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Friday, July 20, 2018

Have a Good Belly Laugh Today

You know sometimes life is just darn hard!  Yup, I am sure I have started a post or two by using just those words!  And at this point you are wondering what in the world that has to do with creeks, and waterfalls, right?  Well, let me tell you!

I love waterfalls, and creeks, and pretty much just any water moving over rocks!  I love the look of it, the sound of it, the feel of it, and pretty much everything about it.


via GIPHY
It just makes me happy to see it!  I also really love waterfalls.  I could watch them forever.  In fact,  some of my top places in the world I would like to see, involve waterfalls.  Like this one - Iguazu Falls


via GIPHY
Pretty amazingly beautiful right?   Now compare these two pictures and can you see the difference?  Both of them are shaping the land.  They are creating something spectacularly beautiful in their own way.  But the falls, well they are stunning to me. 

The little falls and creek, has a peace and beauty about it, just gurgling and moving pleasantly along, just like life can and should sometimes, but definitely we all have those waterfalls that are shaping us into something much more grand.  Something that almost seems majestic!  But........... that shaping hurts!  Thus, waterfalls in our lives, even though the end result is beautiful, well, they hurt! 

Learning, growth, success, beauty, anything of value, all has a price to pay, and more often than not, some of that price is a little painful. 

I am not sure what the heck happened today, but it truly seemed like everyone around me was falling over a waterfall.  There was depression, anxiety, anger, sadness, and so many other emotions that I saw in extreme levels this day, it was almost tangible, and I wanted to run and hide from it, afraid it would catch me too, but I didn't, and it didn't.

As I am writing this, there is a crazy lightening / thunderstorm rumbling through the night skies, as if it is also sending me it's emotional trauma.  It's like it is in the air, spreading across the sky, spreading across the chaotic world we live in.  How do we deal with it?  How do we stop it from destroying the person we can become, as we tumble over the rocks, shaping us in a majestic way instead of a destructive way?  How do we do it? 

I have some thoughts.  Start by writing down as many of the positive things you can think of, about your life.  I know, I know, you think you just want to have a pity party for yourself, because you know you have at least SOME good things in you life, you just want to feel sorry for yourself for a little while.  Well........... STOP it!  Don't feel sorry for yourself!  Feel grateful for the things you do have.  Name them one by one if you have to.  Smile at them.  Embrace them.  Make them always come to the forefront of your thoughts.  Do them.  See them.  Make them the important things in life.

Watch yourself as you go through your day.  Figure out what the triggers are that bring you down and make you feel angry, or sad, depressed, worried or anxious.  You may even have to start keeping a journal to find the triggers, and as well, to recognize the good things.  Once you can recognize the triggers that turn your emotions quickly, you can start to avoid the triggers, or at least prepare yourself for them when you know they are coming.

Okay enough of the advice for today, well actually it is the next day now, that I am finishing this post.  It got pretty late last night.  Hopefully today will be a much better happier day for everyone around me.  It is so hard to stay happy and positive, with the grumpiness surrounding me, but I keep going through each day and try, try, try.  Let's see what today throws my way! 

Here is my challenge for today- HAVE A GOOD BELLY LAUGH - at least once today.  Humor, that is real humor, works on your brain.  It really does change your mental state of being.  So go ahead and LAUGH!  Laugh again and again.  Make today a really great day!  




Sunday, April 22, 2018

April Update!

Okay, I truly had the most fabulous weekend!  My girls, a couple of months ago, bought me a ticket to attend a Time Out For Women event taking place in Lethbridge.  Now I am the person who rarely takes time to do anything like this.  I always love it during and after it happens, but have a million excuses as to why I am too busy, or can't afford it, or whatever.  Excuses, excuses - I hate them!

One amazing song from the weekend, as we got to enjoy this amazing artist entertain us with her humor, spirit, and music!

So I attended this weekend, and was able not only to be filled spiritually, physically, and emotionally, but I was over filled with running into friends and loved ones I hadn't seen for a long time.  I think the best of all was a friend I ran into, whom I hadn't seen for probably 15 years, Chris, who told me she had come with another friend, (one of my long standing BFF's) Wendy!!!!  What?!  It was perfect!  I got to visit with her a couple of times through the weekend, and get in a few hugs!  Friends I haven't seen for even a couple of years, and more hugs! Sheila, Barb, Lynn, and on and on!

