Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Be Impeccable With Your Word
Today I am grateful that I can move around almost pain free. This month has sure brought it's share of health problems. I put my back out again Monday afternoon, so I stayed in bed Tuesday feeling sorry for myself and contemplating life. I'm not sure I came up with much during the 24 hours in bed, although I was reminded of a book I read once called the 4 Agreements. One of the agreements was: Be Impeccable With Your Word. Today I feel the need to practice that a little more. Sometimes life gets us down and we don't choose our words as carefully as we should. So that's my new goal. That and seeing a physio now on a regular basis! It's easy to let things slide until life slaps us down and screams "TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF." Okay okay...I get it! lol
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Telemiracle 35
What do you get when you cross and telethon and a miracle? You get Kinsmen Telemiracle, a 20 hour live televised telethon in which people in the most amazing Province in Canada phone in and make a miracle happen. And quite the miracle it is. Kinsmen "Telemiracle" has been going strong for 35 years and has raised, in that short time, over 94 million dollars. This weekend the 2nd highest amount in history was brought in, $4,635,768. All money raised by the telethon stays in Saskatchewan and goes to help people in the Province. Please follow the link for more information. As with every year we made a donation to this wonderful foundation.
During the televised telethon, there are a number of entertainers, some famous names and some local talent. As well there are many many presentations of cheques that come in from money raised in small towns all over Saskatchewan. Today, as we sat in the audience, waiting for the presentation, there was a story of a woman who had worked all her life as a psychiatric nurse, before becoming ill and needing help from the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation. She eventually passed away and tonight a presentation was made in her honour. She had bequested over 500,000 of her "rainy day fund" to help others in need.
What made this year extra special, is that my father-in-law and his good friend were recognized for founding Telemiracle in 1977. Today they were recognized for their achievement, Telemiracle, which has grown and greatly benefited the people in our Province. Congratulations to both and to the thousands of Kinsmen and Kinette volunteers who make Telemiracle a success year after year!
http://www.telemiracle.com/html/telemiracle/index.cfm
During the televised telethon, there are a number of entertainers, some famous names and some local talent. As well there are many many presentations of cheques that come in from money raised in small towns all over Saskatchewan. Today, as we sat in the audience, waiting for the presentation, there was a story of a woman who had worked all her life as a psychiatric nurse, before becoming ill and needing help from the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation. She eventually passed away and tonight a presentation was made in her honour. She had bequested over 500,000 of her "rainy day fund" to help others in need.
What made this year extra special, is that my father-in-law and his good friend were recognized for founding Telemiracle in 1977. Today they were recognized for their achievement, Telemiracle, which has grown and greatly benefited the people in our Province. Congratulations to both and to the thousands of Kinsmen and Kinette volunteers who make Telemiracle a success year after year!
http://www.telemiracle.com/html/telemiracle/index.cfm
Monday, February 28, 2011
Cab Fare
Today I had to spend 4 hours in the ER with suspected appendicitis. I am relieved to know that it's not that.
With the thin curtain that separates you from your neighbour, you can't help but hear what is going on with the person beside you. I could tell the woman beside me was in a lot of pain and as it turned out, she had thrown her back out. I did that 3 weeks ago and ended up flat on my back in bed for a day and a half. Well...hers was probably 10 times worse and I saw the agony in her eyes when she had to get up to use the bathroom. She had also explained to the doctor that it took her over half an hour to walk 3 blocks to the hospital. So, after a few hours, a painkiller and a prescription, she was being released. On her way out I told my husband to give her money for a cab ride home. I cannot imagine walking for even a block in the condition she was in, and to make matters worse, it was blizzarding and very very cold.
Winter, you can leave anytime now.
With the thin curtain that separates you from your neighbour, you can't help but hear what is going on with the person beside you. I could tell the woman beside me was in a lot of pain and as it turned out, she had thrown her back out. I did that 3 weeks ago and ended up flat on my back in bed for a day and a half. Well...hers was probably 10 times worse and I saw the agony in her eyes when she had to get up to use the bathroom. She had also explained to the doctor that it took her over half an hour to walk 3 blocks to the hospital. So, after a few hours, a painkiller and a prescription, she was being released. On her way out I told my husband to give her money for a cab ride home. I cannot imagine walking for even a block in the condition she was in, and to make matters worse, it was blizzarding and very very cold.
Winter, you can leave anytime now.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I'm BACK!!!
This post is dedicated to my Father-In-Law who told me a few weeks back that he was tired of reading about "Burritos", which one of my very sparse blogs lately. I'm sure by now he is sick of reading about "Ice Cream" too.
I have recently gone to work part time and at the same time I felt like my writing was becoming redundant and boring. And I've realized that 365 days was maybe a bit ambitious. To date I have done 113 RAOK's. I thought that maybe I would stop but today I feel inspired to keep going. It may just take me 3 years to do 365 days of random acts of kindness, but I want to keep writing.
As well as working part time, I am putting together a large fundraiser by the way of a Variety Show, for a group I volunteer for. The money goes towards children with cancer. The past few months have been busy finding talent, securing a location, selling tickets and requesting donations. This has all kept me busy but busy feels very good. I am reminded of the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel when I have too much time on my hands and don't feel like I'm doing anything that has meaning to my life. I think I've talked once before about Wiesel being a Jewish psychiatrist in Germany who was put in a concentration camp. He later discovered a valuable form of therapy, that was born out of his witness to the thousands that died in the camps, and formed a theory about who managed to survive. Those who couldn't find any meaning in their day to day life gave up hope, became depressed and eventually died. After his liberation, his therapy became centered around finding meaning in day to day things to ward off all sorts of depression and other mental illness.
