DEDICATION

Is a good word. The dictionary tells us to dedicate- to devote to a special task or purpose. So dedication is the act or an instance of dedicating. A book or award can be dedicated to a person or cause too. We often say that someone is very dedicated- to their job, family, team, country. If it is for a good cause dedication is seen as virtuous. However, history has taught us some acts of dedication have been bad. Really bad! So we will focus on good dedication. I have been thinking about the activities where I dedicate my time. Do they have purpose? Are they meaningful? Are they necessary? Dedication takes time and discipline. It is an easy word so the talk is also easy. It is the walk- the ability to keep going that weeds out the truly dedicated from the rest. In our modern society it is often credited to those who lose weight, exercise regularly and try to look pretty! What about the rest of the activities that make a fine life? Writing a book, painting a picture, sculpting, taking photos, honing parenting skills, baking for your church or family gatherings, volunteering for a community cause, keeping a well run home for family and self and the list could go on. Some acts of dedication are done quietly by the people involved. There is no hoopla, just daily attention to the details of life. So if you think about dedication- to what do you dedicate your life? What brings meaning? If you wrote a speech or a book or won an award- would you dedicate it to someone?  Has anyone ever dedicated something to you? Today I was dedicated to write a blog before going to work an hour and a half earlier than normal. What are you dedicated to do today?

NANA SAYS DRESSING FOR WINTER TAKES EXTRA TIME

Bundling up the little ones in cold weather can be a challenge. Snowsuits are bulky. I always think of the scene in The Christmas Story where the little boy can not move. Hats and scarves are often pulled off as soon as they are applied. Good snow pants that can be pulled up quickly help. Having blankets in the car to put across the children helps if there is resistance to keeping zippers zipped. I always have extra scarves, mitts in the car as well. Parents have the daunting task of extra clothes.So in case something is forgotten in the daily rush, there is a little backup plan. The difficulty comes with the resistance to dress and undress several times daily. I remember battles at the Day Care with my children. Being tired and just wanting to go home tries anyone's patience. Then the older children! On my walk to work there is a High School across the street and I have observed this teen generation. Running shoes and no boots! Spring jackets instead of winter ones. Hats- I guess they are not cool. Are red frozen ears cool? Times have not changed as I remember classmates who dressed inappropriately for winter! There is always the front door mess of boots, coats, where to dry wet mittens? Perhaps some leniancy until Spring. Taking deep breaths and assertively tackling the activity works. Often having warm layers on your children help too. My grandchildren are typical of the struggle faced by most parents. Observing their behaviour has reminded me what a daunting task it can be. How do you manage the winter clothes? Have you found a way to make a game about it? Of course if one lives in one of the colder areas of Canada, it may be less of a struggle! You could just say, go ahead and freeze! Keep the door open as the child runs back in for warmer clothes!

THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

I bought these souvenirs in Rome on one trip years ago near the Chiesa della Verita- The Church of the Truth. The large one in the wall tells visitors to put your hand in and if you tell the truth you can pull it out. If you lie, the mouth will close on your hand. It is amazing how many people just take pictures and do not put their hand in the mouth. Why would honest people worry? It is not a lie detector. Just a myth and a fun thing to do. What is it about the truth? Philosophers for centuries have debated this moral virtue. Don't lie, tell me the truth is a Mommy saying! Whose truth? Whose side of the story? If you are a psychopath, you could put your hand in the mouth without a fear! Being truthful means to be trusted! Once someone has lied to us, it is funny that anything we are told after is always questioned, even if in our heads and not out loud to the person! It is such a noble virtue that most really truthful people will admit to an occasional little white lie! Do you like my new hair style? Yes, it looks so good on you! Did not want to hurt the person's feelings! To little children- you did a good job on making the bed- even if it is lumpy! Did not want to hurt those little feelings! We can cushion our words so they do not come out as a lie- white or otherwise! As long as you like your hair that's all that matters! Did you do your best in making the bed- then it is a good job! Do we always want to tell our spouse or friends the truth about their annoying habits? Do we will really want to hear about ours?  Is not telling being dishonest or just considerate? We sometimes say, I did not tell you the whole story! So are you ready to put your hand in the mouth? Would you risk it? The truth and nothing but the truth very hard to do all the time. The truth is I try my best to be as truthful as possible without being unkind. Sometimes I just keep my mouth shut! That's the truth!

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE BUT LIVE FOR TODAY

It is always important to make plans. Like putting money in the bank for children's school, weddings, retirement, a first home helps many dreams come true! Knowing how to live for today is also equally important! Enjoying the present moments! By maintaining daily habits like exercising, eating well, keeping your mind alert, connecting with loved ones as some of the ways to live in the moment and plan for the future, your life can have the necessary balance. The concept of integrated living can be the way to "plan for the future but live for today"! Do you find ways to enjoy today as well as plan? Can we enjoy the season we are experiencing and plan for the next one? While working, preparation for retirement occurs- just look at those deductions on your paycheque? What are ways you enjoy the moment but still are able to plan?

DO THINGS HAPPEN IN THREES?

A new year so thought I would blog 3 blogs today. No it will  not be my norm but the whole idea of threes occurred to me. We often will have bad news and wonder if there will be three. We say well that's two, wonder what the third one will be? If we look for linkages in life we often find there can be three- with a stretch! Sometimes it is just one! Good things can happen in 3 or just one1 Do we really want the winner of the huge jackpot to win three times or is once just good enough? Where did the notion of things happening in three originate? In Christianity- the father, son and holy ghost- 3. Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus- 3. Even business has more layers than 3. A triangle has 3 points! A pregnancy is divided into three trimesters! Many dinners have 3 courses unless you are Italian then the sky is the limit! Does the number 3 mean anything to you! Is it lucky or unlucky? Have you had things happen in 3s? Anyway my blog happened 3 times today but it was intentional-  no mystery there!

A NEW YEAR'S LEVEE, HOW CANADIAN EH?

Although historically other countries had new year levee, Canada is considered the country that observes this old custom of receiving people for a special occasion on New Year's Day. A representative of the government will meet with local residents to welcome in the New Year. In Toronto this year it will be on January 2 which is a Monday. Many communities across Canada are hosting New Year's Day levees! Are you going to one? Do you know the first one in Canada was actually hosted on January 1, 1646 by the Governor of New France?            /
                                              Levee is a French word meaning to raise up.
So go figure, voulez vous aller a Levee maintenant?
Happy New Year one and all!

THE NEW YEAR, A CHANCE TO RENEW

Many people have new year resolutions. I prefer a renewel of the important areas of my life. Continue to exercise and eat well. Continue to write, to photograph, to craft, to spend time with family. Setting achievable goals, often little daily ones bring more success than trying to believe a change in a day will make a new person out of me. If it is change then the effort is much harder and often too tedious to prevail. The winter is a difficult time for many people. Although there are sports enthusiasts, too many just barely tolerate the season. So resolutions during the cold months may be harder to keep. For example, taking up jogging is much easier in the Spring. Deciding to eat more salads is good in the summer since warm winter soups have more calories and are comfy food. Cutting back to reduce weight is more challenging in the Winter. Why do people make resolutions anyway? When did the idea actually start? Do you know many people who have really kept their resolutions? Perhaps since the hoopla is gone after Christmas, we must have something to keep us going. A resolution- a thing resolved on or an intention! Do you have any resolutions! Or are you renewing your membership in this beautiful life? What do you think?