Stillness speaks...

The lake is perfectly calm this morning. There's not a breath of wind on it. The world around has the same sense of calm and peacefulness. The trees are standing perfectly still. The sun is shining brightly over the water and reflecting everywhere. It's one of those mornings where you can hear the stilless speak.

Like the lake on those perfectly calm mornings where the water is like glass...and the only wind was from sitting on your swing as it moved.

I woke up this morning with the sun pouring in, shining so brightly on my face that I couldn't ignore it, even though the time said 5:30am. Wandering outside, I am amazed at the beauty and miracles everyhwere in the stillness.

This morning, I feel the same sense of stillness. (Which is rare.) It feels good to just be still. To hear what I'm not saying. To daydream. To pray. To be grateful. To imgaine the possibilities. To say thank you for all that I am and all that I've been given. And to simply just "be" in this moment.

Mom, thank you for teaching us to value that stillness and those moments where all you need to do is push the swing with one foot and just "be"...enjoying the moment, with nothing to do and no where to go.

I do have some place for you to come to though...and there's lots for you to do!!
There's over 40 cups of rhubarb in the freezer and cherries galore! Gwen came over lastnight to help chop rhubarb and we are bot so excited for you to come out. Whether we're just being still or you're teaching us to make jam, we're both so excited to be in that moment!

Love you,
Crystal

It came from my mother!

I have a certain amount of appreciation for others. It didn't come from Buddhism, it came from my Mother.
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I think my appreciation for others came from my mother, too.

Little gestures, small simple gifts given (with a much larger and deeper meaning), and thought-filled (and usually home-made) items shared with others (like my (well....your) famous cookies or the latest newly famous rhubarb-cherry crumble)...all of these things somehow have been either been taught by or inspired by my mother.

About a week or two ago, I took a little pad of pink, heart shaped "sticky notes" to some friends' place of work and pasted them all over the front window and door. I didn't leave a note or anything, so they would never know it was me that decorated their window...and the next morning when everyone got to work, they would be greeted by a bunch of love hearts and a whole lot of anonymous appreciation. I was so excited for the next morning to arrive and for my friends to get to work...

...I think it's that way for those little thought-filled gestures...the gift is in the giving.

And the gift of giving definitely came from my mother.

Mom, it wasn't until yesterday that I ran into my friends. I told Brenda that I came by last week to "drop off a bunch of love but no one was here". When she realized it was me that put the sticky notes all over the window, she laughed. They had no idea who it was. But they loved the little hearts everywhere. The sun shone in and made little heart shapes all over the floor and their desk. It was also a special day at their office so the timing was serendipitously perfect.

I'm going to start an "Anonymous Appreciation Movement" with the little love hearts and keep a bunch of these sticky notes in my car for spontaneous moments. To kick it off, early this morning, I pasted Gwen's car with little pink hearts too. I hope she likes it. I put one (only one) on Rob's truck, too.

Mom, thank you for all of your gifts that you have shared with me...thank you for apprceciating me and for all the times when I need you and you are there. I appreciate you so very much.
Love you,
Crystal
PS: these are for you.

The coffee pot is always on

Mom,
I'm so glad you're feeling better! We were worried!!
Gwen and I got together for coffee this morning and want you to know how much we love you and wish you were here!

It's a wonderful feeling when someone rings up and says, "Can I come over for coffee?"

Your coffee pot is always on. I remember your friends often dropping in for coffee and a visit. The coffee was hot and your door was always open. I'm grateful to have a door like that now. In the new house, I've had more people just drop by than ever! I think the house is blessed. Even though I have no furniture (b/c the realtors said to leave it at the other house until it sells), the new house feels more lived in than you can possibly imagine! I can't wait for you to see it!.

Love you,
Crystal
PS: Tonight's plan: pick, pit and freeze cherries for you!!

A Love Affair

"The tango is a 3.5 minute love affair!"

The instructor at my tango lesson said this...and from my experience tonight, it is!
I am IN LOVE! In love with dancing. With the tango. And with life. Why did I wait so long to take lessons? I'm not sure. Dancing is probably my absolute favourite thing to do...yet I rarely (RARELY!) ever get out to dance!

