tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76198118562887420822024-03-12T17:44:23.731-06:00I was thinking...Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-70905497706114551652021-03-17T10:40:00.001-06:002021-03-17T13:06:01.660-06:002021 - My Year of Home<p><b><span style="font-size: large;">2021 - My year of "Home"</span></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPM2K4ABAT4/YFIl2EK0OLI/AAAAAAAAF8o/POwIr5bY04kn6HF0kaPa0fCPyJyZa4WngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/FDF9DC5E-2B80-4D09-A828-33FAFE4D6723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPM2K4ABAT4/YFIl2EK0OLI/AAAAAAAAF8o/POwIr5bY04kn6HF0kaPa0fCPyJyZa4WngCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FDF9DC5E-2B80-4D09-A828-33FAFE4D6723.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I typically take the time to reflect on my previous year early in the year... when the calendar flips from December to January... A new year, a new word, new intentions and a renewed sense of wanting to just being better than I was the year before.</p><p>This year, however, it took me a little longer to work through my process of wrapping up the previous year and settling into a new word and its impending new intentions. Perhaps it was a trust thing? Afterall, in March of last year, everything did go to hell in a handbasket... We sure didn't see that coming.</p><p>This year, I let myself off the hook, I set down the pressure, offered myself a whole lot of grace and I took my time to figure out the meaning behind all the lessons hidden in 2020, and allowed my next right path to fully reveal itself when it was ready.</p><p>So, here we are on the day I celebrate my 50th birthday š, and I am ready to share my path forward for the rest of 2021.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aolUNBrakTg/YFF4edyjBbI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/GknbIWbLsbcu9SDBHsz553N812AvpJfvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2000/centred.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aolUNBrakTg/YFF4edyjBbI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/GknbIWbLsbcu9SDBHsz553N812AvpJfvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/centred.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In January of 2020, I declared my word of the year to be "centred" and in doing so, I set these intentions...</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>less mindless scrolling and more intentional reading</li><li>less rushing and more stillness</li><li>less chaos and more zen</li><li>less pleasing others and more taking care of my spirit</li><li>less yes and more no</li><li>less feeling obligated and more feeling inspired</li><li>less of "what's going on out there" and more of "what's going on in here"</li><li>less meetings and more family game nights</li></ul><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><p>You can read more about that <a href="https://fearlesshart.ca/blogs/i-was-thinking/2020-my-year-of-centred" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p style="text-align: left;">When I made these declarations and set thee intentions in January of 2020, I had no idea what March of that year would bring. I had no idea that life, as I knew it was about to drastically change, that most of the world would shut down and go into isolation for over a year. In fact, when I review my intentions for 2020, it makes me shake my head a little in a bit of an "Oi... be careful what you wish for" sort of way.</p><p style="text-align: left;">For many of us, 2020 will always be looked back upon as a year of loss... Loss of innocence, loss of livelihoods, loss of connections, and tragically the loss of many many lives... So many times throughout the last year I have asked "WTF? how did we, as a human race, become SO fragile?" Under that existential question to the universe existed my own fears, my own worry, and my own deep sadness about not be able to be around or hug the people I was missing so dearly. It has been so hard on us all.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And yes, our family was not immune to losses brought on by 2020. Our family suffered periods of unemployment, periods of uncertainty, periods of worry, periods of health concerns and periods of sadness at having to cancel some life milestone celebrations. and frankly... I am SO sick of having to make daily decisions about what is safe for my family. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Our decision, as a family was to live by the rule - when you find yourself in a circumstance you don't like... You have two options:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You change your situation</li><li>or you change how you look at it.</li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">While we knew we had very little power to change the fact that we were in a global pandemic, we knew our only solution was the second option.</p><p style="text-align: left;">With that in mind, we, at the insistence of my Rokstar husband, spent time looking for the good, seeking out and acknowledging all the things we had to be grateful for rather than choosing to only see the bad. We were quickly reminded that that periods of darkness and loss ALWAYS contain within it, some very precious gifts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzVLvnJInvh3kAzFYm9AA5NRL_ulMJdUnB6IljDHmuZKb2zW88tAkq-xAgXOcsTO5kL7WfnQsiNu5s5GQogbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Our kids got the hang of this quickly... They made it FUN... Through their example they made it so easy to see all the gifts hidden inside the adversities. We watched movies, we learned TikTok dances and we laughed.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yc8u5MrZko/YFF6sixDYjI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/eu8V--qHCX8hRdJYNJ_5f_5LuRcopL2aACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/family%2Bgame%2Bnight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yc8u5MrZko/YFF6sixDYjI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/eu8V--qHCX8hRdJYNJ_5f_5LuRcopL2aACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/family%2Bgame%2Bnight.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We experienced so many beautiful moments of connection disguised as "family game nights". </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLhqjPgRTXo/YFF7v5n5hRI/AAAAAAAAF7g/h_abzoN_tU8zneAqts06_QsSms4ZDakSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/puzzle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLhqjPgRTXo/YFF7v5n5hRI/AAAAAAAAF7g/h_abzoN_tU8zneAqts06_QsSms4ZDakSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/puzzle.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We ate on a folding table for nearly a month so our kitchen table had room for our huge quarantine puzzle...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4uJPV1_s0w/YDiFjEJKCXI/AAAAAAAAF2c/q-h4iaNfGIYUALsbXr56iqY8igHO_WyUwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_9586.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4uJPV1_s0w/YDiFjEJKCXI/AAAAAAAAF2c/q-h4iaNfGIYUALsbXr56iqY8igHO_WyUwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h266/IMG_9586.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We managed to celebrate our 2020 graduate in our own private way...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBMkma2NMgw/YFJSf_vMINI/AAAAAAAAF84/fABXx09SEy0viSDzgoVmX6LgW0TJn66HwCPcBGAYYCw/s1080/C4AD8DB0-A05B-4922-BE17-4AEBB83842DF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBMkma2NMgw/YFJSf_vMINI/AAAAAAAAF84/fABXx09SEy0viSDzgoVmX6LgW0TJn66HwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/C4AD8DB0-A05B-4922-BE17-4AEBB83842DF.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I became part owner of a brick and mortar retail store.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEKONMTJD28/YFF8dWUQGXI/AAAAAAAAF7o/05ywosM7kmQgEgUtBb7PpvvCIeRlRqFygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/camping.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEKONMTJD28/YFF8dWUQGXI/AAAAAAAAF7o/05ywosM7kmQgEgUtBb7PpvvCIeRlRqFygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/camping.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We read books on the beach...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClW1pcwv-8Y/YFF-VxB1FOI/AAAAAAAAF8M/fY7sNmU8nRgbdZzbGd-id4Mm1G9hZqEuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/BBRF.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClW1pcwv-8Y/YFF-VxB1FOI/AAAAAAAAF8M/fY7sNmU8nRgbdZzbGd-id4Mm1G9hZqEuACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BBRF.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even managed to organize a socially distant outdoor concert<br />With our Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival Team.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We quickly got used to getting what was normally a weeks worth of sleep in one single night. We stopped rushing through our days and through our lives, and took time to really experience each moment. We slowed down, we tightened our family unit, and we noticed the birds that loved to hang out in our backyard. We gardened, and we painted and we finally got all those little jobs done around the house that had previously been put off indefinitely. We walked, we sat on the deck to drink coffee, and we got reacquainted with each other in ways we never made time for before.</div><p style="text-align: left;">Yes, there was sadness, and loss, and worry... There were periods of unemployment, cancelled markets, and some health glitches...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Khugo6PLvRI/YFF9SHRBPYI/AAAAAAAAF7w/x3a5FDMsgvUqej7h4zbUsGbb5cHnPkrRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/hospital.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Khugo6PLvRI/YFF9SHRBPYI/AAAAAAAAF7w/x3a5FDMsgvUqej7h4zbUsGbb5cHnPkrRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/hospital.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">My husband spent a little time in hospital for a non covid related issue...</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV05KE7kNUQ/YFGFUE6zJhI/AAAAAAAAF8c/Y9vA1E8Wap4aK0OOKIIl87vTbtQMQ9nbQCPcBGAYYCw/s1080/1C9131C5-6419-414E-860C-42FBAE28AB40.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV05KE7kNUQ/YFGFUE6zJhI/AAAAAAAAF8c/Y9vA1E8Wap4aK0OOKIIl87vTbtQMQ9nbQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/1C9131C5-6419-414E-860C-42FBAE28AB40.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">A month later, I spent a little time in hospital myself...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But as always, we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and carried on.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hO2mJ0vDnQE/YFIqmK3AdUI/AAAAAAAAF8w/BI6C6bNhXAU8lfRToBK7m52Sq2Vv8eeBACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3465%2B3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hO2mJ0vDnQE/YFIqmK3AdUI/AAAAAAAAF8w/BI6C6bNhXAU8lfRToBK7m52Sq2Vv8eeBACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_3465%2B3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a zoom Christmas with our family..</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><p style="text-align: left;">and we celebrated a quiet New Years in...</p><p style="text-align: left;">While I couldn't have ever imagined the intentions I set for myself at the beginning ot 2020 to have been fulfilled so fully in the ways that they were, I think I can honestly let the sun set on my year of "Centred", and open myself to set some new intentions for the year that is unfolding.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">2021 is my year of "Home"</span></b></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiDFqHQN0oY/YFGDnGkAHAI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/o0BivSuYNpA8-Pf9TeZbAHg9A6GHSg9sACPcBGAYYCw/s1080/E6782955-61C4-41CC-B73F-E49D95AABF58.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiDFqHQN0oY/YFGDnGkAHAI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/o0BivSuYNpA8-Pf9TeZbAHg9A6GHSg9sACPcBGAYYCw/s320/E6782955-61C4-41CC-B73F-E49D95AABF58.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my adult life - the past 32 years... I have lived in 14 different houses. 14 times the backdrop of my life and my life experiences changed... Sometimes it was a happy and welcome change, but sometimes it was not.</div><p style="text-align: left;">What I have learned is this. 'Home' has very little to do with the walls you reside in... It has very little to do with the colour of your decor, the tile in your bathroom, or the finish on your countertops... It isn't about being an apartment, a town home, a bungalow or a two story... All of that stuff is just a backdrop... it is finite, and it is so damn <b>temporary</b>. All that stuff could be sold, upgraded, left behind, burned down or taken away...</p><p style="text-align: left;">'Home' is actually the safe environment where you and your family thrives. It is a place of honesty, openness, and mutual respect. It is where we love, where we mess up, where we learn and where we lean. It is a safe place to test boundaries, to disagree, and to find our confidence. It is where we really see, really hear and strive to fully understand one another. It is the sturdy launch pad for big dreams. It is a place where we can each be fully accepted as ourselves ... without fear, without judgement, and with open arms. In it can be found the fiercest protector, those with the most enthusiastic encouragement, and the softest place to land. It is nurturing, it is kind, it is accepting, it is loving, it is supportive, and it is solid. </p><p style="text-align: left;">'Home' is unconditional, it is infinite, and it is far greater than anything that could ever be contained by or confined within any walls... Home is what is important... and the house is just the backdrop.</p><p style="text-align: left;">These walls are my house... but these people... these people are my Home... and that exists in any time, and in anyplace and anywhere. Home is not dependant on walls or structure. Home is infinitely so much more than that. We have made this... we have created this for ourselves and our family.</p><p style="text-align: left;">However, somewhere along the way, in my own healing journey within the safety of this Home I have worked so hard to create... I have come to a shocking realization. I realized that over the course of my life... as I acted in response to shame, blame, feelings of inadequacy, self doubt, and fear, I have turned away, hidden, banished and rejected SO many precious parts of myself.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This lead to so many questions... How could I possibly show up fully for my family, for my marriage, for my business, or for my life... when so much of me is shamefully banished and exiled because those parts did not fit into the "please, perform, repeat" pattern I so eagerly lived by? Where is my Joy? Why can't I access it...? Why am I so damn hard on myself? Why can't I figure this out...?</p><p style="text-align: left;">I have been sitting with these questions for a lifetime... But with great intention for the past three months. How do I fix this? Why would I want to even try to accept all the parts of myself? How do I even begin? I am SO proud of the 'Home' we have created for our family... </p><p style="text-align: left;">Which lead to the question... Is it possible that I need to create this ideological Home within me? A safe place for all these banished parts of myself? </p><p style="text-align: left;">It was that question that set off the "jackpot" bells inside of me... I knew I had my answer... and I knew I now had to do this work...</p><p>This is the year I unlock the doors and let them swing wide open as I call all exiled parts of myself to come back Home. Home to me. I stand at this door, full of grace... and I welcome them with open and apologetic arms. I offer them safety and kindness with a loving heart. It is the year I create space within myself where all these parts can thrive, a place of honesty, openness, and mutual respect... a place where all these parts can be fully accepted, without fear, and without judgement... and all of me is welcome here... all of me is needed here.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>the introverted and quiet parts</li><li>the loud and opinionated parts</li><li>the shy and unsure parts</li><li>the loving and affectionate parts</li><li>the self doubting and insecure parts</li><li>the angry, frustrated, and fed up parts</li><li>the fearful and afraid parts</li><li>the awkward, geeky and nerdy parts</li><li>the parts that seem to say the wrong things</li><li>the parts that know the right things to say</li><li>the shame filled and imperfect and disconnected parts</li><li>the dreaming, hopeful and excited parts</li><li>that parts that don't want to rock the boat and the parts that want to burn it down</li></ul>All the parts that I know and all the ones I have yet to meet... It is time to come Home. The doors are open... There is a place for you here. It is safe for you here.<p></p><p>This is the year that I learn to peel back yet another layer of what it means to be fully comfortable living in my own skin. Where I continue to learn what it means to be fully myself. Where, instead of turning away from myself, I have the courage to turn towards and embrace all the parts of myself... Where we lock arms, become whole and fully step into the woman we are meant to be for our act two.... Knowing that the most powerful place we can be in is when we are fulling living within our bodies.</p><p>Creating my beautiful life remains my highest calling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-11213336186247609502020-02-03T13:57:00.004-07:002020-02-03T14:09:22.814-07:00To my daughters...<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8nlq9" data-offset-key="itfs-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="itfs-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">To my daughters, my bonus daughters, my granddaughters, and those I think of as daughtersā¦ this is what I want you to knowā¦</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e7ems-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">This world can be harsh for women. This is nothing new, but it is important to also remember that this is not āold newsāā¦ No matter how hard the ladies before you have fought for change, secured change, and embraced changeā¦ there is still a LONG way to go.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="336ok-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We STILL live in a time that judges a women, not by the hard work, grit and strength of spirit required to elevate their career to the level that they have earned the right share their talents on a world stage with millions of people watchingā¦ But by what they are wearing when they get there. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="evmtb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We STILL live in a world where people so easily choose to knock others down rather than lift others upā¦ Where slut shaming is rampant, devastating and still a very big thing. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8emon-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">We STILL live in a world where people think āSEXā when someone dresses a certain way, or moves their body in a certain way, or smiles a certain way, or talks a certain wayā¦ or even climbs up a pole in a certain wayā¦</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8ds96-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">and most alarmingā¦ We STILL live in a world where, as women, our harshest critics are not the āold boys clubā fellas among us, but the other women we exists amongā¦ our sistersā¦ Those who we are meant to align with in the battle to be seen as equals.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8ops-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to know that I want a better world for you. I want you to know that I want you to be YOU in all your amazing brilliance and sparkle and talent. No matter what that looks like.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dt10u-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to know that I want you to always feel safe to share YOU with the world, I want you to feel safe being who you are, and heck I want you to feel safe dancing at a bar or walking down the damn streetā¦ NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE WEARINGā¦ </span></div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ck0t-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2ck0t-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to be proud of your bodies, no matter your shape or sizeā¦ and I want you to wear what makes you feel beautiful, confident, empowered and self assured. </span></div>
