OK, it's that slumping time of year when the days are dark, it's cold-cold-cold and too much time is spent bundling up for work or sitting under a blanket on the couch while staring blankly at the TV. Here's my list of gratitude to get things looking up in mid-February.
It's good to have an understanding boss, who has the grace to forgive when you get mouthy and question his decision-making. Whew. I'd like not to have a repeat of my professional meltdown on Tuesday.
Second, I'm grateful to have a sport I love to play - basketball - and a league in which to play it. It still clears my mind, still wipes away (most) all my other worries for the time being. It allows me to be in the moment without struggling to get there. I never feel awkwardly tall. I feel advantageously tall. I don't feel self conscious or a need to try and blend in the background. I love that so many other grown women also feel the passion and competitive edge for the sport.
C'est tout, for now.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
A new year
Well, here I am in 2010. I have been thinking that this blog needs to have some purpose or it's pointless for me to write here. I wondered, is a blog about gratitude enough? I've decided it is.
The state of being grateful; thankfulness.
I'd like to be in that state more frequently this year. I learned just before the new year that a good friend had died in an explosion. Sudden, tragic beyond all measure of words. So many have said eloquent things about her, and I feel almost reluctant to write because I can't do justice to the loss of such a person.
I remember how I used to leave myself notes at night that contained reminders like "Get up at 7!" and "Go for a jog before work!" Sometimes, if I was in a deep rut, I would write out a morning schedule, laying out what time I should get up, shower, eat breakfast and get out the door - admonishing myself not to be late for work or lay in bed and hit snooze over and over. I told my friend I did this because my night self was better-intentioned than my morning self. How she laughed and teased me about that. I don't write those notes anymore. But I pledge to try and be my better self this year, as a testament to the kind of positive life she lived. I know she was an uplifting influence on so many. Even on those mornings where it seems impossible to drag myself out of bed, I know I'm lucky to be here, navigating myself through life on the best course I can find.
Here's to being grateful. To being here.
The state of being grateful; thankfulness.
I'd like to be in that state more frequently this year. I learned just before the new year that a good friend had died in an explosion. Sudden, tragic beyond all measure of words. So many have said eloquent things about her, and I feel almost reluctant to write because I can't do justice to the loss of such a person.
I remember how I used to leave myself notes at night that contained reminders like "Get up at 7!" and "Go for a jog before work!" Sometimes, if I was in a deep rut, I would write out a morning schedule, laying out what time I should get up, shower, eat breakfast and get out the door - admonishing myself not to be late for work or lay in bed and hit snooze over and over. I told my friend I did this because my night self was better-intentioned than my morning self. How she laughed and teased me about that. I don't write those notes anymore. But I pledge to try and be my better self this year, as a testament to the kind of positive life she lived. I know she was an uplifting influence on so many. Even on those mornings where it seems impossible to drag myself out of bed, I know I'm lucky to be here, navigating myself through life on the best course I can find.
Here's to being grateful. To being here.
Friday, December 11, 2009
A big man with big music
There's nothing like a great song playing in your car. The ideal scenario is when it's a great song on a sunny day and all the windows are rolled down. Right now, I have to settle for a great tune turned high so I can hear it above the blast of the car heater as I drive slowly along slippery city streets.
One of my favourites right now is Michael Franti — a big man, by the way, who I guess is at least 6'6 — who I saw at a folk festival two summers ago. His energy on stage was amazing and his music is a mixture of upbeat tunes that make you want to dance and inspirational lyrics that are good for the soul. Michael Franti & Spearhead is getting some radio play now with Say Hey (I Love You) but my picks are: I Know I'm Not Alone, Sweet Little Lies and Hello Bonjour.
And this passage from Hey Now Now always lifts me up:
Be who you are nothing more nothing less
and let the beauty that you love be….. the very best
Sing praises to the highest with your feet on the ground
And reach for your brother with the words that you sound and
Don't let mistakes be so monumental, and
Don't let your love be so confidential, and
Don’t let your mind be so darn judgmental
And please let heart be more influential
Be thankful for all the Spirit provides
And be thankful for all that you can see without eyes.
I'm hoping his music gets more mass exposure. I think the world could use it.
One of my favourites right now is Michael Franti — a big man, by the way, who I guess is at least 6'6 — who I saw at a folk festival two summers ago. His energy on stage was amazing and his music is a mixture of upbeat tunes that make you want to dance and inspirational lyrics that are good for the soul. Michael Franti & Spearhead is getting some radio play now with Say Hey (I Love You) but my picks are: I Know I'm Not Alone, Sweet Little Lies and Hello Bonjour.
And this passage from Hey Now Now always lifts me up:
Be who you are nothing more nothing less
and let the beauty that you love be….. the very best
Sing praises to the highest with your feet on the ground
And reach for your brother with the words that you sound and
Don't let mistakes be so monumental, and
Don't let your love be so confidential, and
Don’t let your mind be so darn judgmental
And please let heart be more influential
Be thankful for all the Spirit provides
And be thankful for all that you can see without eyes.
I'm hoping his music gets more mass exposure. I think the world could use it.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Welcome
Height is just a measure of vertical distance, right?
That may be the case, but to me it has also been an obstacle to dating, a headache when shopping, the source of endless tears and teasing as a kid, sideways glances during my gangly teen years and rude comments from complete strangers. My favourite of all time remains the man who told me that I was so tall "a boy would have to kick me in the shins and stand on the bumps to kiss me."
But mom used to repeat that old saying "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." It may be corny but I believe in the sentiment behind it.
I definitely think being tall shapes who you are. You take up more space in the world. You never blend into the background. You're never average. It has its blessings. And I've learned to walk with my head held high, embracing all 6'1 of my vertical distance.
I have plenty to be thankful for, big and small. Today: my car started even though I left it unplugged all day in this godforsaken cold, a friend surprised me with a latte at work, my dad is recovering from surgery for prostate cancer, I made it out of work on time and it's almost the weekend!
That may be the case, but to me it has also been an obstacle to dating, a headache when shopping, the source of endless tears and teasing as a kid, sideways glances during my gangly teen years and rude comments from complete strangers. My favourite of all time remains the man who told me that I was so tall "a boy would have to kick me in the shins and stand on the bumps to kiss me."
But mom used to repeat that old saying "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." It may be corny but I believe in the sentiment behind it.
I definitely think being tall shapes who you are. You take up more space in the world. You never blend into the background. You're never average. It has its blessings. And I've learned to walk with my head held high, embracing all 6'1 of my vertical distance.
I have plenty to be thankful for, big and small. Today: my car started even though I left it unplugged all day in this godforsaken cold, a friend surprised me with a latte at work, my dad is recovering from surgery for prostate cancer, I made it out of work on time and it's almost the weekend!
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