Category Archives: Life

The importance of being present

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Today, while working outside with my dog, Scout, I noticed how she was able to appreciate the peace and quiet of the back harbour.  The two of us have spent the better part of 2 months up north working on the cottage, allowing me to ponder my next career move.

I saw her staring out at the beautiful view, in a peaceful moment, and realized that I had missed doing that most of the summer.  I was so busy “doing” that I forgot to “be” present, slow down, and take in the wonder of the world around me.  Scout had figured it all out, and she was doing it each and every day.

My learning and intention from all of this is to spend a little time each day enjoying the moment, being present, and taking whatever insights I might gain from the experience.

A stunning view of Georgian Bay from the cottage.

A beautiful view of Georgian Bay from the cottage.

My daughter’s Vision Board

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Today, my daughter turned 13, and I decided to build her a Vision Board.  You can see the picture below.  It is made out of red cedar boards that are almost 50-years old.

They were used on our boathouse dock until a couple months ago.  They had gotten quite punk, rough and covered with lichen over the years, so they needed to be replaced.

But, when I looked at the boards after removing them, and planed one, I noticed this beautiful wood below.  It seemed a good idea to use these cast-away boards for a higher purpose – for more than just firewood.

As you can see, I lovingly planed, sanded and cleaned up the board.  Then, I used our cottage branding iron to burn the family name into the board.

This Vision Board can be used by Gilly to pin her hopes, dreams and goals to it.  They’ll be a constant reminder to her of what she cherishes most.  And, they’ll be tied to the cottage – a place we all love.

In keeping with my post from yesterday, I was in “flow” when making the board – planing, sanding, drilling the holes for the twine that will secure it to her wall, and then the fun of branding it with the iron.  (Kinda like Burning Man, but in the shop instead!)

I can’t honestly say my calling is to make these vision boards, but I can tell you I love making them for the people I care about most.  It’s an honour for me to know they’re pinning words and images that link to what’s most important to them – what gives them hope – on the boards that I created at the cottage.

They continue on, and so do I somehow, too.

Built on Aug. 22, 2013 - Gillian's 13th birthday.

Built on Aug. 22, 2013 – Gillian’s 13th birthday.

Small things … large indicators

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Today, I worked on a wooden window at the cottage which needed repair.  One of the jobs to repair this window was to build a new lower sill for the window.  It involved cutting, sanding and planing a piece of pine so that it would fit perfectly.

I was in flow when I was making the sill – I lost track of time, and was totally focused on the task of working that piece of wood.  Nothing else mattered to me, as I was lost in the task.  It felt wonderful.

So, how to I take that feeling of creation, of using my ingenuity and parlay it into my next career move?  My goal, I think, is to weave all these flow moments into a grand, new opportunity to serve, to add value – and enjoy every wonderful moment.

I want to have more of that feeling in my day-to-day life – in the flow and loving it!

The hero of my own life.

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I should mention that one of the key themes I want to play out here is the idea of becoming the hero of my own life.

On some level, I think that becoming my own hero is a worthy goal.  Not out of hubris, but out of a desire to see what I’m capable of becoming as a person.  What fears do I need to move beyond?  What do I need to embrace?  What do I need to let go?  What is my quest?  Can I move beyond my fears and answer the Call?  [The answer has been “No” up to this point – too afraid to let go and take a risk.]

This time in the world, and this life, offer so many opportunities.  I want to move beyond being a spectator and become an active participant.

I’m not sure I know how to be a hero.  It has not been part of my lexicon.  But, that was then … this is now.

And, so it begins …

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What if we could apply myth to our lives?  What if we could find meaning and hope through those myths for our lives – for us?

I’ve always been a bit envious of those who lived in the medieval world – when magic and myth was part of the fabric of one’s life.  (I realize it was not Avalon – life was tough and short.)  Those myths became – I would imagine – anchors that helped those living in that time to place themselves in the world.

I know that I don’t always feel my place in the world – or how I should fit into it.  Those same anchors don’t exist for me – never have.  But, I think they’re important.  And, I think that the lack of them in my life has left me somewhat adrift.

I must admit that during those times, all I had to move me forward was hope that there was more to me than I was showing the world.  Hope that I could anchor myself to something important and special for me.

I have a sense that I can find that anchor via myth.  Perhaps a myth of my own creation – just for me.

That’s what this blog is about, and that’s what I want to pursue.  Let’s see where this goes …

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