Some Days Inspiration (because I know I’ll forget to do it every day)

 

“If you find yourself in a negative situation with someone in your life, take a few minutes each day to feel love within your heart for that person, and then just send it out into the universe. Just doing this one thing helps to remove any resentment, anger or negativity towards that person.

Remember that feeling resentment, anger, or any negative emotion attracts it back to you. Feeling love attracts love back to you. What you are feeling for another, you are bringing to you.”

From The Secret Daily Teachings

I’m Back on Riverside Jam Duty!

Oh yes, people – I have my two all-access passes to Riverside Jam 2009! Hmmmm – who is playing this year? Highlights include The Wilkinsons, Doc Walker and none other than the gorgeous Terri Clark!

Although I don’t know if I will be as lucky as I was last year when I got to share beer with Gord Bamford and his band, I am happy now to have my all-access (just TRY to keep me out) passes again. It should be a good time! So – who wants the other pass?

Daily Teaching . . . If'n Ya Like

Believe what you like about the concept of the Law of Attraction, and The Secret, but the teachings inspire me and are a reminder for me of what's really important in life. Imagine what we would all be like if we could live as these teachings suggest.

"Every day, or at the very least once or twice a week, take a few minutes and focus on seeing yourself in joy. Feel yourself in joy. Imagine only joy ahead in your life and see yourself basking in it. As you do this the Universe will move all people, circumstances, and events to bring you that joy. You can't be in joy if you have money worries, or health worries, or relationship problems with friends or family. So deposit some joy in the bank of the Universe as often as you can. There isn't an investment that is more worthwhile."

Now isn't that a nice picture? What's your universe made of right now?

Again I'm Slacking on the Wrting, But. . .

Yes, it's still been too long. I know I have one reader! Below is the latest column I wrote for the paper. It's about my darling father-in-law being 100 years old.

Enjoy. Photos are on Facebook. Find me there!

June 13th, 1909. That day was just a little more than 100 years ago. That was also the day my husband’s father was born in Hungary.

On Saturday June 13th, 2009 we celebrated Dr. Laszlo Joseph Menyasz’s 100th birthday. Even writing it looks surreal. One hundred years is a long time to view life and the world around you. My father-in-law Leslie still looks at his world through smiling eyes. I wish I could climb in his head and see things as he sees them, as only a man who has lived for one century can see this world.

1909. The Austria-Hungary-Serbia Pig War had just ended, although it would ultimately be one of the causes of World War I. Instant coffee was invented. Lifesavers, neon lamps and talking motion pictures had not been invented yet. A blouse cost 45 cents.

And here’s my father-in-law, learning to live. Learning to walk, talk and survive. A little baby boy that had no idea what he would learn, see and survive in his amazing life.

Leslie was a very smart young man who studied to become an ear, nose and throat doctor. His choice of profession would not only heal others, but it would eventually prove to be a skill so valuable it would save his own life.

Dr. Menyasz joined the armed forces in Hungary to serve as a doctor during World War II. He was taken prisoner in Yugoslavia by the Russians and was taken to an interment camp. A prisoner of war, his medical skill may be all that saved his life. The Russians found him valuable enough to keep alive, although he suffered the starvation and horrible conditions that came with those camps during WWII.

In 1949 Leslie met and married Kathleen. In 1952, their only child Peter was born. Dr. Menyasz had set up a nice practice in Budapest and family life was happy.

At the end of WWII, the Russians liberated Hungary. It was soon apparent that liberation was really domination under tight communist rule. Led by a group of students in 1956, a spontaneous Hungarian Revolution ensued. Freedom fighters fought hard, but Russian tanks fought harder.

The Menyasz family was no longer safe. There was no choice but to flee Hungary and start life over again.

In 1956, Dr. Laszlo Menyasz took his wife and sedated child with nothing but the clothes on their backs and fled Hungary. The stories Leslie used to tell are amazing. The survival. The fear, the sheer determination to make a better life for his small family.

They landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, like so many other immigrants that year. The Menyasz family settled in Saskatchewan and began their lives over again. Dr. Menyasz updated his medical education to start a practice in Canada. Peter grew into an amazing young man (I’m totally objective).

And now, here we are, celebrating Leslie’s 100th birthday. With family, with friends, and with others who fled Hungary during those turbulent times. And still we learn more from them.

It’s impossible to cover everything Leslie has seen through the length of his years. But it does astound me. A century of life, and he’s still doing great. Now, if only I could decipher what his sweet smile really means. . . Happy 100th birthday, Leslie!

I Can't Believe It's Been 2 Months!

Okay - so it's been a while since I've written on my blog. That means it's been more than two months since I've published a column in the newspaper.

Strangely enough - I have been asked by dozens of people why they don't see my column anymore. I've even had one really kind woman phone me out of the blue and ask why on earth I wasn't writing anymore.

I told her what I was told: "The paper is really cutting down on editorial. Don't know if we can get you in."

Okay. So there goes my weekly ego feed. But the thing is, we writers, we have to write. It's something that helps us breathe!

I stopped by the newspaper office and spoke to my friend on the 'inside'. She told me when the editor works. Turns out I may have to go pitch my wares all over again. Have to hunt him down in his office and beg for my paltry 600 words again.

Until that moment, I am going to try and at least post some writings that are more current than March 21st. For those of you that are on Facebook, please look for me there!

I apologize for the layout errors. I am trying to solve them - but have no idea how to fix it!

What's happening in May for everyone else?

What’s Happening? SPRING is TODAY!

Okay, not that it’s so warm and toasty or anything, but the sun, warm enough to melt the SNOW, is really all I need. It’s been so sunny these last few days that it’s surprising that there’s still snow outside when I go out.

Which sends me right back in the house to put on a jacket and scarf.

Dang winter.

Oh, but WAIT. Today is the 21st. Guess what? It’s SPRING! Yahooooooooo!

Happy Spring my friends!

Thinking Out Loud

February is Already Half Over!

And I'm sitting here thinking, it's 2009.

2-0-0-9.

How did that happen?

I have a very vivid memory of my very first marriage proposal. I was 8. Christopher was also 8. We had a mutual crush that transcended the playground boundaries of elementary school.

We played together even though other children taunted us about marriage.

You know that familiar taunt - "two little lovers, sittin' in a tree . . ." When they got to the part about marriage, I raised my hand and stopped them with a declaration of such wisdom, they closed their mouths immediately.

"I will not get married until the year 2000."

The only reason they were all quiet is because they were trying to figure out how old we'd all be at that time. Christopher didn't care. "Then will you marry me?" He asked.

Alas, 2000 came and went with no Christopher (thank goodness, since I met Peter in 2001).

Being on the playground, I remember thinking that the year 2000 was so far away that I probably wouldn't even be alive to see it. The year then was 1973. Funny how to an 8-year-old, 27 years is a whole millennium (not that I knew that word at 8).

And now it's February 2009. I was so sure we'd be flying like the Jetsons. I couldn't wait to have Rosie do the dishes, to have my dinner appear as if from nowhere.

Let's face it. The Jetsons gave me unrealistic expectations about the future, just like Disney gave me unrealistic expectations about princess hair.

I wonder if the 8-year-olds of today are saying crazy things like they won't get married until the year 2050? That being said, I'm sure mothers everywhere are going to train their 8 year olds to say just that.

So I guess I am a little disappointed that we aren’t quite as technologically advanced as I’d hoped when I was 8. But with the invention of the Roomba and microwaves, I guess it’s just a matter of time.

However, I would like to formally request my flying car first.

Today’s Horoscope

“Any enemies you may have at this time are easy to locate and identify. You needn't try any clandestine methods to find those who work against you.”

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At last! I can take a break from my night-vision goggles, my constant surveillance and security measures to let my enemies come forth on their own! Finally! Oh, but there’s NO way I’m clearing the moat of the man-eating sharks.