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<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8nlq9" data-offset-key="e5qa9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="e5qa9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">But mostly I want you to set down your judgement and look upon your sisters with grace and admirationā¦ with honour and respectā¦ and with love and kindnessā¦ We are all one. We are all here just trying to live our best lifeā¦ Letās all just agree to give each other room to do that.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4nkvp-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to know that NO.MATTER.WHATā¦ I am, and I will ALWAYS be in your cornerā¦ cheering you on, holding you up and wiping the sweat from your brow when it is time for you to go in for another round against misogyny. I know this battle ground well. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dqfir-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Iāve got youā¦ and all I ask is simply that you just have each otherā¦ Be better than the generations before youā¦ Do better than the generations before you.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="250sl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">You will need thick skin, you will need a good poker face, you will need to learn how to bite your tongue, to hold your opinion, and save your energy for the times when you can REALLY make a differenceā¦ </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="b5q55-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">You will need to learn that the battle isnāt won by trying in vain to change 1000 shallow opinionsā¦ the battle is won when you learn how to say āFuck that!ā and not let the bullshit opinions of others sway you from all that you are meant to be.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bua1h-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">You are SO very loved.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bua1h-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQUhcC6rPeY/XjiGmG7CD6I/AAAAAAAAEkw/bUKFE5wg7RUt3bwMaYyF12MLMrsEwutxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/half.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQUhcC6rPeY/XjiGmG7CD6I/AAAAAAAAEkw/bUKFE5wg7RUt3bwMaYyF12MLMrsEwutxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/half.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep Shining.</td></tr>
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<span data-offset-key="bua1h-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-66567058542775986632020-01-13T21:41:00.002-07:002020-01-13T22:23:48.777-07:002020 - My Year of "Centred"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWnVV5q9iOg/XhzjlfRB0-I/AAAAAAAAEiA/WSg7NixlVWYmL2DkydHVDMGMib9QZMXdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="500" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yWnVV5q9iOg/XhzjlfRB0-I/AAAAAAAAEiA/WSg7NixlVWYmL2DkydHVDMGMib9QZMXdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/lighthouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Sometimes we are the rock<br />Sometimes we are the wave that crashes against the rock <br />and sometimes we are the lighthouse - a beacon of light while just weathering the storm. <br />~Coreena Kornel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
What 2019 has taught me is that none of these roles, the rock, the wave, or the lighthouse, is more virtuous or brave than any of the others, nor is any of these roles more wicked or cowardice. I have learned that ALL of these roles are so incredibly important in our journey as we try to make a difference in this life, and to leave the world around us in a little better shape than we found it. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I have learned that the natural ebb and flow of life assures that we will have ample opportunities to show up in each of these forms to wield the power that each represents, and to leave our mark on the things we care deeply about. I have learned it is up to us to decide what is truly important to us, to determine what we are willing to do for what is important, and to show up accordingly.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv-bKZkO3LY/WHzzM09JMZI/AAAAAAAAAyo/dBsvKh9ZdfoG1JrT9CnByljFpbX8CYySQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/blogger-image--1320300693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="640" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv-bKZkO3LY/WHzzM09JMZI/AAAAAAAAAyo/dBsvKh9ZdfoG1JrT9CnByljFpbX8CYySQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/blogger-image--1320300693.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">In 2017 and 2018 my "word for the year" was ChangeMaker.</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-8J6pJRnOg/Xh0zgmW5e8I/AAAAAAAAEiM/3SMxJ-iU9XcH6HeDBnbdcmYvraMLilfRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f0f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-8J6pJRnOg/Xh0zgmW5e8I/AAAAAAAAEiM/3SMxJ-iU9XcH6HeDBnbdcmYvraMLilfRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/fullsizeoutput_f0f.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">In 2019 I assigned myself the word "Persevere". </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The lessons presented to me in these years have been life changing.<br />
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The past three years have presented multiple opportunities for me show up as the Rock... Here are a few examples:<br />
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<ul><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bA7B8xptRxM/Xh02iNs-5uI/AAAAAAAAEik/iyAOScyu5Ic7CJ6z3ALj4vHt_Dnm3zYTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/landscape-photography-of-gray-rock-formation-861034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bA7B8xptRxM/Xh02iNs-5uI/AAAAAAAAEik/iyAOScyu5Ic7CJ6z3ALj4vHt_Dnm3zYTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/landscape-photography-of-gray-rock-formation-861034.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li>Supporting my husband and family as we all grieve the passing of my father in law.</li>
<li>Being solidly there in support of each of my children as they find their own way in this life, allowing them to make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons as they go. </li>
<li>Being the safe place and fierce supporter of my daughters as they learn maneuver through the cruelness that is sometimes synonymous with being a young girl in this world, while helping them unapologetically hold others accountable. </li>
<li>Supporting my husband as he found his way back to peace after a long, bloody, ruthless, and well fought battle with the darkness called depression.</li>
<li>Holding sacred all confidence entrusted upon me, even with friendships or relationships that are no longer prominent in my life.</li>
<li>Standing tall as our family made lifestyle changes resulting from the harsh economic climate we are currently living in. </li>
<li>Standing firm in the protection of the legacy being created in the non-profit organizations I am a part of.</li>
</ul>
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I also got to be the Wave... </div>
<div>
<ul><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ENN4kRmYIQs/Xh02hREPt6I/AAAAAAAAEis/ouRUaJTO-m8kqBXnirFFRf5dEzWPPCCEACEwYBhgL/s1600/crashing-waves-1494707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1600" height="189" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ENN4kRmYIQs/Xh02hREPt6I/AAAAAAAAEis/ouRUaJTO-m8kqBXnirFFRf5dEzWPPCCEACEwYBhgL/s320/crashing-waves-1494707.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li>All the times I spoke up and advocated for the Arts and for Entrepreneurship within my community.</li>
<li>Sharing previously unspoken parts of my story with a room full of people at a speaking event all while sharing alternate ways the conference attendees could show up and support those they love.</li>
<li>The time I stood, broken but completely unbowed in the presence of my abuser when the preference of many would be for me to never have spoken up at all.</li>
<li>Set an example for as well as acknowledge and celebrate with my children as they continue to make decisions for their lives showing that they are unwilling to compromise their own values - for anyone.</li>
</ul>
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And the Lighthouse...</div>
<div>
<ul><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goqc7qKHPrQ/Xh02hsDkyXI/AAAAAAAAEio/c40WjE-PLwopjY0tbX2qFpVTl8S4IfeNwCEwYBhgL/s1600/gray-scale-photography-of-lighthouse-722664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goqc7qKHPrQ/Xh02hsDkyXI/AAAAAAAAEio/c40WjE-PLwopjY0tbX2qFpVTl8S4IfeNwCEwYBhgL/s320/gray-scale-photography-of-lighthouse-722664.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li>Setting an example of love, kindness, compassion and acceptance - daily - to my children.</li>
<li>Initiate the outside support required to see our marriage through rough waters.</li>
<li>In my capacity as a leader within a few community organizations I was required establish and maintain peace.</li>
<li>Using my words/experiences/ramblings to empower, inspire and encourage others who may be facing similar circumstances.</li>
<li>My continued desire let people know that they are loved by distributing Love Bombs at every market we attend.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
In 2017 thru 2019 - in alignment with my years as "ChangeMaker" I amped up my volunteerism. I signed on to 5 different organizations, not because I just wanted to volunteer, but because I wholeheartedly cared about what each organization stood for. Through my volunteerism, I was an integral part of the planning and execution three major yearly events in my community. During this time of increased volunteerism, in my capacity of Chief Visionary Officer of Fearless hART, I managed to achieve a 28% growth in each of these three years.</div>
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In alignment with 2019, my year with "Persevere" I managed all of this while facing a turbulent time in my marriage, in a harsh economic climate, with a husband who was struggling with his mental wellness, and with a house full of teenagers who continued to rely on us every day...</div>
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Yes. I can honestly sit here and reflect positively on all these accomplishments over the past three years. We have been pushed and pulled and stretched in ways I would have never imagined. It is only by the grace of our good deeds, by the power of our commitment, and by the graciousness of our inner circle that we made it through any of this. These reflections leave me feeling SO tearfully grateful for the life I have, and for the people I get to share it with. </div>
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But here's the thing... While always worthwhile, there isn't much about many of our growth experiences over the past three years that could be called "easy". There were trade offs along the way... as there usually is when we have really full plates. I think we all know that when we say "yes" to something and add it to our plate, we are, by default, saying "no" to something else... </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xDfhBJYZpc/Xh07R_G8czI/AAAAAAAAEi4/HFvPdbcU4_g7E6WdZ0A4n5icDBt2UVldgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/alone-bed-bedroom-blur-271897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xDfhBJYZpc/Xh07R_G8czI/AAAAAAAAEi4/HFvPdbcU4_g7E6WdZ0A4n5icDBt2UVldgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/alone-bed-bedroom-blur-271897.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As I reflect on these accomplishments, I am also reminded of the fatigue, the self doubt, the anger (the sometimes rage), the fear, the resentment, and the sleep deprivation that often accompanied - and sometimes fueled - the drive and determination to achieve them.</div>
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It is no wonder I said goodbye to 2019 in the midst of a cold/flu virus and a series of debilitating migraine headaches, and said hello to 2020 with a little time in the hospital and a lot of time in my bed trying to get healthy.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uR414tIrfM4/Xh1CachX92I/AAAAAAAAEjY/qDf1pmaeGaIjdJVTW5J6ZAEOtvrXN0_xACEwYBhgL/s1600/Add%2Ba%2Bheading%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uR414tIrfM4/Xh1CachX92I/AAAAAAAAEjY/qDf1pmaeGaIjdJVTW5J6ZAEOtvrXN0_xACEwYBhgL/s320/Add%2Ba%2Bheading%2B%25282%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>I am so dang ready to claim "Centred" as my word and intention for 2020.</b></div>
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I am starting this year off physically, financially, and emotionally detoxed and ready to reacquaint with my own internal guidance system. This year will be more focused self-compassion, self-care and my own mental wellness.</div>
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It will be about removing some of the items on my overfilled plate by pairing down my directorships on various boards from five labour intensive boards to three that are manageable. It will be about stepping away from being part of organizing two major community events, and being wholeheartedly a part of organizing one.<br />
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I will be leaving these organizations and events with a bit of a heavy heart, but can rest assured I am leaving them in the very capable hands of some pretty amazing people/ I look so forward to seeing the amazing things they will achieve.</div>
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2020 will be my year of slowing down, digging deep, setting healthy boundaries, protecting and nourishing my mind, body and soul. There will be meditating, writing and creating all the new products patiently waiting for my time and energy. There will be stillness and contemplation and growth and yoga.</div>
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In my world, 2020 will be about:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>less mindless scrolling and more intentional reading</li>
<li>less rushing and more stillness</li>
<li>less chaos and more zen</li>
<li>less pleasing others and more taking care of my spirit</li>
<li>less yes and more no</li>
<li>less feeling obligated and more feeling inspired</li>
<li>less of "what's going on out there" and more of "what's going on in here"</li>
<li>less meetings and more family game nights</li>
</ul>
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... And laughter. In 2020, there will be WAY more laughter.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46E-ZcPXaNM/Xh08qd744iI/AAAAAAAAEjE/zFg3PcQRiDkANZbk8eAmQMboPwdRxydOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/photo-of-a-person-standing-on-footbridge-leading-to-a-2438798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46E-ZcPXaNM/Xh08qd744iI/AAAAAAAAEjE/zFg3PcQRiDkANZbk8eAmQMboPwdRxydOACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/photo-of-a-person-standing-on-footbridge-leading-to-a-2438798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It needs to be said, however, that no matter my plans, declarations or intentions I am fully aware that things can change in an instant. I am not sitting here expecting a smooth and calm year because I declared it so. But I can say that with this new perspective, I will be better equipped for whatever may lie ahead.</div>
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No matter what, I will always be ready and willing to show up as the Rock, or the Wave, or the Lighthouse at a moments notice.</div>
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I wish you all a very Happy New Year, and I hope that your 2020 is absolutely everything you want it to be and a lot more.</div>
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Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-27344904272300594002018-01-21T12:33:00.001-07:002018-01-21T12:33:47.793-07:00Love Always Wins<div>
In March of 2014 I received an email that contained words that deeply touched my heart.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">"Coreena, You are not making cuffs, belts or guitar slings, you are making memories, and family heirlooms. You are making things that will be treasured by the recipients, for life. They will be the things that will be in Grandma and Grandpa's room. The grandkids and great grand kids will go in and play with them understanding the importance that is placed on them. They will be the things that little Johnny, or Mary will be playing with and loose outside, and everyone in the family will have to drop everything to help go find it, because they will see the sadness in the eyes at the thought of it being lost. After when it is found, yes they will find it, everyone will sit around while Grandma and Grandpa will hold it and rub it. They will take extra time rubbing the scratches and dents that look out of place, but hold special meaning. Everyone will sit and listen as the story of it is told again. My dad, mom, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin or friend gave it to them because they believed... (this is were your stories go in), and Coreena, it will have come from your hand and your heart."</span></blockquote>
