I found this quote on Pinterest and absolutely loved it.  I find that in life people tend to focus too much time and energy on the so-called "BIG things".  Careers, mortgages, money, etc... we stress about the big things and sometimes forget about the simple things in life.

Just the other day I looked at my student line of credit and thought, "How the heck am I ever going to pay that off?"  I had a mini panic attack but then after talking to the people close to me, they made me realize that, ya I may be paying this off for quite some time but, at least I am still able to do things and live my life.  Slowly but surely that line of credit will dwindle away but that doesn't mean stopping my life until it does.  

This past year I got to make some incredible memories with my favourite people.  I attended my very first Country Music Award Festival in Nashville, I travelled to New York City at Christmas time with my twin, I lived like a hippie for a weekend at the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover, and in two weeks I'll be renting an RV and surfing the coast of Cali with my boy.  I feel blessed to have these opportunities.  

But not only did I get to travel and see some of my favourite artists perform, I also have a lot of memories of the simple pleasures that I appreciate almost more.  Hammock cuddles with my best friend,  bike rides with the hubby at the cottage, Tuesday visits with my girl Erica out in Bluepoint, paddle boarding with new friends, watching my brother-in-law win the Canadian National in motocross, jet skiing at sunset, 11am visitors to my office, local concerts with my parents, outdoor movie nights with the family, dancing in the rain with my twin, rainy nights listening to records, swimming in the waves in Bright's Grove, long chats with my texan, playing outside with my nieces and nephews, and my list goes on.

Life is full of unexpected moments and unexpected memories.  Make sure you open your eyes wide enough to really appreciate those moments!  For its been said that what seems like the little things now, can be the big things later.

So as I end this post I ask that you mentally make a list of little things you need to do more of... Things that make you appreciate the life you were given.

Here is my list...

Things I want to do more of...

-admire the stars
-buy more flowers

-read more books

-swim in the waves

-nap in my hammock

-try new things (maybe kite boarding will be next)

-worry less

-yoga

-running

-cartwheels

-midnight swims

-wakeboarding
-girls nights in

-candy runs ;)

Flowers in your hair...

Gypsy:

noun (plural gypsies)

• 1 (usually Gypsy) a member of a travelling people with dark skin and hair, traditionally living by itinerant trade and fortune telling. Gypsies speak a language (Romany) that is related to Hindi and are believed to have originated in South Asia.

• 2 informal a nomadic or free-spirited person
  
  
  There is something about the Gypsy lifestyle that excites me... the thought of having no set plans and just flying by the "seat of your pants".  I sometimes feel trapped in this thing called LIFE.  Working 9-5 jobs, paying bills, and having to take vacations at a set scheduled time... just seems unfair.
  
  
  Yesterday I decided to join my parents at Sunfest in London.. something I have done since I was a very small child.  I walked around the festival and felt like I was in a dream world.  So many unique people, things, and food.  Everything from the sights, sounds, and smells excited me.  People watching here is like no other.  Men with longer hair then me playing the bongo drums, a yoga session in the middle of the park, a 10 piece band bringing the crowd to their feet... People drinking beer, smoking weed and being carefree... I felt like being here, not one person had a care in the world... at least in that moment.
  
  
  Maybe in a past life I lived a gypsy lifestyle.  That would explain my love for barefeet, my need for constant travel, and my fascination with different peoples and their cultures.  
  
  
  Having had a few close calls in my life, I have learned to really open my eyes and appreciate the things I have.  Although I have tons of school debt and really can't just take off and travel the world at this moment, that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy life being right here.  Going to small festivals like Sunfest, enjoying the company of my amazing family and friends, helping change the lives of people with disabilities, and moulding the minds of young children.  Just because I can't pick up and go whenever I please doesn't mean I can't enjoy the little things life has to offer and live with the same carefree mindset.  
  
  
  I have seen a lot of amazing people's lives end short.  We often think we are invincible and that nothing will happen to us but life is incredibly fragile and unpredictable.  We have to stop holding grudges, remember to tell the people you care about just how much they mean to you, and live your life doing the things you love!  
  
  
  I will probably never be a true "gypsy" but I can at least learn a little from their carefree lifestyle and be happy with what I do have and the life I was given!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Aloha Moana - - Hello Ocean!

