Sunny Side Up!

  Image courtesy of Google Images and Peakpx Every November 11th, we take a moment of our day to remember those who fought for our freedom. Many whom have lost loved ones who fought or served in the national armed forces, will attend formal services to commemorate their service to our country. Another Armistice Day has passed with a war being fought between two nations, and one of them has been Russia. Thankfully the Ukrainian forces have had more victories; With many western countries supporting them with weapons, and some kind of vehicle to deliver such weapons, they will continue to have more. What are the Russians fighting for? Land that Putin wants to take from Ukraine...and eventually Ukraine itself back under the Iron Curtain of Communism? Why? To show how big and powerful Putin's Russia is? The last lilliputian dictator that pulled this stunt was Napoleon Bonaparte!! It didn't work out so well for him in the end, and I am pretty sure that Putin will be served a similar ...

Image courtesy of Google Images and Aaron Reed Photography "When I count my blessings, my whole life turns around." - Willie Nelson Once a year we are reminded to give thanks...during the holiday of Thanksgiving. For Canada that time comes on the first Monday in October. The above quote says it all...when we count our blessings, we see the abundance in our lives and that gratitude makes our life better, even when external forces try to bring us down. But how can we extend this feeling beyond just one day a year? Anytime you get a chance to be thankful for what you have, you extend that feeling of abundance in your life. When you feel abundant, your desire for more is replaced by a feeling of enough, or even that of wealth. This may sound trite, but when you think of just one thing you are grateful for each day, your mood is lifted and your day can feel more productive and full.  Happy Thanksgiving!  

Image courtesy of unsplash.com "A boat doesn't go forward if everyone is rowing his own way"   - African (Swahili) Proverb. This proverb speaks of cooperation. Darwin, in his iconic book "The Origin of the Species", speaks of cooperation, not competition, helping species to advance and evolve. It is true that tasks get done faster when all work towards the same goal. Even those who seemed to have accomplished their individual goals, did so with the help of many along the way. A single wasp does not build an entire nest, just as a single bee does not create an entire honey comb. It takes the cooperation of the whole swarm together to accomplish what is needed. Here's to your boat moving ever forward!  

 "I believe in God, only I spell it Nature"  - Frank Lloyd Wright. I truly am blessed to live where I do. I live a stones throw from our city's river valley, and with that, beautiful nature and walking trails. As Frank Lloyd Wright suggests, I feel closer to God when I am among the trees, and grass, and flowers. Nature is so awe inspiring, and being in it reminds me that I am simply one little piece of a giant whole; It puts my little problems into better perspective. It is a peace that I cannot find any where else, but when I sit quietly with my face to the sun, taking in its warmth and grandeur while smelling the sweet aroma of the lilac bushes and cherry blossoms. Where do you find God/peace?

  "Don't put all your eggs into one basket" -English Proverb. This advice is often given regarding investment advice. It's best to spread your wealth among many kinds of investments, and over several instruments.  But this can apply to many of life's situations. From social to employment situations, it's good to have some variety to make us more well-rounded individuals.  Try that new hobby; Go for that better job; Make that new friend, or re-engage with an old one.  Enjoy a wealth of diversity in life, it is yours to explore and rejoice in!! Happy Easter!

  "A little bit of luck is better than a ton of gold"  - Yiddish Proverb. In March we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick was a Catholic Bishop, and is known as the Patron Saint of Ireland. He brought Christianity to the Picts and Anglo-Saxons of Ireland as a missionary and was later made Bishop (Brittanica.com). He was known to explain the Holy Trinity to a non-believer using a clover leaf, and this plant has been the symbol of St. Patrick's Day ever since (Brittanica.com). The Leprechaun is also considered as an icon of St. Patrick's Day. It is a character of Irish myth and folklore that are known to be devious members of the faerie folk. They are quick-witted and will do anything to keep from getting captured. They were known to inhabit the Irish country-side as part of the Tuatha De Danann, who invaded Ireland, but were banished to living underground (yourirish.com). So if you celebrate St. Patrick's Day but didn't know the significance of the man...

Image courtesy of Robert J. Sternberg (robertjsternberg.com). "All is fair in love and war" An English Proverb. What does this proverb mean, you may ask?  To me, it means that whether we are loving each other or fighting one another, we must always be fair. That means no maliciousness and name calling.  When times are good and we are happy with our partners, it is easy to play fair and give them the benefit of the doubt, but that gets much harder during hard times or when anger is involved. Try to remember that you and your loved one are on the same team! Find a way to disagree without anger and your ego getting in the way. It's not about being right, it's about finding some common ground, a compromise so that both of you can be happy with the outcome. Happy Valentine's Day!  

 "The world is charged with the grandeur of God"    - Gerard Manley Hopkins   God is in everything around us, and...God is in us!! When we get weighed down by the minutiae surrounding us, be it from work, family, life or all of the above, it can be hard to see that we are surrounded by God.  It is when we are quiet, not necessarily still that we are able to see God around us...in the sky, the clouds, the trees, the leaves, the birds, etc. I feel closer to God when I am walking in nature. And it is when we are still, that we can see that God is within us, speaking to us with unheard words...our thoughts, our dreams, our purpose. This is often the toughest thing to do, be still. In a world of "what have you done for me lately", we feel out of touch if we take any time to sit and be quiet, to purposely listen for our own thoughts.  That is one of the goals I want to accomplish this year, is to meditate every morning before I get up.  I will start by layin...