The writer - my first cousin with whom I had lost touch until we reconnected through Facebook - seemed to peer right into my intentions and capture the essence of what I was trying to achieve through my work.<br />
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His words never left me, and they became the backbone of my "WHY". I would refer this "why" when challenges came up in my life and in my business... Times when I was really really tired, and I felt like I was swimming upstream. Times when quitting or stopping seemed way easier than taking one more stroke to push myself forward.<br />
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Very recently I was reunited with a piece I had created a few years ago. It needed a snap repair after being worn daily since it went to its forever home. The wearer of this cuff described it as her "armor" and its sentiment resonated so deeply with her that she was sharing it with loved ones in their time of need of such reminders. <br />
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Love always wins.<br />
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She warned me before she bringing it to me, saying that perhaps I might not want to fix it. That it was very worn, and she would gladly replace it if I felt that was the route we needed to go. But she used another adjective. She said the leather was tough.<br />
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When I first held this bracelet with the failed snap in my hands, and my eyes went over all the nicks and the worn spots on its surface... I was completely overcome. Tears welled up in my eyes at is pure and utter beauty. It was THE most beautiful thing I had ever seen.<br /><br />This tough leather armor bearing the truest sentiment there ever could be - seeing this lovely perfect soul through all the facets of her journey in this life. It physically showed all the nicks and worn spots our spirits take when we make the choice - every day - to live our lives from a place of love.<br />
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Love always wins <br />
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But what struck me the most? The nicks and worn spots did not make this piece an eyesore. The rust on the still secure snaps did not class this piece as something in need of being replaced. The darkened weathered raw leather that showed through the off white top layer that had been worn away in places was not something that needed to be touched up. <br />
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All those things contributed to its breathtaking beauty... just as the nicks and warn spots inflicted on our spirits during our journey on this planet are what makes us beautiful... Especially when we choose to live in love.<br /><br />As I went to work on repairing the failed snap, I did so in quiet. I let the stories of the bracelet fill my heart, it has traveled far and wide acting as armor. I imagine it has seen times of incredible love and happiness, times of anger and frustration, as well as times sadness and disappointment... All the while bearing the reminder that Love always wins.<br />
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As I was working I felt intense gratitude. Gratitude to it for its impact on this lovely person and her amazing family, and gratitude for the confirmation to ME to continue choose love. I am grateful for the tangible evidence of what my cousin articulated as he reached out to me with his lovely words, grateful that my "why" is tangible and valid, and I am grateful for the solid reminder that my intentions are being realized... But most of all, I am grateful I get to do this work that I love so much. It is truly an honor.<br />
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Love always wins.<br /><br />I would absolutely LOVE to hear your stories! If you have a Fearless hART creation that has deeply resonated with you, I would love to hear about it!<br /><br />Please reach out and share in the comments below, or connect with me by personal message. I vow to not publicly share your words without your permission.<br /><br />With love and gratitude<br />
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Coreena<br />
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<br />Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-32165147261040222252017-09-28T15:06:00.000-06:002017-09-29T08:38:57.427-06:00For the love of... Beaumont.<div class="m_-2888541493134925144p1" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Before I share my thoughts on last nights forum, I wanted to take a moment to say a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to our outgoing mayor and council. Your job hasn't been easy, and in many situations incredibly thankless. Please know there is no greater gift that the gift of your time. Thank you for your passion, your vision and your strong desire to do what is right for the citizens of Beaumont. We are grateful for your leadership, for your sacrifices, and for your commitment. </span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Last nights forum for Beaumont Town Council hopefuls has come and gone leaving many of us contemplating where our votes will go, and further researching candidates we were hearing from for the very first time.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Thank you to Beaumont Chamber of Commerce for organizing this event and giving us, the citizens, the opportunity to capture a glimpse of all those vying to be our representatives in the municipal level democratic process for the next four years.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>I was enlightened and l appreciated all the different backgrounds and perspectives on the hot button issues in our community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">With the state of the world today I found myself, at times, fighting tears witnessing the beauty of what it truly meanse to be Canadian.</span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">You do not have to be born here... Neither English or French has to be your first language... and yet you are able to freely stand tall and proudly speak about the community you dearly love hoping to capture enough votes to be granted the opportunity to leave a positive impact on its governance as one of your legacies of this life.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">I am so excited that there are so many passionate people who love Beaumont and want to do right by its citizens. My take away from last night is that our future is SO bright.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> There are </span>20 candidates hoping to fill the six seats in council chambers.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">As an advocate for showing love for our community through service and volunteerism may those who aren't elected on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_894041087" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">October 16</span></span> find alternate ways to channel their passions for Beaumont and continue to positively influence our community through volunteerism.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We are at the precipice of change in our community.</span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We will have a new mayor.</span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We have a new Chief Administration Officer, a new fire chief and a new leader of our local RCMP.</span></span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We have only two incumbent council members on the ballot.</span></span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">We are at an era of new blood, fresh ideas, and new beginnings. Exciting, and terrifying all at the same time.</span></span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">It is no secret I am a proud and supportive wife of one of the 20 vying for a seat at the table in council chambers.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>To him I wish to say... as always it is my greatest happiness in this life is to sit in my front row seat witnessing your moments to shine. I feel so blessed to be maneuvering this life with you by my side.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>The example you continue to set for our children is immense and I am very grateful they get to call you dad.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Any whom I have had a candid conversation with regarding this election, know this is not my favourite situation to be in.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am not a competitive person- at all.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>I believe in loving and accepting all people first.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>I believe in seeing people as beautiful perfect souls trying to maneuver this life in an imperfect shell...<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>I believe everyone is just doing their own 'next right thing', trying to make their time on the green side of the grass as meaningful as possible.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Words really matter to me.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>I have built a successful business on the power of words and how they can influence, empower and inspire each of us to authenticity show up and walk in our truth each and every day. </span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Simply put, I believe wholeheartedly in kindness - even when there is a disagreement.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">But, when used as weapons, words can be my nemesis.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Some of the harsh words, judgments, and name calling I have witnessed in the early stages of this election have been very hard on my spirit.<span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space"> </span>As one who gains strength and energy from small groups having heartfelt and soulful connections, I knew my introverted spirit would have to armor up and I would have to clearly define my boundaries in order to protect my peace, so I could show up and authentically support the one I love most in the world to realize one of his dreams.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">I have effectively used the Facebook 'block' and 'unfollow' functionality to shield myself from seeing things that would not add value to my role in this process.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">Last night, after the forum, I sat at the end of a very long table at a beloved local establishment that, as serendipity would have it, advocated for 'positive politics' not that long ago. I witnessed many of the 20 council hopefuls lightheartedly laughing, toasting, and sharing their thoughts on the grueling 2 hours they had just endured - together.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">They opened up and reminisced about what questions they answered from the floor, presented to them at the mercy of the random draw by the moderator. They consoled and related to their fellow candidates who got 'that' question and stumbled for a suitable answer. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">They congratulated each other, they supported each other, they laughed... and they connected.</span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">For an amazing extended period of time, their disagreements on busing, garbage, relationships with neighboring communities, or rec centres were irrelevant. It didn't matter that there were way more than 6 people sitting around that table - in fact the more who came, the merrier it got. They all dropped their defenses and spoke about their human experiences, as humans. They learned about each other kids, and jobs and hobbies. They toasted a job well done by all for simply just showing up to express and be accountable for their opinions in a very public way. As more would arrive, they didn't have to ask to join the table. It was automatic, they were immediately welcomed and absorbed by this group. There was a seat for absolutely everyone at the table. People would stand and shuffle, another table would be added, then another, and then another. They would then move chairs to sit by someone new, and chat and laugh and relate. Designated drivers were determined, more spirits were ordered and camaraderie was established. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">It was an incredibly beautiful thing to witness... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I left that establishment after this impromptu gathering with a deeply seated feeling of HOPE instilled upon me by sitting at a table of passionate people with nothing but a strong desire to do a little good in our community. THIS is the Beaumont I love.</span><span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1"></span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">There is SO much potential. Beaumont, your future is so very bright.</span></div>
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<span class="m_-2888541493134925144s1">So, if you are reading this, and if you are from Beaumont, or any other Municipality ready to undergo election, I strongly encourage you to do your own research and make your own informed choice on October 16. Make your opinion count.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ealantaphotography.com/" target="_blank">Photo courtesy of Ealanta Photography</a></td></tr>
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Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-7849773846021748592017-01-07T17:22:00.001-07:002017-01-16T12:41:12.274-07:002017 - My year as "ChangeMaker"<div>
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Well here we are. The first week of 2017 has passed and we are all trying to get our bearings on what this means for us. Some are looking at what that might mean politically, while others are hard at work implementing their plans and promises to see their resolutions through, despite the statistical odds to the contrary, and then there are some simply hoping to correctly write the year in the 'date' field sooner than they got that mastered last year.<br />
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This time of year for me always means reflection and contemplation. 2016 was my year of 'Quiet'. I chose that word after my 2015 year of 'Grace' kicked the shit out of me and tested all that I knew about what "Grace" could possibly mean. You can read about that<u> <a href="http://ckornel.blogspot.ca/2016/01/2016-my-year-of-quiet.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</u><br />
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My year of Quiet was meant to be about introspection and self evaluation. It was to be about figuring out how I truly feel about myself, and my place in this world. WTF does all that really mean? How can I, in my awkward free spirited uniqueness, fit in to this world AND feel comfortable in my own skin. It was meant to encourage me to silence the noise and intuitively listen to the whispers from the universe... before they turned into screams... It was about choosing to NOT drink from the fire hose of information I was bombarded with every day. It was to be about listening, meditating, planning, and just figuring shit out.<br />
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My score card...?<br />
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Well, the things that made 2015 difficult, spilled into 2016. Our Provinces economic downturn saw our income significantly drop and we had to face some really hard decisions. Some we had a say in, and some we did not. We downsized, simplified and decreased our living expenses. That meant saying goodbye to our cherished home that we felt we would live in forever. It meant fewer extracurricular activities for our children, it meant no restaurants, no concerts, no trips, and no family trips to the movies.<br />
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With regards to "Quiet"? well... Quiet meant pulling the covers over my head once in a while and blocking out the world. Quiet meant ignoring the rings on the telephone knowing it was not a pleasant party on the other end. Quiet meant an ongoing and constant battle of shame versus spirit. Quiet meant putting on a smile and a brave face whenever I was with someone other than my husband and a few of my dearest friends. Quiet meant getting really fucking real with the concept of "If I do not have all these things, all these comforts, all these possessions that make one "worthy" in today's world... WHO AM I? Do I like me? but most importantly... am I OK with the person that is left standing there when there is nothing else shielding her from the prying and judging eyes of the world." <br />
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But...<br />
Quiet was my solitude. <br />
Quiet was my best friend.<br />
Quiet was my lifeline...<br />
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Quiet was putting on my big girl panties and pulling myself out of the swirling vortex of darkness that threatened to swallow me whole. Quiet was leaning on my ever optimistic, always positive, and unbelievably supportive husband, grasping hands, and facing the shit storm while standing tall. Quiet was crying with my kids as we held each other up to get through the disappointment of "no more chances", "no more options" and "not gonna helps". <br />
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Quiet was power.<br />
Quiet was strength.<br />
Quiet was courage.<br />
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2016 was the year of endings, but it was also our year of new beginnings. Yes, it was a year of loss, but it was also a year of SO many gains.<br />
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<ul>
<li>My year of Quiet sees me with NO unread messages in my inbox accomplished only by the days of massively unsubscribing from all the crap that I never read anyway.</li>
<li>My year of quiet sees me 6 months free of cable TV. I now only watch what I mean to watch... and there is NO TV news.</li>
<li>My year of Quiet meant more yoga, more mediation, and less mental chaos. (I said less, not zero! ;) This will continue to be a work in progress.)</li>
<li>My year of Quiet sees me with a growing base of solid friendships comprised of real people who truly see me and my heart.</li>
<li>My year of Quiet has directed me to a group of amazing mentors that inspire me in my life and in my business.</li>
<li>My year of Quiet sees me more focused, more driven, more confident, more determined, and less concerned with what others think.</li>
<li>My year of Quiet sees me in a home with a walkout basement studio and an amazing view of the little pond behind my house. There are SO many birds ... truth tellers ... whispering.</li>
<li>My year of Quiet has allowed me to bury my head, lick my wounds and tend to important family and life business... But it also quietly fanned the smoldering embers within my spirit...</li>
