Excerpt from a Too-Honest Good Girl June 21, 2008

I was raised a good Catholic girl.   I admit I may not have followed the rules of the Church but I don’t stray too far when it comes to the rules of Life and interacting with people.   The Golden Rule of doing unto others as I would have them do unto me is foremost in my mind.   I have been accused of being “too honest” and “too loyal.”   (When did those fall out of fashion?)

When four of us entered the Moulin Rouge in Paris last week, we were asked at the door if we had cameras.  Two of us did, only one of us admitted to it (guess who).  We didn’t have intentions of taking photos as we knew it wasn’t allowed, but we had our cameras in our purses the whole week (what tourist doesn’t in Paris?)!   Being the too-honest girl, I of course nodded my head “yes” and was asked to hand over my new digital camera in exchange for a coat check tag.  The others muttered comments like “good luck getting that back.”  My husband shook his head in that you’re-too-honest-for-your-own-good sort of way that he’s done before.   Part of me did have some hesitation as I removed my digital card before handing it over.  No scrapbooker worth her photo-safe adhesive would be separated from her photos… a camera is replaceable, but photos of a dream vacation are not.  How else would I prove to you I was at the REAL Eiffel Tower?  It was a non-issue as I collected my camera easily at the end of the show.

To the defense of the others, I understand their skepticism as just 10 minutes later the guys were handing over 50 euros to the waiter in order that we could have a better table.  Considering we arrived quite early and there were many open seats, I guess I was naive to think my polite request of the maitre’d would get us a better view.  After all, he explained, the rules of the house would not allow a group of 4 to sit at the (better location) tables for 6 people.

My request being dismissed, the guys made the traditional offer to the waiter to ”make it worth his while” which was apparently familiar to him because he was quick to ask us to show him the money.  It seemed the house rules could be broken for a price as we were promptly seated center stage to enjoy the show.  (I  noticed later that various groups of 2 and 4 were sat together at the tables for six.)  Many would say this is simply how the world works.  I prefer to see this as an exception rather than the rule.

Examining my conditioning to follow rules, I’m reminded that if we follow them blindly opportunities are missed.  A perfect metaphor of this came to me last summer in Lake Tahoe when I was attending a self-discovery retreat.  My new friend said that she wanted to walk to the end of the pier.   The pier had a big gate with chains, a padlock and a sign that said Authorized Personnel Only.  ”We can’t,” this obedient girl said, “it’s all locked up.”   “Just go give it a push and see,” her new friend replied.   Of course, it opened easily with a slight push.   I had her take a photo as a reminder to include in my spiritual scrapbook – obstacles sometimes look bigger than they really are, it’s our fear that holds us back.

Just another example of the Universe opening doors to match our desires.  Our job is to be willing to take a leap of faith and awaken to opportunities in disguise.

CHALLENGE FOR YOU TO OPEN YOUR HEART:   When was the last time you did something completely spontaneous and out-of-character?  If it’s been awhile, then it’s time to… sing karaoke in public, run through a sprinkler on a hot day (fully dressed), be seen in public without makeup, bare your soul in a blog… you write the script, you make the rules of your life.  Wear the colour orange – that’s a good one for infusing some colour energy into your spontaneity!  And take a photo… we need these reminders on occasion.

QUOTE FOR YOUR SCRAPBOOK:  “Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Celebrate with Gratitude June 18, 2008

Bonjour mes amis!

Je suis retourner… from a wonderful week in Paris, France and am happy to share a page of my favourite photos.  You will note I am in front of the REAL Eiffel Tower in this post!  And to the right of that, a photo of myself reading a copy of a magazine celebrating the life of the late French designer Yves Saint-Laurent who passed over just prior to my visit to France. 

