Trekking Poles

This summer seems to have flown by so quickly.  I wish I could extend it a few more weeks but school starts next week.  I've been busy trying to organize my time for school.  It's hard to make some decisions to keep certain things and let go of other activities.  Of course, I'd like to keep all of it going but when my school work needs to come first and foremost.  Tomorrow I'm picking up my books to start reading ahead for next week.  I know, I'm a complete nerd! But I'd rather be a little ahead than way behind in my studies.  The next goal I have for myself is to re-do my Knowledge Test for driving before the first day of class.  Well, at least I have another week to do that.  It won't take much either.  I've taken it before and each time I pass with flying colours.  It's just a matter of reviewing the material.  It seems as though I have a few more people in my life now who are willing to help me out with driving practice.  I'm very grateful for that because I'd like to book the road test within the next year and start driving around on my own to places.

Now, that my busy summer is coming to a close, I'm thinking more about preparing for Bust-A-Move (the Breast Cancer Fundraiser).  For most of the summer, I've had ongoing problems with plantar fasciitis and haven't been as active at the gym as I need to be.  [Enter Trekking Poles], yes, you read that correctly.  One of my close friends has let me borrow their trekking poles.  I tried them for the first time today and went for a 30-minute brisk walk non-stop.  It was so nice to go for a walk and not have constant pain in my foot and lower back.  I will be keeping the walking in my daily schedule.  As well, I plan to return to the gym and my aerobics classes once I feel my strength returning.  For now, I am happy walking and maybe I'll use the stationery bikes at the gym.

The other thing that I need to think about is fundraising for the Breast Cancer event. I suppose that means that my teammates and I will need to discuss how to do this together.  It will be fun.

I'm Missing Out

The August 1st long weekend is Gay Pride here in Vancouver.  This year, I marched in the parade! Yippee!  Even though there was a lot of festivities and activities that I attended on the weekend, I managed to fit in a few very serious conversations with a couple of good friends.  The conversations ended up being very productive too.

One friend of mine was worried about not being part of a small community of people who gather approximately once a month.  They told me that they felt as though they were missing out.  After much discussion, we came to the conclusion that they actually belong to several communities.  Some of the communities they belong are much larger and have a greater selection of people to friend.  The question then becomes, why did they assume they were missing out?  My friend goes to many events, has many friends, and their circle is expanding all the time.  Well, sometimes when we look at our lives all we see are supposed deficits instead of appreciation for what actually is in our lives.

Seeing shortages in our lives is something that we all do because we're anxious about missing out, and not belonging.  It's as though we're afraid of running out of friends.  When we really consider our fear of running of friends, we realize that is an unfounded fear.  Can we really, truly miss what we don't know? 

Alternatively, what do we know?  Or more to the point, who do we know? When we view our lives with appreciation and gratitude for what we do have it changes our perspective.  We start seeing abundance in our lives when we appreciate what we have. 

I realize as I am writing this that some people may think but what if this person needs a change?  I am not advocating for people not to have change in their lives.  I am saying that maybe a change of perspective towards gratitude will help you.  Change based upon fear is a step backwards, not forwards. Definitely, go for change in your life but take appreciation with you on your journey.