I watch the news every night...not because I enjoy it, but because of an insatiable desire to be connected to a world beyond my back door. While the 60-minute broadcast represents someone else's notion of what's important - every so often a story will resonate with me, and inspire action or provoke thoughtfulness that would not have otherwise surfaced. A few weeks ago, Haiti was rocked with a series of devastating earthquakes - newsworthy by any network standards! The nightly images of desperation, shattered lives and hopelessness sparked a global relief effort. Everyone I knew wanted to make a difference in some way: We helped our kids raise money through the school, we dropped coins into every Haitian Relief box - at every mall, grocery store and hockey venue we visited, and we tuned in to telethons, concerts and other fundraisers - inspired by the power of a global community united towards a single cause. I believe we all crave the experience of a unified purpose that's larger than any one person or group. That's what makes us turn on the news every day, and that's what makes us human...the pure elation we feel when stories of hope and survival emerge from amidst the chaos. The compassion that surfaces with every tragedy is either a booming call to action or a subtle reminder that we've got it pretty good - either way - the daily news gets me thinking...
Fast forward a dozen or so days, and the stories of Haiti's recovery, Haiti's orphans and Haiti's hope are quickly overshadowed - as another global news story surfaces: The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. We're transfixed once again as new images of opening day draw us together - to share stories of hope, and of tragedy. Once again, we feel overwhelming compassion, joy, hope and sorrow as the journey of each athlete unfolds. I love the Olympics and am passionate about the value of sport in our world That's why I drink in every segment each network produces about the Olympic journey every athlete has taken. These stories breathe life into the otherwise benign, yet impressive performances. Understanding the adversities that were overcome, the sacrifices made, the tough decisions, the pain endured and the insane level of commitment each Olympian struggled with on the road to Vancouver makes us feel invested and connected as a nation pulling together. I was moved to tears watching Joanie Rochette skate days after her mother died. I was emotionally connected to the sweetness of our first gold medalist, Alex as he hugged his mentally handicapped brother - dubbed his "inspiration" after taking the first gold on Canadian soil. I loved the ice dancers' story of how they had been together since they were 10 - and screamed when they won - Tessa and Scott are awesome role models and represent our nation well. What tugged on my heartstrings most during the Olympic games coverage was each athlete's reference to the foundation they relied on for their achievements. Parents, siblings, a whole community rallying behind them. Every success story comes with a band of unsung heroes - folks that made the difference on the road to excellence. As I consumed every second of coverage - I paid close attention to the foundation each athlete's career was built on, as 100% of our gold medalists talked about the extraordinary support, love and encouragement that got them to the top of the podium. Even Sydney Crosby has a solid foundation and awesome story of family support.
Fast forward a few days from the Opening ceremonies, and another earthquake is in the news. This one an 8.8 magnitude in Chile. The world digests a second tragedy amidst the Olympic drama. Personally, the images of peril, superimposed on the surreal excitement and angst of every sporting event sparked a metaphor that I've been thinking about ever since: the strength of every foundation - whether it is supporting a building or a human being determines how well each one can withstand an earth shattering blow!
When Haitian buildings were put to the test - their instability resulted in a crumbled pile of clay and stone. Stronger foundations garnered more favourable results...Just as some of the Canadian athletes had stories where they were shaken to the core - those with strong and stable foundations persevered. Cornerstones were cohesive family values, a supportive community and a persistent message from loved ones that confirmed "we believe in you"...The glue that bonds an unwavering foundation is made up of those things: A loving family, A strong community and constant affirmation.
As a mom, I may not be raising future Olympians, but I am raising amazing young men and a young woman whose world may one day be shaken by unforeseen challenges or tragedies. My goal is to be sure that the foundations we are building now are so strong that - no matter the magnitude of the blow, and no matter how devastating the impact - their foundation stays solid - so they can rebuild...That's why we watch Olympic games together; that's why we take road trips and plane trips to spend weekends with extended family. That's why we celebrate milestones together, acknowledge small victories and commiserate on the tough losses. We laugh together at the dinner table; we stay current online and we never go to sleep without saying goodnight! Strong foundations support even the most vulnerable structures....and people - elevating them to perform in extraordinary ways.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Food Wine and Design
I was having a "moment" the other day...and for the record, a "moment" is defined as: hot flash meets memory lapse. These moments usually generate a dual response: "holy s#@t, I'm 45 along with a mini epiphany of some sort. On this particular day, the "moment" inspired the question: "what cool and meaningful mission can I pursue when this 9 to 5 grind starts getting old?" I guess this can be paraphrased as "it's time to find a greater purpose" or "what should I be when I grow up?" At 45 - it's a valid question.
I'm sure that one day, I'll be hit head-on with a "vision". I'll understand my purpose - the meaning of life and the secrets of the universe...but by then it may be too late. So, I figured I ought to be a little bit more pro-active in finding something cool and meaningful to do later in life and I dug out a cool article that appealed to me several months ago. It was one of those intriguing pieces found in a magazine - and I knew that one day, in one "moment", I'd be inspired to do something with it.