Tonight, I went dancing! And I did have a 3.5 minute love affair with my dance teacher, as he danced the tango with me. It didn't matter that he's over 60 years old, slightly rounder in the middle, from Chili (and doesn't speak a lot of English) and not to mention, married (his wife is the co-teacher). It didn't matter...b/c it was the tango...and that's the tango.

Strangely, last year when I was in Peru, I met a couple that was dancing. I sat there mesmerized by them. They were the most stunning dance couple I had ever seen. I spoke to them after and they were dancing...the Argentina Tango! Until tonight, watching the dance instructors dance some similar moves to them, I had completely forgotten about this moment and the Argentina Tango! Hmmm...

This is the couple that I met in Peru. They were amazing!

They were totally inspiring! I'm so glad that unbenounced to me, I find myself in a dance lesson teaching the same dance that they were dancing!

Life is funny, isn't it?

Tonight, in class, the instructors talked about how, in America, we don't want to get "too close" to one another, whereas in Latin America, they have a much different view of "space" and dancing. They always dance close (as I'm sure my nieces and nephews and Kate can attest to in the salsa lesson they had in Guatemala a couple weeks ago)! The instructor came over to me at the exact moment he was making the point about spacial requirements (or lack thereof) and subconsciously, I took a step back. Everyone started laughing. It was very funny! I laughed.

But I got it!

How often do I subconsciously take a step back from "life"? How often do I keep my distance? How often do I refrain from saying what I really think or doing what I really feel? How often do I let my mind take over when, really, "the head must bow to the heart" as I read on a tea-bag (yogi tea) once. How often do I side-step that 3.5 minute love affair with life?

Too often!

I have a great feeling about these tango lessons. About life. About the future.

Salsa starts next Wednesday. I have a feeling that this summer could very well be one of those "defining moments" in life.

Imagine...if it's possible to have a 3.5 minute love affair while dancing the tango - how amazing could the rest of our lives be?

Mom, thank you for living your life like a great love affair. You and Don give me tons of hope! I love you!
Crystal

Paint where you are looking...

"Paint where you are looking. Don't look where you are painting."

Mel's art teacher from years ago.

You know you are blessed when friends look at your life and assess what balls you're juggling...and then step in, grabbing your balls in the air, exchanging them for better ones and then invite you to step back while they take on and juggle your new balls for you.

As I walk on my path in this life, I am constantly amazed at how angels (the ones I can see and the ones I can't) come into my life and bless me with all that I dream of and need.

Mel called me last week and said, "Alright, when are we getting together to pick paint colours for your basement so that you can get it ready to rent out with Vacation Rentals By Owner? I was not thinking of that, although the need to bring in revenue is weighing on my mind. I was busy, preoccupied, focusing on the cherries on the tree, the never ending yard work, teaching my program last week and juggling the hostel during it's very busy week while my manager is away.

Most of the balls I've been juggling are the right ones...but I dropped the one about the basement and needing to get it ready to rent out. I was more preoccupied with the cherries. Funny how, in retrospect, it's easy to have clarity and prioritize what's most important, but last week, I couldn't see the big picture correctly.

So Mel stepped in. She took over some of the things I was juggling and then switched balls, picking up the more important and urgent ones,dropping some others, and then became the leader in my life for just a moment b/c she saw that I was overwhelmed and needing some help. (I was looking where I was painting, not painting where I was looking.)

She is definitely an angel in my life.

Like so many other treasured friends, family and loved ones. Angels with imaginary wings that guide me and lead me when I need...or walk beside me when I'm on my right path.
So, lastnight Mel and a few friends came over to paint one of the rooms downstairs. It was wonderful. I am blessed. I'm on my way now.

I'm "painting where I'm looking...not looking where I'm painting".

This is a great piece of advise while painting...and is a perfect metaphor for life. To live and go where I am looking...not simply look where I'm going. Like driving....you look ahead when making a turn to where you want to go, not down at the curb...or you'll hit the curb.

My sister Carmel took me out driving and taught me that years ago, when I had my learners licence. She said "look where you want to go. Don't look down at the curb or you'll hit it b/c the car will go where you are looking.