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Goodbye 2016. Even though you presented some very hard times, know that I am keenly aware of the beauty you possessed. I am completely cognizant that beautiful things that ALWAYS follow periods of darkness... I have the beauty in my sights.. You were a catalyst, you were lesson filled, and I am grateful...</div>
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My year of Quiet has revealed a path.</div>
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I move on to 2017. My year of being a ChangeMaker.</div>
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I have learned to not predict too much what the year has in store for me by simply declaring my word of the year... But today, as I sit here, I can give you a summation of what I hope it to mean... while still remaining open to what twists and turns may come my way.</div>
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<ul>
<li>This is my year of making a difference in this world through my business as well as my collaborations with other artists and businesses.</li>
<li>This is my year of supporting my husband as he strives to make changes within our community.</li>
<li>This is the year of me cheering my children on while they travel their own journeys which always seem to be inately ingrained in helping, contributing, and leaving beautiful waves of goodness in their wake.</li>
<li>This is the year of lovingly using what I know, what I have learned, and what I can do to help light the way for others.</li>
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2017, I am rested and I am ready.</div>
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With love and gratitude.</div>
<div>
Coreena</div>
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<br />Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-47067095100378605412016-01-28T15:53:00.004-07:002016-01-28T15:53:55.755-07:00Cool Down ContemplationsWe all know that the current state of our Alberta Economy is bleak, and dire, and really freaking scary. The Economic downturn has affected us, our friends and families in very big ways. Every day we hear of another person who lost their job, and another who, after several months of trying is still unable to find work. Our job markets are saturated with unemployed oilfield workers who just really need to find SOMETHING. I feel this. We lived this. I absolutely know the lasting effects of the deep hole that comes with being many months at a near net zero family income. I have had to face the fear and explore the hard question "If I didn't have all this (material possessions), what am I? Do I like that person, could I live with that person? How then do I fit into this world?" It was dark times.<div>
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My words today are not meant to be disrespectful, or insensitive to any who happen to be struggling with this right now. But today, after an extremely heart touching and tearful meditation, I feel so compelled to speak MY truth.</div>
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~~~~~</div>
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I attend a Hot Flow Yoga class every day (well I TRY to go every day). For those that don't know what that is, it is an hour long Flow Yoga class that takes place in a 104 degree (40 Celsius) studio. </div>
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I typically shy away from all forms of exercise... And I DO NOT like to sweat, so my love for Hot Flow is quite mysterious. </div>
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There are many strategies one has to invoke in order to have a successful Hot Flow practice. Nose breathing only, or you panic when it feels like you can't breathe - even when you are trying to catch your breath, nose.breathing.only! It is fast moving, so you have to be mindfully present to listen to the instructor - everything else has to fall away, or you not keep up, and you might as well just go home. You have to know your 'lefts' and 'rights' instinctively or you end up a wee bit closer to your neighbor than you anticipated and are comfortable with (remember there is lots of sweating). There is the, always welcome, "child's pose", your goto when you feel overwhelmed and just need a minute to catch your breath and not panic... And the oh, so important, 'before hand hydration'. </div>
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While I sweat more than I have ever sweat in my life while I am in that class, and I get sore muscles every time I attend, yoga is as much of an exercise for me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, as it is physically. I know that I have that one hour - every day - where I am absolutely able to be mindfully present in the NOW. It is the one hour every day where I can live the benefits of getting my body, my mind, my spirit and my breathing all working together to achieve something quite miraculous. So many times I think to myself, "Wow, I didn't know I could bend like that".<br /><br />At the end of your hour of stretching, bending and twisting, you enter into a final relaxation pose - savasana. This pose encourages you find stillness as you relax every muscle that just worked so hard for you over the previous hour. You honour your body for its hard work, and you honor your mind and your spirit by letting yourself be free of any thoughts (this is actually the HARDEST part of yoga for me.)</div>
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<div>
Today, during final savasana, the instructor guided us through mediation, and when we are at our most vulnerable and attentive state, she ended with 'food for thought' advice that left me in tears. (Tears during savasana is pretty common, as during class, we often release the emotions we carry around in our muscles and joints. Tears are our way of releasing those emotions. But today, I wept)<br /><br />Today's 'food for thought' advice was all about how hard we try to live up to societal norms and expectations. How we strive for acceptance and work so hard to appear a certain way, but in doing so, we forget OUR OWN truth. How sometimes we make others opinions about how we should live our lives most important, we let that drive our bus, and over power OUR truth that lies within our own hearts. This all hit home for me.</div>
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Jeremy and I are at a time in our lives where we are trying SO hard to financially catch up on some things, and to not get further behind on others. Every day calls and emails come in... We need money for this, and we have to pay that. School trips, dance school, music lessons, gas, bills, bills bills... </div>
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The list is long, so long, and sometimes we have to deal with really cranky people whose job it is to convince you how much of a failure you are because you hit a bit of a rough patch. They try to shame you into handing over some cash. For me, the shaming part ALWAYS sticks, whether I can pay what they are asking, or not. Quite often I sit here with my arms open and my shoulders shrugged tearfully saying "How.the.fuck. am I going to cover it all. There is just nothing left." So there it is. Our reality.<br /><br />I carry that every where I go. I hide the shame and I smile. If I can't hide it, I don't go out. It's that simple. But the shame is always there. the fear, the stress, the anxiety... it is always there.<br /><br />Jeremy remains positive the majority of the time. He wakes up early for work, brings me coffee and leaves promising me "Today IS going to be a GOOD day. I feel it." and quite often, it is so.</div>
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I retired from my career as a Structural Designer nearly two years ago to make my art business my full time job. At the time we were able to live without my Engineering income, but then things changed. So during this current time of struggle, I often think, "I need to get a job, I can help". Ironically my specialization for pretty much my whole career was structural design in pipelines facilities, stations, and terminals. ....ANNND there are just NO such jobs currently available in our province, nor will there be in the foreseeable future.<br /><br />After today's savasana... I sat in the change room cooling down before changing, answering a few clients emails and Facebook messages, and I was struck with a thought. If they were still building and upgrading pipelines in our province, and if there were jobs available in my field, chances are, I would not be attending this yoga class. I would not be answering emails and Facebook messages from my customers in a dressing room while cooling down, or planning how I would be spending my day, and figuring out what I could do TODAY to move my business forward. I would be sitting in an office staring at a computer and a stack of drawings, or in a boardroom talking about schedules and deliverables... </div>
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I would not have flexibility in my schedule. I would not be driving my kids to school every morning shouting made up adjectives at them as I send them off for the day "Have a (groove-a-li-tious , fan-funk-ta-cular, rock-tastic to name a few) great day!" I would not be in my house when my daughter comes home from school shout singing the lyrics to Adele's hit song when she enters. I would not hear the excitement and endless chatter of their days events while they were still fresh. I would not witness the subtle everyday ways in which they look after each other - that makes my heart burst. I worked out of the home for most of their lives, and when I 'retired', it was with the intention that now I GET to be home with my kids.</div>
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If I did not have my home as my workplace, I would have missed so much. Perhaps getting a job in my field would have been the easy way out of our situation. But now that is not to be. The Universe has spoken, it has forced my hand, as often it does when we get a little stuck behind our fear. Sometimes things gotta get a little uncomfortable before we are inclined to make the changes we need to make. </div>
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It's time to take things into my own hands and to move forward on my terms, in my 'called to' career, with me in the driver seat, knowing full well that I have everything in me, or the means to get it, to succeed... That is my truth.</div>
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I don't know how all this stuff will shake out for our family, only time will tell... I do know, however, that it will be a while before we have many additional funds for life's extras. That what used to be 'fun funds', now goes to pay the power bill, or to the grocery store for this weeks sustenance, because that's just HOW it has to be. I know that no matter what, it will work out, and we will figure it out.</div>
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Today I am shining light on the shame, and saying "Figuring all this out really fucking sucks and I am done with caring more about what other people think, than what is in my heart. I am getting crushed by the shame, and it need to STOP."</div>
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Because regardless of what happens, I have learned that it isn't money, or beach vacations, or houses, or cars that makes us rich. THAT is my truth. RICH is SO much more than that.</div>
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I am squaring my shoulders, and standing tall in my glorious truth, and letting go of my debilitating fear of being judged... And I know THAT is what will push me forward.</div>
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onward.<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool down contemplations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-1543123721364835712016-01-04T20:24:00.000-07:002016-01-04T20:24:21.863-07:002016 - My year of 'Quiet'<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, 2016 is upon us, and to some this means the start of
new things. I am not much for
resolutions, but I do like to sit quietly with my thoughts at this time and
reflect on the year that has passed -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I declared 2015 to be my year of 'Grace'. When I first made the declaration, my
intention was to offer more grace to others.
To love more, to judge less, to have more patience, and to have a wide
open heart. To look past disappointment
and the dreaded expectations and offer 'Grace' in a kind and loving way to all whom I encountered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, very early into 2015 I swiftly, and somewhat
brutally learned that offing 'Grace' to others was not the divine lesson that
was in store for me. It seemed that
lurking behind every twist and hairpin turn in my 2015 path, the Universe was
snickering "Grace huh? Let's see
how you handle this!"<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our 2015 offered many lumps and bumps, and as the calendar
switched to 2016, I crossed the 2015 finish line weary, bloodied, battered and
bruised. But not broken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I, tongue in cheek, will likely always refer to 2015 as "the
year that kicked the shit out of me".
It made me question, re-evaluate,
and change how I perceived pretty much everything. My friendships, my parenting, my family, my
career choices, my business decisions, my financial choices, my marriage, my self
worth... All of it. I weathered storms -
of hurricane caliber - in pretty much everyone of these areas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2015 carried with it SO many lessons - most of which I was
able to handle with an outward appearance of 'Grace'.
Some of those lessons were hard and devastating, and some were a simple
but necessary affirmation of my correct path in this journey, and some, well, I
guess I am still trying to figure out what the heck the lesson was... But what I KNOW for sure is that all the
lessons - good or bad - known or unknown - are all so very sacred because they
truly showed me what I needed most to know about 'Grace'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I needed most to know about 'Grace' was that I <b>rarely</b>
offered it to myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Offering 'Grace' to others was a breeze, but offering it to
myself was not something that came
easily to me at all. I am SO very hard
on myself when things do not go 'right'.
Harder on myself than I would ever allow anyone else to be on me. In 2015, I promised to stop... To try to show myself some of the 'Grace' I so eagerly offer to others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While 2015 was very trying, it also holds some of my life's
most magical moments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I learned that even though facing the reality of aging parents
as a 'now' only child still wallops me, I am able to manage the scary stuff,
even when everything inside me wants nothing more than to just be little again.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In 2015, I learned I could take some huge hits, and still
smile...</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But then also reach out to my
life line of heart friends when the swirling darkness threatened to pull me
under...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I learned how to recognize what life line of heart friends
really looked like.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In 2015 I was the recipient of a very generous act of
kindness.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One that still makes me put my
head down and do the ugly cry when I think about it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have kept it very sacred, safe, and close
to my heart, but will someday openly share it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was an unforgettable act of pure love.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I got to hang out with many of my all time favorite Canadian
Music Icons in 2015.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In 2015 I was able to see more of our amazingly beautiful </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and historically rich country, and create some
lifelong memories when I travelled with Emma on her Grade 7 School trip to Quebec.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I learned that miracles can happen, and the unlikeliest of
forces can unite in the protection of those loved so very much.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I welcomed my first Grandchild, and began the next phase
of my life as 'Mimi', as I tearfully and proudly watched my son become 'dad',
and my husband become 'grandpa'.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This
event also created some incredibly excited, doting and head over heels in love Auntie's, Uncle's
and Great Grandparents among those I hold dearest.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am SO grateful for my front row seats to
witness this beauty.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I put my toes in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time
ever when I was able to escape for some connecting time on a South Carolina Beach
with some of my most beloved sisters, for some time of sacred sistering.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I started my stint as a teacher for Brave Girl University.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was able to play a small part in several love stories
this year with <a href="http://www.fearlesshart.ca/" target="_blank">Fearless hART</a> as my guide..</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, 2015 - My year of 'Grace' I respectfully and humbly bow
to you for all we endured together. All the good times, and all the challenges. Know that I
am grateful, and that I view each lesson is a perfectly beautiful albeit messy gift.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One seldom emerges from a period of trying times completely
unscathed. I am finding that there are
still some things that need to be resolved, some decisions that need to be
made, some questions that need to be answered, and some wounds that need to be
healed. I begin this new year feeling a
wee bit scattered, disjointed, foggy and in need of some clarity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I leave my lesson filled year of 'Grace', I will be
entering into my soul searching and reflective year, that will be guided by
'Quiet'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will be spending my 2016 turning down and cutting out the
noise... So that I am able to hear my
own voice, my own intuition, my own needs and desires, and my own callings to
serve. It is the year of making my own
voice matter as much to me as everyone else's.
It is the year of finding my center and refocusing on what really
matters, and letting go of what really doesn't.