I often wonder if in a past life I lived by the ocean and surfed everyday.  Surfing has been something Zoe and I have talked about since we were very small.  Our obsession with the ocean, having never been there until our 20's, was that of a fantasy.  Maybe it was what the ocean represented to us... almost like a fairytale.  Growing up we use to tell people we were Hawaiian and most believed us... our dark features and tan skin always raised questions of where we came from.  We never liked to wear socks and preferred bare feet.. still do to this day.

The first time we saw the ocean, we were amazed.  The smell, the taste, the waves.. everything about it was exactly as I had imagined.  I felt like I belonged there and I never wanted to leave.  Still to this day the beach is my absolute favourite place.  I feel that it is a place where I am most comfortable.. most relaxed.. most like me...  

Although I have only surfed a few times, it was something Zoe and I picked up quite quickly... the natural feeling of the wave pushing you forward and pulling you up.  It is so exhilarating.  Every time I got out into the ocean and surfed a wave, I felt infinite!  

I often think about moving someplace like Hawaii, buying a small house, opening a surf shop and living a simple life.  I would never wear socks again ;)  Surfing would become a daily routine and the ocean would be my safe haven.  

One of the things I love most about the ocean is how mysterious it is.  There is so much yet to be discovered and so many beautiful creatures live there.  I read somewhere that the ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth's surface yet more than 95 percent of the underwater world remains unexplored.  How crazy is that?  

As you know from reading my blog, I am a sucker for quotes and one of my favourite ones is: "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf!"  Life is crazy and unpredictable.  Shit happens that we can't control but having dreams, ambitions, and happy thoughts can help you get through the rough times.  

When life throws me lemons and curve balls I think of the ocean and what it represents to me.  If I had access to some gnarly waves when I was feeling stressed.. I feel like my troubles would disappear once I hoped on a board.  But because my life doesn't involve an ocean, the beach is the next best thing.  When I feel overwhelmed or stressed I sit in the sand and think.  For some reason, I always leave feeling refreshed and happier.    

So, next time you feel overwhelmed with the crazy "waves" in life, venture to the beach.  Listen to the water and just relax... Think about the life you are blessed with and the beauty of that moment will help you realize life isn't that scary after all!  

Heavy heart...

Today I decided I wanted to write a blog post.  I had a topic in mind and I was ready to just write.  But then I heard the tragic news of the Boston Marathon and I realized my venting over something so trivial was pointless.  My heart is so heavy for those involved.  Tragedy such as this one and the Newtown shooting really makes me question humanity and unfortunately my faith.  Don't get me wrong, I believe in God.. at least in some form.  But I question how a greater being can allow innocent people to be faced with such tragic events.

Children are the most innocent souls and deserve a chance to live.  They don't deserve to have their last memory be one of fear.

I know I say this ALL the time, but life is so unpredictable and so short.  Just the other day I attended a funeral to celebrate a life of a young man who got caught up in the evil world of addictions.  His life was taken from him too soon and right at the time that he was ready to get the help he needed.  It just seems unfair.

I've been trying to live my life doing all the things I love and with the people I love.  I have been trying to not get caught up in negativity and trying to stay positive.  Some days are harder than others.. especially when you hear of such tragedies.  But during these sad times, we have to remember the value of our lives.  Do we want to spend the last day in a fight with a friend or family member or being stressed out about something at work??

I believe that everyday we get to wake up, we are blessed.  Everyday we go to work, we are blessed.  Rain, snow, sunshine, no matter what weather, we are alive.

So I ask that anyone who reads this, remember how it is a privilege for you to be here right now.  Don't take that for granted.  Instead of stressing, be happy that you are living.

Don't get caught up in gossip, drama, and negativity.  It's not worth it.  People will talk, people will judge... It is up to ourselves to not let it get to us and not to get involved in it.  Don't allow anyone to control your life... you are the one behind the wheel.  Make sure you go in the direction that makes you happy.

Look out world!

Today I did something crazy, unpredictable, and totally spontaneous... I feel scared, excited, and liberated all at the same time.  This is the first step towards the rest of my life.  Goodbye negativity..  I'm ready to move on from you and start to make room for beautiful things! 

 Look out world!!  My dreams and ambitions are about to come true and nothing is going to stop me!  

People Watching...

It's Friday afternoon and as I sit at Starbucks working on a current project for work, I look around and can't help but get lost in it all.  People coming and going.. some in a hurry.. some ready to camp out for the afternoon like me.  People sitting solo daydreaming, some having business meeting, and others catching up with friends.

