Busy being Born.

I am a passionate person. Most people who know me, will confirm this. 

One of my biggest passions is learning; anything and everything. I love watching documentaries: crime, history, nature and any other kind. 

Learning is part of my dedication to growth. Not only my knowledge of facts, but of spiritual and philosophical concepts. I want to learn everything. 

Much of the knowledge may be considered trivial. I realise that much of the facts I know will not make me a dollar. Nonetheless I value these facts because they encourage me to think and see the wonders of the Universe. It reminds me that I am not the end all and be all of this world and there is something divine at work in my life and that of every other living creature. 

My passion does not stop at learning that porcupines masturbate or that giraffes have the same number of bones in their necks as humans or that a koala bear has three vaginas (yup, it's true). But I also am constantly looking for a better way to live my life. How to change my perspective to help me be a better me. Whether it is learning about a different faith, or being able to see the wonders of Nature, there is always something to be learned. And most of all, I know that I can learn from anyone and anything. It may be from the cashier at the grocery store, the homeless person on the street, or a Phd. professor at a reputable University. There is something I can learn if I open my mind to it. I have learned that a smile, a please and a thank you can mean a lot to a person; that some people need compassion not judgement; and that sometimes a phd is just a piece of paper. 

If I am not busy being born, than I am busy dying. As long as I continue to learn, I am always busy being born. 

Lessons learnt over the last 16 353 days

This is what I have learned over my lifetime. Do not discount them for their simplicity. 

True love does not have strings. 

Learning knowledge is not gaining wisdom. 

Before speaking should come thinking. 

The most important part of falling down is getting back up. 

Never ever settle for second best. 

Ask the question. The worse they can say is no. And you are no worse than before you asked the question. 

You say more by listening than speaking. 

Don't stop seeing the world for the first time. 

My heart always has room to love one more person. 

Real strength isn't found in your muscles, it's found in your soul. 

A day is only 24 hours, not forever. 

Never underestimate the power of a smile and a kind word. 

The decision does change anything. Only the action does.

God always believes I am stronger than I think. He is always right. 

Find that one person who has your back. Be the person who has someone elses back. 

Never lose your silly side. You will need it for the toughest times in your life. 

Compassion and understanding are in short supply. Make a deposit. 

A kiss and a hug doesn't make everything better. But it helps. 

My happiness is in direct relation to my level of acceptance. 

Happiness is an inside job. 

My right to extend my arm ends at the tip of your nose. 

Taking out your garbage makes room for better stuff. 

Everyone I meet teaches me something. Sometimes it is what I don't want to be. 

To love another person is to see the face of God. 

The Sun will rise tomorrow. How I greet it is up to me. 

Parenthood IS the toughest job you'll ever love. 

My beauty does not depend on my dress size. 

Only tattoo the names of your children on your body. Partners come and go. But kids are forever. 

We all have a reason for being here, whether we know the reason or not. 

If you pray why worry. If you worry why pray. 

Faith has nothing to do with religion or politics. 

Every religion has killed in the name of their God. Though I doubt God ever asked them too. 

God does not hate anyone, even people who hate. 

You get what you give. 

Freedoms at Risk.

I don't know how many people remember or know about the McCarthy era in the United States. It was a very scary time. The Cold War between the USA and the USSR was at a freezing point.  And a relatively unknown Senator Joe McCarthy added some liquid nitrogen. He convinced Americans that there were communists everywhere. And he took it upon himself to find them all. Any whisper of suspicion could end careers and lives. 

If you don't know about this era, don't worry. Prime Minister Harper is bringing it to Canada. With Bill C-51, the Conservative Government is introducing legislation that they say will protect us from terrorist attacks.

It is the government's responsibility to protect the citizens. But I question their methods when my civil rights are at risk. 

In Bill C-51, there is no clear definition of the word "threat."  This could include many protests, peaceful or otherwise.  The bill allows the petitioning of federal court judges to order "threat reduction" activities which could include an infringement of civil rights in Canada and abroad. 

If you should find yourself on a no fly list, your means of appeal are limited. I am someone who has family in South America and Europe, as many Canadians. This is a threat to our freedom and no way to fight for our right to travel. 

Finally, there is a lack of checks and balances in this new bill that gives great powers with little accountability. 

Many of us may say, it doesn't affect us because we are not "part" of that culture. We obey the laws of our country. But this is no guarantee that we may not become a target just for expressing an opinion that is against government or its policies. 

Benjamin Franklin once said "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserves neither liberty nor safety."

We are priviledged to live in a free country. Yes, this means that there is an inherent risk of attacks of all sorts. I am willing to deal with the risk so that I and all Canadians continue to enjoy the freedoms to which we have become accustom. I urge you to take action against Bill C-51 to inform our government that our rights will not be violated. 

Living ain't for Wimps.

I have recently chosen to live my life with complete abandon. 

I want to sky dive and I will. I no longer listen to naysayers who say I cannot write a good book. If I want to dance, I do, even if the music is only in my head. If I want to sing, I do, even when I don't know the words. 

This also means that I open myself to stares, whispers and derision. But I have learned that this is their problem, not mine. I will not limit my experience of life, because another thinks that I am "crazy" or "wierd." I am neither. I am delightfully odd and whimsically unique. Trying not to be me for the sake of others, hurts me both emotionally and physically. I will no longer torture myself this way. 

This life philosophy also means I cannot feel anything half assed. Sometimes this is difficult but I would have no other way. When I say "I love you" it is not an off the cuff remark. My love comes from my heart and my soul. This not dramatic. It is the truth. When I am excited for myself or someone else, I scream, cheer and jump up like a kangaroo. 

When my son is playing hockey, and makes a game winning save, I ring my cow bell, and yell at the top of my voice "That's my Boy!" And I don't care who hears me. 

When my daughter choreographes and performs a figure skating routine, I ring my bell, even though some think it is too much. I cry with pride and yell at the top of my voice "That's my Girl!" And I don't care who hears me. 

It also means when I fall in love, I fall hard. It is glorious for me. There is a quote from LES MISÉRABLES that says it all. "To love another person is to see the face of God."  I have had the honour to see His face often; I love my parents, and my brothers, I loved the father of my children; I love my children. And I love a special person and though that relationship has changed, my love is no less deep in friendship.  

This also means that when a relationship ends, I hurt. When my heart is broken, it shatters. Many times, my head can understand why a relationship changes or ends but my heart usually takes more time. I cry, I scream and cry some more. Many have asked why I put myself out there when it can hurt so much. I answer without doubt:  I would not sacrifice the JOY to avoid a few tears, ever. If I do, it is the day I start to die. I am to young to die.