Building Bridges

Today on my mind is building bridges, that is, finding a way to bridge the gap in a relationship which has deteriorated to where communication is non-existent.  Sometimes from no fault of our own, or maybe it was our fault, relationships with family or friends breakdown to the point of no repair.  It's a terrible place to be, especially when you would like a better relationship with that person, or persons.  They may feel the same way ~ or not!!  Sometimes it may just be to late, and cannot be saved!!!  At this point, there isn't any bridge, won't be any bridge, so forget about it!!  Dead horse, don't even try to waste your energy on fixing this one!!

This reminds me of the saying:

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If it does not come back, it was never meant to be.

Building bridges is extending the olive branch, breaking the ice to get the communication started again, and to make a new connection!!  Sometimes the effort is all one-sided, and you know the effort is probably fruitless, but you make the effort regardless...because you are the bigger person.  It may seem to go unnoticed by the other party, but not always.  It may be closing the gap slowly, it takes time for both sides to reach each other.  Time might be the only healing power to bridge the gap.  Change also brings the chance to close the gap, when one person finally has an "ah-ha" moment, and understanding and wisdom floods their consciousness.

This is the point when bridging the gap has turned into opportunity to really repair the relationship, and continue healing each other.  If you can make it this far, you will get the warm and fuzzy feelings again!  The relationship will never be the same, of what is used to be - so don't expect this!!  You need to acknowledge that was the past, and pull out the memories good and bad to move forward.  Keep moving forward might take more effort than you are willing to give!  However, if this relationship means anything to you, you will look for ways to keep building the bridge.

Just realize when there isn't any hope left, you don't want to try to keep riding the dead horse, at this point, it's time to give up.  You never know, you can try again in the future when there is a flicker of hope.

The main point here is to be open to the possibility to build a bridge with your lost connection, if it feels like the right thing to do.  The effort could bring you both closer in an enriched connection, making the time lost as a growing period of wisdom and maturity to get to the next level of the relationship!!

:)

Pretty Roses



These are my pretty roses which I got this year during the Rotary fundraiser.  Roses are romantic, and just scream, "I LOVE YOU!!!"  These ones are called "Freedom," which seemed fitting since I brought them home to hubby.  Well, I guess it's just an excuse to have roses in the house, because I always get them every year.  For the price, they are a great deal!  It's a two for one - help out the fundraiser - and get to enjoy some beautiful roses!  The smell is just wonderful too!

The name Freedom seemed appropriate since my hubby has a motorcycle with the word Freedom on it!  The idea of wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth kind of freedom!~ he always hates it when I say that.  However, he finds it his refuge from the world, whether he goes on a rip-roar around town or to a destination. 

Once again this year, we will be participating in the Bikers Reunion's "Freedom Ride!"  This is the local fundraiser where many bikers come from all over Canada, and the United States, and last year, one as far as Germany came, to get together over the July long weekend, and raise money for cancer.  It's been ongoing for several years now.  The event just keeps getting better and better, and larger, and larger!  That is great news for our area, because all the money raised goes directly to support cancer patients and the the cancer program in our local area.

Being a participant in the Freedom Ride will bring tears to your eyes, and warm your heart!!  It's so wonderful to see all the people come out to wave to the bikers, and the people holding up signs that they are a cancer-survivor, or thanking the bikers for their support toward cancer.  It's touches me every time too!  There are signs all over the towns along the bike ride route, where families and friends of have purchased signs to honour their lost loved ones.

Here is the website:  http://www.bikersreunion.ca/.  You can see for yourself what fun the whole weekend will be.  I can't ensure that there will be roses, but you can purchase a care package to give to a cancer patient at the local hospital.

Come out and join us!



Sassy, my little booboo!

Back in the end of November, I expanded my family to include a stray cat!  I just took one look at her, and knew she was a keeper!  She was about eight months old at the time.  She was nearly the spitting image of my dear Misty, who passed about five years earlier!

