I received another one of many chain mails this week. I really dislike the superstitious mumbo jumbo stuff about forwarding such e-mails at the end of them. So, since the original creator was not credited, I have decided to share the body of the e-mail here but adjust the opening and closing as only I would, in a blogpost.
Now that I am supposedly "all grown up", I face adult-sized challenges in my daily life. Not all result in success in my favour, which is quite unfortunate. But... supposedly what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And so, I move forward... sometimes with a skip and a hop and laughter in my heart and other times with a limp, dragging my bruised ego and tired legs behind me.
As I reminisce about my "good old days" with some wonderful people in my past, I catch myself feeling wistful and thoughtful amidst all the laughter at our 80s and 90s fashion and hairstyles. I do not deny a desire to turn back the clock, to for a moment, return to the innocence and wonderment of a 20-year old and perhaps even make some decisions just a bit differently. I certainly know a lot more now than I did then. But then again, that’s quite impossible, isn’t it? We cannot relive the past knowing what we know in the present.
While I think it is natural to wonder about what-ifs and wish-I-could-haves back then, at the end of the day, I live in the here and now. This e-mail that I received reminded me of my first lesson in Carpe Diem through the Robin Williams movie, Dead Poets Society. Carpe Diem is a phrase in a poem by Horace, a Roman poet during the time of Augustus. In his ode, Horace beckons the reader to live the present wholly as the future is unknowable. It was a fabulous movie by the way, but since I cannot read Latin, I am unable to recommend Horace’s poem in whole :)
It seems to me this new decade of my life is crucial for building and sealing relationships, especially familial ones. And so, I choose to face this decade of my life with regular reminders to “seize the day” – make today even better than yesterday. No, let’s rephrase that, make today even more meaningful than yesterday. Yeah, that’s better.
When I am finished getting teary-eyed about the past (and don't even bother telling me not to cry as I believe it is human nature to mourn for what we do not have), I must take the step to acknowledge the present that I do have. Count my blessings (corny but true and a must, in order to move forward)...and if I have to, list them one by one. At each sunset and when night falls, I must choose to celebrate the fact that I have life to live, and live to the fullest. If I am unable to find a single blessing, at least for today, may I look to the battered nation of Haiti and be thankful that I am far better off than at least 3 million inhabitants there.
Anyway – here is the body of the e-mail which prompted this blogpost. There is much truth in it. Share it as you wish. Live it as you choose.
**************************************************
To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realizeThe value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to
A premature baby...
To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane..
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
**************************************************
Peace and love to all.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
I saw an old flame...
Seeing an old flame… somewhat appropriate that I should write this on the first day of winter....
So a few weeks ago, I updated my status on Facebook to read, “I’m sooo excited. Meeting an old flame from overseas next Thursday”. I think it caused a minor stir although some people were too polite to comment till after I clarified. After all, what else could “an old flame” mean besides an ex-boyfriend? LOL!!! People! People! Have you ever known me to do something completely irresponsible? Or even veer in that direction? OK fine, the little incident with my eating that whole chocolate cheesecake was completely undocumented. I never told a soul about it! Hahaha.
Jokes aside, I did see an “old flame” from overseas recently. “It” traveled thousands of kilometers on a long and important journey, not just for me but for the world. At the end of October this year, at the Panathenian Stadium where the modern Olympics were born 113 years ago, the Olympic flame for the Vancouver 2010 Games was transferred to Canadian control.
Now, I’m no athlete. I don’t even pretend to exercise daily. What touches my spirit beyond words is what the Olympics represent. Some say, “The Olympic flame is the Olympic Games symbol of peace, hope, inclusiveness, equality, joy and fraternity”. I like that,... that appeals to me. Call me a sentimental fool, a softy, a bleeding-heart liberal for believing that. I don’t care, really. There are way too many cynics today, let’s choose to spread some positive vibes instead of fueling negativity.
Back to my date with the flame…when I learned that the Olympic flame was coming to my neighbourhood, I had no choice but to make plans to see it, n’est-ce pas? How many of us can boast of living in an Olympic host country but more than that, be privileged enough to live in a city that is part of the Olympic Torch relay? I have no idea if Canada will host another Olympics in my lifetime and even if it did, if the flame would ever walk the streets that I walk. Therefore, it was a no-brainer – we would, as a family, go be a part of this immensely special ocassion.
