Monday, June 24, 2013
Hooliganting: Thinking Positive Despite Negative Feedback: Can Y...
Hooliganting: Thinking Positive Despite Negative Feedback: Can Y...: Life is a work in progress. No one is perfect. Not me. Not you. Therefore, we are all walking a journey or a pathway to betterment, whatever...
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Thinking Positive Despite Negative Feedback: Can You Do It?
Life is a work in progress. No one is perfect. Not me. Not you. Therefore, we are all walking a journey or a pathway to betterment, whatever that may be. For me, I choose to walk a pathway to betterment that requires self belief, positive thinking, prayer and forgiveness. I should probably add patience to that mix. These are the qualities that I am constantly working on and the easiest to lose sight of for me in times of hardship.
To be truthful, I hate conflict and rows. I am more likely to take the blame for something I didn't do in order to keep the peace. In an argument, I will often say sorry just to make it stop. But there are times when the iniquities and injustice of situations back me into a corner and I want to come out swinging. I hate having words put in my mouth that I didn't say, and I hate seeing others place trust and wholehearted belief into someone that hasn't proven themselves worthy. Sadly, this seems to be a constant frustration that won't end anytime soon.
In my journey, I do my best to be the best mom, best friend, best person that I can be. I taught Sunday School today and talked about responsibility and I think I needed that conversation with my grade 3s today. We talked about bullying, looking out for others, responsible actions at school and at home. The conversation included areas that are grey and how to determine what responsible actions look like when you feel you are going to get into trouble anyway. I don't think it gets any easier as an adult either.
For example, I feel I have a responsibility to those people that I deal with daily. There have been so many small and large disasters from floods, broken boats and cars, dental surgery, ending of school, renovations delayed. You name it, it seems to have been on the agenda this year. I know that there is much to be thankful for but instead, I noticed how stress got to people and I can't say that I am always impressed with the responses. I am doing my best to be positive and constructive but feel unheard so am left wondering what the point is? To say thank you? Is that so hard? To obey instructions? Is that difficult? To give an honest answer to questions? To send parts on time? To call when you say you are going to?
I think I am slightly disillusioned as I built this year up in my own mind as going to be better and more amazing than last year. I had a few glitches last year that I was looking forward to being so last year...and this year...it feels like God has decided that I need more teachable moments. (I am done...really done with these...Job has my sympathy) I know that I am fortunate in my life and have many blessings. I am watching the news in my province with disbelief and just hoping that it ends soon. The whole world seems to have water issues. However, to be honest, this has been a tough year to date - it seems to be one thing after another. Being able to be positive and find the bright side is definitely work, but it needs to be done.
Positive thinking is necessary despite everything. This thinking lets you encourage others and support them. It helps you to find the good in bad situations and it enables you to be able to reach out to others. Whether it is humor or quiet support, a smile can go a long way towards healing. While it is OK to think that things suck, I think it is equally important to be quiet and listen to the words around me. I need to know what everyone is thinking in order to help effectively and be the positive influence that I want to be for me and my circle of people. With that in mind, I am going to choose to hope that people will continue to learn and grow.
Tomorrow is a brand new day with no mistakes in it yet - Anne of Green Gables.
Lets go with that and go to bed.
To be truthful, I hate conflict and rows. I am more likely to take the blame for something I didn't do in order to keep the peace. In an argument, I will often say sorry just to make it stop. But there are times when the iniquities and injustice of situations back me into a corner and I want to come out swinging. I hate having words put in my mouth that I didn't say, and I hate seeing others place trust and wholehearted belief into someone that hasn't proven themselves worthy. Sadly, this seems to be a constant frustration that won't end anytime soon.
In my journey, I do my best to be the best mom, best friend, best person that I can be. I taught Sunday School today and talked about responsibility and I think I needed that conversation with my grade 3s today. We talked about bullying, looking out for others, responsible actions at school and at home. The conversation included areas that are grey and how to determine what responsible actions look like when you feel you are going to get into trouble anyway. I don't think it gets any easier as an adult either.
For example, I feel I have a responsibility to those people that I deal with daily. There have been so many small and large disasters from floods, broken boats and cars, dental surgery, ending of school, renovations delayed. You name it, it seems to have been on the agenda this year. I know that there is much to be thankful for but instead, I noticed how stress got to people and I can't say that I am always impressed with the responses. I am doing my best to be positive and constructive but feel unheard so am left wondering what the point is? To say thank you? Is that so hard? To obey instructions? Is that difficult? To give an honest answer to questions? To send parts on time? To call when you say you are going to?
I think I am slightly disillusioned as I built this year up in my own mind as going to be better and more amazing than last year. I had a few glitches last year that I was looking forward to being so last year...and this year...it feels like God has decided that I need more teachable moments. (I am done...really done with these...Job has my sympathy) I know that I am fortunate in my life and have many blessings. I am watching the news in my province with disbelief and just hoping that it ends soon. The whole world seems to have water issues. However, to be honest, this has been a tough year to date - it seems to be one thing after another. Being able to be positive and find the bright side is definitely work, but it needs to be done.
Positive thinking is necessary despite everything. This thinking lets you encourage others and support them. It helps you to find the good in bad situations and it enables you to be able to reach out to others. Whether it is humor or quiet support, a smile can go a long way towards healing. While it is OK to think that things suck, I think it is equally important to be quiet and listen to the words around me. I need to know what everyone is thinking in order to help effectively and be the positive influence that I want to be for me and my circle of people. With that in mind, I am going to choose to hope that people will continue to learn and grow.
Tomorrow is a brand new day with no mistakes in it yet - Anne of Green Gables.
