Be the red cup ;)

One thing I love about this time of year is how little things seem to go a long way to make people's days.  Just from Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram I can tell how the arrival of Starbucks red Christmas cups and Tim Horton's blue Christmas cups made everyone's day that much brighter.  Simple pleasures!

The simple pleasures in life are sometimes the only thing that gets us through tough days.  I truly believe in the saying "Pay it Forward".  I also believe that little things that we can do for people will become their simple pleasures and may even help make their day that much brighter.  

Years ago my mom started buying the person behind her in the Tim Horton's lineup their coffee.  It was a simple gesture that seemed to go a long way.  She did this every day for years.  Then one day, while shopping at a local thrift store, my mom overheard a woman asking the store owner if she knew of anyone selling a bed.  The woman had a son that needed a bigger bed and because her husband had just lost his job, they were short on funds.  My mom approached the woman and let her know that she had an extra bed and if she wanted it, it was hers.  The woman came by that night with her husband to see if the bed would do.  Her husband's mouth dropped when he pulled up into the driveway.  The first thing he asked my mom is if she had ever bought anyone a coffee in the Tim Horton's lineup.  My mom of course said yes.  Apparently the day that this man had found out he lost his job, he went through the drive through and my mom bought him his coffee.  He told my mom that it was the worst day of his life but after that simple gesture, his day turned around.  He realized that it was a tough day but he didn't have a tough life.  My mom spent an extra $1.50 that day and that paid for a man's happiness :)

Now, every so often when I have extra cash on me, I will do the same as my mom and buy someone their coffee.  I always try my hardest to make a mad dash so I can stay anonymous... but the other day I had a guy follow me back to work.  He didn't stop for long, just rolled down his window and kindly said "Thank you"... and that made my day!

You never know what struggles people are facing on a daily basis.  You never know how much a simple gesture can mean to someone.. I truly believe that it can save a life!

So, in the spirit of Christmas and simple pleasures, I ask that anyone who reads this post to go out of your way tomorrow and do something nice for someone.  Buy them a coffee, hold open a door, give a compliment to a stranger, tip your server a little more than usual ;)  

Be the red Christmas cup!  Brighten someone's day! 

You are not alone!

Since writing my last two posts, I have had a lot of positive feedback.  Many people have called, text, and private messaged me letting me know that they are glad I'm back at blogging.  It's nice to see that my rambling means something to more people than just me. :)

I guess what this past week has taught me, is that I am not alone in this world.  Many people have the same struggles and from time to time deal with similar stresses.  I remember a time, when I was much younger, I had trouble sleeping.  My brother was away at University and I gave him a call in the middle of the night.. I knew if there was anyone else up, he would be.  After we talked for awhile, he told me that any time I couldn't sleep and I felt like I was alone, to watch the news... haha!  He said that knowing someone else out there was awake would provide comfort... and he was right!  Still to this day, when I am wide awake in the middle of the night and start to feel a bit lonely, I turn on the news and I feel completely at ease. 

The people who we surround ourselves with are the people who are going to help you through the good times and the bad!  I am happy to say that I have an incredible family who I also call friends and an amazing group of friends that I call family!  Life can be hard but the hard becomes easy when you are not alone. 

Thank you to all those people who have sent positive comments my way!  I appreciate the feedback and I appreciate knowing that my words mean something to you!  I will continue to write because even if I can help one person through a bad day, that is enough to keep me going! :)  You have all inspired me to be the best version of me!



Practice what you preach ;)

Just a few days ago I blogged about not letting the "storms" in life get the best of us!  But, then I totally contradicted my words and fell into a slump.. :s

Monday night, the actual storm that was brewing outside of my safe haven, ended up breaking through the walls... LITERALLY!!  The storm caused a lot of damage and stress... I tried not to let it get to me because after all it is just "stuff"!  But I think as the day went on and nothing seemed to go my way, I slowly started getting frustrated and feeling down in the dumps. It probably doesn't help that I haven't had a decent sleep in over a week.. life has been busy and roadblocks have been appearing more than usual. But then I realized that, although I have had some minor health concerns, I am ALIVE and well.  I feel ridiculous that I let myself get so stressed out about minor things when there are people in this world who are suffering much greater trials... During that storm, I lost a bedroom ceiling.. but some people lost their homes, cars, and even family members.

It's easy for us to get wound up in our own little bubbles and convince ourselves that it's the end of the world when one thing doesn't go our way... It's especially easy when you are going on little sleep... But who wants to live their life being depressed over something that in time will be nothing... I, for one, do not!  Although I had a rough couple days, I am not going to let that bring me down and affect the life I am blessed with.  It is not worth it!  So to the people who had to be around me the last couple days, I am sorry!  I'm sure my silence, irritability, and shortness was not a pleasure to be around!  I promise to bring back the girl who doesn't stop smiling!  :)  Life is too short not to be happy.. not even for one day!  

