CWF's polar bear tracker.)

My positive contribution to wildlife conservation by thinking and doing something about it.

May I help you with that?

The power of kindness to inspire is a beautiful thing. One simple act of kindness or generosity is doing more for my positivity than any words found in a book or heard in a lecture.

Stop and hear your dogs laughing

Went to an offleash park to watch my Russian Bolonka, sexy beast Boris, and his new galpal Sophie (a bouncy toy Goldendoodle, 9 months old) play.

How exhilarating to watch pups run about in wild abandon! You can almost hear them shouting with joy. They laugh? They do! There's even research that the sound of laughing dogs is used to calm behavior of animals in shelters. Check it out: http://www.petalk.org/LaughingDog.html

Do unto others - January 26, 2010

Was in a retail store today checking out comfy womfies. On checking out, the cashier noticed my gym bag and asked where I worked out. I told her, and suggested she check it out. For the tip, she sold the item to me at a 30% discount! Well, hello how do you do... as I walk out the store, who should be standing outside but a rep from the very same club promoting it!!! What's the likelihood of that??? Of course I walked him into the store with me and introduced him to the clerk. He gave her a pass for 5 free classes. As for me, he took my email address, and if she joins, I get one month free!!! Pretty amazing... this stuff of putting positive energy out there.

Ah- ha!

You're enjoying the photo*... awesome!!! Where'd it come from?

This pic was in one of my dad's old photo albums. When I first came across it, inquiring from my little kiddo mind, to Dad (RIP) and Mom... "Why do you have this picture in your album?"

Mom's response: "Your Father's an idiot!"
Dad's response: "he he he... it's funny!"

Either way, sounded interesting, and something I should look into... and did u know? It's the 'sunset capital of Canada'. Ah-ha, how romantic!!!


*small type - 15mph

www.villageofclimax.ca

Inspired - ahhhhh

A deaf girl learns to play violin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9KsrH377A

Deliberate acts of generosity in week two

The expression, 'stop and smell the roses'. I did it. Deliberately. And you know what? There are positive vibes all around me, I just haven't been really seeing the glow.

Except maybe the old fart in the elevator I haven't been able to get to say 'hello' back after many of mine. I did get a grunt after opening the door for him as he trudged an armful of garbage to the recycling room (even though I thought, 'get a bin, you idiot! now, now, be nice, that's the point of this - positivity!)

From $ to Haiti (people and animals), to comforting Haitians on twitter, or to embracing friends with a hug (I want a Glow Bear!) or stopping the car for squirrels... I am feeling better about deliberate transformation to a glass half full 'tude.

Good deed day one @ 6PM

I posted my decision on blogging, and low and behold... a good deed already!!!

My lovely beautiful petite Polish neighbour from across the hall who dogsits her son's dog (and she has a lover) ever so gently knocks on my door and asks kindly if she could borrow my phone. Her Rogers home phone was out of service.

"Of course!" I said, thinking 'hmm, a good deed already?'. 10 minutes later, and her phone is working again. A generous spirit at work for my first day to a big-better-best world!!!!!

So imagine that... Put it - whatever it is - out to the universe, and it comes to you.

Inspired!

Here's the thing... I have absolutely no idea what the next big-better-best work gig will be. But I know this: I like to write.

Writing clears my mind. Writing brings closure. And writing brings with it sharing a sentiment... a natural generosity of content.

This is what I decided to with all the creative juices running through my receptacles throughout 2010. I decided I will blog! Once a week, maybe daily. about something that inspired me. Something that made me go, 'hmm'. Or something generous and thoughtful I did that made my world - or someone else's - a real nice big-better-best place to live or work. I may even get that pic that carries the convo!!!