I was inspired by the speakers and presenters.  I came home with renewed energies, and more ideas!  My kids always laugh and tease me because I always say to them:  "I have an idea,"  or "I was thinking about..."  and almost immediately they start to laugh and say, "Oh Mom".   In fact, I was talking one day to my teacher, about a little person in a class of mine, and told her that he is always listening, regardless of what he is doing.  He can be sitting at the table playing with play-do and know exactly what is going on in every other part of the room.  She said - Oh, so kind of like you hey?  LOL, well yes I guess my mind is exactly like that.  But ask me to sit still and stare at a television without having something in my hand and nope!  Can't do it!

Well yes my mind is reeling and meandering with ideas all of the time, and some of them are actually good ones.  Well, they are!!!    I always meander, just like my favorite little creeks, and sometimes I turn those meanders into beautiful things, and sometimes I feel like I am just rolling over the rapids, holding my breath and paddling like crazy until things reach a smooth spot and I can float for a short time.

One of my favorite quotes from the weekend,  "This too shall pass.  Ya, like a kidney stone!"  Oh how those kidney stones can hurt!  But yes, yes, they always do pass. 



This speaker was incredibly inspiring, as to the work he does.  Unbelievable his stories and his testimony, his passion and drive to help people. I put the video in my side bar for you to check out often.  It is amazing what he does for children all over the world.  And yes.......... please, please keep praying for GARDI!   Check out his website of the Operation Underground Railroad 


Well, I went there with another new blog idea, and got confirmation at the event, from that special Whisperer who guides me, that I need to move forward with this idea.  Yay!!  I also got some great inspiration for a couple of my other blogs.  Totally stoked for this.  I can't share it all with you right now, but soon.........  soon!

I went there seeking some spiritual inspiration, some direction, and some peace, and found all of them.  It was truly a great event.  I felt like many of the speakers were speaking directly to answer many of my minds meandering questions in life.

Probably the most important thing I learned again, or perhaps was affirmed to me again this weekend, was that I need to include the Lord in all that I do, whether it be business, pleasure, work, family, it doesn't matter.  If we include him in it, asking for guidance and confirmation, we will be successful at what we need.  Why is it so hard to forget that?  Why is it so hard to think He would be interested in
my business success?  Of course He would!  Of course He wants me to be successful, so I can be an instrument in His hands.

Talia bought an amazing picture this weekend, shown here, and it kind of shows how I felt this weekend.  He was reaching down to save me from drowning.  My hubby has a new job, spring is here, and reaching for His hand, I can survive again!  I can breathe again!  I can move forward!

Right now, at this very moment, my creek is flowing high!  I do look forward to those moments, especially on those lazy sunny afternoons, when I can relax and feel like my creek is just smooth and peaceful.  It is those times that get me through.  Times when it is flowing high - with emotions, ideas, momentum, and those times when it is flowing smoothly.  Times when it is trickling over the rocks have to be my favorite of all.  I love a small stream gurgling, taking off my shoes, wading in the warmth over the small rocks.  Nothing like it.

Update - life is good right now, and I feel as though I can breathe again.  He reached down when I felt like I was drowning and I only needed to reach up and take His hand.  Life is good!  Hold on for the ride!


Sunday, March 11, 2018

March already!!

Well I can't believe it is March already!  Where did the last two months go?  I have been busy making baby blankets and things, and came to the realization that I can't keep up, so I must revamp my goal a little bit.  Well, probably alot!  LOL

One of the small boy blankets I made.  Notice my little heart in the corner?
I have made a few blankets for sure, and a few of my heart pillows, and life happens...........  I haven't
been to the library even once, so for sure need to revamp that goal.  Sad day right? 

Hubby still isn't working and hasn't been since November, and you know what?  It is hard and it isn't fun, and sometimes it is down right sad and discouraging, but I am doing my best to get through this one too, because it messes with some of my other goals, which I will have to revamp too. 

