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Increase the Awesome
I now recognize the distinctive boisterous chatter of a group of flying swans. It’s my cue to look up to the sky. If I happen to be outside at the right time, I may experience this phenomenon once in a winter. It’s rare. Well, I got very lucky on a sunny day this March break. Against the blue sky I saw not one, but two, large V-shaped formations of swans sailing by. Two “wedges” of swans. Together there were at least 50 birds. I watched the flock glide in unison across the sky until they were out of sight. Awesome. Truly awesome. When the feeling of awe hits me I…
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Making snow angels
My husband caught me in the act. I didn’t think anyone was watching. It was a snow day. Schools closed. My scheduled work drives cancelled. The storm had brought 30cm+ snow over night. Perfect conditions for making a snow angel. Pure joy. When I came inside the house he showed me the photo. I always liked making snow angels as a kid, I tell him. It’s been a few winters. I wear my snow pants now for extra warmth, not for playing in the snow. It’s hard to resist however flopping down on a good layer of fresh fluffy snow. Swish swish. The weekend brings another winter storm. Snow falling…
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A tree-topped delight
Tweet tweeeeeet. I heard the loud tweet before I saw the bird. The chirp was insistent. Urging me to look up. The bird was perched on the peak of a blue spruce. 40 feet high or more. It was standing on the top branch that juts straight up. The tippy tippy top. Like a star on top of a Christmas tree. I stood and watched the bird shriek at the top of its little lungs. It looked like a blue jay, but grey, though it was hard to discern from my street level stance. Luckily he was a noisy guy. Otherwise I would not have glanced skyward and noticed this…
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El Présente
“You think of it, all you have is the present moment. The past doesn’t exist anymore, the future hasn’t happened.” I was chatting with a gentleman I often see on my lakeside walks. It was a brilliant sunny late February day, a canoe out on the lake. The gentleman I was talking to is in his eighties, an avid walker, always greets me with a smile, and I learn in this conversation, a fan of Marcus Aurelius. He has a well worn copy of the Roman emperor’s personal essays that he’s consulted over the years. We were talking about the Stoics and the almost mind bending challenge to live in…
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Happier Together
Today, March 20, marks the UN International Day of Happiness. This year’s theme is Happier Together reminding us that “lasting happiness comes from feeling connected and being a part of something bigger.” I feel more grateful with each passing year for my relationships. My family, my friendships spanning decades and my newer connections. I have not always been great with maintaining some relationships and I am trying to be better. This was an important take away from a Happiness Habits course I took (and enjoyed immensely) in the fall with Action for Happiness. It’s a six week course and relationships are one of six topics covered (others are gratitude, self-care,…
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Musical moments and memories
The other day I put on an album I hadn’t listened to for some time: Natalie Merchant’s Ophelia. By “put on an album” I mean stream on my iPhone. Back in 1998, the year it was released, I would have removed the shiny CD from its case, placed it on the tray of my CD player, gently pushed it shut, then pressed the play button. Click. I loved that CD/cassette combination player with matching boxy speakers. It took up a large portion of the living room shelving unit in the house I rented in Ottawa with two roommates. We played that CD often. It was in regular rotation along with…
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Whole-hearted Caramel
I love to go for walks. The scent of squirrel in the air, grass to tickle my paws, sticks to pick up. So many things get me excited to bounce out the front door. There’s also a practical necessity for a walk but we don’t need to go there. TMI. Do you know one big reason I love walks? If you have ever met me on the street, you do. I LOVE people. My tail wags vigorously when I see a nice two legged person. My tail does not lie. This is not pretend joy. It comes from my heart. Tail wagging lets them know I am happy. Friendly. It’s…
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Happiness in a good book
It’s International Day of Happiness today, March 20. This UN designated day aims to raise awareness of the importance of happiness within people’s lives. This year’s theme is be mindful, be grateful, be kind (follow the link for 3 simple steps you can use anytime). One activity that makes me happy is writing (thank you for reading!). Another is reading a great book. Lately I have been enjoying murder mysteries. If you are familiar with the book series by Donna Leon or Louise Penny then you will be well acquainted with Commissario Guido Brunetti and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. What makes these mystery novels so appealing are these noble characters.…
