WHERE THE HECK IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS!

Christmas should be no different than any other season, but unfortunately, people have created so much pressure on themselves to have the “Christmas Spirit” that they dread the season.  If by Christmas week they have not decorated their house or baked cookies, they believe something is wrong with them.  

I try not to think about Christmas as separate from other days. Each day is a gift, including Christmas. And it is important for me to appreciate the wonder of the season because after all, I am alive. Indeed, Christmas is unique, the Christmas decorations, lights, trees, sparkling and dancing, and let’s not forget the music.  All of this I appreciate, but it is still just another day. 

More than anything, I enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends that the season brings, and I wish people felt this everyday. Even strangers, are more free with their smiles. When I recall Christmas past, I remember family and friends. I remember the music, smiles, and laughter.

I remember things like the warm feeling of being loved.   The last couple of days, while in Alberta on business and to attend a family funeral, I have met up with some of my family and really felt the love. It is not about the gifts, is it?

Still, we, as parents, think we have to give our kids the best and most popular gifts to make their Christmas special.  I believe this is what creates the pressure, stress and unhappiness we feel at Christmas especially if we can’t afford it. Of course, my mind always goes to those who are less fortunate. Christmas Eve, please give to Rose. 

It was Christmas week that my brother Billy died three years ago.  And when people have this type of loss, it can be difficult to get into the Christmas spirit.  It is natural to miss someone close because you want to share this special season with them but they are no longer here with us.  This can leave a void in us, and it does for me. It is best to remember those who we loss fondly, think about the happy experiences you had with them and give thanks that they were part of your life. As for my late brother Billy, I remember his smile, which always lit up the room. When I remember that smile, I feel happy. 

To have a stress free Christmas, do this. Think of Christmas like any other day, one that you can appreciate and be grateful that you woke up to enjoy.  Think of it as the first day of your life. If you do that you’ve have spent this day very well. 

Begin by seeing things through the eyes of wonder and happiness as though you are seeing it for the very first time. The beautiful colors of the the season, the lights, and see them with pure enjoyment. Look up, look down, and all around you, we so rarely really see what is in our environment. This day, right now, is unique. This day will never happen again.

Better still, call someone on the phone, or skype,  and have a conversation about how much you appreciate them. If you don’t have anyone to call, call me. We all have an incredible story to tell, listen to it, hear it in their voice. And on this day, all the people that you meet, all that life, is like pure joy. Open your heart and smile because you embody the Christmas Spirit.  XOXOXOXOXO

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holiday!

Happy Hanukkah!

Peace on Earth!
  

Princeville Kauai 

It's memories of waking up to the sound of the ocean that gets me through the long cold Canadian winters.  Can't wait to return to Princeville.

Summer Fun

I can't believe that it is August 1st. Summer is going by so quickly,huh.  Well, as usual July has been very hot and humid in Ontario, but I'm not complaining.  As long as there is airconditioning, the heat is good.

This summer we decided to holiday in Montréal, Quebec, and rented a lovely apartment in Pointe Claire. Pointe Claire is an historic village located on the West Island of Montréal.

Sometimes, a city holiday is just the thing to do, others go to the cottage for their summer holidays, but I enjoy what the city has to offer.  This particular holiday was the best of both worlds spectacular, tranquil setting, away from the city, but only a short commute into downtown Montreal.

Normally I don't see anybody first thing in the morning at home save for my immediate family. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I actually enjoyed being around people and seeing so many people out jogging in the morning. I saw people with dogs, on bikes and even rollerblades. I could see this type of lifestyle being quite conducive to a healthy lifestyle and just wanting to just get out doors and to get physical.

Not to mention, the scenery in Pointe Claire along the river is so beautiful. It really calls for people to come out and enjoy it. I don't know whether it is just because the weather was fantastic, scenery was perfection, or if it's just people were on holidays, but by and large everybody was quick with a smile.