It is such a good thing we can be flexible in life.  Okay, so revamped goals, I want to make my own blankets!  There are a few I have on the back burner that I want to do for my own household, so I will work on that, and make the odd baby blanket on the side to hand out.  I think then I won't get so frustrated when I hear there is another baby born, and I just can't keep up.
I totally would love a stack of these in my living room!  Gonna make a few of them!

Library goal revamp...... well I just don't know when this one is going to happen.  My blog writing has been suffering a lot, my studying has been suffering a lot, and I am not sure how to go about fixing that problem.  Some thought needs to go into this goal, because what I love to do isn't happening, which tells me I need to back off some of the other things...............uggghhhh!

I love camping!  I really do!  And I have wanted to get a small camper or topper for my truck for a long time now, so we can take off whenever we have a few days, and disappear.  That goal will have to be revamped because sure as shootin' when the weather is nice enough, that is when hubby will get a job again and won't be able to come with me.  That is kind of how it has played out for the last couple of years.  Frustrating, but I can revamp again............  double uggghhhh!

All in all, life is good.  I really do love my job.  It is exhausting most days, but it keeps me going and I enjoy the little rascals.  I love the ladies I work with as well, which makes it a win win situation all around.

Spring is in the air here in Southern Alberta, and I am loving it.  A whack load of snow needs to melt, as we seem to have ridiculous piles outside still, but it is warm and water is flowing all around.  And best of all.........  the sun is shining and it is warm!  By warm, I mean above zero, so t-shirt weather for us Canadians who just survived another crazy record breaking cold winter!  Yay!!!

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Made With Love

Okay, okay, so even though I am emotionally there, like in my last post, I will be just fine.  I am not sure why we always like to feel sorry for ourselves.  I would be the first one to tell you, if you are feeling sorry for yourself, take your eyes off yourself and look around.  There is always someone who has it much worse.  In fact, I can't even begin to count how many times I have said it, or thought it. 

I have decided to give myself a worthy way to do just such the thing.  I am crocheting baby blankets, and heart shaped pillows.  I also am working on a blanket for a purpose yet to be mentioned, because I don't want to talk about it yet, but it will have a special purpose.  I want to give the heart pillows to those who are going through a rough time, whether it is the loss of a loved one, or just needing a heart to snuggle, that is what I intend to do with them. The baby blankets are to have on hand, for the many young families I know that are having babies!  I have made 3 baby blankets thus far, and it has only been a week since I started.  It is great to have something to do when I endure watching television.  I received a ton of yarn from a couple of people, and have enough to make quite a few awesome little blankets.  I will get them pictured and posted here in a day or two.  That is my weakness, is the photo side of blogging.  I will get better at it though.  Hang in there to see them! 

I kind of got the idea to create my own little trade mark, so I am doing it with hearts.  Each little blanket will have a small crocheted heart somewhere on it, and then of course the heart pillows.  Kind of my made with love symbol, or my signature mark. 

I am excited about it.  Perhaps I will be remembered by some, as the lady who gave small comforts with her hearts.  I don't know.  I just know I need to take some of my focus off of my own wo's and focus them on others.  Giving my TIME to help others is one of my TIME goals and focus of this year, 2018. 

I have also decided, I do need a little time to myself, to do something for myself, and so I have designated Wednesday evenings this year to take that TIME for me, doing what I love to do.  I am heading to the Library each Wednesday for a couple of hours.  Whether I read a novel, work on my own writings, read a book just to learn something, or even just write on one of my blogs, I will be taking a couple of hours once a week, TIME just for me.  My sanity break!  I really, really, and focused on getting some of my own writing and things done this year as well, which will kick my business into high gear, fingers crossed!!

I look forward to the many things I get to make and share with others this year, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge.  Honestly, the library is one of my favorite places to just be.  And of course, Walk The Creek will be my place to share all my learnings and journeys this year. 

Now, I am a little bit more excited about the year ahead facing me.  I am driven by goals.  Remember my main goal / word for this year is TIME.  TIME to do not only what I love, but what will benefit others.  TIME for me, is the one that I am super excited about, because it really is in scarce amounts as of....... well......... forever.  I never do it.  This year, I am doing it!


Friday, January 12, 2018

I Am There

Life falls apart.  It really does.  Some days, it is all we can do to get through.  Some days, our prayers to Someone much larger than us, are simply thus:  "Help me get through one more day today, please."  I am there. 

