CHOOSEday, September 29, 2015

Wow! Can you believe tomorrow is already September 30th? Te last day of September, and then just three more months in 2015.

Precious moments this past weekend:

1. My mother-in-law came over on Friday evening and got to spend a good number of hours with her son and grandchildren. She also got a plush penguin for Little R.

Yesterday night when I was putting Little R to sleep, he looked for the penguin upon going to bed :) so cute. It's like the penguin is one of the gang.

2. Saturday night, I took Little S on my back out to the front yard to look at the full harvest moon. The moon was beautiful and bright. It was round and big. She thought it looked like a ball of cheese. I took her to another angle. 

"Mommy, I have never been so joyful. You are the best Mommy I could ever want."

"Yes, of course," I responded.

What a precious moment locked in time :) under the bright big harvest moon.

3. In kissing Little M to sleep, he said "I wuv you," aww!

4. After rubbing essential oils on Little R to help him breathe better at night, I herd him say in a very sharp high pitched guttural sound "eek kew!" 

I smiled at him, "you're welcome, buddy."

Misty Monday, September 28, 2015

Wow! Is it really the three days of September already??? Where has all the time gone?

Well, I have been sick the week or so with a mild cold. I have been using essential oils to boost immune function as well as provide relief for my sinuses and chest.

Grateful for:

1. Reading Dr. Hyman's 10-day detox during a natural cleansing time (during a menses cycle, a virus and autumn). It naturally helps me to not crave junk foods when I am naturally not feeling upbeat.

2. Taking this time to just retreat into my own world. Being silent when possible... Or when opportune.

3. Realizing that this body is not invincible. I must take care of it. Sleep... Good sleep is crucial.

4. Taking the time to take slow purposeful breaths... Enjoying and embracing the present moment

Wonderful Wednesday, September 23, 2015: familiar strangers

New and wonderful:

Where do I begin today??? Such a wonderful day!

1. Started work early so my manager granted me permission to leave earlier... Which permitted me to run (raising my heart rate) to the train in order to make the earlier train home.

On this train I had the great opportunity to sit and chat with a young man name Paul who had just come back from China three weeks prior. His story about travelling, teaching English then working in the financial industry reminded me often own story.

I know this young man will find his way as I know all of us will find who we are and come into alignment with our purpose. Use your happiness as the gauge.

2. I decided to take a walk at lunch time to union station because I thought that there was a farmers' market going on there. There was no FM, but there was a young man sitting at a corner reading while holding out a cardboard sign with permanent marker written in it: "Homeless. Anything will help. God bless." 

This past weekend, Husband had been in Toronto and gave a pregnant homeless woman a tomato sandwich I had made him for his lunch.

Previous, Husband had been reluctant at giving away food because it was in a reusable container.  He told me this story this weekend. This time he decided that he could part with the container. And by doing so she would have a delicious and nutritious meal.

After hearing his story, it inspired me to contemplate offer food and my container.  So, I went up to the young man, "Hi, there. Would you like to share some of my vegetables with me?"

He graciously accepted with a smile. I had raw carrots, soaked organic almonds and cucumber slices. I was so happy to see him enjoying the food. "Would you like to have the rest?" He accepted with a smile.

He told me his story of why he was there. It was clear to me that his young man had a sensible head on his shoulders. His parents had died together in a car accident about a year and a half ago. He said he made some poor decisions. But at the time of our conversation, he had been sober for over three months. 

It was a joy speaking with him and being able to offer him some conversation as well as some nutrition.  

How very blessed I am. I am grateful.

3. After I said goodbye to Jesse, the tall young man, I started walking back to work only to be stopped by a nicely dressed Black gentleman. He was asking for a monetary donation so he could buy books written by Black authors for prison libraries. He was certain that it would help change the lives of the prisoners.

There are often various groups and people asking for donations. Most of the time, I will listen to the cause but will not make a monetary donation until I believe it's legit. This man did lot have a website and he said e was not funded by any other organizations.

I have him some money. He gave me Malcolm X to think about. I have actually not read a biography of the man before.

Thank you, Vaughn X for introducing me.

4. Since I managed to get home 15 minutes early, I was able to take a shower and eat some supper before taking Little S to piano.

5. After piano, I picked up food from my friend Sara. Thank you so much, Sara!!! :) 

How do you make your day wonderful?

Blessings and sunshine,

Kim

CHOOSEday, September 22, 2015

New and good:

1. Had my home-made soup sitting on a picnic table at the st Lawrence market wearing my cap backwards to shield my nape from the warm sun behind me. Two travellers asked to sit beside me. Of course I welcomed them.

They were named Ralph and Monika from Dresden East Germany. Their German sounded German but different from thee German I had been familiar with.  They spoke little English, but I understood their excitement in their travelling. 