Mom - this is one you know well. A universal truth that you live by....looking ahead and paining a life for all of us based on your vision. We are so very blessed!

Love you,
Crystal

Move the ladder!

Mom,

You would have saw it coming. You would have known better. You would have moved the ladder instead of reaching so far!!

I, on the other hand, learned by "experience".

I was up in the ladder, (in my favourite dress, no less) picking cherries yesterday. I've been up on that ladder every day, twice a day, for the past few days, picking bucket after bucket of cherries for the hostel. So, naturally, the area where I was picking, in the tree, was getting sparse. I found myself at the top of the ladder, literally bending over the top of the ladder, reaching to grasp a few cherries with my outstretched hand. I had the big bowl full of cherries in my right arm. The thought "move the ladder" did come to mind but I didn't want to climb down, move the huge ladder and then climb back up, for just a few more cherries...so I reached as far as I could, around me, to grab all the cherries within reach.

I could feel the moment that I had reached too far. My intuition knew this was going to happen! The ladder started to tilt. I had grabbed a couple cherries that promptly squished in my hand as I gripped onto a big branch. My other arm clung on to the full bowl of cherries. There was no way I was dropping the bowl. It was FULL! And I am from Saskatchewan, where cherries are at least $5 per pound, from what I remember! I froze at the top of the tree, sort of hoping that a neighbour would come and rescue me. But no one was there. I started talking out loud to myself, calming myself down. It was the exact sort of scenario - like in Mexico - on the DIVA Retreat - when I climbed over the top of the railing to get in to the hotel's property when we all forgot our keys that night! I was talking to myself, coaxing myself around the security bars when Carol stopped on the little bridge that went over the pool to her and Kate's room, hearing me talking to myself. She said "What the hell are you doing?". The same question could be asked as I clung to the top of the cherry tree, refusing to give up the bowl of cherries in exchange for my safety.

It was all quite funny! I braced the ladder by holding a branch to prevent it from falling any further. Then I SLID down the ladder in slow motion with my bowl in tow, step by step. As I neared the bottom, I had to let go of the branch and then jump to the ground. Only a few cherries spilled out of the bowl as I landed and the ladder fell a bit and then rested on another big branch.

I fixed up the ladder and took my bowl inside, thankful that I made it down safely. It wasn't all that dangerous, to be honest. I would have only fallen about 10 feet, if I had fallen down. It did seem much higher when I was up there though. Much, much higher!

I won't do that again, even if it was only 10 feet! Next time, I'll stop, climb down and MOVE THE LADDER, instead of reaching so far. That would ultimately make it much easier.

I can see in other parts of my life, where I "reach too far...when I could easily move the ladder" in a metaphorical sense! Sometimes, I make life more difficult, get in my own way, try to force something (anything) and sort of "bend over backwards" in certain, situations, expending time and energy in the wrong places, when really, I should just simply "move the ladder"....re-adjust, modify, change and be more intentional in what I am doing. Trying to push, force or "stretch" is great in many ways...but not in all situations. Not at all. In those situations, it might be better to let go, even take a step back or move "the ladder" (to another part of the tree or to a different treee) all together...

Today, I had a fabulous day, out with Mel picking paint colours for the basement that I'm going to rent out in "Vacation Rentals By Owner", going to the hostel for the evening to help with one of the busiest weekends of the summer and contemplating the silly ladder experience of yesterday!

What I know for sure as I get ready for bed...
1. I am blessed.
2. I will be even more blessed if I have patience.
3. We are all blessed when we listen to our intuition to know when to reach and when to move the ladder...in the cherry tree and in life.

Mom, I love you. Thank you for being out there in the cherry tree with me (in spirit!) yesterday! And for getting me to the ground safely!

I love you,
Crystal

Being understood.

Mom, thank you.
Thank you for knowing just what to say. Even in a two minute conversation, you make all the difference. Thank you. All you said was "I can see how you could feel that way." That was enough. It was all I needed. Thanks Mom.

Well, as you can see, squeezing in a full work-week is a little tough with my new part time job beckoning!