The article suggested to write down three things you really enjoy - that DOES NOT include your kids, spouse or home. My instant response: "Food, Wine, Design". I stared at the page. I loved the catchy phrase but thought "how lame". There is no inherent purpose or depth in any of those things...but I was being honest. Now what? Write down three things you're good at. Hmmm: Writing - on some days. Training/Teaching - some people. Cooking - some foods. The final step was to try and link the three things that make you feel joy, relaxation and peacefulness (Food, Wine and Design) to the activities you're good at (Writing, Training, Cooking). The concept is to see on paper the perfect"marriage" of passion and proficiency - because that's the recipe for meaningful work!
What I saw on paper was, at first, very confusing. I'm supposed to cook, teach, or write about food, wine and design? That's meaningful?
After deeper thought, I realized that my happiest, most fulfilling careers involved writing for a design magazine and training for a world class interior design company. Inspiring people to surround themselves with beauty, and embrace life's simplest, yet finest pleasures brought me great joy. I wasn't saving lives, nor was I stressed by the need to. But every once in a while, I did strike a chord with a client, a reader or a design trainee; by helping them connect with life's sweetest offerings. I was on a mission to share my passion for simple abundance with the world. I'd stress the need for everyone to surround themselves with pretty things that have significance and that tell the story of a life well lived. I'd teach people to capture favourite memories and display them through pictures and objects. I'd write articles encouraging people to savour life's natural treasures; artfully prepared foods and finely aged wine; gorgeous tableware, delicate flowers, finely crafted fabrics of natural fibers; candlelight, fragrance and flavours.
I valued the chance to write and teach about special things that make the heart sing and the spirit soar: great style, great design, great food and great wine...and while none of these things will change the world - combined, they can inspire inner peace, raise money for greater causes and keep us grounded, by connecting us to our roots.
The mini-epiphany of the moment surfaces: perhaps the day will come - very soon - where "Food, Wine and Design" will be a column, a business, a website or a blog. I can't wait to see what the next "moment" will bring!
I'm sure that one day, I'll be hit head-on with a "vision". I'll understand my purpose - the meaning of life and the secrets of the universe...but by then it may be too late. So, I figured I ought to be a little bit more pro-active in finding something cool and meaningful to do later in life and I dug out a cool article that appealed to me several months ago. It was one of those intriguing pieces found in a magazine - and I knew that one day, in one "moment", I'd be inspired to do something with it.
The article suggested to write down three things you really enjoy - that DOES NOT include your kids, spouse or home. My instant response: "Food, Wine, Design". I stared at the page. I loved the catchy phrase but thought "how lame". There is no inherent purpose or depth in any of those things...but I was being honest. Now what? Write down three things you're good at. Hmmm: Writing - on some days. Training/Teaching - some people. Cooking - some foods. The final step was to try and link the three things that make you feel joy, relaxation and peacefulness (Food, Wine and Design) to the activities you're good at (Writing, Training, Cooking). The concept is to see on paper the perfect"marriage" of passion and proficiency - because that's the recipe for meaningful work!
What I saw on paper was, at first, very confusing. I'm supposed to cook, teach, or write about food, wine and design? That's meaningful?
After deeper thought, I realized that my happiest, most fulfilling careers involved writing for a design magazine and training for a world class interior design company. Inspiring people to surround themselves with beauty, and embrace life's simplest, yet finest pleasures brought me great joy. I wasn't saving lives, nor was I stressed by the need to. But every once in a while, I did strike a chord with a client, a reader or a design trainee; by helping them connect with life's sweetest offerings. I was on a mission to share my passion for simple abundance with the world. I'd stress the need for everyone to surround themselves with pretty things that have significance and that tell the story of a life well lived. I'd teach people to capture favourite memories and display them through pictures and objects. I'd write articles encouraging people to savour life's natural treasures; artfully prepared foods and finely aged wine; gorgeous tableware, delicate flowers, finely crafted fabrics of natural fibers; candlelight, fragrance and flavours.
I valued the chance to write and teach about special things that make the heart sing and the spirit soar: great style, great design, great food and great wine...and while none of these things will change the world - combined, they can inspire inner peace, raise money for greater causes and keep us grounded, by connecting us to our roots.
The mini-epiphany of the moment surfaces: perhaps the day will come - very soon - where "Food, Wine and Design" will be a column, a business, a website or a blog. I can't wait to see what the next "moment" will bring!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Talking Tradition!
I love tradition! I think there's a profound power connected to anything that links us to our roots. Maybe it's a family ritual dating back a few generations, maybe it's a relatively new activity that our own family started. Perhaps its an ornament, a song, a favourite food that's shared once a year to celebrate a special occasion...whatever it is, I appreciate it! The appeal of creating or sustaining traditions comes from my passion for preserving fond memories. I want my kids to reminisce about their happiest moments as they carry forward a few of our finest traditions; I hope they experience the comfort of familiar smells, tastes, sights or sounds no matter where their lives take them... That's the coolest thing about valuing and honouring family traditions, no matter how much change happens in our lives, we can always find "home base" in our hearts and souls.
In this "Holiday Afterglow", when many of our favourite rituals are fresh in my mind - I love assembling pictures and writing little pieces...to transport me back to the "best of" - from all the seasons - sleigh rides with the kids, family hockey games on the frozen ponds and rinks, huge holiday gatherings and quiet winter nights watching Sens by the fire. Summer trips to the beach and backyard BBQs. Dinner clubs, book clubs and grad trips! New Years Eve - in front of the TV for the countdown and the Times Square ball drop - ringing it in with great friends and family...and Dick Clark's rockin New Years Eve party.