This holiday unlike our previous holidays which are packed with sightseeing and activities from morning until night, this was really chilled. We spent a lot of time reading, dinning out, and basically chilling by the river. Sometimes it's great to just be able to slow down and enjoy being together as a family without the distraction of a hectic itinerary.

The highlight of the holiday was our last night. We went to Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the Park. The play was at the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montréal, what a wonderful place for a Shakespeare play. The cast was superb!

I brought the camera but unfortunately the battery was dead.  Thus, all memories are stored in our head and no app for downloading memories stored in our minds, yet.  I am certain that we will return to Pointe Claire and next time I will check that I bring a camera that I can actually use, ugh.

Hawaii (Week one)

I never get used to the natural beauty of Hawaii.  Each time I return, it is like observing it for the first time.   Hawaii must have magical powers of sorts that renders everyone in the present moment, it's like falling in love.  Everything is just awesome, food taste better, flowers are more vivid, and the sea is an indescribable blue.

It is always a treat to stay in Honolulu for a few days and take in the many tourist type activities, like touring the island and taking in some of the water excursions.  But then the real beauty is away from the hustle of Waikiki and a trip to one of the other islands is in order.

The island of choice this trip is Kauai.  Kauai has spectacular and rugged beauty of Na Pali, the Waimea Canyon, and of course there are nice sandy beaches too.

Living room in our rented house

This is our 2nd day in Kauai, we rented a beautiful house in Princeville.  The house sits on a buff over looking the sea.  All the window slide open, allowing the warm trade winds to breeze throughout the house.  What an amazing house, it has everything including a fully stock kitchen.

the private beach (Sealodge) below our house

The children explored the grounds surrounding the house and down to the sea.  They report that the beach is quite rocky and rough.    So today we went in search of a more suitable beach.  After a wonderful lunch, we drove to Lumahi, Makua (Tunnels), and Ke e Beach.  We decided on the first beach, Lumahi.

What impressed me the most about island living is everything and everyone moves in slow motion, it is not if you are going to relax, but how soon will you adapt to the island's rhythm.  As the stress is washed out to the sea by the surf, we watch the sunset.

I Love the Holidays!!!

It's the Season to be Stressed...

The stress can begin with the first real appearance of winter. And so it begins; it has been snowing off and on for the last several days. For the most part, I enjoy the snow. What I mean is the new white fluffy powder that is easy to shovel, ski and walk on. However, it invariably turns heavy and dense, not to mention into slippery stuff thus less likable. It is officially a winter wonderland in Ontario, beautiful, but you have to either love it or be miserable for the next five months. I choose to love it. Okay, I don’t always love it, but do you blame me, after all winter is months too darn long?

However, it not just the snow and inclement weather that creates the stress this time of the year. This, coupled with the holiday season can create undesirable pressures for even the most level headed person. Both winter and the holidays provide us with a good opportunity to take it down a pace or two. There are holiday crowds everywhere, in traffic and in the malls forces us to slow down even if we don't want to. Oh, and the shopping, or in my case, thinking of shopping. I do all my shopping in my head first, and at the very last moment I will brave the shopping malls.

A method that helps me in maintaining a happy mood while shopping in the mayhem is to listen to my ipod. I set my playlist full of cheerful Christmas music with a nice beat. A sampling would be, Brian Wilson’s First Noel, Leon Redbone’s I’ll be home for Christmas, Kate & Anna McGarrigle’s Rebel Jesus, Colin James & The little Big Band, Baby it’s Cold Outside, and my all time favorite is Tom Jackson’s The Huron Carole.

I love this!!!

Another thing I like to do is to schedule a massage at the end of the week. Looking forward to a massage never fails puts me into a fantastic mood regardless of the situation I encounter while braving the hordes of shoppers. What are your rituals to enjoy the winter, and specifically what keeps you in that festive spirit while holiday shopping?

Are having a bad day, and need inspiration?