After teaching today, Gwen and I chopped rhubarb and visited! Then, I went to the hostel for a staff meeting with 2 huge bowls of cherries to give to the customers and staff. And, after coming home, I pitted cherries (yes..."p" like peter) and made rhubarb cherry crumble. We'll see how it turns out.

There are a LOT of cherries in the trees!

I've invited the neighbours over to take what they want and I've taken bowl after bowl to the hostel. I am in awe (total and complete awe) every step I take in the backyard. The flowers, fruit, everything! The effort that Anne (the prevous owner) put into the garden is so evident. While I am temporarily overwhelmed, I'm so excited about the new lifestyle that it demands. So very excited. And grateful. I lose track of time out there. An hour goes by in a heartbeat! Not good when it's 6am and then I am almost late for work today!

Mom, thanks for the 2 minute conversation and timeless feeling of being understood.
You mean the world to me.
I love you,
Crystal

Proud and grateful. Confident and humble.

Happy Canada Day!
I am very proud and grateful to be Canadian. I'm also confident and humbled because of my nationality.

Mom, here are a few photos from the fireworks to celebrate Canada Day that I took tonight. I sat on the dock, down the way, and took photos of the fabulous fireworks. It was a lovely night. So many people out with their families, having fun, taking photos and watching the fireworks.

Feeling proud and grateful at the same time is wonderful. Confident and humble at the same time, too. A perfect balance.

Like you, Mom...proud and grateful, confident and humble at the same time...a wonderful balance and way of being...that you have shared with your family.

Your balance of these things has taught me so much.

When I'm out of balance - in either direction - it's not good. Too much confidence or pride...leads me to be impatient and demanding. Too much insecurity or too much gratitude (feeling thankful for whatever reason (in excess) is really feeling "not good enough" in a sense).

Imbalance always leads to inner turmoil and stress for me. So, it's a balance of all of these things that I strive for...and as I watch the fireworks tonight, I felt it. Proud, confident yet grateful and humble, doing something that I love (photography), thinking about all the great things going on in my life...and in the few areas that are not near-perfect; praying that I get out of my own way and allow life to unfold as it's meant to.

I love you,
Crystal

Learn something new...

Mom,
I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I'm taking tango lessons - starting next Monday.
It's time to learn something new.

I'm pretty sure that you love dancing, Mom and probably didn't get a chance to do enough of it in the past. Me neither. It's time. When I come home this summer, we're going to turn the sun room at the beach into a dance floor.
;)
I can hardly wait!
Love you,
Crystal
PS Happy Canada Day!
Do you remember when you were here 12 years ago for Canada Day and we drove downtown (in our dirty paint-clothes) and stood on the street corner as people raced by in their cars with Canada Flags blowing in the wind, honking their horns? It was a moment I'll never forget! I sure love all the great memories we've had. This is one of my favourite's. The other is driving to Sun Peaks in that big white van (going over the bridge!). I wonder what it would have been like to be your friend when you were growing up...we would have had a ton of fun, I'm sure...dancing, doing things we never thought we could do and more!

Not much changes...

...It's amazing how not much changes among friends. I realize three things as I reflect on the past week spent with Amelie - not only a treasured friend but a sister.
1. You just pick up where you left off, even if 8 or 9 years have passed.
2. You not only see the best in one another, you bring it out!
3. You share your gifts with them and influence them in wonderful ways - as they influence you.

This week, Amelie shared some of her gifts with me...and I am so very grateful. I feel so much more energized and fulfilled because of her friendship and presence. It would have been a very different first week without Amelie here.

With a treasured friend visiting, taking time out of her very busy life with two small children and work to juggle, for an entire week - we had a chance to reconnect, to talk, to catch up, to listen, to go paddle boarding, to go running, to enjoy wonderful meals we made or out for sushi and to share a glass (or bottle!) of wine on more than one evening.

It was wonderful.

But Amelie's visit also did a few other things...It filled my spirit. Eased my feeling of "alone-ness" in this big new house. It rejuvenated me. Reassured me. Inspired me (to be more than I was when I woke up today). Calmed my fears. Reminded me of the strength and support and friendship available if and when I need. It gave me hope (in so many ways). And showed me just how much of an impact someone can have on another person.