They would stay seven days in Toronto. Tomorrow they would visit Algonquin Park (I would like to look into it myself!), then in a couple of days or so fly to Chicago to celebrate Monika's uncle's 80th birthday.

They explained to me that they would then have to take several flights back to Berlin to Frankfurt then to another city then a train back to Dresden.

It was so wonderful to have that short meaning interaction with them. For me, it sparked fond memories of visiting my friends Monika and Guido (who are now living in Australia!) so so many years ago in Germany.

It's amazing who you will meet at lunch if you are open.

2. Husband had a nice meal prepared for everyone to eat together when I got home from work. Good job, Husband!

3. Continuing to read Dr. Mark Hyman's book The Blood Sugar Solution 10- Day Detox Diet.

It seems that I have a little cold which my body is fight off. I think this is a great time, during autumn (are we there yet?) to cleanse our body's, our environment, our thoughts, etc.

Happy CHOOSEday!

Kim

Marvellous Monday, September 21. 2015: pre detox

New and good:

1. Little M said "I wuv you!" He was already tucked in bed. I was sweeping and he heard me so called me. It was so cute! My little baby is growing up and talking.

2. A great supper when I got home :) I had written out the weekly dinner menu for this week, and it seems to be helping so far.

3. Little M had a great day at "school" today. He ate their food. When I asked, "you want to go to school tomorrow?" He replied nicely, "yes."

4. I managed to cook and clean all day Sunday while still having fun with kids. In fact, I got little R to helping with putting compost in its place as well as put chopped up zucchini in a pot. I also managed to excite Little S into helping me clean the bathroom!

5. On Saturday, my sister was over and we all went out for Heritage Day in downtown   Whitby. 

6. Husband and I got to watch a documentary on Tiny houses while my sister kept the kids occupied. Thank you, Sister! And thank you, Husband for getting me to sit down and watch that cool movie with you :)

My goal of building and living in a ecologically sustainable home has been a longtime dream.

7. Started reading Dr. Hyman's book The Blood Sugar Solution 10 Day Detox Diet. Knowing things intellectually such as smoking poses health threats doesn't stop anyone from a smoking. So just because I in textually know many things about nutrition and food does not mean I always practice a healthy life-style or have a healthy waistline.

Well, I have been addicted to processed sugar, starches and other junk for most of my life. I had one year where I completely stayed away from it, and I had never felt so good in my body.

Well, I want that again, and I want to go beyond where I was last time at my peak health.

I want energy, sweet sound sleep, energy, focus, sharp memory, quick and effective thinking, patience, strength as endurance! In other words, I want to thrive! 

This is my purpose: to inspire health, wealth and joy.

Thank you for reading this post. I always appreciate your comments and questions.

Much love,

Kim

Wonderful Wednesday, September 16, 2015: serendipity

New and fabulous:

1. Led Little R into the school bus and waved bye-bye to him... He didn't wave back as he was looking out the other window. However, the other little girl who was on the bus waved to me :)

2. Spoke with a very special woman with whom I used to speak with regularly about The Word of God. It was great to hear her voice again.

3. Gathered more things for donation, clearing space and allowing others to make use of the things.

4. Met Little R's two other EAs when I picked him up.

5. Brought Little R to FeelGood to visit with the good folks at the store. What a gift it was to be there fully in the present. It had been a long time since Marilyn, the manager of the store had seen Little R. What a gift it was for her. He gave everyone hugs!

I am happy to report that there was not hyperactivity running around in the store, eating things impulsively, pressing on the water button, slamming cupboards, etc. he just calmly looking around, balancing and shifting from one foot to the other repeatedly.

As Marilyn and I were talking about how everything is serendipitous - coincidences, the lady who was setting up her stand for a hairless product voiced how much she appreciated the conversation. Her name was Olivia, and she had still used neuro science at Stanford  University. She was an energy worker, and had been interested in energy since she was young (like me!). We exchanged cards, and I look forward to continuing our conversation.

6. At the full bustling Farmers' Market, we saw Meredith and Sara and the gang. We also saw Kathy, the strudel lady (who also brings the breads and other baked goods). She looked magnificent! She was also going to be a grandmother. What great news. 

She offered Remy a pretzel, and his face lit up like a fluorescent jelly bean! "Yes", he nodded and accepted the pretzel. He ate it with gusto.

Later, he also sampled all of the interesting hummus by a new vendor/photographer named Aleksi.

We ended up buying a flavour called Earth Candy which is made of beets and ginger.

7. I managed to make a whole cabbage from Meredith into sauerkraut after market. 

8.  Saw and chatted a bit with the other parents at my daughter's school.

After these last two days, I know how much I love being flexible taking care if my family... Making and packing their meals, gardening, cleaning and tidying, and being able to physically be there with my family.

This is a very important goal for me. 