Clutter is noise, judgement is noise, speaking without action is noise,
'Should' is noise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will be spending more time reading books and less time
reading click bait articles such as "67 characteristics of a successful
person", "342 ways to be happy", "84 tips to be a better
mom" - or any other generalized opinionated summation that points out the ways
in which I am failing - without knowing anything about me, or my life. It is all noise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To cut out the noise, I am reinstating a daily yoga and
meditation practice. To honor the
'quiet' I will write every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will be reducing my screen time, and increasing my face
time in 2016.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May the 'Quiet' allow me to hear my own voice. May the 'Quiet' lead me to be authentically intentional in all of my
choices. May the 'Quiet' help me to live
in the present moment - not in the ones that have passed, or worrying about the
ones that haven't come yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And may I
offer myself 'Grace' as I fumble on down this road and I gratefully accept as
many 'Day Ones' as it takes - I anticipate needing many.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.theworks.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJNn0ZZEOA8/Vosyn4nHinI/AAAAAAAAAls/RhAe5I4US60/s320/1170747_10153427619009150_8074284791413255933_n.png" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theworks.com/" target="_blank">The Work of Byron Katie</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May your 2016 be all that you need it to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With love and gratitude,</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coreena</span></div>
Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-6020140400654196982015-07-21T09:39:00.001-06:002015-07-21T09:46:18.483-06:002015 - the year of Grace - wtf was I thinking?<div>When the clock struck 12:00 midnight on December 31 - I declared my word for 2015 to be 'grace'. I know - STUPID move right? That's just asking for trouble... I kind of thought it would be an easy one... A gentle year. Haha </div><div><br></div><div>At first I thought it meant offering 'grace' to others... Being kind, being forgiving, loving everyone... - but I very quickly learned that was never really an issue for me - I could easily do all those things. I guess that's why I thought the year of 'grace' would be a breeze. I was a week in and thought "woot! Look at me go with this whole 'grace' thing. I am rocking it...!"</div><div><br></div><div>But... The real truth of my 'year of grace' then reveled itself to me. It didn't take long for me to<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> learn that what I really needed to experience this year was how to offer more 'grace' to myself. How to be willing to accept 'grace' for myself... THAT was to be the lesson in my 2015 The Year of 'grace'. Yuck. I felt like I had been dooped... Like someone pulled the rug out from under me.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Well 2015 - A year of Grace continued, despite my reluctance... And effectively kicked my ass. </div><div><br></div><div>Sick parents, teens being teens, extracurricular organizations having a go at my child's self esteem, unplanned babies, unsupportive people where you least expect it, lost friendships, lost jobs, tax bills, phone bills, car bills, house bills, school trip bills, bills, bills, bills, many months of zero income, cancelled vacations, plans and dreams put on hold...</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There are so many times I swear I could hear the Universe snicker and say "heh heh 'Grace' huh? Let's see how you handle THIS..." As it threw another hairpin turn in my journey, or a speed bump in my path. I even kinda felt like there was a wee bit of the Universe thumbing its nose at me behind my back... Probably an over reaction on my part - I can see that now from a saner mind set.</span></div><div><br></div><div>There are times that getting out of bed was more than I could manage... </div><div><br></div><div>But alas. Here I am. More than half way through the year, and finally I can say that today I am able to sit here and linger in this beautiful space of a peaceful heart. This feeling that has eluded me for a very long time has made an appearance this morning...</div><div><br></div><div>Parents have mostly recovered; teens turned out to be ok; we got to teach our kids what not to attach to their value and worthiness; baby brought healing, so much love and unthinkable miracles; hearts have began to heal; jobs have been found; lifelong memories have been made; and new directions have been accepted and embraced...</div><div><br></div><div>Those storms have officially been withered. Gracefully. I sat by hospital beds, I stood up for my kids, I stood up for myself, I got this amazing grandson, I have even managed to laugh and smile along the way.</div><div><br></div><div>Today I can look back on the turns and bumps and see the lessons, and the growth, and the shedding of layers. I can see myself setting down the chains I have been lugging around for many many years... Chains that bound me to beliefs, or mind sets. Chains that held me back. I was kind of appalled to learn that freeing myself of them, was just as simple as setting them down - and refusing to pick them back up and continue to carry with me through this life. Today I see lightness and freedom... </div><div><br></div><div>Today, I can see the beauty in all the suffering. I can see open doors, acceptance and love.</div><div><br></div><div>This all changed I guess not only because I offered MYSELF a wee bit of grace, but because I allowed myself to accept the grace that others were willing and eager to offer to me. I allowed myself to feel worthy of what was being offered... And I realize that perhaps feeling worthy was kinda the key all along.</div><div><br></div><div>I look back at the twists, turns and bumps with HUGE gratitude. There is always something good on the other side of struggles... I have known this to be absolutely true for a while, but still many times wanted to give up hope... To give in to all the suckage and the swirling pit of blackness. </div><div><br></div><div>I am SO incredibly thankful for the people who SEE me, and who offered me grace exactly when I needed it. I am over the moon thankful for the people who allowed me to safely toss them a lifeline when I was swirling in the darkness of hopelessness, fear, aloneness and even the "oh so poisonous", the "oh so silencing", and my self proclaimed mortal enemy -moments of SHAME.</div><div><br></div><div>I am thankful for my willingness to always always always seek the light... To see the good, and to simply just love.</div><div> </div><div>I don't know what shitstorm today holds, or tomorrow... Or what lies ahead for us for the rest of 2015... But I know that today I sit in 'grace' AND 'peace'. I linger here for as long as I can - I vow to protect my peace ... But I know to hold a space for it - for the times when it goes out of sight for a while... Because I know, without a doubt, it will always be back.</div><div><br></div><div>I am also thankful for my husband... Who weathered every bump and turn right by my side, and even intercepted some so I didn't have to weather them, all the while managing many of his own... He is my strength, my encouragement, my safety, my support, my biggest listener, and at times - even my backbone. I am thankful for his love... And for his Grace.</div><div><br></div><div>So... For now... Onward brave warrior. Onward.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ffgWKmuyqQ/Va5nuWFDnzI/AAAAAAAAAgs/fvIiNtUGzAg/s640/blogger-image-540776215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ffgWKmuyqQ/Va5nuWFDnzI/AAAAAAAAAgs/fvIiNtUGzAg/s640/blogger-image-540776215.jpg"></a></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-86190060325464686292013-12-31T15:57:00.000-07:002013-12-31T16:05:55.687-07:00JUST BE - 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />
Well here I am on the eleventh hour of 2013 and writing my yearly 'ring in the new year with a new
word' post. I declared 2013 to be the year of 'CALM'. I am aware that I have fallen short in some
areas of 'calm' but feel I can turn the page on this year with many valuable
lessons under my belt....<br />
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I have learned:</div>
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<ul>
<li>over committing feeds only my
need to please others, while greatly depleting my inner peace and calm.</li>
<li>I am greatly driven by my need to please others.</li>
<li>what it feels like to
sell a piece of my art, and subsequently how to part with pieces of my heart...
and how that opened up a whole new way to love and be connected to people I may
never ever meet. Initially, deep
breathing was required to instill 'calm'.</li>
<li>to not take for
granted the miracles that our bodies are, and how frustrating and debilitating
it can be when one small part isn't working quite right... and to remind myself
to be calm and patient with "it takes as long as it takes."</li>
<li>that the things we
run away from always end up on the path ahead of us when we least expect
it. 'Calm' then only happens when you
trudge through the muck to get to the light.</li>
<li>I am still learning that I get
to own and tell my story... All of it... And re-re-re-assigning
truth to some lies I believed long ago may be a lifelong activity for me, but that too
is part of my story. Calm means
embracing that story peeling away the lies and holding on to the truth and then speaking it as loud as possible when it needs to be heard.</li>
</ul>
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I declare 2014 to be the year of 'JUST BE'. I absolutely need to reconnect with the part
of me that knows to live in the here and now...</div>
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<ul>
<li>JUST BE in the moment.</li>
<li>JUST BE who you are, and
nothing else.</li>
<li>JUST BE proud to stand up for
what is right... whatever the cost.</li>
<li>JUST BE willing to surrender the unknown to the Universe and accept what unfolds.</li>
<li>JUST BE willing to relinquish
control of the things that I was never meant to control in the first place.</li>
<li>JUST BE grateful, kind, and compassionate.</li>
<li>JUST BE a good role model and ambassador
to living a fulfilled life to my children</li>
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As I contemplate what is to come in 2014 I already know it is going to hold its fair share of changes, challenges - and growth opportunities... but I intuitively know that it will also
hold so many moments of unconditional love, sheer joy and complete bliss...</div>
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I will be ringing in 2014 very gently with
only a few of those most precious to me... I am loved, I am grateful, I am excited. I am going to simply JUST BE.</div>
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Happy New Year!</div>
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Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-45138900602978086622013-08-16T11:32:00.003-06:002013-08-16T14:20:52.964-06:00Just. Love.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...So, I don't like crowds.
I am not comfortable in crowds, I get all nervous and sweaty and even a little paranoid whenever I find myself in large groups of people. And, I am OK with admitting that it is a weakness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wasn't always that way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I began not liking crowds a few years ago when I was treated
very very badly while I was in a crowd.
Then came the fear, self blame, the shame and the self loathing - then the Police report,
police investigation, and the photo lineup.
There was a workplace connection, so then came dealing with HR, and the emotions that come with dealing their
'mismanagement of information' - more fear, more shame, and more self blame. Then came
the need to take extra measures to protect myself, my husband and my kids at
our home, our work, and at their schools.
Then came the stress leave and the therapy. Then
there was trying to re-establish myself back into my old work environment... Then there were meetings with all levels of
authority and anger and frustration and then attempts at retribution, and encouragement to make amends... Then
there was the whole choosing to leave my career for a minimum wage retail position,
changing fields, then changing back, but with a different company. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This became my theme song... <a href="http://youtu.be/pojL_35QlSI" target="_blank">(click here if video doesn't show up below)</a></span></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/pojL_35QlSI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/pojL_35QlSI&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/pojL_35QlSI&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Someday, I hope to be brave enough to write THAT post. But not today. Just know that my dislike and fear of crowds
is one that I have duly earned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But... We all know crowds are unavoidable. They are part of life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, at least they are a part of my life. I am head over heals for this guy
who loves to play music to crowds, and it is my whole hearted desire to support him in <u>all</u> things that make his eyes sparkle and his heart feel peaceful... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, together, we loved to take in live shows. We always
have. We have planned vacations around when our favorite bands are touring and gone to where they will be playing next. This is not something I could give up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of these scenarios leave me constantly checking in with myself to rationalize this almost debilitating fear (at first I wouldn't even go to the grocery store) down to something I can manage, so I can keep doing the things that I love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past weekend we had the opportunity to take in, for the
first time, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
For those who don't know, this music festival takes place over
four days on seven stages at a local ski hill, and it sells out (around ten thousand tickets) almost
instantly. It has been going on for 30
some odd years, and has a fabulous reputation for putting on a kick ass show of
amazing talent from all over the world, and is something our city is, and should be, very proud of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But... It draws a crowd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the last day of the festival, Sunday, I was exhausted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was exhausted physically, from walking up and down 'the
hill' countless times over the course of the past four days, the late nights, the
early mornings, and the packing around all our required daily belongings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was exhausted emotionally, from having to constantly talk myself off the ledge after being in
the throngs of a huge crowd for four days running.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was about 'festivalled out'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, on this day, my husband and I sat on the hill in our
chosen location waiting for the final few acts to perform on the main stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then this weird thing happened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't know if it was all the pot in the air
- and there was A LOT - or if I had been just exhausted enough that my carefully
placed defenses were beginning to crumble.
But it was like I passed through a worm hole to clarity and peace in the most unlikeliest of places... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- ya, when I word it like that, it kinda sounds like it was totally the
pot. -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All joking aside, it was a very spiritual happening for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started looking
into each face of each person who passed me. Really looking... Really seeing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To my surprise, I suddenly didn't see them as part of this huge threatening crowd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw them as a person. An individual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who laughs and reads and sings and dances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who cried when their dog died, or when someone they
loved was sick, or when </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">someone made them feel sad or unworthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who has self doubt, insecurities, and flaws... and
tries every day to overcome them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who has huge dreams that they are just trying to live
into.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who has to conquer fears every day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who is a friend, a spouse, a child, and a parent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who means the absolute world to someone else.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who is just plugging along in this life looking for
ways to be blissfully happy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw them as people. Vulnerable, flawed, happy, and loved. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw them as valuable, beautiful, precious souls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I started wondering what their story was... What made them who they were... I spent the entire evening in that head space.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I found myself just loving them all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I found myself happy to be in their space, happy to share these moments of amazing live music, with these people whom I didn't even know, but was looking at from the purest part of me. Without fear, and without judgement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was re-emphasized to me that we are
all the same.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are all beautiful, precious souls - trying to maneuver in this life as best
we can, amid the noise and the distractions, just looking for ways to connect, and reasons to smile as
often as we can along the way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just. Love. and keep smiling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-48338967572358749182013-03-21T00:07:00.002-06:002014-03-12T17:49:43.197-06:00Hello old friend...I close my eyes on this day contemplating grief. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCGSaKqWByk/UUqiqj1EBzI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Pb02uXhXXDI/s1600/5stagesgrief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCGSaKqWByk/UUqiqj1EBzI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Pb02uXhXXDI/s200/5stagesgrief.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stages of Grief</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps it is a staircase. Each step containing all the stages of grief in various quantities, configurations and winding paths. You carry on with the mazes and paths on that step bouncing among the stages until the pain dulls a little... And once you get used to that step, and are comfortable with it, the next step suddenly reveals its self...<br />
<br />
This step also contains all the stages of grief. You know them well, you have become old friends... But again, they show up in different variations- they blaze new trails in areas that are new... Bringing a sadness that sits a little deeper in your heart. It can catch you off guard, the punch it packs - as you let the stages of grief lead you through the paths and mazes they are blazing ahead of you. <br />
<br />
You have learned to trust the stages of grief. They have never failed you. You have learned over the years that resisting them is futile. That you stay stuck in one place if you refuse to walk the way it leads you. That the fastest way is just straight through the muck. You have tried skirting safely around the edges, but know by now, there is no way to avoid the deepest spots. Skirting around the edges prolongs the agony.<br />
<br />
You have also learned to embrace the pain, to welcome it, and to just cry sometimes... Because you know the growth is so worth it. It waits for you on the other side of the muck ...gleaming golden and shiney like a big beautiful prize. Sometimes you can't see it... But experience tells you it's there... And you have learned to trust experience as you have learned to trust the stages of grief. It too has never let you down.<br />
<br />
When you reach that gleaming golden prize... You hoist it above your head and shout out and do a well deserved victory dance... You stay in that space for a while, you deserve it. You deserve to rest... You reflect and celebrate your accomplishments. 'Wow. I went through all that?" you say.<br />
<br />
When it is time, you pick up your gleaming golden prize and you carry it with you - with the others you have achieved along the way. When the next step reveals itself, and by now, experience tells you it will ... you respectfully bow your head and say "ok. I got this."<br />
<br />
Perhaps the staircase is spiral... And each step and the paths and trails and teachings the stages lead through actually lead you closer and closer to the grief that resides in the core of your spirit... Where it sits, patiently, just waiting to be felt. Only then can we be free.<br />
<br />
And I think in as much as possible we are just meant to make the most of our journey to it.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I embrace my desire to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
feel the rhythm, to feel connected</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
enough to step aside and weep like a widow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to feel inspired, to fathom the power,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to swing on the spiral</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of our divinity and still be a human."</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maynard James Keenan - Lateralus TOOL </div>
<br />
<br />Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-6850252604059984252013-01-26T18:58:00.004-07:002013-01-26T19:01:44.438-07:00Oh sweet clarity...<br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday
was one of 'those' days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things went
right, and things went wrong...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much to
be happy about, some to be nervous about, and even a little to be upset over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would call it a bit of an emotional
rollercoaster kinda day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last
night, however, I was able to put much of the day behind me, and went to bed feeling
SO loved, and so incredibly in love... This morning I happily woke with that
peaceful loved and loving feeling still in my heart.</span></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I opened
my email while I was having coffee, as I do every day...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there sat an email regarding the things
that set off me on yesterday's rollercoaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aaand low and behold... off I go again. I won't bore you with the
details, in fact I am probably not even at liberty to fully discuss the
situation openly at this time, but those details are irrelevant to this story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
morning, I had a HUGE breakthrough moment... A moment where I slid into a place
of clarity that I had never ever been before.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I read
the email this morning that set me off on an angry rant, my husband tells me,
as he tells me almost every day about many many things work, life, and volunteer
related...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You need to not take
this so personally" "you can't let this stuff get to your heart".<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
familiarity of his words struck a chord within me...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Coreena cries at TELUS commercials".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Coreena cries at the news".
"Coreena are you FOR REAL crying at Dumb and Dumber?".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Coreena, you are taking it to
personally" ... I have been hearing this stuff...these words MY WHOLE
LIFE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My
husband's well meaning words sent me into my normal and oh so familiar spiral
of negative self talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Oh you did
it again, you are so stupid. " and more stuff that I just won't share
here...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then my
mouth opened and without even knowing the words that were going to come out I
said "Honey, what if this is a strength and not a weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking things to heart is who I am, and I
like who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me SO good at so
many things, including my job, being a mom, and volunteering...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I am not supposed to be able to turn
that off?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He got
really quiet and then said "Well, that's true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn't looked at it like that before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But can you do that without beating yourself
up??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't like it when you beat yourself
up."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said
"Maybe I beat myself up because I keep not feeling like everyone tells me
I should feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I should just feel
how I feel?"</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">YESSSSSS! Freedom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Negative self talk... you're going down...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clarity.