I'm not sure how I influence her, but Amelie's always been an inspiration for me - years ago - and now. And I'll be forever grateful for her presence here this past week because she gave me such energy, hope and inspiration as I begin the second half of this year of intentional living and a new chapter of my life.

Mom, I look so forward to you coming to visit and for the time we'll spend together - out in the garden, sitting with a glass of wine overlooking the lake...or whatever we get up to.

I can hardly wait. Not much changes...among friends, sisters...and between mom's and daughters.
Miss you,
Love Crystal

My wish for you...

Mom,
Today I was working in Penticton, teaching my business program for Community Futures and as I was driving home, the song "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts came on the radio. It's a lovely song but I was distracted, thinking of all that I had to do after I got back to Kelowna...go to the gym for a training session, then stop at Staples and superstore for stuff for the hostel, then go to the hostel and spend some time there and then, when that's all done, go home, feed Scotia, put the huge pile of weeds that I picked into the bin for pick-up tomorrow and make something to eat, prepare for tomorrow and have a shower. (I left the house at 7am and got home just before 8:30pm. Now, this isn't much for some people, especially if they have kids...but it was a long day for me.)

As I was picking the weeds, hauling them up the stairs to the bin, the most gorgeous rainbow appeared and the sky turned a bright pink! It stopped me in my tracks and I had to sit on the cement (actually lay on it) and watch the sky in awe. It was overwhelming. Breathtaking, to say the least.

The song by Rascal Flatts came to mind...but I couldn't remember all the words. When I got inside, I googled the words or lyrics to the song.

Mom - without actually saying these words (the lyrics)...they describe exactly what you do...your wish...that you have for others.

Thank you for your wishes, Mom, for loving me, and for ensuring that I know that "somebody loves me".

It's my wish that everyone could have a mom like you.

I love you,
Crystal




"My Wish"

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4JFBsmyiFc


PS: this is for you.

When you change the way you look at things...

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
Wayne Dyer

Hi Mom,
I've (almost) always loved outdoor work...from raking leaves and cutting the grass at home when we were young...to working for the City, cutting grass at the cemetery for 3 summer's,(while going to university). I love being outside and working hard.

...but this...THIS is a little more than I bargained for!
Today I spent about 2 and a half hours in the yard, pulling weeds, watering, picking cherries, assessing, shaking my head at the never ending yard, confused as to what is a weed/flower/or who knows what...and LOVING every moment!
I think I've figured out one way to decide if it's a weed or flower....When you pull it out, if it has a bulb and not a root...it's probably supposed to be there! However, some weeds look quite pretty...and I might move them to the 'flower' category for keeping!

Today was an extraordinary day! A completely intentional day!
- I woke up early to go to the old house to cut the grass and work on the yard for the showing today. No offers yet...but my fingers are crossed!
- Then I went to the hostel, taking the 2 staff (that were working) latte's and mocha's!
- After that I got ready for work (tomorrow) and then got lost in the jungle!

Over 2 hours later, when it started raining and my feet were black from the dirt and I was about to be drenched, I came around the front of the house and Gwen called from her deck, "God says it's time to get out of the garden!"

I do love yard work...but I never knew that time would stand still today and I never expected to enjoy it like I have!

Thank you Mom...for being an example that outdoor work, yard work, picking raspberries/saskatoons/weeds is an experience not to be missed! I actually do remember not liking yard work years and years ago - when we first started helping you in the garden...and you taught me that picking weeds was needed - if you want to have fresh zucchini, peas, carrots and other things in your garden.

I needed to change how I looked at picking weeds....and then things changed!

Now...if you don't mind, can you PPPPPPPUUULLLLLLLEEEEAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEE get out here b/c I can't tell the difference btwn a weed and a flower! I NEED YOU!!! ;)
Love Crystal

Footprints on my heart.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. ~Flavia Weedn

Mom,
Thank you so much for leaving footprints all over my heart, for ensuring that I am never, ever the same (in some ways...always growing and evolving, but yet, completely the same in other ways...in my values and essence of who I am). Mom, thank you so much for validating me - making me feel so "bright", like the glowing moon or shining sun, each and every time we talk or connect. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and your footprints on my heart, at this moment.

