Merry... Happy... Blessed...

Dear Friends,

As Christmas Day draws near, I recognize the abundance in my life and I give thanks...
...for my family
...for my health
...for meaningful work
...for a beautiful, quirky home
...for my friends, near & far
...for the presence of a Loving God in my life

Here's wishing you all the Love, Peace, Joy & Faith this season truly represents!
For a special greeting from Hubby & me, click here - enjoy!
Pace e bene,

Fulfilling its iPurpose...

That tiny, wafer-thin piece of technology has fulfilled its iPurpose today... For the first time, I used it while running on the dreaded treadmill - a.k.a. "the dreadmill".

Last winter, it became clear to me that I am a fair-weather runner. Of course, it helped that we didn't get any snow until January. But that is certainly not the case this year!! Winter doesn't officially begin until this coming weekend, but I just finished shovelling our driveway yet AGAIN. The snow banks on either side of the path are higher than my waist, which makes shovelling a little challenging. Don't get me wrong - it's absolutely beautiful! I'll take this winter wonderland over rain or a greenish-brown Christmas any day. And, although I love walking in this weather, I'm none too crazy about running in it. Hence, the dreadmill...

Last winter, I found running on the treadmill excrutiatingly boring, and quickly found excuses to avoid it. That's when I first heard the whisper of the iPod: "I could make this bearable..." I have to admit, it was! It was an exercise in humility though. At one point at the gym today, I was in the groove: I had a good rhythm going... good posture... good pace... I may even have looked sorta cool. That's when my hand got caught in the wire for my earplugs and the iPod came tumbling off the little ledge. I bobbled it from hand to hand as I tried to catch it. Of course, a treadmill doesn't stop or slow down when you lose your stride. It becomes the enemy.

I managed a quick little triple step and a little lunge to the left, then regained my balance without being flung against the back wall of the gym. Phewf - that was close! Who's looking cool now?! :-) Oh, to be humbled by a treadmill... To think these guys make it look so easy!

Pace e bene,

A (snowy) Day in the Life...

Before the run...
During the run...

After the run...
Sunday brunch at The Diner...
Digging out...

Angels fly... and all is well!

Pace e bene,

And the honour goes to...

... Bruce Guthro, and his 2005 recording "A Beautiful Life"! Yes, Bruce has the honour of being my first musical download onto my new iPod. (By the way, if you doubt that I am truly a newbie, it was pointed out to me that I misspelled "iPod" in my previous post. I rest my case. :-)) Bruce Guthro is a masterful singer/songwriter from Cape Breton. His stories-set-to-music are a mix of folk, jazz with a hint of traditional East Coast melodies. You can't really peg him down to one style. I'm not really into music that much, but he's certainly one of my faves! He's best experienced during a live performance, with his storytelling and unmistakeable Cape Breton sense of humour.

I'm also quite fascinated with the wide range of podcasts - it's amazing what they have out there! I could easily become overwhelmed with the info that's out there... sorta like blogs - so many blogs, so little time! Add podcasts to the mix, and my head may just well explode.

So, I survived the first lesson! S'cuse me while I go shopping at the iTunes Store...
Pace e bene,

T'is the season...?

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink,

taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." - Thoreau

I have this quote on a print in my meditation room. Lately, I find myself reading it daily and appreciating its profound wisdom. T'is the season, as the saying goes... but what season is it exactly?! I have been unable to latch onto the Christmas cheer so far. To be honest, I am dismayed at what this time of year has become. It is so drenched in consumerism and political correctness, I almost feel like turning my back on it completely. Were it not for the messages beyond the hype... hope, peace, faith, joy. Advent - waiting and preparing for a new way.

As I go through yet another "season" of my own, I can acknowledge its influences. Right now, I am being lead to a time of rest, of strengthening, of returning to my source of Being. And it's not easy to do when the world around me is rushing around, frantically preparing for Christmas celebrations. Somehow, I don't think God will care that I don't have a Christmas tree... or a Crèche... or red velvet bows, shiny decorations and homemade baking. And I need to let that be OK within myself. Therein lies the challenge.

On a lighter note, I celebrated a birthday this past week. And Hubby has taken it upon himself to bring me - kicking & screaming - into the 21st century by buying me an IPod... a beautiful red one! I don't know the first thing about how to load it up and am looking forward to my first lesson later this evening. I really am quite a techno-peasant (despite having my own blog). I look forward to seeing how this tiny piece of technology will enhance my quest for health & balance and pray that I don't become one of those people who are constantly "wired for sound" and therefore absent from the present moment. I need to accept that, on its own, the technology is not bad - it all depends on how I use it. Wish me luck!

Pace e bene,