Sweet sweet clarity.</span></span></div>
Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-24798088013232880612012-12-29T16:42:00.001-07:002012-12-29T16:42:57.208-07:002013, the year of 'Calm'Well, here we are, nearing the end of another year. At this time every year, I like to spend a little time reflecting on the year passed and looking at all it's facets ... Embracing each moment. Each success, each failure, the happy moments and the sad ones. Looking at it all with an open mind, a vulnerable heart, and a complete willingness to take away the lessons that each instance was meant to teach me.<br />
This year I learned:<br />
- That I must allow my children to find their own way. My way might work for me, but that doesn't mean it will work for them.<br />
- That as fabulous and amazing I know my kids to be, it means absolutely nothing if they can't see it for themselves. My mom heart witnessed MANY moments this year when my kids realized for themselves the wonderful people I ALWAYS new them to be.<br />
- That I am absolutely willing to fiercely protect my family... Their hearts, their spirits, and their health. Even if the cost is great.<br />
- That what other people think of me, is really none of my business.<br />
- That my kids really do enjoy each others company. Hearing my kids say "I love you" to each other, completely illicit one of the greatest feelings on the planet.<br />
- That it is OK to say 'No' to the things you do not want in your life, and how that makes it easier to say 'Yes' to the things you do.<br />
- That times of 'quiet' are essential, each and every day.<br />
- That people show love in a variety of ways... and if you look back, you will probably see it has always been there.<br />
- That support, grace, dignity, and courage is alive, well, and thriving in the hearts of her lifelong dearest friends. Cancer never stood a chance.<br />
- That marriage is tough, blended families are no picnic, but ALL things worth having, are absolutely worth working for.<br />
- That my marriage is completely based on pure love, adoration, and respect. That there is NEVER a time when either of us sets out to intensionally hurt the other, and that the most heart healing words one can ever hear is a heartfelt "I am so sorry."<br />
- That letting go of old pain, and releasing parts of ourselves that have been holding us back - in a sacred way can be extremely profound and freeing.<br />
- That every day I open my eyes, I am SO very blessed by all the goodness that surrounds me.<br />
<br />
<br />
My word for 2012 was 'Fly'. Looking back, 2012 offered me many opportunities to spread my wings. I can honestly close my eyes on Dec 31, 2012, and know I served my word well.<br />
<br />
When I wake on Jan 1, 2013, my new word will be 'Calm'. <br />
<br />
2013 is the year meditation and yoga. It is the year of honouring myself enough to let go of more of what I don't want to have in my life to make room for what I do want in my life. It is the year of no gossip, no drama, no absorbing, mirroring, or becoming part of the toxic behaviour of others. It is the year of walking away from things that make me feel ways I do not wish to feel so I can walk towards the things that feel right and peaceful. <br />
<br />
It is the year of loving people first, and right off the bat, and still loving them no matter what. It is the year of seeing the good in all people. It is the year of looking for what is right, instead of what is wrong. It is the year of being kind to myself, and taking as many 'Day Ones' as I need to get it right. <br />
<br />
It is the year of going where the peace is, and staying there as long as possible. It is the year of knowing the way to peace ALWAYS exists even if you happen to stray from it for a bit. It is the year of allowing what I think be as important to me as what others think. It is the year of always choosing to see the bright side. It is the year of shining a light on the dark places, and facing what is there. It is the year of embracing and rationalizing my fears, then overcoming them. Its the year of more art projects, and an Etsy shoppe. <br />
<br />
It is the year that will set the stage for me to continue to live the way that lightens my spirit, puts a smile on my face, and puts peace in my heart.<br />
<br />
It is the year of 'Calm'. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_wrt0HUzDoM/UN9_1AhAzvI/AAAAAAAAAKU/bd7JtPU-m6k/s640/blogger-image-2129087752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_wrt0HUzDoM/UN9_1AhAzvI/AAAAAAAAAKU/bd7JtPU-m6k/s640/blogger-image-2129087752.jpg" /></a></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-66729523758554775332012-07-29T16:49:00.000-06:002012-07-29T17:02:06.328-06:00More Conversations with a Rokstar....<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As an addendum to an earlier post, here is a continuation on my 'Best Seller' book propsal....ļ»æ</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJQyLkqrdNE/T0Fk9vcAVZI/AAAAAAAAAB8/-9BKW2usgG4/s1600/313_40205191674_627411674_1851786_1221_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJQyLkqrdNE/T0Fk9vcAVZI/AAAAAAAAAB8/-9BKW2usgG4/s1600/313_40205191674_627411674_1851786_1221_a.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to write a book and call it āConversations with a Rokstarā.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my life with this guy who makes me laugh my ass off ā¦ pretty much EVERY day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter One: Why the <st1:place w:st="on">Dead Sea</st1:place> is going to dry up by next Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Two: In the Zombie Apocalypse, donāt expect me to save your ass because your refusal to watch scary movies leaves you uneducated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Three: Next decade, when we are all dead and gone and only the wild animals remain, donāt say I didnāt warn you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Four: The eleventh commandment ā Thou shalt not cover thine sandwich ā a commentary on open faced buns at church functions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Five: Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This chicken looks like a vagina.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Six: I married you for your hot ass, I didnāt know you were a princess.</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ckornel##" title=""></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Seven: The only reason to become a doctor is for the naked chicks and the nice carā¦ maybe I will become a pimp.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Eight:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My testicles are huge today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I will spend my day riding around on the back of a Dodge 4X4.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Nine: Iāve been working hard on my number one hit ā āIāve got youuuuuā¦ tied up in my basement.ā</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ā¦ More to come ā¦</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Update: ...as promised...</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Ten: Rokstar talks about his teenage years: no mom, I am not gay... I'm just a looser.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Eleven: Self Help Rokstar style: "Honey, we're good... Some of the greatest minds in the world were fucked up."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Twelve: Reading between the lines: "Miss Independence ... By Kelly Clarkson was actually meant to be titled 'Jeremy Kornel, I don't know you but I totally want you' "</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Thirteen: Observations on current teenage attire: "I think all the male teachers at the high school must be gay."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Fourteen: Life coaching RS style: "Honey let me be clear about his intentions- there two types of men in this world, the men who would sleep with you, and then there are the gays."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Fifteen: "Wow... I can't even see that guy." - things one must say EVERYTIME they encounter someone wearing camouflage.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chapter Sixteen: Bird Calls 101: 'I'm just talking to the birds, except I scared them away... I think I may have mastered the call of their enemy, either that or I just said "hey you sure got a purdy beak" in bird language *hums the theme to deliverance* "</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... Still more to come I am sure... :)</span></span>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-55442406279609638702012-06-10T13:18:00.001-06:002014-06-10T08:49:18.644-06:00Seven years ago today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><em><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: small;">I love you</span></em></span></h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus;">Not only for what you are;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus;">But for what I am<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus;">When I am with you<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #6979af;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 8pt;">Roy
Croft<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<br />
Seven years ago, today... I awoke filled to the brim with nervous excitement.
<br />
<br />
Seven years ago, today... I was pampered, primped and pedicured as I prepared to look my very best as we started down this new path that was laid out before us.<br />
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Seven years ago, today, everyone was getting ready for the big day!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzuQDxy8dZ0/T9TyXSsTMMI/AAAAAAAAAG4/jtjjJSp7kRk/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xzuQDxy8dZ0/T9TyXSsTMMI/AAAAAAAAAG4/jtjjJSp7kRk/s320/scan0002.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Emma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C4FjqV1dpyA/T9TybC9bw8I/AAAAAAAAAHA/yFJ7dXs5qCk/s1600/scan0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C4FjqV1dpyA/T9TybC9bw8I/AAAAAAAAAHA/yFJ7dXs5qCk/s320/scan0003.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Aidan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8uy1aMrG2Y/T9TyfRulV_I/AAAAAAAAAHI/JqDXeKC8UEA/s1600/scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8uy1aMrG2Y/T9TyfRulV_I/AAAAAAAAAHI/JqDXeKC8UEA/s320/scan0004.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princes Amber</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHJXTSTAC-U/T9T6wrXgMoI/AAAAAAAAAJs/uZzUM_FUKiQ/s1600/scan0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IHJXTSTAC-U/T9T6wrXgMoI/AAAAAAAAAJs/uZzUM_FUKiQ/s320/scan0021.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryley and Josh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
Seven years ago, today, my princess's walked down the isle to their daddy <a href="http://youtu.be/BHcqaDNOqyI" target="_blank">(to this song)</a> where he waited with our sons.<br />
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<br />
Seven years ago, today, on the arm of my dad, I walked down the isle <a href="http://youtu.be/12s6Uripqx0" target="_blank">(to this song)</a> to meet them.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Seven years ago, today, we were reminded that:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love works miracles every single day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love brings to a relationship...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many gifts:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gifts of joy, hope, happiness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tolerance & understanding.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gift of listening to your heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Believing in yourselves and others</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and realizing your dreams.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love means...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trusting enough to risk being hurt,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even when you don't understand.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Weeping with the other in heartache,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and celebrating with them in joy. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love means...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Listening to each others deepest thoughts,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Supporting each others goals and dreams</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and walking beside each other</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
offering courage and strength.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
respecting one another,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and sharing all things.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love means...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcoming the challenge</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of whatever obstacles you will encounter,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Helping each other to grow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as indaviduals and as partners. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love is a relationship... </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's about two people,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Having tremendous strengths</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but also, having vulnerabilities, like we all do...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And one person being able to strengthen the other</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in their areas of vulnerability.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Being there for the other</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Needing the other</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Completing the other.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Seven years ago, today, he said:
<br />
<blockquote>
I call upon these persons present to witness that: I, Jeremy Daniel Kornel do take thee, Coreena Dawn Brodersen to be my lawful wedded wife.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In you I have found my rock, my support, my one true love. I have found a caring mother, a compassionate friend and my one true soul mate.
I promise to love you always, as I do today. I promise to be with you through laughter and tears as we concur all obstacles, that life puts befor us. I promise to respect and honor you in all that you do. Forever, I will cherish and never take for granted the love that we share. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
You are my inspiration, my muse, and my one true love. From today, and always... I love you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Seven years ago, today, I responded:
<br />
<blockquote>
I call upon these persons present to witness that: I, Coreena Dawn Brodersen do take thee Jeremy Daniel Kornel to be my lawful wedded husband...
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In doing so, I commit my life to you. To have and to hold as an equal partner in life to whom I give my deepest love and devotion. To build our dreams together while allowing you the space you need to grow with your own dreams. To evolve with you as a life partner, to be by your side, in all situations and all circumstances, no matter what life bring. I promise to be the best mother that I know how to be, yet I promise to be humble enough to know that there is always room to do better. I promise to honor and tenderly care for you, to cherish and encourage you, and to love you with all that I am for as long as we both shall live.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
From this day forward, I will be your proud wife, and your best friend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Seven years ago, today, we exchanged rings, carried by our sons, with the words:
<br />
<blockquote>
With this ring I give you my promise,
that from this day forward,
you shall never walk alone.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
My heart will be your shelter,
my arms will be your home.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
We will walk together through life,
as partners and best friends.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
I promise, that I shall always do my best
to love and accept you, exactly the way you are.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
With this ring, I give you your freedom
and my trust in you.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
I give you my heart, until the end of time...