It means everything to me.

What you teach me today, as I reflect on your wit and wisdom in living intentionally, is that it's so very simple (even though it's not always easy) to leave footprints on someone's heart...
I just have to...
1. create space and an environment in my life to spend with friends and loved ones.
2. be 100% present. Fully engaged. Ears open.
3. validate the "essence" of the people around me - see them for who they truly are and who they could be.

My friend Melanie calls it "showing up fully".

It's that simple.

Two night's ago, a friend called me to say "Look at the moon! Look at the moon! I wanted to call you to make sure you could see the moon over the water." .

Now, there's someone who validates me...someone who knows what my spirit is all about. Someone who knows what makes me tick. That's someone who leaves footprints on people's hearts. Much like you do, Mom. Much like my friends do.

Amelie and I were having a glass of wine and visiting at the time. It was a moment I'll remeber forever, symbolic of the fact that the special people in our lives are those people that truly do validate the essence of who we are and show up fully.

This moment was a "God Wink", a sign from the universe and a clear indication from the angels, cheering from the sidelines in my life.

Mom, your footprints are everywhere, on my heart, on your other kids hearts, on your grand-kids hearts, on your friends hearts...and we are never, ever the same!
I love you!
Crystal

Go with all your heart.

Amelie took this photo when we were downtown the other day. It's a great message for me today to follow my heart...and be true to it.

Some things can look sooooo good on paper. But that's not enough. It just may not fit as good as it looked from afar. Something that looks good "on paper" is like looking at a pair of jeans in a store and buying them - thinking that they'll fit perfectly. I'm not sure about anyone else, but buying jeans is a lengthy process for me, trying on a dozen pair before I find one that fits just right.

As I swap my blue jeans for shorts, skirts and dresses, with summer's arrival, I'll remember that things that look good on paper rarely fit as well as I hope...largely because my heart isn't involved in the equation.

Following my heart, where ever it may lead...can only take me in the right direction. On all levels.

I can hardly wait to see where we're going! this is going to be an amazing summer!!
Mom - you'll be the first to know.
For the record - I'm not going anywhere right now! Except to the garden! Look what we found there yesterday!

Have a great time at the beach!!
Love crystal

Something to write home about...

"We are born with all the wisdom, playfulness, and imagination we need; we just sometimes need help and reminders to return to our senses and get out of our own way." Mark Lesser

Good morning Mom!
Here is the sunrise this morning at 5:00am. I am so excited to sit down with you and your blog. Now that I have internet hooked up at the house, I'll be on line easily. It's been a funny week, taking my computer with me to try to squeeze a few minutes on-line where ever I can...or walking over to Gwen's front drive-way at 6:00am to try to log on to her wireless.

I've missed this time. This peaceful, thought-filled, introspective time to reflect on life and all that you've taught me. The past 6 months have been such an incredible journey of returning to my senses and developing ways to live a little more intentionally...and get out of my own way just by thinking of you and all your wisdom that you've taught or shown me (and our family).

Mom, this started out to be a gift for you...one that I was never going to tell you about until this year was over and I made a book of all these posts - to give to you in 6 months from now - on your birthday. I'm so very glad I told you about it several months ago, although I have to admit, I was really afraid to do so, b/c I feared that maybe you wouldn't like it, or you thought I was silly, or who knows what...
As I've written before, the gift really is in the giving. I really never knew the magnitude of this committment or the results that would happen...

There are so many small and large things that have happened in the last 6 months, caused by or greatly influenced by writing your blog. The BIG things are obvious, for starters,...I don't know that I'd have taken the leap to buy the new house if I had not been committed to living more intentionally the past 6 months. And my work...I don't know that I'd be as focused or clear on my purpose without the 200 hours of writing to you. (I probably write or think about what I'm going to write - for an hour each day - (what can I say - I'm a bit slow) - and that addus up to about 4 or 5 weeks of full-time work over the past 6 months. I never expected that the time would be as much as it has been...and I certainly never expected the benefits to be as great as they are...

Then there's a million small (but really - not small at all) things that seem to be happening...a drama-free life for the most part, less stress, more clarity, fewer distractions (although many still exist), more tiny steps taken towards what truly makes me happy and brings me joy...