I've become quite obsessive about capturing those things that we like to repeat year after year. I believe that opening a window into our past is a way of extending hope that future years and future generations will "carry the torch" and keep up a few of the great traditions that link them all back to this moment in time.
I think my passion for tradition explains my fondness for the Christmas season. Opening up my boxes of ornaments is like stepping into a time machine. I'm instantly reminiscing about where we were or what was going on when we received each piece.
So, in the spirit of keeping traditions alive, I thought it might be wise for me to wrap up this blog with my top 20 list: Here are the top 20 traditions I hope my children carry forward to future generations - in no particular order:
1)Always take a picture of your kids on the first day of school - from JK until they graduate high school! Then order those "lame" posed ones from picture day too - you'll be happy you did.
2) Always leave the FULL stockings at the foot of the bed and NEVER get caught!
3) The JOY ornament goes at the top of the tree - just below the angel with Zach's face glued to her!
4) ALWAYS blow up and hang the birthday balloons the NIGHT BEFORE the birthday, and after the birthday kid is asleep. (Note, this ritual ends on their 30th birthday or when they leave your house - whichever comes first - I 'm rooting for the second option but ya never know)!
5)Take the family to the Pumpkin patch at halloween, and let them be spooked. Bring home at LEAST two carved jack o lanterns for your front walk!
6) Tortiere and Ragout on Christmas Eve - a reveillion tradition - with grandparents and Bampy's Christmas CD - so be sure you have one.
7) Pop Champagne to celebrate everything! Life's short - so celebrate every milestone: Anniversaries, Births, Holidays, Small victories of every sort...and on New Years Eve - pop the cork at the stroke of midnight - out the door and over the fence!
8) Take Polar Bear walks at the first snow fall. Run around the yard then upstairs into a tub of hot water!
9) Get Heart Shaped boxes of candy for everyone to have on Valentine's day morning, with cinnamon hearts sprinkled everywhere.
10) Track Santa - by phone, by computer, on TV - keep an eye on him Christmas Eve!
11) Use Plastic, colour coded Easter Eggs filled with little foil chocolate ones - and be sure to include a MOST elaborate treasure hunt!
12) Family vacations should involve waking up crazy early - and being on the road, in the dark, while the rest of the world sleeps. There's something extra special about those cold, dark mornings!
13) Sports events are events! Grey Cup and Superbowl Sundays merit Chili and Wings EVERY TIME...and the Olympics are an invitation to dine in front of the TV, set the alarm for 3:00 am to see an event live, AND host gatherings in the spirit of the games.
14) Prom IS a big deal! Limos, fancy dresses, corsages, pre-parties, garden parties, after parties and cottage parties - all GOOD!
15) Cousins should be best friends! Spend special times with extended family: Count down to the new year together, celebrate birthdays and weddings together...those are the folks that really matter!
16) Make movies of your holidays! Whatever technology there is - use it to capture your adventures.
17) Order Chinese Food when you decorate your tree - your REAL tree...
18) Mother's day and Father's day are more than hallmark card days - celebrate with precious time together - The Keg tradition worked for years!
19) Enjoy the Team Road Trips! Fun traditions of getting ready and being on the road with a sports team WILL surface and it's great to be a part of it - Cheer, Hockey, Soccer - We had some great journeys...Never think there's not enough time to go...there's not enough time to justify missing these!
20) Embrace the neighbourhood! Surround yourself with great people in your community and make up goofy "clubs" - Book Club, Dinner Club - genuinely enjoy each other's company...share outings (plays, comedy clubs, shopping adventures), go to the "ODR" (Outdoor Rink)...watch hockey (share season tickets for an NHL team - or watch your own kids play - I recommend both ), serve lunch at your kid's school, cook for folks in need...raise money, spend money, vacation together...Friends matter! Lay down roots and blend old friends with new with a traditional
once-a-year gathering that let's everyone know you appreciate them!
For each one of my top 20 "traditions" there's a host of favourite things connected to it (like going to DQ AFTER watching the soccer game; or having a "theme" for each dinner club that involves decorating the table and buying REALLY cool ingredients)...and my hope is that everyone in my family links their favourite things to a few of these traditions too!
Either way, it was a fun stroll down memory lane!
In this "Holiday Afterglow", when many of our favourite rituals are fresh in my mind - I love assembling pictures and writing little pieces...to transport me back to the "best of" - from all the seasons - sleigh rides with the kids, family hockey games on the frozen ponds and rinks, huge holiday gatherings and quiet winter nights watching Sens by the fire. Summer trips to the beach and backyard BBQs. Dinner clubs, book clubs and grad trips! New Years Eve - in front of the TV for the countdown and the Times Square ball drop - ringing it in with great friends and family...and Dick Clark's rockin New Years Eve party.
I've become quite obsessive about capturing those things that we like to repeat year after year. I believe that opening a window into our past is a way of extending hope that future years and future generations will "carry the torch" and keep up a few of the great traditions that link them all back to this moment in time.
I think my passion for tradition explains my fondness for the Christmas season. Opening up my boxes of ornaments is like stepping into a time machine. I'm instantly reminiscing about where we were or what was going on when we received each piece.
