The power of ONE

It is truly amazing how one person can make a choice that can change the world. I had the honour of meeting a very inspirational woman last August. Her story was truly amazing and shows just how one person can make a difference. She has devoted her life to making a difference for many children and families in need.

You can also read about her journey, as her book, Bones That Float, was launched this month. Visit the link under Recommended readings to learn more, if you are also inspired by what you see pick up a copy today, you will be glad you did.

Traditions

I had the pleasure of taking part in my very first Italian wedding shower over the weekend. What an experience this was! As a bridesmaid, I was a little more involved in the planning but very unaware that there would be a head table at which I would be sitting. I must say , it was like a mini wedding reception with only women. The event was catered by a local Italian company with a light lunch and enough goodies and pastries to feed at least 400 people. And to think this was just the wedding shower. The wedding will take part on a beach which is not traditional for an Italian bride but the reception will follow and will be very traditional with a sit down dinner of at least 8 courses, I am sure. This has been an experience that is very different from my wedding and I am honored to have been included in all the different traditions.

Growth

We all experience growth in our day to day living. Whether it be personal growth or growth within our family. Growth within our careers. OR growth spiritually. Visual growth of a new flower in the Spring. The growth chart of your children on your wall. Or the growth of a new or existing relationship.

My suggestion to you is to set aside some time today to experience some growth within yourself. Pick up that book that you have been longing to read, do some soul searching, envision your goals and set aside a plan for yourself.

Spring is just around the corner and we are about to experience a lot of growth. You wouldn't want to be left behind, would you?

How do they do that?

Have you ever watched the television show, How do they do that? They take apart myths and movies and try to prove whether they are fact or fiction. Quite cool! Most of the time they are fiction but that is beside the point. It is not the show that initially brought me here.....

We have become a society in which both parents have to work, sometimes 40-60 hours a week just to make ends meet. If they have small children they go to daycare, preschool or school and spend a couple of hours with their family before bed time. Weekends are spent running around to activities and doing errands that need to be done before Monday arrives again and they start all over. I have had the pleasure of working my career around my family but have recently experienced this lifestyle. My question is, How do they do that? Many families live in one city and one of them work in another. There family takes the back seat to their job. They plan family time around their work and family often gets what is left over.

I think we have it all backwards.....What do you think?

Admiration!

My hat goes off to all you single parents out there. I admire your determination, your drive and your strength to provide the best for your children.

This week is week #1 of 6 in which my husband is away for training so I am experiencing the life of a single parent. As my girls wake in the morning they come in to my room in the hopes that their Papa is there to give them a great big hug and say, "good morning." When they realize the week is not over yet we get on with our day and take one more sleep off the list.

I feel blessed to have a job that allows me to be home with my children as they experience the life of so many other children who see their father's go off to work far away from home, who live in seperate homes from their father's, or who don't know their father's.

To all you single parents, give yourself a pat on the back for the work you do for your family!

Where does the time go?

Do you ever wonder why time goes so much faster the older we get? Is this because we are so focused on the future that we forget to enjoy the present. For children, a week seems to feel like a life time. Yet as adults it seems like we blink our eyes and a whole year has disappeared.

So much can happen in a span of a few weeks and we don't even realize until we take the time to reflect on all that we have accomplished.

My suggestion to you is to take some time to smell the flowers, (for those still in winter weather admire the clear blue skies on a wintery day) play with your children, have a hot bath, read a good book and live life for the moment. Life is too short to not admire every day for it's beauty.