It's really so simple. In order to have something to write about every day - as in - apply to my own life what I've learned from you - I actually have to live it. And even though I'm sooo not perfect, I can honestly say that the past 6 months have led me to live so much more intentionally, as you do...and THAT is something to write home about!

It's now 7am and the sun is beaming in the windows. I just baked some gluten-free brownies that I added a bunch of nuts, seeds, cranberries and stuff to (makes it a healthy treat instead of a sinfully-delicious one)...and I'm going to tune the guitars. (This could take a while!) Then...I'm going to actually get to work before Amelie wakes up and we get out on those paddle boards! She leaves on Saturday. I am eternally grateful for her presence and influence in my life. Years ago, perhaps I influenced her...as she managed the hostels and found her path. I see how things come full circle...and how she has influenced me now...from teaching me to compost...to how easy it is to make the most healthy, great meals (she's an amazing cook) just by chopping a bit of garlic, onion and green bits...and adding it to just about anything.

Thank you Mom! For everything!
Love Crystal

Non-stop Joy.

It's time...time to sit down! Stop! Rest! Relax!

I don't think we've sat down for 4 days straight!
We've been packing, moving, unpacking, going to yoga, bootcamp, paddle boarding, running, shopping, working, laughing, talking, catching up, reminiscing, working a bit more and taking time to enjoy life in every way this past week!

It's been non-stop! Non-stop joy, to say the least.





...and to be able to pick up a friendship where you left off from years and years ago leaves me speechless and so filled to the brim with appreciation.

More to come in the morning....I'm exhausted!
Sweet dreams!!
Love you, Mom,
crystal

Being "present"....

Mom,
SORRY I've been absolutely AWOL!
It's been a BIG week...moving, great friends...and simply being "present".
I will write more tonight!!
Love you,
Miss you,
And really wish you were here!!
Love Crystal

Do you think I'm a mushroom?

Mom,

I'd like to say that funny phrase you shared with me when we were chatting a while back..., "What...do you think I'm a mushroom...you think you can just feed me manure and keep me in the dark?"

I'm sure everyone has a perfect opportunity where they could say this to someone. While I'd never say it, it does come to mind!

(well...lets be honest, it's never good to say "never"),

I love your sense of humour Mom. Thank you for teaching me to have one, too.
Love you,
Crystal

PS Living intentionally right now, I find myself surrounded by people that love me; focusing on health, fitness and eating well; as well as de-cluttering, simplifying and being efficient as I move to the new house.

I am so grateful for my life. It's not always easy, but every day I get to choose ...and I am choosing the hest I can.

I Get To Choose so many things...

Life is a choice.
Love is a choice.
Friendship is a choice.
Health is a choice.
Connection is a choice.
Lifestyle is a choice.
What we eat is a choice.
How I feel is a choice.
Gratitude is a choice.
Fulfillment is a choice.
Listenting to my inner voice is a choice.
Listening to my inner calling is a choice.
Happiness is a choice.
Joy is a choice.
Peace is a choice.
What I focus on is a choice.
Forgiveness is a choice.
Hope is a choice.
Faith is a choice.
The future is a choice.

The value of friendship...

The value of friendship:
Friends...
Love you for who you are.
Bring out the best in you.
Believe in you, especially when you don’t.
See the potential in you.
Show you possibilities.
Listen.
Share.
Challenge you.
Laugh with you.
Tell you the truth.
Make your life better, easier and more simplified.
Give without expectation.
Help when you need them – and do whatever it takes.
Celebrate with you.
Share in your passions.
Stretch you to become what you could be.
Enable you to see the bigger picture.
Encourage you to follow your heart.
Defend you and protect you.
Call out your spirit.
Love you altruistically and unconditionally.
Let you do the ugly cry...for as long as you need to (but not a moment longer than that).
Inspire joy.
Lighten the load.
Show you the humour in most every situation.
Aren’t afraid to get messy with you.
Hold a positive vision for you.
Pick up where you left off, as if it were yesterday, even if years have gone by...