So, in the spirit of keeping traditions alive, I thought it might be wise for me to wrap up this blog with my top 20 list: Here are the top 20 traditions I hope my children carry forward to future generations - in no particular order:
1)Always take a picture of your kids on the first day of school - from JK until they graduate high school! Then order those "lame" posed ones from picture day too - you'll be happy you did.
2) Always leave the FULL stockings at the foot of the bed and NEVER get caught!
3) The JOY ornament goes at the top of the tree - just below the angel with Zach's face glued to her!
4) ALWAYS blow up and hang the birthday balloons the NIGHT BEFORE the birthday, and after the birthday kid is asleep. (Note, this ritual ends on their 30th birthday or when they leave your house - whichever comes first - I 'm rooting for the second option but ya never know)!
5)Take the family to the Pumpkin patch at halloween, and let them be spooked. Bring home at LEAST two carved jack o lanterns for your front walk!
6) Tortiere and Ragout on Christmas Eve - a reveillion tradition - with grandparents and Bampy's Christmas CD - so be sure you have one.
7) Pop Champagne to celebrate everything! Life's short - so celebrate every milestone: Anniversaries, Births, Holidays, Small victories of every sort...and on New Years Eve - pop the cork at the stroke of midnight - out the door and over the fence!
8) Take Polar Bear walks at the first snow fall. Run around the yard then upstairs into a tub of hot water!
9) Get Heart Shaped boxes of candy for everyone to have on Valentine's day morning, with cinnamon hearts sprinkled everywhere.
10) Track Santa - by phone, by computer, on TV - keep an eye on him Christmas Eve!
11) Use Plastic, colour coded Easter Eggs filled with little foil chocolate ones - and be sure to include a MOST elaborate treasure hunt!
12) Family vacations should involve waking up crazy early - and being on the road, in the dark, while the rest of the world sleeps. There's something extra special about those cold, dark mornings!
13) Sports events are events! Grey Cup and Superbowl Sundays merit Chili and Wings EVERY TIME...and the Olympics are an invitation to dine in front of the TV, set the alarm for 3:00 am to see an event live, AND host gatherings in the spirit of the games.
14) Prom IS a big deal! Limos, fancy dresses, corsages, pre-parties, garden parties, after parties and cottage parties - all GOOD!
15) Cousins should be best friends! Spend special times with extended family: Count down to the new year together, celebrate birthdays and weddings together...those are the folks that really matter!
16) Make movies of your holidays! Whatever technology there is - use it to capture your adventures.
17) Order Chinese Food when you decorate your tree - your REAL tree...
18) Mother's day and Father's day are more than hallmark card days - celebrate with precious time together - The Keg tradition worked for years!
19) Enjoy the Team Road Trips! Fun traditions of getting ready and being on the road with a sports team WILL surface and it's great to be a part of it - Cheer, Hockey, Soccer - We had some great journeys...Never think there's not enough time to go...there's not enough time to justify missing these!
20) Embrace the neighbourhood! Surround yourself with great people in your community and make up goofy "clubs" - Book Club, Dinner Club - genuinely enjoy each other's company...share outings (plays, comedy clubs, shopping adventures), go to the "ODR" (Outdoor Rink)...watch hockey (share season tickets for an NHL team - or watch your own kids play - I recommend both ), serve lunch at your kid's school, cook for folks in need...raise money, spend money, vacation together...Friends matter! Lay down roots and blend old friends with new with a traditional
once-a-year gathering that let's everyone know you appreciate them!
For each one of my top 20 "traditions" there's a host of favourite things connected to it (like going to DQ AFTER watching the soccer game; or having a "theme" for each dinner club that involves decorating the table and buying REALLY cool ingredients)...and my hope is that everyone in my family links their favourite things to a few of these traditions too!
Either way, it was a fun stroll down memory lane!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
H1N1 is the real deal!
If we come out of this month unscathed, then we have immunity to swine, bird, and any alpha illness going. 10 short days ago, Mark and I ventured into hundreds of germ incubators between here and Toronto! The Ottawa airport was our launching point - where it became apparent that we weren't the only airborne passengers. Sneezing, wheezing people of all ages were generously spraying their infectious spores, while we stood, shoulder to shoulder in the terminal. It's great that we educate folks to cough into their sleeves, but not so appealing when they are rubbing those mucous-filled sleeves against my new winter coat! The boarding area was a breeding ground for viruses - as hundreds shared a few square feet of breathing room. And if it's not enough to have your breakfast bagel coughed into by the Timmy's guy, then how about herding into a vacuum-sealed tube, with the only air in circulation feeling and smelling as though it had been exhaled a hundred times over.
Fast forward to Toronto's Pearson, and miles of rubber handrails harvesting the viral flavor of the week as millions slide their hands across the surface. Public health was never a huge concern of mine - coming from a fairly uneventful childhood and not having lived through any real pandemics, I was quite shocked to find myself wanting to lysol the rental car steering wheel (yes lysol has become a verb in my vocabulary), and bury the comforter from the hotel room deep in the closet! Everywhere I turned, I recognized the germ potential - from the highly suspicious airport washrooms to the supposedly-sterile medical building - our ultimate destination.
I've never viewed the world through this lens - I tend to prefer rose colored glasses, not lab goggles! Yet, when credible nursing friends discuss how ICU units are overflowing with H1N1 patients, and when the majority of victims are healthy, active young folks - (ok - a little bit out of my risk category)I get a little edgy and infinitely more aware.
