Something Beautiful

Some of you may know that Mark and I are recently back from a trip to Nashville. For those of you who didn't know....Mark and I are recently back from a trip to Nashville. Twice a year we have a huge chiropractic seminar and this June it was held in Tennessee and we went a day early to check out the scene.

The voice of Brad Paisley was there to greet me as soon as I was off the plane but, as I stepped outside, I asked, “Hey Brad Paisley, why was there no mention of the 137% humidity?” We got the rental car (AC cranked) and after checking into our hotel, toured “Music City USA”.

Nashville is an amazing place, very green and very lush (I think that may have something to do with the humidity which by now was at 214%) and I love that we were able to see a little of it before the conference started the next day.

We always start out with a 5 am run. If you've been reading along, you know how I feel about running, add in the steep hill we're about to head out on, the heat and, of course, the humidity, I was prepared for the worst. I saw a possum and several other animals laying on the side of the road and I wondered if they died trying to run up this stupid hill in 92º heat and 145% humidity? As I ran down the boulevard of broken animal dreams, I saw the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen. Wanting to get up the hill so I could run down facing the sky again, I realized that I was actually having a great time. As soon as stopped focusing on the miserable parts (dead animals, heat, I hate running) and turned my eyes toward all the beautiful things (sunrises, friends, husband cheering me on) everything changed. I actually bought a new pair of running shoes the next day!!

Nashville was a lot of fun. We were able to check out the Ryman Theatre, spend time with some pretty awesome people and enjoy the southern accents of a community that has come together in the wake of a recent tragedy. As George Strait said goodbye to us at the airport and thanked us for visiting, Mark and I hoped that we will be back very soon.

Focus on the beautiful things today. There are so many more of them than anything else.


Injoy,

Cara

Tourist in my Own Town

This past week has been incredibly fun for both Mark and I. Our very good friends are in town from Germany and we have had the pleasure of touring them through our fine city. Both Alexandra and Andreas are stunned with the overwhelming politeness that they have been shown here. They cannot believe how everyone is asking them "how was your meal?", "can I get you anything else?", "did you sleep o.k.?". Andreas said that here in Canada people actually seem to enjoy their jobs. They tell us that in Germany you are lucky if you get a "hello" when you enter a store.

We have been to Kasugai gardens, toured the downtown area and most recently, took a ride on the Kettle Valley Steam Train.

What I want to tell you is this:

I am living in a Beautiful city. A city that people will fly for 10 hours to get to. A city that boasts an amazing, scenic view of both mountains and lakes while standing in one spot. A city that I have taken for granted.

This summer I will be a tourist in my own town. I will go on a wine tour, stroll through the gardens, go on a wine tour, relax at the beach, go on a wine tour. There are so many possibilities here it's crazy!!

Yesterday, as I was being held up by the Garnett Valley Gang, poorly defended by an inept sheriff in need of stronger mustache glue and pick pocketed by some rather forward floozies, I was joyfully thankful for where I was. This was even after I was told I would make a great "Floozy-in-training"!!

I leave you with some pictures of our beautiful countryside and my all-too-eager husband with his arm around an all-to-happy Poker Annie

Speechless....for once

It doesn't happen very often, but there are times in my life when I am at a loss for words. A good friend whom I've known since I was 16 is separating from her husband of almost 12 years. They have 3 amazing kids, a handsome dog and the white picket fence surrounding a beautiful home in a great neighbourhood.

They celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a trip to Mexico, where he made her dream of swimming with dolphins a reality. We met them for dinner and a movie in November - had a great time and everything was as it should be. The next time we checked in, he was sleeping in the basement and the facebook relationship statuses had been changed to single.

Speechless

I'm not upset about me not knowing what was happening, but I am wondering if any of my other friends and family only look happy but aren't? Do the conversations I have with people remain on the surface? Do the people in my life feel free to call me out on my crap? Do they love me enough to tell me what I need to hear even if it's incredible unpleasant? Am I doing the same for them? I know that I have sat in on conversations and not said what I should have for selfish, I-don't-want-you-to-be-mad-at-me reasons and wonder if someone had spoke up, would there be a different outcome? Maybe not, but what if. I have picked up the phone to call my dear friends at least 100 times in the last few weeks, always to almost dial and hang up. I have no words.

Speechless. For now. But not next time.

Just a note....

If you've been following along, you know that I have recently put my foot down and taken on the challenge of truly changing my lifestyle. That's not to say that I was living a horrible existence eating nothing but Cheez Whiz (I think that any food that ends with a Z may not actually be a real food) and Kraft Dinner, but it can always be better. Exercise – things are definitely better, but food wise... I'll tell ya....lately that foot that stomped with such determination is treading a little too lightly. It happens so fast that before you know it you find yourself at Starbucks and notice that they are a little too happy to see you again.

The book that I have read and re-read recently is “The Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone. I agree with almost everything that she writes and I carry it with me when I go grocery shopping. Although becoming completely vegan is not for me (yet), she does a fabulous job of sharing a better way of living (eating) and why in a language that I can understand. She presents options that are easy to follow and based on the pictures, incredible delicious.

This note is just to share that change isn't easy. For me at least. Time, convenience, and shear laziness play a role in the choices I make everyday. The one quote that has stuck with me from that book is: “when I've lost my way, I thank God I have a way to lose”.

Each second that ticks by presents another opportunity to make a different choice.


Have an amazing day.

Extra cheese and No pickles please

Mark and I spent this weekend with our very good friends Conrad and Jo. We love them and consider ourselves blessed to have such amazing people in our lives. Jo is the kind of friend that you could call if you found a dead body in the trunk of your car. She would show up with a shovel, a stiff drink and ask what the plan was.

The things we chat about range from completely bizarre and superficial to deep, intellectual conversations about the world and it's happenings. This past weekend was no exception. What I love about Jo is she will tell you like it is in a way that you totally understand. Before dinner we were talking about where we are struggling in our lives. She shared that she was challenged with being “in the now”. Sounds kinda stupid? Yup. But, what she was saying was, after opening a new business, buying a new home, her dog passing away and having multiple other stresses that would make anyone else loose their marbles, she was having trouble not wondering, worrying, anticipating the next move. Although she moved through all this with joy and saw each step as a part of the process, she was not “in the now”.

What she said caught my ear: (imagine a French accent)


“I am struggling with being in the now. People tell me that I 'ave to just accept where I'm at. Accepting means that I'm settling. I 'aven't settled for anything, I'm grateful for all that I 'ave. So, what I want....I am going to just put it out there. It's like ordering a cheeseburger. Once you've ordered - it's ordered. There is no need to stress and worry about what's coming. You already know. Don't keep bugging the waitress or 'assle the cook. Place your order, relax and enjoy the company of the people you're 'aving dinner with. That's being in the now.”

Even without the H's, never has that made more sense to me. Ask for what you want. Pray, journal, blog, whatever- place your order with gratitude and enjoy the now, because the future has been taken care of. Get yourself a Dream Book. Write down anything and everything you want for yourself, friends and family. Nothing is too big or too small. Me? My first entry had something to do with ice cream being a health food.



Signing off as Jo would....

InJoy

Cara