Mom – this is the kind of friend you are – to your friends, family, children, grand-children and strangers, alike. Thank you for teaching me the value of friendship.

I wish you were here. Instead of you with the drill, Amelie’s got it and is putting up hammock chairs on the lower deck.

We also picked 19 (yes – nineteen!) 4-leaf clovers from the front yard. It seems that 4-leaf clovers find me everywhere I go. Yesterday when I was cutting the grass, I left the clover patch and just cut around it. Nineteen clovers- to share with friends...one leaf for hope, one leaf for love, one leaf for health and one leaf for wealth.

Gwen, Amelie and I all went for a run yesterday in the heat. Gwen was ahead of us but it was great to be out on the trail together. And lastnight, Mel, Amelie and I had a picnic of sushi and wine in Peachland...with ice cream for dessert.



Over the past few days, I am so aware of the value of friendship – surrounded by so many wonderful friends that I can hardly express how lucky I feel... finding almost 20 four-leaf clovers is just a fraction of just how lucky I am, in this moment and always.

Love you,
Crystal

Magic happens...

Tiny steps...in the right direction...every day...and then magic happens.

Good morning Mom,
Where did the time go? It’s been 6 months (today!) that I’ve been writing your blog. The time has gone by so fast...and yet...not fast at all in other ways. Thank you, Mom, for the past 6 months. It’s been such a gift for me, to write to you and create this gift for you...and to think about all the wisdom you’ve shared in my lifetime and to try and apply what I’ve learned from you in my life, to live more intentionally every day.

Mom, thank you for being an example, the greatest of examples, of how life should and could be lived...if we live a little more intentionally every day.

It’s poetic (an understatement) that on this morning, this glorious morning, I am sitting in my new house, looking out at the most gorgeous sunrise ever! I slept in the new house for the first time, last night, with Scotia and Amelie (who arrived yesterday to stay for a week).

Lastnight, Gwen, Amelie and I celebrated the new house by doing “zumba” (like aerobics but think “Latin American” style). We need the “beginner” dvd, to get the steps...although tiny steps every day could get us to shake parts of our bodies like they do on the video in no time! (Well..we’ll see about that.)

Then, we made a salad and baked salmon for dinner and ate in the sunroom (since it is where the only furniture is – a table and few chairs and it has the best view). It was a wonderful evening! Surrounded by sisters (real and soul-sisters). I only wish that you and your other daughters were here too. ...not only to celebrate but to help pick weeds! Haha! The yard is a jungle!

Mom, seriously, I hope you know how much I appreciate what I’ve learned from you...and today, what I feel is the blessing of learning, from you, what taking tiny steps, in the right direction (for me),and doing so often, can bring to life.
I truly believe, as we talked about yesterday, that there are angels everywhere. I think some sort of “power” much greater than my own has guided me to this place and will continue to guide me, if I choose to listen, to where ever the future will go.

Tiny steps forward...in the right direction...every day.

This morning, I realize, so clearly, that all we have to do is have that dream, whatever it is. We don’t have to know how to reach it. We don’t have to know the steps to take. We just have to put it out there. Think it. feel it. Say it. Let it go. And then some how, some way, without my full understanding, magic happens. And if we take any steps forward...in the direction of those dreams...and do this often...one day you wake up, and realize that, that particular dream just turned from a dream into real life. .

This house, while just a house and low on the list of what’s really important in life – compared to family, friends, friendship, health, faith, and love – feels like a haven. A sanctuary. Paradise. A blessed place to “”be”, to dream...and then let those dreams go...to float out on the water and come to life.

Thank you Mom.
I love you more than words could ever express.
Crystal
PS: This was the view lastnight as a double-rainbow crossed the sky!

Patience...patience...

Patience...patience...
"Dear God, please help them fix the plane so I can get home to Kelowna tonight."
Mom, it's now midnight and I should be home, crawling into my bed beside my purring cat, but I'm here in Seattle...waiting...waiting....for the plane to get fixed.
Not impressed.
Not smiling.
Not patient anymore.
Totally tired from being up since 5:00am this morning.
Not much I can do excpet make the best of it...which is what you would do.
I'll think on how to do that...
Love Crystal
PS: This is where I would like to be right now.