No one in my home has been vaccinated yet. Typically, we would decide against the vaccine and slam the media for all of the hype. After all, the big news agencies dictate what issues merit public attention. Which war story deserves our grief, what politician needs to be scorned and, whether we should be noticing how many folks are sick or dying from this season's flu strain. Typically, I would chalk up the H1N1 "press" as sensationalism. People die every year from influenza...But, the reality is - an unprecedented number of young people really are battling this bug right across the nation - and many of the strong, healthy ones are losing the fight. So, if the clinics re-open, my gang will be high tailing it down there! If they don't re-open, or of we can't get immunized, we can hope that the exposure of the past 10 days has forced our bodies to build up their own immunities...But I will still want my young, healthy hockey playing boys and crazy tumbling girl, who spend their lives in gyms and arenas to be the among first ones in line! Call me crazy, call me paranoid - or just call me mom - but I've been noticing that, as beautiful as this world can be...it's a petri dish for infection...and I don't think the spotlight on this year's pandemic is pure media hype. While everything about H1N1 makes up the perfect profile for front page news, it's not interests in Purel sales driving the focus. This is the real deal - PURE, simple, and a little scary!
Fast forward to Toronto's Pearson, and miles of rubber handrails harvesting the viral flavor of the week as millions slide their hands across the surface. Public health was never a huge concern of mine - coming from a fairly uneventful childhood and not having lived through any real pandemics, I was quite shocked to find myself wanting to lysol the rental car steering wheel (yes lysol has become a verb in my vocabulary), and bury the comforter from the hotel room deep in the closet! Everywhere I turned, I recognized the germ potential - from the highly suspicious airport washrooms to the supposedly-sterile medical building - our ultimate destination.
I've never viewed the world through this lens - I tend to prefer rose colored glasses, not lab goggles! Yet, when credible nursing friends discuss how ICU units are overflowing with H1N1 patients, and when the majority of victims are healthy, active young folks - (ok - a little bit out of my risk category)I get a little edgy and infinitely more aware.
No one in my home has been vaccinated yet. Typically, we would decide against the vaccine and slam the media for all of the hype. After all, the big news agencies dictate what issues merit public attention. Which war story deserves our grief, what politician needs to be scorned and, whether we should be noticing how many folks are sick or dying from this season's flu strain. Typically, I would chalk up the H1N1 "press" as sensationalism. People die every year from influenza...But, the reality is - an unprecedented number of young people really are battling this bug right across the nation - and many of the strong, healthy ones are losing the fight. So, if the clinics re-open, my gang will be high tailing it down there! If they don't re-open, or of we can't get immunized, we can hope that the exposure of the past 10 days has forced our bodies to build up their own immunities...But I will still want my young, healthy hockey playing boys and crazy tumbling girl, who spend their lives in gyms and arenas to be the among first ones in line! Call me crazy, call me paranoid - or just call me mom - but I've been noticing that, as beautiful as this world can be...it's a petri dish for infection...and I don't think the spotlight on this year's pandemic is pure media hype. While everything about H1N1 makes up the perfect profile for front page news, it's not interests in Purel sales driving the focus. This is the real deal - PURE, simple, and a little scary!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Thinking Pink
If we were to take all of the adjectives that describe breast cancer survivors and blend them into a colour - there's no question it would be pink! Soft, yet strong. Passionate and Formidable. Courageous, yet delicate...anything but neutral. Red tempered by the purity of white - how appropriate that it spans the emotional spectrum from rage to love - tempered by innocence and hopefulness.
I've not been touched directly by breast cancer, but know many brave women who have. Each day, I speak to one or more of them - not about their journey, their illness, their struggle - but about the day to day joys and challenges of simply being here and doing what we all do: from raising kids to balancing a budget - from managing a career to managing a marriage. Seeing how "normalized" their lives are - and knowing on a deeper level what they have overcome to get to this state of normal is awe inspiring to me. That's why, during this month of breast cancer awareness, I'm all about the pink! Recognizing the need to do something - big or small - to make a difference in the lives of the victims, the patients, the families and the survivors is a little goal of mine - and I am surrounding myself with pink-ness to keep this goal at the forefront!
Supporting the cause financially is terrific, but I also believe that creating an emotional connection is also important. Showing that you give a damn by wearing the colours, the ribbon symbolizing awareness and hope, walking the walks and buying the pink stuff whenever possible...I just think that - if it were me - I would value the acknowledgment of the movement instead of any pity...and from all of the survivors I know - they sure aren't looking for pity - in fact - they are among the strongest and toughest people I've ever met...What they're after is what we're all after at the end of the day - a long and healthy life, surrounded by the people they love and filled with joy, adventure, some unpredictable fun - and a little red wine! No pity party on their watch!
I can't even attempt to get inside the head of someone who has experienced cancer of any kind - or profess to understand what the battle was like. All I can do is try to raise awareness, raise a bit of money for research and be there...not that I have anything profound to say...but I am a hell of a shopper, I can eat chocolate with the best of them - and can sip red wine on command - hey - that's what friends are for. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - and a great time to don some pretty pink things, sign up for an event, or buy some of the really cute cookware that seems to be in every kitchen shop out there.
We are surrounded by great stuff - and the abundance we enjoy every single day should have some meaning connected to it - a ritual, a fond memory, maybe a little bit of hopefulness. So next shopping outing that involves a little decorative something...or one of my obsessive kitchen purchases, I will be sure that the piece supports the cause Think Pink!