I have no greater gift to give.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQCRAXn267Q/T9T41dO0wbI/AAAAAAAAAIs/uP1PJ_-PoSg/s1600/scan0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cQCRAXn267Q/T9T41dO0wbI/AAAAAAAAAIs/uP1PJ_-PoSg/s320/scan0015.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they took their jobs so seriously...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UD8qpdJAc1Q/T9T46LWtT3I/AAAAAAAAAI0/oFTyL4ZI4rI/s1600/scan0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UD8qpdJAc1Q/T9T46LWtT3I/AAAAAAAAAI0/oFTyL4ZI4rI/s320/scan0016.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:) nothing like the tinkle of a wedding ring hitting the floor in the middle of a quiet cerimony. <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BWx1IWDPQo/T9T4_Q0PwfI/AAAAAAAAAI8/HEjY5nn1yLE/s1600/scan0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BWx1IWDPQo/T9T4_Q0PwfI/AAAAAAAAAI8/HEjY5nn1yLE/s320/scan0018.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Seven years ago, today, surounded by a handful of family and friends, I did the ugly cry when she said "With pleasure I introduce you Jeremy and Coreena Kornel."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJsWN32CXAg/T9T5cCoXb2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/8hMmb3jKU8o/s1600/scan0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJsWN32CXAg/T9T5cCoXb2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/8hMmb3jKU8o/s320/scan0017.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINALLY!! (this my friends is my ugly cry! <3)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Seven years ago, today, we made promises to each other that we still cherish, honor and live everyday.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Seven years ago, today, I married my best friend. The one, who, above all else 'gets' me, respects me, believes in me and sees the best in me. I married the one who knew me better than I knew myself - all the good, and all the bad - and he loved me anyway. I married the one who, from the deepest and sincerest part of his soul, has my best intrests, happiness and peacefulness at heart.<br />
<br />
Seven years ago, today, we completed the circle that is now our big beautiful family.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Seven years ago, today, I became his Mrs.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was my BEST day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ShNMKWUXoI8/T9T6J98aAhI/AAAAAAAAAJk/5BWfXi-RuAw/s1600/scan0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ShNMKWUXoI8/T9T6J98aAhI/AAAAAAAAAJk/5BWfXi-RuAw/s320/scan0023.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-13085385127795585442012-05-08T01:16:00.001-06:002012-05-08T01:20:17.101-06:00Just laugh.<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> some</span> of you may already know I have kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have a</span> LOT of kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are often five of them running around
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Before I go on, let me say, </span>I adore with all of my heart, each one of them for their own
unique personalities. Everyday I wake up bursting with gratitude that I get to
be their Mom. Yes, I DO have teenagers, and yes that does still apply to them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I have said that I
will someday write a </span><a href="http://ckornel.blogspot.ca/2012/02/conversations-with-rokstar.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">book of conversations I sometimes have with my husband</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ā¦
aka The Rokstarā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think there is
also a fabulous book just waiting to be written about the shit that
goes down here on a daily basis where my kids are concernedā¦<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything, in my house, is a joke. Everything. And about 90% of the timeā¦ the jokes are at my expense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I am an easy target, maybe my kids mistake
my āIāve had enough ā time to stop fucking with meā smile for the way less threatening āOh you
are so funnyā versionā¦ I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://ckornel.blogspot.ca/2012/02/to-my-teenage-boys.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have even had to resort to drastic measures to get set some ground rules around her</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eā¦
But still... many a laugh is had in our home at my expense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">From the time, a few years ago, I put My
wee-est princess to bed and kissed her darling sweet little face, and then turned
to leave the room as she so sweetly said </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">āGood night Mommy, make
sure you sleep with one eye open.ā and then giggled... <em>(for the record, I didn't sleep much that night... thanks Chucky)</em></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or the time I send my super
hyper and 'bored' boys out to wash my car with the garden hose and a pail of
soapy water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went out to see that they
were actually doing as I</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">asked, when my biggest boy threateningly points the hose at
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said to him </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">āIf you spray me with that
hose I WILL kick your ass.ā<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which was promptly
followed by a compete and total saturation of my clothes, my hair, and my
make-up by the hose wielding little brat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Clearly he knew the odds were in his favour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or how about the time the
big Princess and I were playing UNO Spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was instructed by the stupid spinny thing that I had to continuously
draw cards until I found a āblueā one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, I am sure all the blue had been removed from the deck as I drew
card after card after cardā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the big
princess was anxiously awaiting her turn and still the pile would not give me a
blue freaking card as I drew and drew and drew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally she blurts out a frustrated... āAh
for fuck sakes!ā <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was 6. I nearly spit out my kidney.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But most recently was an instant with my
boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pushing the limits ā¦ goofing
around, being crazy and hyper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
DONE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said ā very sternly āRyley
ENOUGH now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is ENOUGH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had enough, it is time to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IT IS NOT FUNNY NOW STOP.ā<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got all quiet, as he usually does after
heās been scolded, and put his head down, seemingly FINALLY heeding to my
request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seconds later he pops his head
upā¦ fingers pulling down is eyes, other fingers pulling at the sides of his
mouth, and still more fingers pushing up his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks at me crossed eyed with his tongue
sticking out of his distorted face and says āIs it funny now?ā ā¦ seriouslyā¦ The
little brat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ohā¦ But I too have some claims to fameā¦!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like the time I sent the
big princess to school all decked out in her freshly washed cute little hoodyā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>little did I know, the dryer ā with the aid
of static cling - had strategically deposited a pair of my skimpiest unmentionables in
the hood of her sweater for her to find in the classroom, with all her friends as
witnesses, as she prepared to start the school day. (<em>and another $100 gets added
to the āfor future therapyā fund</em>) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or recently the time that I secretly
enlisted the help of the boys grade 8 homeroom teacher to assist me in getting
the boy to pick his underwear up off the bathroom floorā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which was promptly followed by a text from
the boy that read āWTF?!?!ā 10 minutes into the school day. (<em>$100 in to the āfftā
fund</em>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or the time I heard the
biggest boy stirring in his room ready to come into the hallā¦ I hid in the
dark and went āBAAAAā as he entered the bathroomā¦ he nearly wet his pants. (<em>$100 to the āfftā fund</em>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p>O</o:p></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">r perhaps the time a few years ago when
the wee-est princess kept going to an area of the yard I didnāt want
her in because I couldnāt see her from where I was working, so I told her to be
careful the monsters didnāt get her over there because that is where they
sometimes hung outā¦ she stayed in my sight after thatā¦ and we had to do the 'protect your room from monsters' ritual every night for a month so she would sleep in her own bed. (<em>$100 to the āfftā fund</em>)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">So... Over the years I have learned...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that I really
had no choice but to stop taking myself so seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that the words āohhh, when I
have kids, my kids will never ever be allowed toā¦.ā ONLY come back to bite you
in the ass. Hard. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that the
curseā¦ the one put on us by our momsā¦ when she says āSomeday, when you have kids,
I hope your kids act just like you are acting right now!ā ā¦ is real, and true,
and, in hindsight, should scare the hell out of any self righteous know-it-all-teenā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ācause reality is, you will get away with <u>nothing</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You ALWAYS gotta pay for that shit.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That its the moments</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that each and
every moment that you laugh, and the ones that you cryā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the moments where you have that kick ass
parenting breakthrough that you want to proudly tell the world aboutā¦</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the parenting moments that maybe werenāt
so kick ass and you would prefer to keep to yourself while secretly freaking out that social services are going to show up on your doorstepā¦</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">t</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">he moments where you are
at the beginning of your rope ... and </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">the moments where you are at the endā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Tahoma;">All of the moments. Every one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good or bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are all part of our journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
journey where we are blindly doing the best we can to just keep them alive until they are ready to be unleashed on the world... and hoping somehow along the way we manage to turn these little people that came to us as a clean slate... into respectable adultsā¦
as</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> we try to do the best we can figuring shit out as we go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each moment good and bad, needs to be embraced and
cherished for the lessons and the richness it has brought into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned that the only way to emerge from this journey without the urge to randomly lick walls, and remain straight jacket free is to always remember to simply just laugh along the way.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thank my children, from the deepest part of my heart for helping me to learn that lesson.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rbk7h9YA30/T6jJIYtJDDI/AAAAAAAAAEU/LQDzywj2KOI/s1600/282121_10150321508356675_627411674_9858388_7896089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rbk7h9YA30/T6jJIYtJDDI/AAAAAAAAAEU/LQDzywj2KOI/s320/282121_10150321508356675_627411674_9858388_7896089_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-2800950243864675712012-04-28T15:52:00.000-06:002012-04-28T16:03:11.069-06:00It Takes A Villiage.<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4f9c61ac0b5c81527726543">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pKvDeP6TH4/T5xpBk_cGEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/oHhEI5zQRao/s1600/ti-cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pKvDeP6TH4/T5xpBk_cGEI/AAAAAAAAAEI/oHhEI5zQRao/s320/ti-cats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have spent much of the day reading stuff I have written on my blog, on facebook, and in my journals. When I came across this post on FB, I really wanted to share it.</div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
</div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
I wrote it on November 26, 2011. It was to my son's football coaching team after the year end party. They had a separate awards ceremony for some of the kids that might not be awarded the 'high achievement' awards that were to be given out the next day. At this year end party, he called on each player and gave a brief sum up of what that player did for the team that year, and how they will be remembered. It was amazing and nothing short of ALL CLASS.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4f9c61ac0b5c81527726543">
As moms, it is so easy for us to be proud of our kids. It is easy for us to tell them everyday that we love them and think they are something special. While our only hope is that after the many parenting successes and the oh so many parenting failures, at the end of the day, we raised kids that are respectful, kind, and all around good citizens. That we gave them the skills they need that made <span class="text_exposed_show">them want to contribute to society and the betterment of the world around them. <br /> <br /> As moms we also know that there is no better indicator that we are on the right track than how our kids feel about themselves, their actions, and their behaviors. We know that no matter how proud we are of them, and how special we think they are, it means absolutely nothing if they can't see it for themselves.<br /> <br /> Today, and throughout the season, Coach James, you and your coaching staff really reached their hearts. As each brother stood at your side today and heard the words the three of you had to say... Sure, they were happy that they pleased you, sure they were happy that you were proud of them... But each and everyone of them walked away bursting with pride in themselves. Each one of them walked away knowing, and believing all the things we, as their moms have known all along.<br /> <br /> There is nothing that fills a moms heart with joy faster than witnessing that moment when her child sees for themselves the greatness that they are.<br /> <br /> When you go to sleep tonight, please do so knowing that today, the three of you have made a HUGE impact.<br /> <br /> They say it takes a village to raise a child. Thanks Coach James for being a part of our village.<br /> <br /> The Football Moms.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<span class="text_exposed_show">My son has chosen to not play football this season, but the effect of Coach James and his coaching staff will live on in our lives forever. </span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
</div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<span class="text_exposed_show">Here is to the AMAZING coaches out there who are taking their jobs of teaching our kids the value of teamwork, camaraderie and being proud of their individual accomplishments very seriously. May they see how they are leaving their mark in the world through instilling pride in the hearts of, and putting a huge smile on the faces of our children.</span></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-86255900023625298822012-03-14T00:26:00.005-06:002012-03-14T12:20:41.519-06:00What would you like to stop doing? - Burning QuestionHere is a list of things that I would really like to - once and for all - STOP doing.<br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Not going pee during the day because I am too busy to take the time.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Making excuses for not going to that lunch time yoga class.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Saying āyesā when I really want to say ānoā.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself</em>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Shutting up and smiling when I really want to speak out.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Getting less than adequate hours of sleep every night.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Constantly worrying that other people are mad at me.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself.</em></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Giving away my power and letting other people make me feel small.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Sharing too much of my heart with people who donāt really give a shit.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Being so hard on myself for mistakes of my past.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself</em>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Putting off stopping in at my Grandmaās house for tea.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Devaluing the importance of picking up the phone to have a chat with an old friend.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Forgetting that there are limits to what I can control.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Feeling so self conscious all the time.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself</em>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Selling myself short.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Letting the wrong people into my Soul House then politely watch as they start fuckin with my shit.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Worrying more about what others think than what I know to be true for me.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself</em>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Letting things distract me from doing what really brings me peace.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Rushing around constantly trying to catch up to life and trying to keep up with all our commitments that I forget the importance of just stopping to be present in this moment.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself</em>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Lying in bed at night thinking of all the things I should have done, but just didnāt get to.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Shameā¦ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling it, inflicting it, witnessing it, being anywhere near it.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Putting on those damn terrorist glasses and seeing myself and the world through their tainted lenses.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><em>Forgetting to be kind to myself</em>ā¦ especially when I forget and then go and do something that I so publicly said I wanted to stop doing.</li>
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<strong>Today is Day one.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day that I break away from all that is holding me back to grab onto all that will pull me forward. <br />
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The day that I remember that<strong> I</strong> get to choose. <br />
I choose love. <br />
I choose life. <br />
I choose joy. <br />
I choose happiness. <br />
I choose laughter. <br />
I choose kindness.<br />
I choose forgiveness.<br />
I choose bliss.<br />
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I choose peace.<br />
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<em>The cage is open</em>.<br />
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In response to: The Burning Question from <a href="http://www.daniellelaporte.com/inspiration-spirituality-articles/what-would-you-like-to-stop-doing/">Danielle LaPorte</a> ... <br />
