Change

Autumn a time for Change and Gratitude

Autumn is the season of change. As I welcome autumn and as Thanksgiving approaches, I am again reminded of all that I have to be grateful for. I am grateful for me, myself in all my perfections and imperfections. That is what makes me unique just like each one of you is so unique. I hope as you read this you tell yourself how wonderful and unique you are and say how grateful you are for you!

I am blessed to live in a society and culture where there is so much to support a happy and fulfilling lifestyle. One of the things in my life I am always grateful for is my soft clean beautiful bed and the clean soft sheets, my pillows and yes the pillowcases that cradle my head when I fall off to sleep. Each night as I snuggle down to sleep I feel so much gratitude for my bed as I bless the day just ended. It is often the first thank you that comes from my heart as my body prepares to end the day in its warmth and welcoming folds. That may not seem like a big deal to many people, however to me along with a roof to keep out the rain and the elements it is one of the many, many things I am very grateful for in my life.

I am so happy that this deep gratitude proceeded a conversation I had last year with a group of seniors in the Senior Centre in Newmarket where I attend a Zumba class. I saw a group of ladies working with a huge collection of plastic milk bags that we all throw in the garbage. There were bags everywhere, and what seemed like junk to me soon became something more amazing than mere words can convey. These ladies were cutting these bags, preparing them to weave on a giant loom they were working on. Fascinated I went to take a look and was shown how they weave the plastic into sleeping mats for women in third world countries and this lot was destined for Haiti. They also made bags for the women and what was so incredible, both the mats and the bags were waterproof. YES! Those useless milk bags that we disposed of in the garbage were being fashioned into the most colourful and thoughtful of gifts for those who lacked the mere necessities of life. Imagine how happy and grateful those Haitian women were at receiving beautiful plastic mats to sleep on that prevented water from leaking through as they slept on the floor of their mud huts and a waterproof bag to hold their belongings.

There are countless more things in my life that I am grateful for including my wonderful supportive family that I am blessed with, my husband and our 3 very wise sons, their partners and our forever 3 grandchildren whose knowledge of computers and the latest technology help me to keep up with the rest of the world : ).

There is much gratitude in my heart for the years I have lived on this beautiful earth. As a late bloomer, I know that In order to blossom and grow towards my full potential it takes work. Most of all it takes change. Scary and Necessary…Yes ..Very!

For me, autumn is all about Change and Gratitude and both promotes growth. It’s a time to rid myself of all that no longer serves me. It means taking stock of all areas of my life physical, emotional, mental, professional and other areas that need attention in order for new growth to flourish. It means joyously releasing all that will no longer be needed in the next season(s) of my life and trusting the path I have chosen to be for my highest and best.

As one of my favourite poets, Patience Strong wrote: “The best is never over, the best is yet to be.”

What are you most grateful for and what best changes are you looking forward to in the next season of your life? I would love to hear from you.

Namaste,

Sharon

Happy Fall everyone. Enjoy the beauty that is all around us at this time as we enter a Change period of new Change. It has been awhile since I communicated with you via my monthly Blogs. In March, Change (here I am in this Blog personifying change) came into my life while on vacation in Arizona resulting in a shatter/broken right ankle. Change had some big plans for me as I went from month to month with a slow recovery not realizing at the time that I would end up mastering the art of Patience and finding tremendous Balance in my life.

As I lay waiting to be brought home for surgery, I called/texted severing all links with any business commitments that demanded my time and attention, anything that would distract me from the healing process that lay ahead. I realized Change was with me to stay. I felt that I would be laid up for 3 months. Little did I know that six months to a year was more realistic for healing my ankle injury. I had no idea what I was about to experience, however I was mentally and emotionally ready and I knew I was about to embark on a journey directed by Change. I felt as if an adventure was about to begin. I had no negative emotions whatever regarding my condition and I felt as if unseen forces were supporting me.

Three days after my accident I was on a stretcher flying home flat on my back in the most fabulous private plane, a White Lear Jet. I was told this was the plane of choice for the rich and the famous. Coming home, I was accompanied by 2 medical personnel and the Jet was piloted by a former Air Force female Captain along with her male co-pilot. We were flying 4,000 feet above commercial flights and arrived in Toronto at 6 a.m. It was valet service all the way. We parked in a special hanger at the airport where an ambulance and 2 attendants along with my personal medical team took me straight to my hospital for surgery. All this thanks to my travel insurance. Do not leave home without it folks!

Having a shattered right ankle with plates and screws does not allow one to carry on their normal day to day life. In fact the change from very active to inactive was huge. I was used to fill every hour of every day with “Do-ing”. Here I was now just Be-ing and I must admit, enjoying it! For 3 months my waking and sleeping position was flat on my back with my right leg/foot in a cast elevated 24/7 and having to depend on someone else for my daily needs. All my life if I needed something done I would do it myself rather than ask someone else and also I disliked injections. Well, my friend Change, changed all that because I had to learn to give myself daily injections to prevent blood clots and rely on others for my every need. That was a major Change!

This Change came at a time when I felt I was at the pinnacle of my life. Change made me look within and the answers were profound. Here are some:

Change had been knocking on my door for a long time. The universe was trying to get my attention. However, I felt so secure in my day-to-day status quo life I ignored the signs.
If you don’t “listen” to the little voice within to change direction, the universe will give you a swift kick in the rear to get your attention! WOW!
Always listen to your heart – not your head. Your heart knows what is best for you!

“Heart is truth and head is doubt!”

When Change knocks, even if what is being presented seems financially unstable or unsafe, know that doors will open and opportunities will flow your way that you never imagined!
Learn to say NO gracefully and with a smile. People will respect your decisions and feel safe around you.
Doing nothing is not a crime! In fact that is when your heart gets your attention, speaks to you and puts you on a major highway (of life) when previously you may have been on a side street.
Speak your truth. Be compassionate and kind always. In doing so, you give others permission to do the same.

Anatole France said “All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” What I thought would have been so hard to let go of, was done for me with a broken ankle. That is why I love Change and welcome it into my life. It is not always joyful, however it always leaves a precious gift.

Seasons change! We never hear of summer refusing to change, not allowing autumn to show off her glorious colours. As humans we too must look forward to change with a positive outlook knowing that Change is there to show us what we can become. Change steers us towards the bigger picture, thus helping us to reach our potential. I would love to hear how positive change changed your life.

Be well,

Namaste

Sharon

Tag Archives: Change

Happy Fall and Thanksgiving

Autumn a time for Change and Gratitude