That reminds me - if you haven't looked at Sarah ban Breathnach's book Simple Abundance - or her website...http://www.simpleabundance.com/homepub.html, then it's worth a quick visit one day...A lot of her ideas are simplistic - but there are a few treasures that I find myself re-reading several times - especially after thinking about a topic like breast cancer.
Tomorrow is "Wear Pink Thursday" at work...My team championed that idea over a year ago - and it stuck...so I thought that tonight's blog - as I sit by my crackling fire enjoying the peacefulness of a mid-week evening, I'd like to write about the little pink movement, because every tiny bit matters!
I've not been touched directly by breast cancer, but know many brave women who have. Each day, I speak to one or more of them - not about their journey, their illness, their struggle - but about the day to day joys and challenges of simply being here and doing what we all do: from raising kids to balancing a budget - from managing a career to managing a marriage. Seeing how "normalized" their lives are - and knowing on a deeper level what they have overcome to get to this state of normal is awe inspiring to me. That's why, during this month of breast cancer awareness, I'm all about the pink! Recognizing the need to do something - big or small - to make a difference in the lives of the victims, the patients, the families and the survivors is a little goal of mine - and I am surrounding myself with pink-ness to keep this goal at the forefront!
Supporting the cause financially is terrific, but I also believe that creating an emotional connection is also important. Showing that you give a damn by wearing the colours, the ribbon symbolizing awareness and hope, walking the walks and buying the pink stuff whenever possible...I just think that - if it were me - I would value the acknowledgment of the movement instead of any pity...and from all of the survivors I know - they sure aren't looking for pity - in fact - they are among the strongest and toughest people I've ever met...What they're after is what we're all after at the end of the day - a long and healthy life, surrounded by the people they love and filled with joy, adventure, some unpredictable fun - and a little red wine! No pity party on their watch!
I can't even attempt to get inside the head of someone who has experienced cancer of any kind - or profess to understand what the battle was like. All I can do is try to raise awareness, raise a bit of money for research and be there...not that I have anything profound to say...but I am a hell of a shopper, I can eat chocolate with the best of them - and can sip red wine on command - hey - that's what friends are for. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - and a great time to don some pretty pink things, sign up for an event, or buy some of the really cute cookware that seems to be in every kitchen shop out there.
We are surrounded by great stuff - and the abundance we enjoy every single day should have some meaning connected to it - a ritual, a fond memory, maybe a little bit of hopefulness. So next shopping outing that involves a little decorative something...or one of my obsessive kitchen purchases, I will be sure that the piece supports the cause Think Pink!
That reminds me - if you haven't looked at Sarah ban Breathnach's book Simple Abundance - or her website...http://www.simpleabundance.com/homepub.html, then it's worth a quick visit one day...A lot of her ideas are simplistic - but there are a few treasures that I find myself re-reading several times - especially after thinking about a topic like breast cancer.
Tomorrow is "Wear Pink Thursday" at work...My team championed that idea over a year ago - and it stuck...so I thought that tonight's blog - as I sit by my crackling fire enjoying the peacefulness of a mid-week evening, I'd like to write about the little pink movement, because every tiny bit matters!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thanksgiving...giving thanks
When a brisk and bright autumn afternoon blends with the comforting warmth and welcoming smell of Thanksgiving dinner in the oven, you know it's gonna be a good day!
What is truly better than crisp air, crackling leaves and a 26 pound Turkey with all of the fixings?
How about having the family and friends around to enjoy it?
I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving for a whole bunch of reasons. It happens during my absolute favourite season, it involves food - buying it, cooking it, and eating it in abundance - all of which I quite enjoy - and the day typically involves a nicely decorated table (wait - LOVE that), visitors (REALLY LOVE THAT), celebration and sports...playing, watching - whatever!
The bottom line is - the sum of almost everything I enjoy - except traveling and writing - seems to be neatly packaged into one long weekend in October - I even love the long weekend part! AND this year, as an added bonus, the celebration includes my son's 19th birthday - so how can it possibly get any better? Well here's the thing...there's a nasty four letter word lurking in the shadows, ready to rain on my brisk and bright autumn day...It stands for discipline in eating turkey...or DIET!
So how can I possibly reconcile the fragrant smell of my stuffing (trust me, my stuffing rocks!), the smoothness of my home made gravy (yeah - it's smooth), the sweetest sweet potatoes, and of course the 26 pound king of the feast - with my perpetual images of being on a cruise ship trying to cover up the aftermath of too much pumpkin pie! Thanksgiving will be the toughest challenge yet, on my journey to cruise-readiness.
I just landed from a business trip - and the restaurant thing was tough enough - but it doesn't even come close to the temptation that will consume every inch of my kitchen in a very short time!
From Monday to Friday last week, I said no to the bread, no to the gravy, asked for dressing on the side and went to the hotel gym at an ungodly hour to get treadmill time. I guess the sacrifice was easily worth the benefit in this case. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, we're taking the willpower game to a whole new level...this is now the superbowl of sacrifices and I don't know if I'm up for the challenge...For years, my turkey day has been wrapped in tradition - and every tradition has a calorie count connected to it! I traditionally peel 10 pounds of potatoes, create a sweet potato casserole (yes it's a CREATION), chop everything for stuffing and make a home made cranberry sauce the night before . This tradition may not sound "fattening" at first, but do you know how many glasses of wine are involved in this kind of prep? The next morning, we baste, stuff, baste some more, and assemble all of the fresh veggies and appetizers - yes - it's morning - so no wine, but a little taste testing goes on...Then the celebration - the dinner, the toasts to all that we are thankful for - the pies and the aperatifs...that's where we go into overtime in the sacrifice department! What to do...