It's funny how a coffee shop is a place where people feel comfortable enough to meet and discuss intimate details in love, business, and relationships.  As I sit here, I overhear the man across from me talking on his cellphone and he is making a pretty big business deal... a $500,000 business deal.  After I hear his phone click, I see him get up and walk to his brand spanking new black Land Rover.  Curiosity gets the best of me and I can't help but wonder about this man, his $500,000 business deal, and the lifestyle he must live.

I find people so fascinating.  Ever since I can remember my mom use to bring my sisters, brother and I around in the car to "people watch".  Weird I know, but we LOVED it!  We use to make up stories of how we thought their lives were lived.  What they did for a living, what vacations they went on, etc.  Our favourite day to go was Christmas Eve.  We would look through windows and watch how each household celebrated the holiday.  I found it exciting and it always made me happy.  Happy to see the smiles and the excitement the holiday always seemed to bring.

Maybe this is why I went into Psychology, then Public Relations, and later teacher's college.  All three professions deal with the study of people.

As I grow up, I learn more and more about people and their behaviours.  Each of the three jobs I currently work allow me the opportunities to learn more and really understand behaviours.  At Community Living I deal with people with disabilities, their families, and employers.  At Boston Pizza, I get the opportunity to observe family and friends coming out and enjoying each others company.  And finally, while teaching I get to see where it all begins.  I learn a lot from these little humans.

Some days can be very challenging in the teaching world but these challenges are really what makes it worth it.

Because of my life experiences and the training I have been blessed to have, I have come to realize that sometimes a child who may show behaviours, may have no control over it.  This small person may have an empty belly or a mom that works her butt off to put supper on the table and therefore is hardly present.  This small person may not have the basic needs that each person is entitled to and at no fault of their own I might add.

Just because a person acts a certain way does not mean that this person is "bad".  They may in fact be struggling and this is their only way of asking for help.

I was very lucky growing up with the family I did.  That being said, it was not always easy for my mom and dad.  They struggled with money at times and had to ask for help when it got really bad.  My mom worked 50+ hours at minimum wage jobs while my dad tried finding a better paying job just to keep us a float.  I never went without a meal but my life certainly was not full of thrills and frills.

I believe I am the person I am today because of my life experiences from childhood to adulthood.  Everything happens for a reason and a life without struggle is fake.  No one can say that their life is and has always been a bed of roses.

My hope is that one day I can, with the help of my experiences, change the lives of children.  I know that you can only do so much but I hope I can at least save one life.  I hope I can make that life know its worth, realize their dreams and help them achieve them.

Everyone deserves a chance and sometimes they just need someone there to tell them THEY ARE WORTH IT!

Enjoy the ride!

The sun is shining today and my mood is 110% HAPPY!  Sometimes I wonder if I am a victim of seasonal affect disorder.  I hate to admit that because as most of you know, I LOVE WINTER!  But the reason I love winter so much is because one of my favourite hobbies involves snow... And because of a stupid surgery, I was given orders to take the season off from snowboarding...  So, if I can't board, then I am ready for this winter to be done with and for spring to arrive.

To be honest, I am ready for everything spring represents!  Regrowth and new beginnings.  Today as I was catching up on all my favourite blogs, I came across a post that made me smile.  Now, the post was sorta sad and showed struggle.. but the reason I smiled was because it told me that I am not alone.  That even the people I look up to who seem to have it all together, don't.. not always anyways.  I am always saying life is like a roller coaster and I truly believe this.  If you stayed on the Ghoster Coaster your whole life, what fun would that be?  We need to experience the ups and downs of the Millennium Force or the crazy twists and turns of the Wicked Twister to truly appreciate the life we were given. 

The blogger I mentioned above had taken quite some time away from the blogging world.  She was going through a tough time with work, relationships, etc. and took that time to regroup and refocus.  I realize now that the ups and downs in life are never going to go away.  And sometimes a little time to refocus is needed.. I believe this is the time we are recreating ourselves for the better.  

So if you are in a spot in your life where it seems a little crazy and you are feeling a little blue, know that you are not alone.  Everyone experiences this at one time or another.  But be the person that can learn from these experiences.  Learn from it and then put it in a bubble and blow it away. 

We are made to make mistakes.  If there was one way to live life then each person would be given an instruction manual.. and let's be honest, what fun would that be?

So to all you out there who have a bit of the winter blues, know that spring is just around the corner and there are brighter days to come.  Keep your chin up, keep smiling and enjoy the ride!