If only.......

Daily Quote from Abraham-Hicks...

See this world as a free world, and see everyone in it as trying—through their individual experiences—to find their way back to that calling, back to that Source Energy. And even though there are billions of them going about it in a way that is different than you would choose, there's no right or wrong way. In other words, bless them all, and get on with the only thing you have any power about, which is opening or closing your vortex to your natural state of Well-Being.

---Abraham

If only we could remember this and stop trying to get other people to see things our way (as if we had the sole monopoly on 'truth'), maybe our world would be a happier place!  Just saying. 

EQAO - Provincial Testing....

www.oncoursesystems.com 

I just love my students!!  These grade 3 youngsters have an ability to bounce back, no matter what happens. Right now, they are all under the pressure of taking the Ontario Provincial EQAO tests. They have all reminded me that this test has been dubbed by students as:  Evil Questions Attacking Ontario!!  

Once they had been reassured that they should just do their best work, they set to it and many of them actually seemed to enjoy it. That being said, I think they enjoyed the special treats generously donated by their parents!!

This is another example of a community of participants in education, drawing together and pooling resources and time to enable successful outcomes. 

I'm so proud and honoured to have been part of such a community. 

"As you imagine and visualize and verbalize your new story, in time you will believe the new story, and when that happens, the evidence will flow swiftly into your experience. A belief is only a thought you continue to think; and when your beliefs match your desires, then your desires must become your reality." Taken from www.abraham-hicks.com

When I was growing up, I remember my sister (who is 16 years older than me - still is!!!) telling me that things are all in my mind. 'I've got a headache', I would cry. 'Think of something else and it will go away!' would be her reply. If had a toothache, she would tell me the same thing. 

My sister loved me (and still does) and she would ultimately come to my aid in the end (if I whined enough!!). 

Years later, I discovered that there was some truth in what she was saying - even though her meaning and my understanding are different. I think she was saying, 'It's in your imaginaition - ignore it and it will disappear'.  How I now understand it is: 'Whatever I give my attention to will become my reality'. 

So, in order to create more of what is pleasing to me, my daily task it is to do all that I can to put into my imagination all the things that I identify that would bring more joy to my life, to tell THAT story, to think about THOSE things, and to give little attention to anything that doesn't feel good. 

I have learned that my emotions are telling me whether the subject upon which I am temporarily focused is serving me well or not (whether I am thinking it, pondering on it, listening to it, or speaking about it).  My emotional guidance system lets me know if I'm on track towards creating an improved life experience from my perspective - rather like a GPS guidance system. It lets me know where I am in relation to where I want to be and guides me to where I want to be, if I follow the signs I receive. 

Therefore, it is my predominant desire each day to look deliberately for things that make feel good when I see them, listen for things that make me feel good when I hear them, and choose thoughts that make me feel good when I think about them. In this way, I am allowing my emotional guidance system to get me into a good-feeling place where all the well-being I have desired is already gathered and is waiting for me to be vibrationally in accord with it. Then, it MUST materialize. It's Law!

However, I don't want to fall into the trap of visualizing something in order to make it happen (to change what is) because then I'm mixing my vibration in the noticing that what I desire is not yet present. I want to feel good - not to change anything - but purely for the fact that it feels good to feel good.

My purpose in life is to be joyful. And I can choose to move in that direction at any time, in any place, and under any circumstances. 

Therein lies my freedom!

Don't cast a clout, until May is out???

This picture - taken at the side of our house just one week ago - gave me evidence that Spring had finally arrived. Along with the accompanying heatwave, the lighter mornings, and the ample blossoms everywhere, the promise of a beautiful summer was established firmly in my eskrow!

What happened????  I took a brief trip to a store last night - and had to take my winter coat! Such is life in Ontario!  

Back in the U.K., my mom used to say, 'Don't cast a clout, until May is out!' I was never sure whether that meant that we shouldn't discard our winter clothes until the month of May had begun, or had ended, or whether it was when the little mayflower came out. Does anyone have a British background who could enlighten me? Has anyone ever heard that saying? 

I would be appreciative of your comments and insight....

Have a wonderful day.

One of my most exhilarating moments!

You never really know what a day holds in store for you! What started off as me volunteering on the ground ended up with me jumping from a plane!!  

I had been so inspired (and continue to be) by my friend, Derek Walton. He has A.L.S. and has done so much to raise awareness and funds for that cause. For several years, he had participated in a SkyDive, just north of Toronto, Ontario. His infectious enthusiasm led me to volunteer on the ground to do whatever I could to support him. 

While watching the participants land, I found myself thinking, 'I could do that!' - in spite of my natural fear of heights. I shared my thoughts with fellow volunteers and was overheard by Sally, one of the jumpers. She immediately told me that I could take the place of her grandson, who had to cancel his participation at the last minute. This generous woman not only paid for my jump, but also for the video that is shown above. 

There are two parts of the experience that I will never forget:  the freefall - where I felt I was soaring like an eagle; and the absolute silence during the rest of the drop, after the parachute had opened. 

It was truly, an exhilarating moment for me!

Retirement - Looking in Several Directions

As I step into the next phase of my journey in life, I find myself looking in several directions.

I look back over the years – where I feel privileged to have served as an educator for so many amazing young people – children who brought excitement to what has always been much more than a job, who created challenges which led to personal growth, and who provided me with so much joy and laughter through the years.

I look sideways with respect for my colleagues – those present, and those in the past, who have continually inspired me to be innovative, and who have been generous with their time and with their patience.

I look forward with a sense of completion and accomplishment, and I feel excited about the future as I embrace the time-freedom that retirement brings.

I would like to thank all the parents of students I have taught for loaning their children to me for a time, and for their wonderful support over the years.

I feel tremendous appreciation for the teachers and principals with whom I have worked and thank them for all they have done for me – both personally and professionally. 

Revisiting with old friends...

One of the truly amazing gifts of life comes in the form of long-term friendships - the ones where you may not see them frequently, but when you do, it's as if no time has passed since the previous visit. 

You just pick up where you left off - no recriminations, regrets, or apologies expected or needed as to why it's been so long. There's a wonderful comfort level which enables the relationship to deepen and mutual appreciation to flow. 

It is one of those experiences of genuine, unconditional love.