As I mull the situation over and strategize a game plan, I start by asking what the biggest sacrifice of all would be...and the answer truly isn't "not eating turkey and stuffing".
I believe - on deeper reflection - that true sacrifice on Thanksgiving would be not having people around to share the turkey and stuffing. Not having Mark and my kids, parents and rest of our family and friends that make their way to our Thanksgiving table tell me how much THEY enjoy the meal...A bigger sacrifice would be that we don't have laughter at the dinner table, or that we have nothing to say when toasting all that we are thankful for...the sacrifice would be giving up the opportunity to share the abundance and be thankful for the abundance - not eat in abundance. So...next Monday - as I lay out my table, prepare the food and take a walk to the park to throw a football or hear the leaves crackle underfoot - I will cherish those things I'm truly thankful for - and the Discipline in Eating Turkey won't seem so tough at all!
What is truly better than crisp air, crackling leaves and a 26 pound Turkey with all of the fixings?
How about having the family and friends around to enjoy it?
I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving for a whole bunch of reasons. It happens during my absolute favourite season, it involves food - buying it, cooking it, and eating it in abundance - all of which I quite enjoy - and the day typically involves a nicely decorated table (wait - LOVE that), visitors (REALLY LOVE THAT), celebration and sports...playing, watching - whatever!
The bottom line is - the sum of almost everything I enjoy - except traveling and writing - seems to be neatly packaged into one long weekend in October - I even love the long weekend part! AND this year, as an added bonus, the celebration includes my son's 19th birthday - so how can it possibly get any better? Well here's the thing...there's a nasty four letter word lurking in the shadows, ready to rain on my brisk and bright autumn day...It stands for discipline in eating turkey...or DIET!
So how can I possibly reconcile the fragrant smell of my stuffing (trust me, my stuffing rocks!), the smoothness of my home made gravy (yeah - it's smooth), the sweetest sweet potatoes, and of course the 26 pound king of the feast - with my perpetual images of being on a cruise ship trying to cover up the aftermath of too much pumpkin pie! Thanksgiving will be the toughest challenge yet, on my journey to cruise-readiness.
I just landed from a business trip - and the restaurant thing was tough enough - but it doesn't even come close to the temptation that will consume every inch of my kitchen in a very short time!
From Monday to Friday last week, I said no to the bread, no to the gravy, asked for dressing on the side and went to the hotel gym at an ungodly hour to get treadmill time. I guess the sacrifice was easily worth the benefit in this case. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, we're taking the willpower game to a whole new level...this is now the superbowl of sacrifices and I don't know if I'm up for the challenge...For years, my turkey day has been wrapped in tradition - and every tradition has a calorie count connected to it! I traditionally peel 10 pounds of potatoes, create a sweet potato casserole (yes it's a CREATION), chop everything for stuffing and make a home made cranberry sauce the night before . This tradition may not sound "fattening" at first, but do you know how many glasses of wine are involved in this kind of prep? The next morning, we baste, stuff, baste some more, and assemble all of the fresh veggies and appetizers - yes - it's morning - so no wine, but a little taste testing goes on...Then the celebration - the dinner, the toasts to all that we are thankful for - the pies and the aperatifs...that's where we go into overtime in the sacrifice department! What to do...
As I mull the situation over and strategize a game plan, I start by asking what the biggest sacrifice of all would be...and the answer truly isn't "not eating turkey and stuffing".
I believe - on deeper reflection - that true sacrifice on Thanksgiving would be not having people around to share the turkey and stuffing. Not having Mark and my kids, parents and rest of our family and friends that make their way to our Thanksgiving table tell me how much THEY enjoy the meal...A bigger sacrifice would be that we don't have laughter at the dinner table, or that we have nothing to say when toasting all that we are thankful for...the sacrifice would be giving up the opportunity to share the abundance and be thankful for the abundance - not eat in abundance. So...next Monday - as I lay out my table, prepare the food and take a walk to the park to throw a football or hear the leaves crackle underfoot - I will cherish those things I'm truly thankful for - and the Discipline in Eating Turkey won't seem so tough at all!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Head and Heart
Have you ever paid attention to the "inner workings" of a great team? There's always a core group of players who have a mastery over the game. They execute every move with technical perfection, they "get" the strategy, they read their opponents, and they consistently finish the job with predictable precision. They have the smarts and the muscle memory - and I call them the "head" players.
Then, there are those high energy wild cards, who go out there in an almost-reckless abandon - determined to use their grit, instinct and sheer determination to either win big or mess up bigger. These are the players who throw that hail Mary pass as the whistle blows - or score that overtime goal because they took a risk and tried something a little different. They are not the consistent, strategic, by-the-book players - they are the ones that are willing to lay it all on the line to follow their gut instinct. I call them the "heart" players.