Anyway...a little off topic but I think what's kept me in good spirits is keeping busy and finding meaning in what I'm currently doing.
It's almost the end of February and have made it through the harshest months of our Canadian winter! That's reason to celebrate. I think I'll do that in front of the t.v. tonight while I watch the Oscars and find meaning through folding socks : )
I have recently gone to work part time and at the same time I felt like my writing was becoming redundant and boring. And I've realized that 365 days was maybe a bit ambitious. To date I have done 113 RAOK's. I thought that maybe I would stop but today I feel inspired to keep going. It may just take me 3 years to do 365 days of random acts of kindness, but I want to keep writing.
As well as working part time, I am putting together a large fundraiser by the way of a Variety Show, for a group I volunteer for. The money goes towards children with cancer. The past few months have been busy finding talent, securing a location, selling tickets and requesting donations. This has all kept me busy but busy feels very good. I am reminded of the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel when I have too much time on my hands and don't feel like I'm doing anything that has meaning to my life. I think I've talked once before about Wiesel being a Jewish psychiatrist in Germany who was put in a concentration camp. He later discovered a valuable form of therapy, that was born out of his witness to the thousands that died in the camps, and formed a theory about who managed to survive. Those who couldn't find any meaning in their day to day life gave up hope, became depressed and eventually died. After his liberation, his therapy became centered around finding meaning in day to day things to ward off all sorts of depression and other mental illness.
Anyway...a little off topic but I think what's kept me in good spirits is keeping busy and finding meaning in what I'm currently doing.
It's almost the end of February and have made it through the harshest months of our Canadian winter! That's reason to celebrate. I think I'll do that in front of the t.v. tonight while I watch the Oscars and find meaning through folding socks : )
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ice Cream
Tonight we had some guys over to the house to talk about a skit for my upcoming variety show I'm putting on as a fundraiser for a wonderful charity called The Little Bald Angels. I was talking with one of the guys earlier to today and found out he likes ice cream. So I bought an ice cream cake for them tonight to eat after they discussed what they were doing. Who doesn't need ice cream at 9:30 at night when it's -30 Celsius? We're a tough lot here in Saskatchewan. And we still like our ice cream in winter. Arrrrrrrrrrrh!!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Spider and the Sage
In India there is a story about a kind, quiet man who would pray in the Ganges River every morning. One day after praying, he saw a poisonous spider struggling in the water and cupped his hands to carry it ashore. As he placed the spider on the ground, it stung him. Unknowingly, his prayers for the world diluted the poison.
The next day the same thing happened. On the third day the kind man was knee deep in the river; and, sure enough there was the spider, legs frantic in the water. As the man went to lift the creature yet again, the spider said "Why do you keep lifting me? Can't you see I will sting you every time because that is what I do." And the kind man cupped his hands about the spider, replying "Because that is what I do."
There are many reasons to be kind. Why, when loved ones cry, we try to soothe them. When things break, we try to put them together. It's just what we do. Human beings lift each other, no matter what the consequence. Even when other beings sting. The Spider and the Sage.
I sent flowers to someone late last week who I thought could use them. Someone who is going through a challenge. I was a bit surprised and a little upset when I didn't get a phone call to say thank you. Then I read the above passage today and it became clear to me that it doesn't matter. We are here to lift each other...no matter what.
The next day the same thing happened. On the third day the kind man was knee deep in the river; and, sure enough there was the spider, legs frantic in the water. As the man went to lift the creature yet again, the spider said "Why do you keep lifting me? Can't you see I will sting you every time because that is what I do." And the kind man cupped his hands about the spider, replying "Because that is what I do."
There are many reasons to be kind. Why, when loved ones cry, we try to soothe them. When things break, we try to put them together. It's just what we do. Human beings lift each other, no matter what the consequence. Even when other beings sting. The Spider and the Sage.
I sent flowers to someone late last week who I thought could use them. Someone who is going through a challenge. I was a bit surprised and a little upset when I didn't get a phone call to say thank you. Then I read the above passage today and it became clear to me that it doesn't matter. We are here to lift each other...no matter what.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Spicy Burritos!
There's a photo class I'm taking in the afternoons that's three hours long. Right now we're taking mostly theory so we're sitting for a long period of time. Mid afternoon we can all get snackish, so I decided to take in a box of 50 TimBits for our break. I think everyone appreciated it as there were only a handful left by the end of a class of 5 students! lol
Last night I have to mention that I was out with a friend for supper at Avacados which is a mexican place. Our meals got mixed up and I ended up with the spicy burrito and she got the mild one. OMG...I have never eaten such a spicy pepper in my entire life! I ate it and before realizing what had happened, I had tears streaming down my face and my tongue was on fire! I've never experienced anything like that before. For a minute or so I couldn't even speak and the water I was drinking didn't help at all. Finally I got a waitress and said "bring me a glass of milk as fast as you can." She realized why and got it to me pretty quick. After about 10 minutes I think I was back to normal. Wow. Never again lol
Last night I have to mention that I was out with a friend for supper at Avacados which is a mexican place. Our meals got mixed up and I ended up with the spicy burrito and she got the mild one. OMG...I have never eaten such a spicy pepper in my entire life! I ate it and before realizing what had happened, I had tears streaming down my face and my tongue was on fire! I've never experienced anything like that before. For a minute or so I couldn't even speak and the water I was drinking didn't help at all. Finally I got a waitress and said "bring me a glass of milk as fast as you can." She realized why and got it to me pretty quick. After about 10 minutes I think I was back to normal. Wow. Never again lol
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