my strategic direction

At work, we are planning our new strategic direction for the next few years which made me think, every person should have a strategic direction of their own because without one, it's hard to know which way to go.  Here's what I came up with - it's a start:

What is my life’s purpose?

To experience and inspire joy, love and laughter. 

My plan:

1.       Continue my blog

2.       Live by example

3.       Be a lifelong learner

4.       Slow down to observe and listen to the signs and whispers that exist

5.       Surround myself with people that nourish my soul – keep me on the path

6.       Love unconditionally

7.       Appreciate what already exists

8.       Tend to my mind, body and spirit

9.       Trust in what is

I believe:

·         I am a leader

·         I have integrity

·         I am resilient

·         I am creative

·         I am intelligent

·         I am strong

·         I am real

·         I can

My Childhood Love # 2 - Water

"Water has no taste, no color, no odor; it cannot be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself. It fills us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses."  ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY (1900-1944), Wind, Sand, and Stars, 1939

As far as I can remember, I've always loved water.  Being in it, near it or even drinking it.
I remember spending days at the neighbourhood wading pool with my brother and cousins.  The water was freezing cold, but it didn't matter, not deep enough to swim in, but we tried anyway.  Hours of laughter and enjoyment.  I remember the annual trips to the swimming spots in Campbellford, Bobcaygeon and Napanee.  To Virginia beach, California and Florida.  Being in the water was all I cared about.  Even now, when we plan for our family trips one of the main prerequisites is that we go to a place where we can swim or we're near the water. 

Water has played a role in some of my best memories, but also my worst.

Recently, my brother reminded me of a time our family was looking at new homes and one of the homes we visited had an outdoor pool.  My brothers and I were ecstatic and we ran out the back door to see it more closely.  My younger brother was only 3 or 4 at the time and thought that he could walk on the cover that lay on top of the water.  In a second, down he went submerged under the water.  My older brother started to panic and ran for my parents.  I don't know what gave me the strength at that time, but at 11 years old, I remained calm, put my arm into the pool, found my brother's hand and pulled him out.  Water could have taken my brothers life - but water also gives us life.

Water teaches me about life and love.  We need to enjoy it, savour it, respect it and appreciate it because in an instant, it could be gone.

Live Now

Living in the moment is difficult.  I've been working at this for some time now and in moments of turbulence, it always amazes me how life, if you're willing to see them, sends you little reminders.  Yesterday was especially hard for me as I was consumed with worry about meeting work deadlines, paying bills, parenting and the list goes on and on and when I visited FB, the first thing I saw was this quote from the Dalai Lama - a good little reality check on life.  Thank you for the reminder Dalai Lama.

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