I believe that every successful team - in sports, in business AND in marriage needs both head and heart players. No question - our home team has it's share of both... I am that heart player and Mark would be the consistent, reliable, strategic, methodical and deliberate head player. He reads every situation, maps out a game plan - and usually scores! I, on the other hand, rely heavily on passion and instinct - making decisions based on what feels right - living in the moment with more "Hail Mary" passes on record than I care to remember! Success is sweet, and the incomplete pass is...expected.
We recently made a few big decisions, that brought our "playing styles" to light in a big way... Good friends invited us on a cruise. 24 hours after we talked about it, we booked it...well, "we" being our friends and I. Mark would have preferred researching, comparing, studying and waiting for all stars to align. He likes time to strategize, analyze and internalize... while I just FINALIZE! The "head player" wants everything to make sense - while the "heart player" says, "who cares whether it's the very best option...it will be the funnest option because our friends will be there, and we have lots of reasons to celebrate!" My instinct says - this will be GOOD..."Hail Mary Pass" at its finest!
We recently bought a car...and all I can say is - thank goodness the head player dominated that field! Mark followed the car-buying playbook to a "t" and executed. I was thrilled with the results - especially because we ended up with the same car I had picked out in June...A few weeks before the car and the cruise decisions, our son decided to take a semester away from university study to pursue his banking interests and finish some on-line courses. I was entirely supportive, knowing in my heart that we had given him the foundation to make smart choices and knowing that - as in any recognized and respected co-op program, taking a few months away from classroom theory to put skills into practice is a good thing...Enter - "head player", firing up the debate over how things are supposed to be! Once upon a time, the playbook clearly said that after high school, you go to university, then get a job. That's the proper order and the right way...My alternative point of view was the equivalent of that annoying player digging in the corner, hoping to turn sheer determination into a goal on the scoreboard...I have no idea if I earned a point on this one - but what I DO know is that our son heard both voices on a level playing field and understands how important his decisions are to us...that's gotta be a win on some level.
I'm glad that our kids are being raised on a well balanced team. I'm glad Mark's sense is tempered by my sensibility and that my occasional "jump right in" tendency is offset my Mark's impeccable planning. I'm glad that our team can have a pretty solid play book, that allows for a bit of creativity, flexibility and the occasional crazy pass when we should have punted! I'm especially glad when Mark doesn't call me out when I'm offside or when I fumble - because, between the misses, this team executes some spectacular plays.
Time will tell whether our most recent decisions will bring home a win...but either way, the experience will help take our game to the next level!
Then, there are those high energy wild cards, who go out there in an almost-reckless abandon - determined to use their grit, instinct and sheer determination to either win big or mess up bigger. These are the players who throw that hail Mary pass as the whistle blows - or score that overtime goal because they took a risk and tried something a little different. They are not the consistent, strategic, by-the-book players - they are the ones that are willing to lay it all on the line to follow their gut instinct. I call them the "heart" players.
I believe that every successful team - in sports, in business AND in marriage needs both head and heart players. No question - our home team has it's share of both... I am that heart player and Mark would be the consistent, reliable, strategic, methodical and deliberate head player. He reads every situation, maps out a game plan - and usually scores! I, on the other hand, rely heavily on passion and instinct - making decisions based on what feels right - living in the moment with more "Hail Mary" passes on record than I care to remember! Success is sweet, and the incomplete pass is...expected.
We recently made a few big decisions, that brought our "playing styles" to light in a big way... Good friends invited us on a cruise. 24 hours after we talked about it, we booked it...well, "we" being our friends and I. Mark would have preferred researching, comparing, studying and waiting for all stars to align. He likes time to strategize, analyze and internalize... while I just FINALIZE! The "head player" wants everything to make sense - while the "heart player" says, "who cares whether it's the very best option...it will be the funnest option because our friends will be there, and we have lots of reasons to celebrate!" My instinct says - this will be GOOD..."Hail Mary Pass" at its finest!
We recently bought a car...and all I can say is - thank goodness the head player dominated that field! Mark followed the car-buying playbook to a "t" and executed. I was thrilled with the results - especially because we ended up with the same car I had picked out in June...A few weeks before the car and the cruise decisions, our son decided to take a semester away from university study to pursue his banking interests and finish some on-line courses. I was entirely supportive, knowing in my heart that we had given him the foundation to make smart choices and knowing that - as in any recognized and respected co-op program, taking a few months away from classroom theory to put skills into practice is a good thing...Enter - "head player", firing up the debate over how things are supposed to be! Once upon a time, the playbook clearly said that after high school, you go to university, then get a job. That's the proper order and the right way...My alternative point of view was the equivalent of that annoying player digging in the corner, hoping to turn sheer determination into a goal on the scoreboard...I have no idea if I earned a point on this one - but what I DO know is that our son heard both voices on a level playing field and understands how important his decisions are to us...that's gotta be a win on some level.
I'm glad that our kids are being raised on a well balanced team. I'm glad Mark's sense is tempered by my sensibility and that my occasional "jump right in" tendency is offset my Mark's impeccable planning. I'm glad that our team can have a pretty solid play book, that allows for a bit of creativity, flexibility and the occasional crazy pass when we should have punted! I'm especially glad when Mark doesn't call me out when I'm offside or when I fumble - because, between the misses, this team executes some spectacular plays.
Time will tell whether our most recent decisions will bring home a win...but either way, the experience will help take our game to the next level!
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