Supposedly, when the flame left Greece in October, it also marked the start of a new journey for the flame that would see it endure the longest national relay in Olympic history. Vanoc (Vancouver Organizing Committee) chief executive John Furlong said this when he received the flame at Panathenian Stadium, “Today we accept the Olympic flame with humility and respect and with joy. This moment marks the beginning of the Vancouver 2010 torch relay and our 106-day odyssey of hope." The torch relay through Canada this year would be a 45,000 kilometer relay that would touch all provinces and territories, through more than 1,000 communities and unbelievably, implausibly, yet remarkably, mine would be one of those communities.
On December 6th, I bundled up my whole family at 6:00pm to take a shuttle bus to a park at a nearby suburb. I even packed a few thermoses of hot chocolate! The runner scheduled for this particular leg of the flame’s journey was a high school student, something that resounded with my identity as a teacher. It was the night before the first forecasted snowstorm. So, did the frigid weather deter people from coming out to welcome this flaming symbol of hope? “Not a snowball’s chance in hell” is how one local reporter responded.
It was an inspiring evening. So many people – young, old and in between, all bundled up in winter clothing, many of them in Canadiana Olympic red apparel, the cutest were the little babies, completely wrapped from head to toe in snowsuit, cutesy toques with pom poms, red cheeks … you could see their warm breaths in the cold air. Everyone got noise makers (little tambourines), glowing Coke bottles (a sponsor), there was hot chocolate, Christmas lights, and entertainment and chit chat being conducted in the two national languages of Canada, French and English.
When the flame finally emerged, the atmosphere crescendoed to a boisterous, rousing bilingual rendition of O’ Canada. It was FANTASTIC! Everyone, of all ages and of all colours, seemed to remember all the words. We sang, with ONE voice, tinged with subtle yet undeniable Canadian pride, as the sleek cool-looking torch, designed by Bombardier engineers (Montreal company) arrived in our neighbourhood.
Seeing the bright yellow and blue flame bouncing as it moved through the crowd somehow got me choked up. I cannot explain it. I felt a whole gamut of emotions and I wasn’t even the one carrying the flame! I felt pride, awe, humility, happiness, reverence, fascination… how odd … yet completely wonderful! The icing on the cake was at the end of the evening when my kids thanked me for an exciting outing. Even they, at their young and tender age, had felt something special in the air.
Two days later, after Montreal’s first major snowstorm, I was privileged enough to see the flame again, this time in the middle of the day during school hours. I felt so blessed to have some free periods exactly during the time of the flame’s traverse near my school. This time, there were busloads of students from nearby schools lining up the street awaiting the flame. I had a fabulous front row “seat” and managed to take a video of this special moment. The feelings I had the previous night ALL returned, this time even stronger as children all around me chanted, “Canada! Canada! Canada!” Many were holding flags and posters they drew. I seriously felt the hope and pride of this adoptive nation of mine.
It was an experience that was magnificent, mind-blowing and completely awesome!
I am humbled to have had the privilege of being a part of this historic relay, not once but twice. How lucky am I? February 12th - I have another date with you, my flame, as the Winter Olympics begin. Hope to catch the live coverage of the Opening ceremonies. May these Games indeed be a symbol of "symbol of peace, hope, inclusiveness, equality, joy and fraternity"
So a few weeks ago, I updated my status on Facebook to read, “I’m sooo excited. Meeting an old flame from overseas next Thursday”. I think it caused a minor stir although some people were too polite to comment till after I clarified. After all, what else could “an old flame” mean besides an ex-boyfriend? LOL!!! People! People! Have you ever known me to do something completely irresponsible? Or even veer in that direction? OK fine, the little incident with my eating that whole chocolate cheesecake was completely undocumented. I never told a soul about it! Hahaha.
Jokes aside, I did see an “old flame” from overseas recently. “It” traveled thousands of kilometers on a long and important journey, not just for me but for the world. At the end of October this year, at the Panathenian Stadium where the modern Olympics were born 113 years ago, the Olympic flame for the Vancouver 2010 Games was transferred to Canadian control.
Now, I’m no athlete. I don’t even pretend to exercise daily. What touches my spirit beyond words is what the Olympics represent. Some say, “The Olympic flame is the Olympic Games symbol of peace, hope, inclusiveness, equality, joy and fraternity”. I like that,... that appeals to me. Call me a sentimental fool, a softy, a bleeding-heart liberal for believing that. I don’t care, really. There are way too many cynics today, let’s choose to spread some positive vibes instead of fueling negativity.