I stood adamant for all those years that I didn't want to replace my Misty, who I had for 18 years, selecting her the day she born, in fact, saving her life that day!!! I had been really missing my Misty though, and the stress levels in my life was reaching a high point - then one night, I woke in a start - it seemed clear that Misty didn't want me to live any longer without the affection I craved!

Shortly after that point, Sassy came into my life!  She's feisty, she loves to play, and she loves to purr... But she didn't seem to be a lap-kitty!  She does love to curl up on the bed next to my leg at night, so it's a start!  I pondered her past before coming to live with me.  What was her last home like, would she miss it, and wish to go back!  At first, I worried that I had made a mistake in accepting responsibility for her.  Maybe she wasn't meant to be with me, and I was forcing her to be mine!  

I think she is settling in, and I tell her the story of how Misty brought her to me!  We are making our own connection, and building our trust with each other, that is how she has become my little Booboo!  Now, I think she likes the name!  I call out "booboo!" when I come home, and she comes running to greet me!  Her tail high, and bounce in her step, using her high squeaky voice as she talks to me!  She's a smartie-pants too sometimes tricking her mommy into giving her more treats!  I oblige her, because she is such a sweetie!

I just love her more and more each day!  I'm glad that I took the chance on her, and she seems to be content to have a loving, secure home too!

Sassy, my booboo!

Sorry that I have been MIA!!  Blogging hasn't been first and foremost my priority these days.  I have been in study-mode, working on upgrading my education!  Some might wonder why at this stage of the game, but it has been a long time in the works through correspondence and online courses.  I'm not done yet in my pursuit of education, and I may never be!  I enjoy the learning process too much, it would appear!  LOL!!  It's like being on an adventure!  You pick a subject, and as you work through the material, the new knowledge starts to become understanding!  What a phenomenon, eh!

So, I have three more courses to go toward my Business Diploma!  I have already targeted three more courses I want to take after that!  Just to gain the knowledge, because inquiring minds want to know!!  I am also inquiring on what it would take to turn my diploma into a degree.  It seems anything less than a degree has become inadequate now in the business world.  I feel the passion brewing, but undoubtedly, it is more hard work ahead of me.  I am not afraid though.  Just one step at a time, and in time I will reach my new goal!

You might wonder why I didn't walk this path earlier, like right out of high school.  Well, time and technology, and work experience changes the needs in a person's educational needs.  Having a post-secondary training as a secretary just wasn't expected to last a lifetime, although it has provided me with a good base!  I have chosen to supplement my knowledge through work experience, while progressing to the next level, supported through courses in a business program.  No one was forcing me to continue my education to keep my job, but when the hard times hit, I wanted to stand out as someone who wasn't sleeping at the wheel.  It is called evolution!!

I have seen examples of how people progress with education and life experience.  One person has a grade 8 education, but with full heart and determination falls into a life-long adventure of volunteerism, and different odd jobs, but continues to figure things out well into retirement.  The thoughts and life interests push to learn, and want to know.  Asking questions and finding the answers sometimes with more effort!  While another person with high school education (a high achievement in those days) goes into retirement, not having the ability or interest to understand and gives up to nothingness.  It's just how two people have went down life's path, and what tools did they bring with them.  Obviously, ambition, desire, and the ability to act on those will lead a many in unsuspecting directions while chasing the dream through life!

For myself, I am in pursuit of higher education!  I started on this path so that I would be recognized as having value in the employment world, but I keep finding more things I want to understand and learn.  I try to encourage my younger family members to set up their futures through education whenever I can, and even though they each must find their own path - I know nothing will be lost because life is the pursuit of evolution!

