Repeat After Me-

Some things I need to remind myself of -

Buying people things- does no make them like/ love you more. They like you or love you or do neither because of who you are. Buying things will not change anything- and quite often things given will be forgotten quickly-

Most people are inherantly selfish/ self-absorbed/ self-centred. I do not want to live my life that way, if I can chose- but for most people, their life and happiness is all that counts.

My body needs whole foods, some dairy, fruits and vegetables,protein and lot of water. Desserts/ sugars/ sweets do not help the body function.

Having a stocked fridge is not necessarily a sign you're ok financially. Having enough to eat is all you need- stockpilng is not needed if you have money in the bank.

Alone does not mean lonely. Most people cannot stand to be alone- alone does not mean "loser" does not mean you're not loved. Alone is temporary.

Do IT today. Stop losing yourself in meaningless tasks.

Get out- even doing things by yourself is better for you than staying at home. Force yourself to meet people, go and do things and challenge yourself more.

Bills first, and save for other things that are important. Debt free by 43rd Birthday!

Judge less. Love more. Accept the things I cannot change. or at least try . . .

FREE HUGS - Don't be Afraid

So by now, most people have seen the "Free Hugs" Campaign video(s) on YouTube. Well- I think this is an awesome idea and it has been a long time coming! Europeans have been doing the double-kiss greeting for years. It has even caught on a bit here in North America- moreso in Canada I believe- especially in Quebec! Personally, I think this is a great thing.

Human contact is one of the necessities of a fulfilled life. A strong, full-embrace, warm hug, - well there's just nothing better. It's the physical way of saying "I'll protect you" Hi, I care", "Really nice to see you", "I've missed you" "I love you". Wow! One gesture can be such a positive thing!

It would be nice to see people, especially guys get over the fact that this is not a sexual advance, it should not threaten their sexuality- it is human contact- between friends, acuaintances, family and yes, of course, lovers too. Hug someone. You'll be glad you did. One hug, like a picture, can be worth 1000 words.

Remember- Something as simple as a hug can change somone's day. I Dare you!!

Some New Important Quotes- to get Us Thinking

If a friend misses your birthday - do you let that upset you - or should you love the friend unconditionally and accept their faults along with their good qualities?

This is what I am looking for- someone to wrap their arms around me- comfort me, tell me everything will be ok and make me smile from ear to ear-

"Misfortne shows those who are not really friends" - Aristotle

Do you have friends who are always there when there's a party going on- or it's the weekend and you have a cottage? - or you want to do something you love- and don't want to do it alone- so you call someone you know who will want to do it too? There's a big difference between these people and someone who can sense when you've had a bad day and ask how you are- and then listen. Friends are people you can trust to help you out- or will give you advice that you know comes from the heart- even if you do not want to hear it. A Real Friend knows that friendship is a 2-way street, that both must help and support, both must make an effort, but can share the wonder that is friendship [unconditional love].

So here's a question-

"What do you do IF you feel you have a friend you cannot always count on- or who can make you feel alone or who is a friend when it is convenient to them. What then? People do not easily change- so do you hope things will get better or do you move on and cherish what you did enjoy from the friendship? Comments please.

If I Had Control- I Would

• make sure children took a class in school entitled "Friendship 101". Classes would include things like / simple ways to make people feel loved and respected/ how to make time for others/ how to judge less and be empathetic/ how to offer help without demeaning/ how to have equality in a friendship/ how to listen [and hear everything] / how to use physical contact to show care and concern/


• make sure young adults took another class entitled "Personal Finances- The Future is Yours to Determine" including such lectures as / Money is a head, not heart issue/ Shopping is not a coping strategy/ Shopping is not Entertainment/ Generosity starts at Home/ Pay yourself first! /


• ask that Manners be emphasized more in day to day life. Showing respect for others- whether they have earned it or not- is necessary for communities to work. Simple things like holding the door for someone, saying Hello while passing on the street, thanking someone for going out of their way to make your life better- even if it is as simple as letting you merge into traffic or putting $.25 in your parking meter. Better yet, teach people that saying "Sorry" when they have hurt someone or made a mistake or whatever it is. Saying sorry and genuinely meaning it can improve so many relationships and does not have to hurt the pride of the person saying it. Say it- and mean it and watch your relationships improve because of it.
  

* I will add more to this list as I get my thoughts in order. Bear with me- I am sure there are lots more.

Disappointed- What Cheers Me Up???

Well- I've had a few days recently where I've been a bit disappointed in the world. I guess the world itself is not the problem- and I get mad at myself for allowing certain things that I cannot change to bother me. I hate that my happiness depends on someone else- I KNOW this should NOT be the case. I close all e-mails with "Happiness Depends on Us!" and here I am falling victim to being upset because someone close to me always seems to have the control. I'm not even sure I am explaining this well- but it's tough one.

Anyways- more on that later- for now I am going to post some pictures that make me happy. If any of the pictures posted makes you feel happy or speaks to you in some way, please feel free to comment!

Ok, so now looking at the pictures I have chosen to post - I realize how crazy and strange the mix is! Any of you who have been following along [and I have 1 follower officially- which is okay as I never intended for this to be public] will know that beaches, sun, sand, waves etc. all make me happy. So, of course some of the pics show those things.

I coach for a living- something I love on most days- something that has been good to me in many ways- but something I would definitely caution people about. Anyways, I do have much respect for athletes in general- but gymnasts, divers, dancers in particular. I cannot believe the bounds that people can push and the artistry that is portrayed when watching these athletes. There are a couple of pictures showing athleticism- one of a diver- the other of a gymnast just walking on a beach. Even in something as simple as that- there is real beauty.

Finally, a pet peeve of mine . . . I tend to get discouraged when I see people who seem to feel they are the exceptions, they are more entitled than others or that rules just don't apply to them. I hate it when people park in handicapped spaces when they are fully capable of walking the extra even 50 feet to go shop. People who park in the "No parking- Tow Away Zone" right in front of a store irk me even more- seriously- what if everyone decided they were going to do that?? No one would be able to get into the place- I just do not get it- anyways- so I posted the sign- which I would LOVE to actually see posted- just to make people think a bit more- unfortunately I think it is the people doing this that would not think it even applies to them- they are so self-absorbed.

Ok- so not sure I am any happier now after that last rant- hmm- maybe I'll look for more. Let me know what you think . . .

Been Ages- Why start again?

Well- as I look back- it has been a long long time since I last took the time to write my thoughts down. I guess it makes sense- in some ways. Summer is always a busy time- and an enjoyable time for me- so it was better spent out at the beach or, of course, getting ready to move, moving and cleaning up after the move- YIPPEE! That was total sarcasm by the way. Moving sucks- no matter how you look at it-

But, having said that, I am quite happy with my new place. Though it is not how I would like it to be, I can see it has potential. It's a small place- some character- and it is all mine- which I think is the main thing. Watch for future updates on my place- as they become available.

So much has happened in the past 9 months. I will try and post some of the things I have been up to- I can imagine headings like these . . . . Another Side of Hamilton, My Favorite Place, Portugal on My Mind, On Swimming, I Deserve More, Why Is It so Hard to Say Sorry?, How Will I retire, Look Inside First, Neighbours, Happiness Depends on Me, My Goals at This Time, St. Petersburg Russia in November, World Championships- Who Could Have Seen This Coming?, Friends Across the World, and I am sure there will be many more . . .