Back to my date with the flame…when I learned that the Olympic flame was coming to my neighbourhood, I had no choice but to make plans to see it, n’est-ce pas? How many of us can boast of living in an Olympic host country but more than that, be privileged enough to live in a city that is part of the Olympic Torch relay? I have no idea if Canada will host another Olympics in my lifetime and even if it did, if the flame would ever walk the streets that I walk. Therefore, it was a no-brainer – we would, as a family, go be a part of this immensely special ocassion.
Supposedly, when the flame left Greece in October, it also marked the start of a new journey for the flame that would see it endure the longest national relay in Olympic history. Vanoc (Vancouver Organizing Committee) chief executive John Furlong said this when he received the flame at Panathenian Stadium, “Today we accept the Olympic flame with humility and respect and with joy. This moment marks the beginning of the Vancouver 2010 torch relay and our 106-day odyssey of hope." The torch relay through Canada this year would be a 45,000 kilometer relay that would touch all provinces and territories, through more than 1,000 communities and unbelievably, implausibly, yet remarkably, mine would be one of those communities.
On December 6th, I bundled up my whole family at 6:00pm to take a shuttle bus to a park at a nearby suburb. I even packed a few thermoses of hot chocolate! The runner scheduled for this particular leg of the flame’s journey was a high school student, something that resounded with my identity as a teacher. It was the night before the first forecasted snowstorm. So, did the frigid weather deter people from coming out to welcome this flaming symbol of hope? “Not a snowball’s chance in hell” is how one local reporter responded.
It was an inspiring evening. So many people – young, old and in between, all bundled up in winter clothing, many of them in Canadiana Olympic red apparel, the cutest were the little babies, completely wrapped from head to toe in snowsuit, cutesy toques with pom poms, red cheeks … you could see their warm breaths in the cold air. Everyone got noise makers (little tambourines), glowing Coke bottles (a sponsor), there was hot chocolate, Christmas lights, and entertainment and chit chat being conducted in the two national languages of Canada, French and English.
When the flame finally emerged, the atmosphere crescendoed to a boisterous, rousing bilingual rendition of O’ Canada. It was FANTASTIC! Everyone, of all ages and of all colours, seemed to remember all the words. We sang, with ONE voice, tinged with subtle yet undeniable Canadian pride, as the sleek cool-looking torch, designed by Bombardier engineers (Montreal company) arrived in our neighbourhood.
Seeing the bright yellow and blue flame bouncing as it moved through the crowd somehow got me choked up. I cannot explain it. I felt a whole gamut of emotions and I wasn’t even the one carrying the flame! I felt pride, awe, humility, happiness, reverence, fascination… how odd … yet completely wonderful! The icing on the cake was at the end of the evening when my kids thanked me for an exciting outing. Even they, at their young and tender age, had felt something special in the air.
Two days later, after Montreal’s first major snowstorm, I was privileged enough to see the flame again, this time in the middle of the day during school hours. I felt so blessed to have some free periods exactly during the time of the flame’s traverse near my school. This time, there were busloads of students from nearby schools lining up the street awaiting the flame. I had a fabulous front row “seat” and managed to take a video of this special moment. The feelings I had the previous night ALL returned, this time even stronger as children all around me chanted, “Canada! Canada! Canada!” Many were holding flags and posters they drew. I seriously felt the hope and pride of this adoptive nation of mine.
It was an experience that was magnificent, mind-blowing and completely awesome!
I am humbled to have had the privilege of being a part of this historic relay, not once but twice. How lucky am I? February 12th - I have another date with you, my flame, as the Winter Olympics begin. Hope to catch the live coverage of the Opening ceremonies. May these Games indeed be a symbol of "symbol of peace, hope, inclusiveness, equality, joy and fraternity"
Thursday, November 5, 2009
More firsts....
I've never been to a spa even though I'm the ripe old age of "29" (wink wink nudge nudge..) I have shied away from it for various reasons, the silliest being I was afraid I would feel inferior standing in what I assumed would be posh settings. After all, I am no celebrity, no royalty... I am part of the normal, working class. Plus I always pictured a spa as a place with long flowing white curtains, beautiful women dressed in soft, white terry robes... a place where you get led to a room and in comes a hulking, blond, Viking woman called Olga who proceeds to thump the life out of you. So when a student and her parents gave me a gift card to a popular spa last Christmas, I did not quite know how to react.
