Reflections

In the woods there is a pond, its surface is as clear as glass, in the reflection you watch the clouds float by and the scent of spring is in the air. It's early morning and its the time of day that balances between reality and fiction, where sometimes you wish you could stay forever but know that you just cant.  What causes us to look into a pond like this and reflect? When moments like these present themselves are you filled with regret because you don't have more of them? Or do you cherish the precious seconds that transport you somewhere else, if even for only a minute?

Sometimes I think I reflect too much, seems I always have,  you know one of those "why" kids that was never satisfied with the answer. Where some people look to find the explanation in science or religion I have always been satisfied with what the question does for the person asking it. Reflection to me is as natural as waking up in the morning, only more rested ;-)


So lets go back to that pond, did you choose to stay just a moment later and soak it all in? If you did, what was in your mind? Life, love, happiness? Or just the colour of those floating clouds? What did you see?

Why all of the questions? 


Well I have always wondered if people reflect as much as I do, if the why question is as annoyingly present in everyone else's mind as it is in mine....


My reflection is sometimes deep and touching, other times its lighthearted and rather superficial, but it always teaches me something. About myself, about the way I interact with the world, about how the world interacts with me :-). 


Reflection when done often can become a way to settle things with yourself, to come to terms with decisions and events that you have experienced. But don't take it lightly, reflection without asking the right questions and really listening to your answers can be devastating.  Your own personal biases can trick you into stopping before you actually reach the answers you desire. 


So what do I mean....well lets say that you are reflecting and staring into that wonderful pond you found when out on a walk. Your question starts with "why do I always rush into things?" Well the answer might come as "because I like change, I like to do different things".  That could be the answer.....but I would keep going. I would challenge you to ask another question....."why do I like to do different things" and so on and so on......you might just end up with more than you originally thought! 

So enough lecturing on your deep reflections that you should or should not be doing, everyone is different and everyone uses different ways to review themselves and their lives, I just seem to do it a bit to regularly which can be a rather annoying trait......Sometimes it takes a few great statements to get us going.....to inspire the self reflection that brings us closer to ourselves. 


One of the best deep thinkers that have ever lived..... Socrates,  here are a few of his insights.....

• I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.

• Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live.

• Beauty is the bait which with delight allures man to enlarge his kind.

• True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.

• He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.

And one of my absolute favourites........Wisdom begins in wonder, Socrates 

Reflection is wonder, and only through wondering can we move forward. Wonder is responsible for our science, the understanding of ourselves, and the continued growth of human kind. 


You don't have to change the world or even change yourself, but by reflecting and wondering you can gain a deeper understanding of who you are, your strengths and your weaknesses, your likes and dislikes, and with that information you can change your experiences in the world.........and isn't that what we are all doing here......? 

Till next time, happy chatting.........

I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.
Leonardo da Vinci

Friendship......

I had the absolute pleasure of spending time with my friends this weekend, some I have not seen for over 6 months. Yet within moments I felt at home, at ease with each of them, comfortable with myself and our relationships. I started thinking, what creates friendship? What sustains it? Can a friendship last forever? I am sure that I cannot and will not give this subject the depth that it deserves however I reserve the right to write about it again!

Most people would not know this about me, and when I say it the response I get is often disbelief....but I don’t make friends easily.  I tend to manage acquaintances well, and often have a lot of them, but friends.....friends are difficult to me because I need to commit. What I mean by that is when I get close to people I need to commit myself to them and that takes a leap of faith, a leap that if taken too often can lead to disappointment, so I choose to slowly and cautiously commit myself to people.  But when I do its extremely rewarding for me, you see I need friends, need the wonderful energy that they unselfishly provide, need the understanding they naturally give, and need the support that they offer. 

So what creates friendship, I think connections are different for everyone. Deep connections, ones that create trust, respect, interest and love are the connections the bloom into friendships. Have you ever met someone and almost instantly said to yourself, I would like to get to know this person....not because they have an interesting life or they seem eccentric, but there is just something that you feel......something that seems familiar to you,  a deep understanding.  

Once we make this connection, can we keep it forever? My answer is yes, I think we can. It’s not easy, it takes work but I think it is something that can be done. I personally believe that a key to real friendship is to not to be judgmental. Your friends will make decisions that you may or may not agree with, or make choices that you would not make. Some of these choices may even draw them away from you but it’s you that can choose acceptance rather than rejection.  Personal paths can move in different directions but how we move along and who we move along with is our choice. 

I have a friend in Ottawa that we send the Christmas cards to, exchange emails with, and have only seen once since we moved to BC, but I truly feel my connection with this person is as deep and meaningful as it was 10 years ago.  I guess it’s also your commitment to the connections you have built and the commitment from the other side of the relationship as well.  Some friendships will come and go but for me once I am in.....I am in 100% and no matter what the risk is I think it’s worth it.................

So this weekend was wonderfully uplifting for me, I gained back some liveliness, some love, and a reminder that I have people in my life that are good and soulful. So thank you to all, I hope to visit often and take advantage of all of the gifts of friendship that you provide...............

I have included some photo’s and I do respect that fact that you may not what your pretty face published on the internet...if your image is here and you would like me to take it off please just send me a note and I will do so immediately!!

Till next time, happy chatting.