quote

Just what I needed to be reminded of today:

"The road to success is always under construction." - Lily Tomlin

Finishing Strong

When you think you've got it pretty rough, watch this for a little inspiration. Thanks, Bev, for the forward.


And for a more "holy" version...


There's lots more on Youtube if you want it. Just search for Nick Vujicic.

On siblings

Recent events have had me thinking a lot about my family, and about what it means to be a family. (Warning... I am about to bare my soul here....) I just need to say, for the record, that I love my brothers. Both of them. Fiercely.

We may fight and disagree from time to time, and we may all have different personalities that make it difficult to connect sometimes, and it's true that I get along better (and keep in better touch with) one than with the other. But the truth is that even when I get spitting mad at my "big brother," it's almost always about wanting him to accept me just as I am, and approve of the person I've become. And I think he does, deep down. It's also true that my "little brother" consistently rolls his eyes when I try to express stuff like this, but I also believe that he feels the same way, deep down.

My brothers are both hardworking, intelligent, decent, caring (in their own way ;-) ), stable guys who both have a great sense of humour. Maybe it's the gene pool (LOL), and I like to think I've "sistered" them well (I read an article in Chatelaine about that once and loved that term to describe how boys without sisters are different than boys with sisters). Most certainly our parents had much to do with how we turned out. But we siblings have also each shaped the other in many ways. And both brothers are incredible gifts in my life in very different ways.

As the one statement in that last video I posted pointed out, our siblings are the people most likely to be a part of our lives from start to finish... And my brothers have always been there when I needed them. As I will always be there for them. Because that's what family is. And I like to think I come from a family that is exceptional at being a family.

Don't worry Mom, you and Dad will get your own separate posts. Just not tonight. It's past my bedtime, you know. ;-)

Advice for Life

I was in my car for a total of about 5 minutes today, and managed to catch this on the radio. I'd forgotten about it since it first came out about 10 years ago, but it's so good, I didn't want to forget about it again. So I'm posting it here for future reference when I need some really sage advice about what's really important in life. And now I'll just let it speak for itself. Enjoy.

Outlook is Everything

We met some really fun people on the cruise... Specifically the bunch that sat at the next table at dinner every night. Most of them were from Texas, but I believe one couple was from California. We competed with them each night for the title of "rowdiest table" in the dining room that seats 1500 or so people... :-)

I never did learn their names, but by the last night of the cruise, a few of us went for drinks and dancing with one of the couples. Watching them on the dance floor, I couldn't help but think that I only hope I can still be that active, and enjoying life that much at their age.

Upon arriving home, I had a lot of catching up to do - a week's worth of blogs from several of my friends... And I came across these videos on one blog about an octegenarian chorus. Apparently these are clips from a documentary. The group is called Young at Heart. These people are much further along in their lives than the Texans we met on the cruise, but they're enjoying life just as much. What an inspiration! (Keep your kleenex box handy for the second video...)

Stayin' Alive


Fix You


Search for "Young at Heart" on Youtube and you'll find lots more clips...

Last Lecture

Professor Randy Pausch knows exactly what he would say if he was giving his last lecture at the university where he teaches. Because it is his last lecture. His pancreatic cancer has spread. But fortunately, so has his message, and his perspective on life. So much so, that I have now encountered his videos in 3 separate places, on 3 separate occasions. Thanks to Adam for posting this on his blog a while back, and reminding me how very important this message is.

I have seen the long version of this lecture, and the short version, and both have taken my breath away, and left me dabbing tears from my eyes. Have your kleenex box handy, but be ready to laugh hard, too. (The Oprah one - bottom - is about 10 minutes, and the full-length version - top - is an hour and 16 minutes. Do yourself a favor and watch the long version if you have the time.)

Strength

We have a lot of amazing students at the place where I work. It sounds corny, but each is really amazing in their own way. I learn more about inner strength and beauty with each day that I work there.

In particular, one of our students is a 17-year-old girl who shall remain anonymous. She has had a rough time of it when it comes to growing up. Yet somehow, she continues to grow. The word resilient doesn't begin to cover it. That Great Big Sea quote, "She might stumble if they push her 'round. She might fall, but she'll never lie down," reminds me of her. So do Carolyn Arends' lyrics:

"I’ve heard it said there’s got to be a crack or two
For the light to get through
It seems to me that you are meant to be the kind
Who shines"

But instead of going on and on quoting songs that make me think of her, how about I just share the quotes from her journal that she was willing to share with us at school...

"I always felt like I never had a place in this world but day by day I slowly see the evolving inner beauty of myself. I realize better now than ever before that without the bad things in my life I would not be the person I am today. I am not normal…I am excellent. I am precious and untouchable.

I write to feel, I write to forget, I write to stay alive, and for the first time I am writing to heal.

One day I will make a difference you’ll see, whether it’s great or small I will be there and be strong throughout it all."

This young lady is clearly a force to be reckoned with.