It Happens...

Cozy fire, glass of red wine, a chick flick, and a crazy storm brewing beyond the walls of my safe haven... A perfect night for catching up on blogging!

Hurricane Sandy has made herself known.  Even in my small town we are feeling the effects.  Crazy winds, lots of rain and power outages... the storm is definitely here!  A while back I wrote about a quote I had seen.. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."  Although I have NO intentions of going outside and busting a move, I am reminded once again how life can get a little crazy and we need to be able to step back and appreciate the good things...

Life is so unpredictable just like the weather.  We can have a plan for our future but we can't plan for the unpredictable events that lead our lives down new paths.  A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to see a friend speak about an event that changed his life.. drastically!  He is the most admirable person I have EVER met. I look up to him in so many ways and he makes me strive to be a better person.  His speech made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt and also cry to the point where I couldn't breathe.... This person took a tragedy and instead of letting it define him, he kicked it's ass and didn't let it get in his way of living.  During his speech, he talked about how a community came together to help him and his family... I think this says a lot of who he is as a person... Before his accident, he touched many people's lives and now he is changing lives everyday by his courage and strength.    

After tonight, lives will be forever changed by this storm... not necessarily in my small town, but cities which are in direct contact are going to to see and feel the devastation.  As much as we want to control and plan for our future, we have to remember that anything can happen and it's how we deal with it that defines us...  

Be thankful for every day you live, for every day is a gift and an opportunity... Seize these opportunities and don't let them pass you by... You never know what tomorrow is going to bring!

1 in 7 billion

7,000,000,000. This is the estimated population of our world today. 7 billion people!! I live in a small town of 75,000. I have travelled to some parts of the world and met hundreds of people throughout my lifetime thus far. I cannot help but think that the people you meet on this journey called life, are meant to be a part of your story...

People come in and out of our lives every day. Some stay for awhile and others stay a short time but leave a lasting impression. I truly believe in fate and that things happen for a reason. I guess as I get older I realize how unpredictable life can be. I have known some great people who's stories were cut short for unfair reasons. These people have left lasting impressions on me and my outlook on life. I have no clue what my fate has in store nor do I care to find out. But I do know that I want to live my life with no regrets. I want to leave a lasting impression on every person I come in contact with. I want my life to mean something.

I look at the people I have met who fit into my story. Besides the obvious ones like my friends and family, there are others that I think of often and the reason I do is because they have moulded who I am today. For instance, Dr. Engel. I met Dr. Engel on a pretty bad day and he was a bearer of bad news. But I don't remember him for that.. I remember him because of the relationship he built with me and my family over the years. He was an amazing man and doctor. I don't think there is one person in my life that has ever made me feel so comfortable and just at ease. I could try to explain him but I know I could not do him justice. About 5 years ago, he took a position in Kingston and I haven't seen him since. I don't know if I will ever have the opportunity to thank him but I am so glad to have met him. He will always be in my heart and I will always be forever thankful that he came into my life.

Dr. Engel is just one of many people who have affected my outlook. These people have made me want to be a better person and lead a better life. I want to be a Dr. Engel to someone. I want to leave a lasting impression...

Life is unpredictable but that's what makes it so exciting. Instead of wasting your time worrying about what could happen, start living... Be that person who people look up to and admire... Leave a lasting impression!

ErNiE

So, it's been awhile since my last REAL blog post.  I'm not sure why I haven't posted in awhile... I just haven't...

I thought today I would dedicate a post to one of the most important people in my life.. MY BROTHER!

My brother is one of the most amazing persons I know.  He amazes me everyday and I look up to him in many ways.  I feel that the busyness of summer has gotten in the way of me being a part of his world and I miss him.

My brother and I haven't always been as close.  He is 6 years older than me and growing up I use to annoy the HELL out of him.  But what are younger siblings for, right?  As we got older though, I feel like my bond with my brother grew.  He has always been there for me no matter what and he shows a genuine interest and concern in all aspects of my life.  Anyone who knows Arron, knows that he would take his shirt off his back for his family and close friends.  Everyone comes before him and he has always been mature beyond his years.

Arron is a hard worker, an incredible father, a loving husband, and the best brother a girl could ask for. His love for music, wrestling, and inappropriate comments makes him the life of any party.  Arron is extremely talented and his life experiences have moulded him into the amazing person he is today.  My brother didn't have the easiest adolescence but I know that he grew stronger because of these challenges and anyone who meets him will tell you he has the kindest soul.

Arron, I want you to know that I love you.  I look up to the person you have become and strive to be half the parent you are.  I am happy that we come from the same family and I feel honoured to call you my brother!