A New Year

What a wonderful feeling this new year has brought with it.

I was feeling quite flat toward the end of December, but as the end of the month drew closer, I found that the stress of Christmas faded.

We did not drive to Radium after all. The roads were bad and I am a basket case when the roads are so much as shiny. My Mum and Step-Dad came a day later. I did not bottle sangria. We did not soak in the hotsprings.

I thought I had everything planned out... dates and times, when I would shop... but, as they say about the best laid plans...

We spent Christmas with my Sister, her husband and inlaws. It was lovely.

The boys played wii for several hours (what a treat for them), very quietly. We visited, ate, opened gifts, ate some more and had a calm, relaxed, beautiful time.

It made me realise that sometimes the best plans are to have none at all.

Further, I did not go crazy, as I always have, making lists of cleaning and organizing... Alan was shocked that I didn't bark orders, or once get on my hands and knees to scrub floors.

I start this new year with a deep desire to focus on that which is most important to me... my boys, Alan, my home. I have set my business aside for now, focussing on healing from the accident and being home with those I love.

I feel deeply peaceful about it.

I am so happy.

Embracing the light

Not a lot to say about this... I think we all need a reminder of the goodness of our lives sometimes...here is my favourite.

DESIRATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

New Home

So, it has come time to move.

Alan and I were blessed with this job nearly 2 1/2 years ago. We are so grateful for it and for all the opportunities we've seen from it. It made life easier for us and came at a time when I needed to be home with the kids because of Parker's health challenges, but our needs have changed int he last year.

We need more space. We need a safer community. We need neighbourhood kids that the boys can safely play with. We need less traffic, pollution and litter. We need more nature around us. We need to feel safe in our home. We need more time together as a family. We need a home built with healthy materials. We need a community that will open up different opportunities for us.

We want comfort. We want quiet. We want music. We want a dog (or two:)). We want more than one bathroom. We want a home that friends and family can come to relax. We want to move this summer.

I am sending it out there, to the universe, all the things we need and want... I know it will happen for us.

Incidently. We would like to find homes for the things we have but don't need, to make room for what we do need. If you know of someone in need of a couch (fairly new, in good condition), shelves, side tables, dining table, a dresser or two and a number of other things... please let me know.

Dream Boards

So, anyone ever done one?

I am going away this weekend (I know, again) for a retreat with a group of good friends. I am thinking of taking a portion of one of the days to complete a dreamboard. I have invited my friends to join me as well.

I know everyone has dreams... everyone is striving to find balance in their lives and to attract things, comfort, friendship, health and most important, happiness.

It can be easy to get side-tracked by life's everyday challenges and change your focus from things you truly want from your life, to settling for what your current situation is... and feeling stuck is frustrating.

I know this. I know this with all my heart, but I have been allowing things to get in the way and it is time to change direction and start to focus on things that are truly meaningful.