Lets go with that and go to bed.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Hooliganting: Waterlogged: Grateful for the Little Things
Hooliganting: Waterlogged: Grateful for the Little Things: Ringing madly through sleep filled lids, the phone blared louder than any alarm. Anytime work phones at an ungodly hour, you hustle faster t...
Waterlogged: Grateful for the Little Things
Ringing madly through sleep filled lids, the phone blared louder than any alarm. Anytime work phones at an ungodly hour, you hustle faster than fast and plot faster than any pirate hoarding gold. Mom (who thought she was coming for quality time with me), you have the kids. Himself...does work need you if not lend a truck and bins...lets roll. Did I say roll? I meant swim...
Today was one of the most emotional days I have ever spent working. I have participated in drafting disaster plans and have watched the news while others cope with devastation. Conferences have explained how to do things in the event of an emergency and there was a plan. I never in a million years thought I would have to deal with a minor but impactful river getting too big for it's britches. Today was the day.
From arrival, it was packing up offices to salvaging treasures. Thankfully, we had done everything we could to minimize the damage the day before but the waters rose much higher than anticipated. And kept coming. Everything was moved to higher ground. Off site and on site, the volunteers, staff, board members, community businesses and forestry pooled their efforts to assist us with mitigating the damage.
I have worked at this site for 10 years. The creativity, funds spent and people that worked on projects are invaluable to me. It was emotional and adrenaline filled wading through the river to retrieve yet more boxes. I can confess I laughed to try and stay positive. I cried, because there is absolutely nothing you can do when a river charges. I know already it could have been so much worse...and we don't know if it is over yet but through this I have taken time to acknowledge a few things.
Little things.
What else can I say? THANK YOU!
http://globalnews.ca/video/634382/fort-mcmurray-floods if you want more details
Today was one of the most emotional days I have ever spent working. I have participated in drafting disaster plans and have watched the news while others cope with devastation. Conferences have explained how to do things in the event of an emergency and there was a plan. I never in a million years thought I would have to deal with a minor but impactful river getting too big for it's britches. Today was the day.
From arrival, it was packing up offices to salvaging treasures. Thankfully, we had done everything we could to minimize the damage the day before but the waters rose much higher than anticipated. And kept coming. Everything was moved to higher ground. Off site and on site, the volunteers, staff, board members, community businesses and forestry pooled their efforts to assist us with mitigating the damage.
I have worked at this site for 10 years. The creativity, funds spent and people that worked on projects are invaluable to me. It was emotional and adrenaline filled wading through the river to retrieve yet more boxes. I can confess I laughed to try and stay positive. I cried, because there is absolutely nothing you can do when a river charges. I know already it could have been so much worse...and we don't know if it is over yet but through this I have taken time to acknowledge a few things.
Little things.
- Our board members went above and beyond anything I have ever seen.
- Volunteers come from everywhere in the face of calamity, not to ogle but to HELP. From boxes, to hot coffee, to equipment to trailers...I cried in the face of their generosity.
- The humour while under siege is necessary to get the job done.
- People are committed to our town. Nothing is ever someone else's problem. It is ours and as a community, people pull together to get the job done - even in waist deep river water.
- The river has trees barrelling down at break neck speeds - yet not one has run into a building.
- Everything critical was saved.
- The river was cold, but not icy - could have been so much worse.
- My mom was here to manage the home for the girls.
- I had lemon meringue pie for dinner.
What else can I say? THANK YOU!
http://globalnews.ca/video/634382/fort-mcmurray-floods if you want more details
Monday, June 10, 2013
Hooliganting: Changing of the Season: Waterlogged
Hooliganting: Changing of the Season: Waterlogged: Webbed feet are highly underrated in my world right now. The river is rising and there isn't a darn thing I can do about it as it creeps...
Changing of the Season: Waterlogged
Webbed feet are highly underrated in my world right now. The river is rising and there isn't a darn thing I can do about it as it creeps closer to the treasures that I am supposed to protect at work. There is no parking lot and the river is racing along with fire burnt trees, stumps, brackish water and oddly enough canvas ripples by at incredible speeds. Having watched the tragedy unfold in far off European climes, it is rather daunting to be facing a smaller version in my own back yard. Fortunately, my home sits on high ground and the sump pump is working.
Rather ironically, the month of dance (MAY) was hot, blisteringly so. There were days of scorching sun and waterpark sorties. In between snatches of sunshine, I ran around to rehearsals and finally the end production. We did swim club and school projects. Now that the coast is relatively clear for some fun, it pours with rain.
This is the time of year that we get geared up for camping and making smores. We like to have fires and boating opportunities. With washed out roads and windblown trees, there doesn't seem to be much hope of sunshiney care free days. Instead, we will pack up the games, rubber boots and raincoats. There will be loonies for the showers and the tent will be warm and dry with books and other paraphanalia designed to keep kids entertained. Walks in the rain and ducks to chase.
I just wouldn't mind some webbed feet.
Rather ironically, the month of dance (MAY) was hot, blisteringly so. There were days of scorching sun and waterpark sorties. In between snatches of sunshine, I ran around to rehearsals and finally the end production. We did swim club and school projects. Now that the coast is relatively clear for some fun, it pours with rain.
This is the time of year that we get geared up for camping and making smores. We like to have fires and boating opportunities. With washed out roads and windblown trees, there doesn't seem to be much hope of sunshiney care free days. Instead, we will pack up the games, rubber boots and raincoats. There will be loonies for the showers and the tent will be warm and dry with books and other paraphanalia designed to keep kids entertained. Walks in the rain and ducks to chase.
I just wouldn't mind some webbed feet.