I know I shouldn't be there, but I keenly feel like my life is spiraling.  I am there.  I just need to get through one day at a time, and maybe some day soon, I can get through two days at a time.  I am there. 

I had really hoped that by now in my life, things would have smoothed out just a bit.  I have walked up and down this same old creek many times, the same old trial, the same old rocks and rapids, and I am there again. What do I do?  I get through one day at a time. 

Yes, this is my place to rant, where nobody can hear me, or see me.  It is all mine - my Walk The Creek.  It is my creek, my place to be, say, and do what I want.  I feel sad today.  I feel very much alone.  I wonder sometimes if my prayers are answered - yet I know they are.  I am there.

I feel like my toe is stuck under a rock, with the icy cold water rushing over my foot.  The rock is sharp and cutting.  It is too heavy to move myself.  Thank goodness the water is only knee deep, or I would be in serious trouble.  Thank goodness there isn't a tide, for it is just a creek.  I know at the end of each day, I will be alive, but it still hurts.  I am still stuck without knowing how to get out.  I am there.

I put a smile on my face, as I can.  Sometimes I just need to be alone - because I can't smile.  I know people around me, love me, but sometimes I don't care.  I am there.

Yes it sounds depressing, and serious, and I guess it is.  I know I will get through, because I have many, many times before - one day at a time.  One prayer at a time.  One shove of that rock.  One more step on the next slimy rock.  One more fight against that rapid.  One more....   I am there. 

Yes, I am there.  I will survive, but it hurts, and I question why, and I wonder if it will ever change, and I sigh...........  I am there. 

Friday, January 05, 2018

Time

Well, I have decided my word for this year, 2018, is TIME!   

My goal, and yes I really only have one, but it encompasses many, is this.....

I want to take the TIME
to PRACTICE
what I KNOW
and to DO
what I LOVE 
to DO.

You see, it is really all about the TIME.  I am "that" person, who let's the urgent run my life.  I drop everything to do what needs to be done in the urgent moment.  I drop everything when I get interrupted, only to get back to it eventually - sometimes days later.  I can be in the middle of working on a blog post, or writing in my book, or reading a book, when something comes up and I stop.  Seriously, sometimes it is days later when I get the time to get back to doing whatever it was.  

Don't get me wrong here, because they are all good things.  It is just the fact I feel like I am not in control, everyone and everything else controls my TIME, and I don't love that!  That is the beginning of my goal, is to control my own TIME, not let others control it for me, and yes, that probably means I have to get up at 5:30 again each morning just to have that extra couple of hours to myself.  It is in those quiet hours of the morning, when nobody else is moving, that my brain works best, and I am most productive.  TIME.

Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for ideas and progress.  Charles Kettering.

Part two - PRACTICE - is a big part of my goal.  I learn many things, and have a ton of knowledge of things, like preparedness, languages, etc.  One thing I have learned, through my job, is when I PRACTICE something, I get better at it.  We have a little Spanish guy in our class, and it has given me a great opportunity to speak and understand Spanish.  Thus, my Spanish has improved and it has given me more encouragement to study, speak, and PRACTICE in general.  This, is something I need to do in all areas of my life: preparedness, writing, blogging, languages, crocheting, etc.  I can push myself and PRACTICE to get better!

Don't only practice your art, but force your way into it's secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.  Ludwig Van Beethoven

Knowledge is a wonderful thing.  In fact, it is one of the things I am most passionate about, learning new things.  I KNOW a lot of things, but one of the things I KNOW the most, is that I always have more to learn.  I love going to the library, and that will be a more important part of my study habits in 2018.  I KNOW I want to KNOW more.  One of my favorite quotes of all TIME........


I spent 3 days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library, and it's better than college.  People should educate themselves - you can get a complete education for no money.  After 10 years, I'd read every book in the library and I'd written a thousand stories.  Ray Bradbury.

The library is definitely high on my priority list this year - 2018!

DO takes TIME, to DO the things I want to DO, it will take TIME, and PRACTICE.  

DO it now.  Sometimes later becomes never!  Anonymous

To DO what I LOVE to DO, is the key.  It will take TIME.  I have TIME.