Common courtesy dictated that I embrace them warmly for their generous gift. The little 7 year old was smiling from ear to ear, pleased that she had picked a wonderful gift for her teacher and her beautiful mom standing beside her beamed just as brightly. I was indeed touched to receive such a gift. "Mom" gave me the double-cheeked Montreal kiss and whispered in my ear, "Enjoy yourself, Mrs. O. You deserve it" Got me teary-eyed....the tears returned later that day when I got home with my second trunk load of Christmas gifts from my students. In all, presents and loving thoughts from a total of 113 students and their families. I have never in all my life, felt love from so many people, all at once. Affirmation that really, money cannot buy.
Back to the spa. Fast forward 11 months. I've pulled out the little gift bag from the spa many times during the year. Never had the time or guts to make an appointment. Last week, I noticed there was an expiry date...looming close... So, what did I do? Instead of putting the gift away as I had done throughout the year, I picked up the phone and made an appointment for a chair massage. Yeay!! Some of my friends are cheering, whooping and hollering now - there is hope for me!
So, the day of the spa appointment arrives. I am nervous. Some of my friends would think ??##?!!?? Well, I was!! I even fussed about what to wear!?? Felt like a teenager going on my first date, I was so silly. What was that all about?
I arrive at the spa. You can't see anything through the windows...as I anticipated, there were white, flowy curtains giving those on the inside a sense of privacy. As if they were the in-crowd. I walk in the door and it was as I expected. There was a reception desk with four or five women wearing the colours of the spa. I see at least three different uniforms, one of the ladies even has a blazer on, she was probably a manager of sorts. The place was dimly lit, soothing wall colours, a light brown beige-y colour (similar to a colour called Shiatsu in my home), there were chandeliers. Over on the right was a sitting area with a white leather couch and white chairs flanked a fireplace that felt warm. The walls seemed curved. Wow...having built a house, I can imagine how much that cost to have customized curvy walls.
Since I am new, they have me filling out a form. Within minutes my massage therapist comes to make my aquaintance and after perusing my form, she suggests a full massage instead of a chair massage saying she could "work my problem areas" better that way. I gulped, she saw me hesitate and smiled, gently reassuring me that all would be well. I did not need to do anything I was not comfortable doing.
So, what do I do? I take the plunge! Well, if you're gonna do something, you might as well do it right, right? :D We walk through frosted glass doors etched with the spa name that marvellously swishes open as we approach them. The hallway is curved, mimicking what I saw in the reception, dimly lit by small chandeliers. Dark wooden doors indicate private rooms. She, let's call her "Maryse", leads me to one.
The room is even more dimly lit than the hallways. There are candles on a mantle on a wall. There is what I call "music water" playing. There is a bed with a soft looking blanket on it. She tells me the bed is heated and to undress and get under the covers. All of a sudden, you could hear my thoughts, my careful observation of my serene surroundings screech to a halt, kind of like the sound a DJ makes when he spins a record the opposite way - like a car doing emergency braking ... Eeeeekkkk!!
Hahahaha. Don't worry... I knew that would happen but still...it is somewhat disconcerting when a total stranger tells you to disrobe, no? I am given some privacy and when she returns, I receive a half-hour introduction to a world where someone else is taking care of your needs. Someone is identifying that parts of your life or your body are in need of relief and that someone is going ahead and taking care of giving you that relief.
Being a working mom, I am normally that person who identifies needs in those around me and I am the one meeting those needs. For years, I would get upset if I did not manage to meet all those needs, as if I was completely responsible for the happiness and well-being of every single person I met. I do not know how I developed this warped sense of responsibility. I do know now, at the "ripe old age of 29" (nudge 2x wink 2x) that if I allow this attitude to lead my life, it will kill me just a little every day.
My 30 minutes with "Maryse" taught me to find a balance to my life. If I keep on chugging and giving, with no regard to myself, eventually, my tank will run dry. I can but choke and sputter while hoping to reach my final destination. I am realizing that it is not at all BAD to do something nice for myself every now and then. I'm sure I have some girlfriends who would say, "Whaddaya mean every now and then? Do it often!" Hahaha!
Well, my dears, I love you all for loving me and encouraging me to relax and enjoy some of what life has to offer and if I should be so lucky to receive some down time at a spa, I should never be apologetic about it and to relish my good fortune. And so I move on, a woman on her journey towards excellence and happiness, a woman no longer a spa virgin.