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<br /></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-57394987877396189872012-02-23T15:29:00.000-07:002012-02-23T19:19:41.987-07:00To My Teenage Boys:<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know that I love you, and that I am so SO very proud of you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life is a whole lot richer because you are in it, I consider myself so lucky that I get to be your mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we go on in life, and you reach for the moon, and shoot for the starsā¦ know that I will be your biggest supporter, and your loudest cheerleader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want nothing more for you than for you to fulfill your wildest dreams, and live a life that makes your heart SING on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As āMomā ā¦ it is my job to cultivate you from infancy into adulthood and then to set you loose on the world as one who will contribute to the betterment of society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take pride in that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, before that glorious āset you loose on the world as one who will contribute to the betterment of societyā dayā¦ we have a few things to sort out to ensure you actually do MAKE IT to that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems we have been having some communication issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that my face to face methodā¦ the one I have used for all your lives doesnāt seem to be working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty sure that, after all these years that I must be sounding a little like Charlie Brownās teacher to youā¦ and hey, I can relateā¦ I am reasonable, as I was once a kid too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>here it isā¦ my last ditch effort to reach you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since you spend so much time on the internetā¦ I decided to try to get through to you via cyber spaceā¦ goodness knows talking, reasoning, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yelling, freaking out, throwing things, grounding, taking away stuff and dropping the occasional āfā bomb has lost its effectivenessā¦</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This list conveys only the MINIMUM required behaviors and expectations and includes, but is not limited to issues that I have had to repeatedly remind you of over the past few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here goes:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This list is NON-NEGOTIABLE.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I, as your mother/step -mother, reserve the right to append to this list as I see fit. If you have a problem with that, see number 1.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is Homework ā then video games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No exceptions.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have a cell phone so that I can get ahold of youā¦ whenever I need toā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in your best interest to answer it when I call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider this: If I cannot reach you on your cell phone when I need to, then there really is no point in you having it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore āit was charging in my roomā and āI had it on silentā are NOT valid excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the battery is dead from the web surfing, texting and app playing, that can easily be rectified by exchanging it for a āMotorola flipā.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I happen to have one on hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not kidding.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rememberā¦ It is never to be assumed that you no longer need to tell me where you are going because you have a cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have it so I can reach you, NOT so I can try to track you down. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you go to the bathroom. Flush. It is simple. If you tinkle on the seat, clean it up. I guarantee you that none of your family members wishes to sit in your pee any more than you would wish to sit in theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show some respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You share that space.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Socks and underwear NEVER belong on bathroom floors, ever. Wet towels NEVER belong on bedroom floors, everā¦ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and you DO NOT need a clean towel every day.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You do not need a new glass every time you get a drink of water, and there should never be a need for me to round up glasses from bedrooms because there are not enough in the cupboard for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a water bottle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use it.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bedrooms are to be kept tidy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dishes and recycle cans removed when you are done with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garbage belongs in the garbage can... NOT on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is our home. Respect it.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That thingā¦ in the counterā¦ next to the sinkā¦ It is called a dishwasher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is full of dirty dishes, run it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is full of clean dishes, empty it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we should NEVER come home to stacks of dirty dishes piled up on the counters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep in mind, the aforementioned āsinkā is also a viable option for cleaning dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I come home to a full dishwasher, and stacks of dishes on the counter, I am not above emptying the dirty dishwasher, and letting you get a really good feel for how the sink works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps that would make you appreciate how handy the dish washer actually is.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Laundry in our house is done on weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU put away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If āthatā shirt is missing from your closet, check the living room because chances are, it never made it to the closet after it was washed, dried and folded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is dirty because it didnāt make it into the laundry on laundry dayā¦ then you have two choicesā¦</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait until after next laundry day to wear it</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Run a load yourselfā¦</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PLEASE NOTE: storming around the house mad because that shirt canāt be found, or isnāt clean does not appear to be one of your choices.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our home is to be entered and exited from DOORS ONLY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you forget, lose, or misplace your key, you wait until one of your siblings gets home to let you in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climbing in windows is NOT acceptable.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cell phones, internet access, food, water and a warm bed are your payments for babysitting your sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a family, and we look out for each other, we help each other. End of storyā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babysitting is included in that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IF I should decide that a little extra something is deserved for a job well done, it is at MY discretionā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never, ever assume it is a given, because it isnāt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a problem with this, see number 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you still have a problem with this, keep in mind that ācell phone and internet accessā CAN be revoked at any time.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not your maid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your dad is not your maid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Nana is not your maid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cleaning service that comes here once a week to clean the bathroomsā¦ they are not your maids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You DO NOT have a maid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Govern yourselves accordinglyā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (ie)</span> pick up your shit.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shoveling, mowing, garbage, recycling, and taking out the refundable bottles ARE in fact YOUR jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sighing or protesting when you are reminded to do it will be met with a longer list of tasks that will include, but is not limited to:</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning the garage</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">b.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning up the doggy doo in the back yard</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">c.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning the fridge</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">d.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning the basement.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You must keep in mind that the law only requires me to feed you, clothe you (and not necessarily in brand names), that I provide you with a home, and that I ensure you get an education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is STRONGLY advised that you DO NOT approach me with any sort of Christmas list in freaking Februaryā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not above donating a whole bunch of stuff that is currently in my home to kids who would be a little more grateful to have it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So my lovesā¦ there you have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know that I too am reaching for the stars and shooting for the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your support and encouragement in the form of complying with the above list would be greatly appreciated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I was put here on this earth to be your mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I do not question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even for a minuteā¦ but you must understand, I have other purposes too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love you to the moon and back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your mom.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-9933912422666347192012-02-21T13:01:00.003-07:002012-02-21T17:29:34.935-07:00What's one dumb thing you used to believe in? - Burning Question<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Whatās one dumb thing you used to believe in?</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I used to think that unfaltering, unquestioned, and unwavering loyalty would get you to someplace really REALLY good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That it was the key to being successful in your career, successful in your marriage, successful in your friendshipsā¦ which, to me all equated to āsuccessful in lifeā... The promised landā¦ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believed this SO whole heartedly, that it made me blind and nonchalant to the āunreciprocated āpart. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>What I now know to be true.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is no such thing as a āloyalty prizeā.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no āloyaltyā awards ceremony where you get recognized for your selfless acts of devotedness. Loyalty, it turns out, is a two way street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is give, and it is take. What I also realized... is if you arenāt loyal to yourself first, then you are selling out. If you live to meet other's expectations, then it is ALWAYS at the expense of your own happiness, your own sense of fulfilment, your own peace, and your own joy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, when loyalty is reciprocated, respected and honored, when it is a two way street, when there is give and take ā¦<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be an unstoppable force. It can be huge, exciting, productive, and āknock your socks offā earth shatteringly amazingā¦ Andā¦ THAT is what truly lies on the path to ALL that is really really good.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The TRUTH is 'Sucessful in life' equals 'being true and loyal to yourself ...' No. Matter. What. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.daniellelaporte.com/the-burning-question-series/"><br />
<img src="http://www.daniellelaporte.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/BQ-for_bloggers-250x131-final.png" /></a></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-19468841234529608162012-02-19T14:04:00.001-07:002012-07-29T16:41:58.635-06:00Conversations with a Rokstar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to write a book and call it āConversations with a Rokstarā.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my life with this guy who makes me laugh my ass off ā¦ pretty much EVERY day.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Chapter One: Why the <st1:place w:st="on">Dead Sea</st1:place> is going to dry up by next Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Chapter Two: In the Zombie Apocalypse, donāt expect me to save your ass because your refusal to watch scary movies leaves you uneducated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Chapter Three: Next decade, when we are all dead and gone and only the wild animals remain, donāt say I didnāt warn you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Chapter Four: The eleventh commandment ā Thou shalt not cover thine sandwich ā a commentary on open faced buns at church functions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Chapter Five: Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This chicken looks like a vagina.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Chapter Six: I married you for your hot ass, I didnāt know you were a princess.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ckornel##" title=""></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Chapter Seven: The only reason to become a doctor is for the naked chicks and the nice carā¦ maybe I will become a pimp.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Chapter Eight:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My testicles are huge today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I will spend my day riding around on the back of a Dodge 4X4.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Chapter Nine: Iāve been working hard on my number one hit ā āIāve got youuuuuā¦ tied up in my basement.ā</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">ā¦ More to come ā¦</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-8160626852821199832011-11-15T15:59:00.000-07:002011-11-15T17:15:47.110-07:00The cage is open<p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">The lovely, sincere, and oh so talented Melody Ross taught me how to clean out and protect my soul house, identify and live my truths,</span><span class="s2"> to just do it anyway, as I</span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s2">p</span><span class="s2">ainted and mod </span><span class="s2">podged</span><span class="s2"> myself to a </span><span class="s2">peaceful place in Soul Restoratio</span><span class="s2">n 1 in January.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">She taught me how to write my mission statement, set my goals, and make decisions so that I am always living in alignment with what is the most importan</span><span class="s2">t to me in Soul Restoration 2 in March.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">She taught me that life outside of the cage is where we all should beā¦</span><span class="s2"> alwaysā¦ </span><span class="s2">that āshameā is a terrorist and a destroyer, and that it is always best just to cry harder</span><span class="s2"> when you have a safe and loving place to do so</span><span class="s2"> at Brave Girls Camp in October.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">Her latest lesson came to me as I begin the soul sear</span><span class="s2">ching,</span><span class="s2">reading through the curriculum</span><span class="s2">, and creating w</span><span class="s2">hat will soon become volume one of my <a href="http://www.bravegirlregistrations.com/fe/15887-life-art-a-la-carte-registration">S</a></span><a href="http://www.bravegirlregistrations.com/fe/15887-life-art-a-la-carte-registration"><span class="s2">oul </span><span class="s2">B</span></a><span class="s2"><a href="http://www.bravegirlregistrations.com/fe/15887-life-art-a-la-carte-registration">ook</a>.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">I want to remember that no one steals my light without my permission. I want to remember not to give anyone that permission.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">I want to remember that no one is going to make my dreams come true for meā¦ It is my job to get up every day and work towards the things that are deepest in my heartā¦ and to enjoy every step of the journey rather than wishing I was already where I want to end up.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">I must remember that I must be the example to others of how I want to</span><span class="s2"> be treated. I</span><span class="s2">f I want to be treated with kindness and respect, I must</span><span class="s2"> first</span><span class="s2"> treat myself with kindness and respect. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><span class="s2">If I want to be treated with love and patience, I must </span><span class="s2">first </span><span class="s2">treat myself with love and patience. I teach others how to treat me.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">I want to remember that I get to decide.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">I want to remember to let nothing enslave me.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that it doesnāt really matter what other people think.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that my dreams matter.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that being authentic often means that I am very </span><span class="s2">very</span><span class="s2"> different from most people around me, and that it is worth it to be authentic.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that just because I am feeling afraid, that does not mean that I am not brave</span><span class="s2">ā¦ and that bravery means just moving forward into what we know in our hearts to d </span><span class="s2">Fear and all.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that I need to just stop and get very </span><span class="s2">very</span><span class="s2"> quiet.</span><span class="s2"></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that I get to choose.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget that I am very </span><span class="s2">very</span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s2">very</span><span class="s2"> loved and never forgotten.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><span class="s2">Sometimes I forget to go where the peace is.</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "> </p><p class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 21px; margin-right: 21px; "><br /></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">I am just about to embark on the journey of ā<a href="http://www.bravegirlregistrations.com/fe/15887-life-art-a-la-carte-registration">Brave Mothers and Daughters</a>ā, and I ca</span><span class="s2">nnot wait to see what gifts she is going to pass on to me an</span><span class="s2">d my daughters through her online classroom</span><span class="s2">.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">There are not enough words to properly convey the profound impact this woman has had on my spirit. Thank you SO much Brave Melody for helping me </span><span class="s2">find</span><span class="s2"> the path back to </span><span class="s2">my self</span><span class="s2">. I can honestly say I have never felt me-</span><span class="s2">er</span><span class="s2"> than me than I do at this time in my life. </span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2">The cage is open.</span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><a href="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/">www.bravegirlsclub.com</a></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><div style=" -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame- font-family:Times;font-size:18px;color:rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21px; "><br /></span></div>Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-5892477309629928732008-05-29T22:24:00.000-06:002008-05-29T23:04:10.322-06:00The air up there.Soā¦ Here I amā¦ It is meā¦ I am the oneā¦ The horrible, neglectful and shameful Working Mother. I have been her for about 9 years now. The one who chose to go to college, have a career, and then actually have the audacity to see it through after I gave birth to my childrenā¦ That is me, I am herā¦ Go on, get your judgments all lined up, ready to fire out and pass on at the first available opportunityā¦ Go ahead look down your nose at me, and pity my childrenā¦ Keep seeing me as you perceive me to be.<br /><br />Todayā¦ I knelt on the floor in my āwork finestā alongside your daughter and helped her decorate her bike. She was shy at first, but do you know that all it took to win her over was a reassuring smile. She was a little unsure of where to put the pink streamer, but do you know that with one little word of encouragement she did it all by herself. Did you see the look in her eyes when her masterpiece was complete? Did you see her heart soar when she peddled her bike so fast that the deliberately placed pin wheel spun like crazy? Did you see her face beam when I applauded her accomplishment and gave her a huge, enthusiastic āGood Job Sweetieā¦ It looks Amazing!ā ?<br /><br />Well, noā¦ I guess you didnāt see itā¦ You were sitting up really high on that horse looking down from your place of superiority completely enthralled in chit chat with a fellow high horseman, and enjoying a cup of Tim Hortonās finest. Silly me! Oh ā¦ and I completely understand it was kinda hard to hear much with your other child running back and forth in front of you screaming for your attensionā¦ So itās no wonder you missed it.<br /><br />Well, I can tell you, I ā¦ the Shameful one ā¦ am here sitting at my desk, in my office, with my heart completely full of love from the several beaming looks of gratitude, heart felt āI am so pleased with myselfā little smilesā¦ and my dusty pants as souvenirs.<br /><br />I am just hoping that the air way up thereā¦ in that place you believe you areā¦ that place of superiority that place you believe gives you the right to judge and point fingersā¦ isnāt so thin that it prevents you from seeing the big picture. While you sat there ā¦ chatting, judging, and drinking your coffeeā¦ I, the shameful one, was making your childās day.<br /><br />I hope that was a REALLY GOOD cup of coffee.<br /><br />PS. The other day, when I was in the classroomā¦ It was my poor neglected child that asked, to your amazement, if she could āplease be excused from the tableā after snackā¦ And it was my poor neglected child that readily and easily gave up one of three Thomas the Train cars she was playing with when a new comer came to the group to play, after your child refused to give up one of the nine she had in her possession...<br /><br />Perhaps you can find another place to point that finger.Coreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619811856288742082.post-69218114215285020602008-04-17T14:10:00.000-06:002008-04-17T14:16:42.763-06:00Is that all you have to offer?Today I feel very frustrated. I guess you hear stories here and there, that make you think, āoh thatās awfulā or ājeeze thatās really sadā, but it is not until you have to live it, that it makes you really stand up and want to scream at the top of your lungsā¦ (I know my story is not as tragic as some, and for that I do feel very fortunate.)<br /><br />ā¦See, while on vacation in January, my Mom fell and broke her arm. The Dr.ās in the country she was in missed the break, as they were far more concerned about other potential injuries she may have sustained from her fall. This is not my beef. She returned home in good health, with a few bruises, but all was well.<br /><br />She saw a Dr. here two days after her return, and sure enough, she left the hospital a few hours later sporting a bright pink cast on her right arm and the vision of her own x-ray showing the ulna bone snapped in two.<br /><br />Now, my Mom is pretty tough. She never complains, and she refuses to take pain medicine stronger than Advil because she doesnāt like how it makes her feel. So when she says āit hurtsā you really stop and listen. But to see her reduced to tears over the pain is almost more than I could bare to watch.<br /><br />There were several visits to the hospital in three week intervals, and always the same story<br />āThe bone is not healing; there is still a distinct break, and no change from the first x-ray we took. We consulted an orthopedic surgeon, and they said to cast it for three more weeksā<br /><br />The Doctor she had been seeing went on vacation, so finally on her most recent three week visit, she saw a new doctor, and finally got a referral to an orthopedic Surgeon, but āit takes two weeks to get inā.<br /><br />So today April 17th, three months and four days after her fall on January 13th, she sees an orthopedic surgeon. His words to her were<br /><br />āWhy did they wait so long to send you here? Typically if the bone does not heal in four to six weeks, you should be seen by an orthopedic surgeon.ā<br /><br />Apparently, the problem is no longer as simple as a broken bone, now, because it has been immobilized in a cast for three months, her wrist doesnāt work, and her finger movement is limitedā¦ He removed the cast, and sent her on her way, broken arm and all, to wait two weeks for a CT scan, and then wait some more for a bone graft surgery. He didnāt want to put the cast back on because he was concerned about the lack of movement in her wrist and fingersā¦ She was told to use her wrist and her fingers, no matter the pain from the bones grinding together. So now, there she sits, in the exact state we collected her from the airport three months ago. There-in lays my frustration.<br /><br />It is unlike me to make huge Political statementsā¦<br /><br />I work in Albertaās Oil and Gas industry. I am away from my children, everyday, working my ass off designing ways and methods to more efficiently move the oil out of Fort McMurray to be sold to other parts of the world.<br /><br />Not only does the government take their share of my pay as āTaxesā, and not only do I pay my āAlberta Health Careā, but I am part of an industry that has made Alberta one of the richest regions in North America, and have a direct hand in making that happen faster, and cheaper.<br /><br />Is this seriously, all my Government has to offer my Mom in return?<br /><br />Get a second opinion folks, gone are the times of blind faith in what our medical system has to offerā¦ Make noise, and lots of it until you get the level of care you deserve. If I dropped the ball like this, I would be sooo looking for a new line of work.<br /><br />CCoreenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13483754899771973441noreply@blogger.com0