S

Days of Summer

Well another hot night... And trying to get to sleep! I guess I'm not quite ready yet because I haven't started the ritual of counting sheep! Funny, how times like these a nice breeze from the window or fan might ease the tension and allow the mind to coast. Well sleep will come later... As I remember the hot days of summer from my memories. Being 10 years old, and OH how I loved my brown corduroy pants. That summer was fun! Growing up on a farm, we had the open field, the animals, and a swim in the creek to cool off from the heat. Summer also meant no school, but working in the garden, and doing hay! Doing hay ~ hot hay mow, riding on the hay wagon, and driving the tractor! It was hot sweaty work, but the refreshing drink of cold water from the flowing well, definitely hit the spot! I remember the picnics mom prepared for us by the edge of the field. One time we had vanilla pudding and fresh strawberries!! Oh that was so good! Even the cows wanted to see what was going on, especially if they could get a nibble of fresh hay! It was a family working together. It was the days of summer!!! Those moments of time locked away for safe keeping for all time. Sometimes when my family gets together we reminisce about these times, each one of us with a precious memory to share, adding to the story. Father's day has just passed this weekend, and my gift to my Dad was making a nice meal and spending some quality time together. It was really nice! Life gets so busy that sometimes we need to stop for a moment and reflect on the important things! Family! Laughter and good times! I love you, Dad! As we age, and life comes to pass, I just want you to know how proud I am that you are my Dad! I know a few others that feel the same as I do! My brother and sisters! So, as I lay here waiting for sleep to come on this hot night of summer, flashes of these good times come to mind, and I am grateful for family, for my upbringing, and all my blessings! xo S

Better days are here!

Hello to a better day!

Yes, it was! Somewhere between the crazy stress of a few weeks ago to today, I have found time to take a break and focus once again. Breathe... Put it all back into perspective.

I am happy today because I am seeing progress with my Economics course I am taking by correspondence. Further education can be a lot of work but worth it in the end. I am a little aways from completing my business diploma still. It will happen in due time. One course at a time. I am also seeing different options available through other programs. A friend of mine is working towards CPA certification. Four courses and certification. Wow! I am also in line to take a couple of these courses. However, do I want to pursue this avenue? Oh the possibilities!! With gumption, further education can lead to better things ahead, even if it's just broadening the mind. They say it helps to keep the mind working as we age.

After completing test 3 of my Economics course tonight, I can revel in the task completed for tonight and tomorrow, I need to get back into my next lessons all the while thinking of the next courses to come in my program.

Options are nice to have! If you have interest in a subject, read about it, find out about it, and learn about it! The road is long, but it's good to try and map out a course or two!! LOL!

Cheers,
S

What a *lovely* day!

As noted in the title ~ Oh what a lovely day! Of course, it wasn't really... However, I am trying to remain positive! Trying to win in a losing world can be very challenging!! Isn't that where #winning came from? Charlie Sheen had his meltdown and totally lost it? I didn't really follow all the hoopla at the time, but I get it today!

I have been running hard lately. This means my work life balance is out of wack. When this happens, I need a break! I wish to win the lottery and retire! HA HA! Not likely in this lifetime, but a girl can hope! I am booked on vacation on April 6th. But it won't come easy for me until I can wake up late on vacation day 1! It's like everyone knows they need to get 'er done before I go, and they are just throwing projects, stupidity, and extra work onto me as a test! The insanity will carryover onto my poor relief at the office while I'm gone too, but I just hope they don't break her before I get back! They being the higher ups, the powers that be or least interfere to be! :)

So how do you transfer (dump) huge responsibilities onto someone else. I have large shoulders, and I am quite capable of holding up my end of the building, but it's hard to prepare someone new for the shock of how it's going to really be!

So as I lead into my last week before a well deserved break, I am vamping up to overwhelming and *f* rediculous on the office front. An 8 hour day becomes 12 hour day because of others' stupidity dumped on me! No, I am not a happy camper! You probably guessed by now! :0

It will not matter that I am screaming in the background, it will not matter that I have to give my personal time to make up the difference in my work world! It will only be another day in paradise "bazinga" - my paradise isn't a #winning situation at the moment. It never will be until I learn how to unwind and relax! A good friend always told me - "stress kills!". Oh please come get me now!!! *sigh*

My life lesson questions:
1). What do I think?
2). What do I know?

I use these on a daily basis, it is how I manage, why I am successful at what I do! So on this note, I will bid you 'all good night!!

Please pray for a better day coming!!

Cheers,
S