The message I wish to share with you today is how important it is to take the time to set goals and dreams for your life and that you achieve these through your thoughts, feelings and ACTION.  I wrote earlier this month about my vision board, scrapbook and creation box.  However, it is important to note that some action is required on your part.  The Universal Laws will bring opportunities to you but it is up to YOU to make the decision (this is your first action step) and go forward in faith.    As James Ray teaches, we must go 3 for 3… when your thoughts, feelings and actions are all in alignment the universe will open up and you will step into your full power.

The completion of this dream of visiting Paris has me contemplating all of the opportunities that the universe has presented to me in the past 2 years since I became aware of how the universal laws and principles work.  While in Paris I consciously offered up my thanks each and every day for the wonderment of how I came to be there.  It became clearer with each day there that this was the RIGHT time for me to be in France.  So as your dreams come true, remember to celebrate with gratitude. 

I would also like to encourage you to enjoy the JOURNEY.  Perhaps you are not where you want to be today; perhaps you are facing challenges that seem overwhelming.  Find the lessons where you are today.  Forge ahead in Faith and Gratitude for what you already have in your life.  And know that your true destination never really arrives… we will constantly have new desires, dreams and goals.  Such is life and this is the way that we grow and evolve.  Now that Paris is checked off my list, I look to the rest of my “bucket list” with anticipation and faith that what is meant to be will be.

Paris ne s’est pas fait en un jour.  (Paris wasn’t built in a day.) – French proverb

QUOTE FOR YOUR SCRAPBOOK: 

“The power of imagination makes us infinite.”  ~ John Muir

Dreams do come true June 8, 2008

I am soooooo excited!!!   I’ve been this way for months and it’s finally here, I can hardly contain myself… one of my dreams is coming true!  I am going to the City of Lights for adventure, discovery and romance and will be able to live my dream of living and speaking as the French do!  Since I was a teenager, I’ve wanted to visit Paris.  I love everything French.  

I enjoyed listening to my father speak his native tongue to his aunts on the phone (Alberta francophone slang which unfortunately did not transfer well to the French I was learning in school) .  I enjoy the beautiful, flowing language and find that I am good at it.   Yet I have not become fluent because I haven’t had the opportunity to speak it for any length of time.  

One of my dreams has always been to immerse myself in the language by living in Quebec or France for a period of time.   As a teenager I applied for an exchange program but did not secure one of the few available spots.   I had plans to travel there with a friend after highschool but she backed out and I never went.  As a flight attendant, I flew everywhere around it but never to France.  Then life happened and it did not materialize.

A couple years ago I learned about creating a Vision Board.   The information has been around for a long time but I first learned of it through the film The Secret.   In one of my favourite books Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests creating an Illustrated Discovery Journal.  Abraham-Hicks suggests a Creation Box.    Last year I purchased a beautiful fabric-covered box that says Paris all over it.  Inside I drop papers or objects that represent things I wish to accomplish.  Last November I was in Vegas and asked a friend to take a photo of me with the “fake” Eiffel Tower behind me so that I could put it in my Vision Book (yes, I have a Vision Scrapbook… that should be no surprise)!  Another friend created this collage of me that I could view on my computer.

Just 6 weeks after my return from Las Vegas, Mark and I were having dinner with friends who announced they were going to Paris and asked if we would like to come.  My husband, without even looking at me said, “that sounds like fun.”  I did a double take!  Okay, you’re saying, that’s not a big manifestation.  Well, yes, it is!!   First, I’ve had many opportunities to travel in my life and the circumstances to go to France didn’t seem to line up.  Second, my husband has never been to  Europe.   It’s not that he was opposed to going but it was never first on his priority list and I was beginning to think it would be in our retirement that we would finally get there.  Vacations are usually south or centered around golf (I am an active participant so I’m not complaining, just stating a fact). 

Which brings me to my most important point… Mark plays around 170 rounds a year.  So to get him doing anything BUT golf in the middle of Spring is highly unusual.  I’ve suggested other activities and usually he says, “in the winter, when it’s not golf season.”   