Virtual Visit Spa
Common courtesy dictated that I embrace them warmly for their generous gift. The little 7 year old was smiling from ear to ear, pleased that she had picked a wonderful gift for her teacher and her beautiful mom standing beside her beamed just as brightly. I was indeed touched to receive such a gift. "Mom" gave me the double-cheeked Montreal kiss and whispered in my ear, "Enjoy yourself, Mrs. O. You deserve it" Got me teary-eyed....the tears returned later that day when I got home with my second trunk load of Christmas gifts from my students. In all, presents and loving thoughts from a total of 113 students and their families. I have never in all my life, felt love from so many people, all at once. Affirmation that really, money cannot buy.
Back to the spa. Fast forward 11 months. I've pulled out the little gift bag from the spa many times during the year. Never had the time or guts to make an appointment. Last week, I noticed there was an expiry date...looming close... So, what did I do? Instead of putting the gift away as I had done throughout the year, I picked up the phone and made an appointment for a chair massage. Yeay!! Some of my friends are cheering, whooping and hollering now - there is hope for me!
So, the day of the spa appointment arrives. I am nervous. Some of my friends would think ??##?!!?? Well, I was!! I even fussed about what to wear!?? Felt like a teenager going on my first date, I was so silly. What was that all about?
I arrive at the spa. You can't see anything through the windows...as I anticipated, there were white, flowy curtains giving those on the inside a sense of privacy. As if they were the in-crowd. I walk in the door and it was as I expected. There was a reception desk with four or five women wearing the colours of the spa. I see at least three different uniforms, one of the ladies even has a blazer on, she was probably a manager of sorts. The place was dimly lit, soothing wall colours, a light brown beige-y colour (similar to a colour called Shiatsu in my home), there were chandeliers. Over on the right was a sitting area with a white leather couch and white chairs flanked a fireplace that felt warm. The walls seemed curved. Wow...having built a house, I can imagine how much that cost to have customized curvy walls.
Since I am new, they have me filling out a form. Within minutes my massage therapist comes to make my aquaintance and after perusing my form, she suggests a full massage instead of a chair massage saying she could "work my problem areas" better that way. I gulped, she saw me hesitate and smiled, gently reassuring me that all would be well. I did not need to do anything I was not comfortable doing.
So, what do I do? I take the plunge! Well, if you're gonna do something, you might as well do it right, right? :D We walk through frosted glass doors etched with the spa name that marvellously swishes open as we approach them. The hallway is curved, mimicking what I saw in the reception, dimly lit by small chandeliers. Dark wooden doors indicate private rooms. She, let's call her "Maryse", leads me to one.
The room is even more dimly lit than the hallways. There are candles on a mantle on a wall. There is what I call "music water" playing. There is a bed with a soft looking blanket on it. She tells me the bed is heated and to undress and get under the covers. All of a sudden, you could hear my thoughts, my careful observation of my serene surroundings screech to a halt, kind of like the sound a DJ makes when he spins a record the opposite way - like a car doing emergency braking ... Eeeeekkkk!!
Hahahaha. Don't worry... I knew that would happen but still...it is somewhat disconcerting when a total stranger tells you to disrobe, no? I am given some privacy and when she returns, I receive a half-hour introduction to a world where someone else is taking care of your needs. Someone is identifying that parts of your life or your body are in need of relief and that someone is going ahead and taking care of giving you that relief.
Being a working mom, I am normally that person who identifies needs in those around me and I am the one meeting those needs. For years, I would get upset if I did not manage to meet all those needs, as if I was completely responsible for the happiness and well-being of every single person I met. I do not know how I developed this warped sense of responsibility. I do know now, at the "ripe old age of 29" (nudge 2x wink 2x) that if I allow this attitude to lead my life, it will kill me just a little every day.
My 30 minutes with "Maryse" taught me to find a balance to my life. If I keep on chugging and giving, with no regard to myself, eventually, my tank will run dry. I can but choke and sputter while hoping to reach my final destination. I am realizing that it is not at all BAD to do something nice for myself every now and then. I'm sure I have some girlfriends who would say, "Whaddaya mean every now and then? Do it often!" Hahaha!
Well, my dears, I love you all for loving me and encouraging me to relax and enjoy some of what life has to offer and if I should be so lucky to receive some down time at a spa, I should never be apologetic about it and to relish my good fortune. And so I move on, a woman on her journey towards excellence and happiness, a woman no longer a spa virgin.
Virtual Visit Spa
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