Hello Everyone!
Happy and health 2016! I have been meaning to write earlier but just been going non-stop. This is one of the first nights that I have been ‘relaxing’.
A couple of people I knew passed away earlier in the month. One, of old age. The second, someone I met 18 years ago. He had a heart attack on the Go Train. He was 54. The third, was someone I met through good friends who lost a battle with a rare cancer. I believe he was in his 50s. Then others – mainstream people who also lost their lives to cancer. David Bowie and Alan Rickman. Both 69.
Always makes me reflect and feel so lucky and thankful that I am still around.
Reminds me that Life – is to be lived. That Life is a blessing. That Life is not to be taken for granted. That Life is to be shared and enjoyed with your loved ones and friends. That Life, can be short and we need to cherish all the moments we can. That Life, although we cannot control what our destiny will be, is what we have and that connects us to each other.
I did a bit of new year cleaning and purging. I came across the menu from the night I shaved my hair off and those who attended the event wrote their thoughts and words of encouragement on the sheet. It brought back memories and tears of joy. A reminder of a painful night, but also a reminder of everyone around me who were there and those that were not – that have seen me through this ordeal. Who, continue to be around and for whom I hope to be there for in return. To celebrate the good, and to support when things are tough. Friendships – relationships – family – the essence of the lives we live. *also shows that I am a pack rat. The page was a little yellowed and wrinkled – but it is over 5 years old. I put it in a book to preserve it. I decided I’m going to frame it.
I don’t make new year’s resolutions. I have always tried to live without regret. But this year, although not resolutions, I do want to put more effort in making myself a better me. I’ve decided to educate myself by watching more documentaries (I received a membership to the Bloor Cinema – hot docs and have already seen 4 since the beginning of the year – 1) Ingrid Bergman, 2) Misty Copeland, 3) Palio, 4) Requiem of the American Dream). Sometimes I think I’ve lived my life in a bubble so I’m branching out!
Next – I really want to start to improve my French (and yes, Mom – my Chinese too……). I have the Rosetta Stone. I just have to plan time to focus on it – or at least do regular lessons.
Be more active – so today, was the debut of Season Four of my skiing adventure. Thanks to MQ who went out with me and was so patient. I was like a beginner all over again. This skiing thing is not that natural for me and it doesn’t help when I don’t feel confident and a little scared. It was cold, icy and the light was flat. But Santa also gave me new ski goggles to help me see better. I decided that being able to see the grooves in the terrain was much more important than the fashion goggles that I had before. *Growing up! – – sort of, because when I bought my lift ticket, the lady asked me if I was a student or adult. I think I’d better wear my ‘apres-ski’ hat more often!! HAHA.
I was so sore when I got home that I took an Advil and had an Epsom salt bath. Feeling much better now – perhaps the wine I had at dinner helped too!
Finally, I’m going to continue Yoga – when the next sessions start again in the spring and try to swim. I’ve found that my right arm, but mainly my hand has been swelling more in the last couple of months – so I’d better take care and keep a watch on it. So annoying.
And, since it’s the new year, I thought I’d share Pope Francis’s 10 steps for a happy, healthy life:
1. Live and let live
2. Be giving of yourself to others
3. Move quietly
4. Have a healthy sense of leisure
5. Sunday is for family
6. Find ways to make jobs for young people
7. Respect nature
8. Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy
9. Stop procrastinating
10. Work for peace
I hope by the end of the year, that I can tick off all the steps. Good start – tomorrow the family is coming over for dinner.
Take care. Keep smiling. Give someone a hug (it was National Hug Day on the 21st of January). And, if there is anything I can do for you, don’t ever hesitate to ask me.
Love and Hugs, Winnie xo