Dreams do come true if you dream it and believe it will come.   Do not place your attention on the not having of it.   Twenty-some years later I am getting to Paris in the Springtime… thanks to The Universe who kindly lined up everything to make it the right time to go.  Because if it wasn’t his golf buddy who invited us, I’m not sure that I could have gotten Mark there on my own in the middle of June.   AND, we’re not bringing the golf clubs.    For all of this, I am grateful. 

Voilà la vérité (that’s the truth of it). 

QUOTE FOR YOUR SCRAPBOOK: “Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” Henry David Thoreau

CHALLENGE TO YOU:  Have some fun in your scrapbook and create a page of your goals and dreams for your future.  The real fun begins when you have the opportunity to look back on this page and recognize all that has happened.  My example above is only one of many that have come true for me.

Busy, busy, bzzzz, zzzz…. June 2, 2008

It’s been 7 days since my last posting.  Interesting perspective:  that statement sounds like either a confessional or an accomplishment depending if you’re a Catholic or a recovering alcoholic.  I used to be the former, never was the latter;  I suppose I can combine the two and now say I’m a recovering Catholic.   Kidding aside, I have respect for both, just having some fun with words.

Which brings me to my topic… language and the words we choose.  I believe the 2 most powerful words we can say are ”I am…” and anything that follows those words are like a decree, a declaration and an invitation for more of the same. 

I had the pleasure of being at our local Street Festival yesterday.  A large portion of the main street through town is closed to traffic and I’ve heard numbers close to 50,000 pedestrians visit this annual event.  I had a vendor’s table there, as it’s a wonderful way to connect with the community and promote awareness of my business and services.   As I greeted visitors to my table with the usual “Good afternoon, how are you today?”, I cannot tell you how many times the response was “not bad.”   Hmmm, I suppose that’s better than not good.   I’ve used these same words many times; we do it so unconsciously without realizing the intention we are putting out there with our words.   Now, I certainly hope to receive honest answers when I ask the question so if one is truly struggling through their day then I suppose “not bad” is a polite way to say “I’m not doing well but don’t really want to get into it with you, thanks for asking.”   However, when one says “not bad” we are focusing on the negative.  Even if your day is a struggle, don’t you still have much to be GREAT-ful for?  You can walk, you can see, you can talk, you can hear, you can choose to be at a festival, you have freedom, you have a beautiful day, you can read this blog, you have… so much.  Perhaps we take too much for granted.

I’ve noticed my chiropractor doesn’t greet people with “how are you?”  He’s trained himself to greet people with “Good to see you!”  Very smart.

The next time someone asks you how you are, answer honestly… but if “not bad” is your routine response, try one of these:   Great!  Marvelous!  Fantastic!  Super-duper!  Wonderful!  Awesome! 

Another word that is overused is BUSY. ”I am so busy!”  Whenever I hear that response to my question “how are things with you?”, and it’s said in that rush, rush tone of voice like they’re doing me a favour to talk to me, well they’ve lost my attention.  We’re ALL busy.  I don’t think I’m any busier than you or you’re any busier than me.  For the past year I’ve been consciously avoiding the use of that adjective.  

In the world of blogging, apparently a blogger shouldn’t keep their readers waiting too long between posts or they won’t return.  My apologies for the past week… I have a very full life!  I enjoy my activities every day and keep myself occupied doing the things I choose to do or… I’m doing my best to approach with a fun spirit the things that simply need to get done.  I do have challenges; having a fun spirit and a grateful heart allow me to ease through challenges in life more elegantly.

Because when it’s all said and done… how would you like to look back on your life?  Do you want it to be “not bad” or GREAT!!!  It’s your choice.

QUOTE FOR YOUR SCRAPBOOK:  “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”  John Lennon

CHALLENGE TO YOU:  In your daily or weekly schedule, take the time to feed your soul with activities that give you joy and passion.  Sometimes you need to step back from the busy busy activities in order to be more productive.  Go for a walk around the block, meditate, write in your journal or scrapbook.