9. Little S and I spend some quiet reading time at the library after her piano lesson. She is moving along very well.

She also pointed out the 3 D printer while it was working.

Another dad with his two kids were also intrigued by it. He exclaimed that each household will have one of these printers. When you need a stroller part, all you would need to do is call the manufacturer and they would send you a file to print off the new part!

That sounds pretty cool. 

Actually, the cooler thing I have come across is making prosthetics using 3d printers in third world countries. 

10. Briefly spoke with my friend Catherine in California. I am very curious about a 10 day detox program, and am wanting to experience it.

How has your Wednesday been wonderful?

Blessings,

Kim 

Little S's funny phrases:

1. As my husband was going through the McDonald's drive-thru (no judgment here) to get a coffee, she said," looks like Daddy's been bit with the McDonald's bug."

2. While we were at the library, I told her, "we'd better go. It's getting very dark outside. The sun is going to China. in fact, it's already in China." 

"No, mom. That is incorrect. The sun is not in China. The Earth spins, and has changed it's position around the sun." 

She then goes on to tell me that the Earth spins on a tilt. Apparently the tilt creates seasons!

Magical Monday, September 14, 2015

New and thought provoking:

1. At Nathan Philip's Square While I was sitting and eating my open face tomato sandwich (bread from farmers' market and tomatoes from my backyard),  young woman named Sunny promoting GoodLife Fitness offered me a pass for three visits.

She asked me what I did, and I told her I was passionate in health and wellness. I invited her to sit down on the bench. 

After she left, I started thinking about how I could answer that question really well if someone were to wake me up at 3 am, what would my clear response be?

2. After speaking with a client today, I noticed I was offered a lesson. The client had very little faith in the system he was using and therefore automatically became discouraged when he saw 'evidence' that it was malfunctioning.

You tend to get what you fear passionately. And even if you don't you can get really caught up in the negative emotions that will hinder your ability to see the solution... Or even what is going well and working.

3. I discovered Nordik Narure Spa and noticed that what I had dreamed actually exists in the physical world... And possibly soon to be built in Whitby!

Weekend September 11-13, 2015: building character

New and good:

1. We went out to Congee Queen for my mom's birthday. I got to spend time with my sister without any kids driving to get the fresh mango cake. Expensive but delicious!

2. The rain outside, and a new roof atop our house. Thank you, Universe!

3. The plumber came and fixed our bath faucet. Yay for bathes and showers in our own home again!

4. A challenging Sunday. Putting one fire out then the next (not literally).  From a hyperactive, heavy and forceful Little R, bowel movement in the toilet with a whole roll if toilet paper in the not-so-flushing-well toilet, to dumping of water and a school-made sprinkles in jar all over my bed and my daughter's rug, and a toddler who cries like screaming... I really had many opportunities to practice my calmness in the midst if chaos.

After I saw the stuffed toilet paper stuffed in the toilet over the water and poo, I yelled.  My daughter quickly made the comment that I never tell at Little R.

"Now you have to switch the bracelet to your other wrist," she said referring to the  21 days of being complaint free from Reverend Will Bowen's book a Complaint Free World.

I smiled. My outer world is merely a reflection of my inner world. When I change my inner world, my outer experience will be different.

I often tell my daughter that if I am angry because they don't do as I ask, maybe things are messy, dirty, or we're running late - it's my choice on how to respond.

Being responsible is being able to respond. I am always striving to respond more effectively, and the first thing is to know that no can can make me feel in any way unless I allow them to.

My children continue to my biggest challengers to promote my personal development.

Thank you!

Kim

Thankful Thursday, September 10, 2015

New and thankful for:

1. Sitting at the Farmers' Market eating lunch enjoying an unusual peace.  Then I realised that King St was closed off for Street Festival!

It's incredible what a difference it makes to have NO motorized vehicles around.

A man the apple booth also gave me a new apple!  

When I got home, it was snatched and enjoyed by Little R.

2. Little M said "I wuv you, Paupau" to my mom on the phone.  It's the first time I can make out him saying "I love you".

3.  Brian Tracy's No Excuses. Today I understood an old concept in a deeper way: you reap what you sow.

So this means that whatever you experience now is the harvest of what you had sown. To get a better crop, you must sow now new seeds. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015: simple

New and simple treasures:

1. Coming home to savouring a beautiful sunset as we got out of the car, my daughter and me. It was so clear and blue in the middle of two sheets of greyish angelic clouds. They sun was going to China.

2. I RAN to the Union Station, up the stairs to the track 24 I arrived only to an empty area with no waiting passengers and no train.

To my luck, someone announced that the train ha been moved to track 7! 

Again, with no time to lose (1.5 minutes or so to departure), I flew in the direction of all the other tracks.

I made it! Sweaty and all, but it didn't take me long before I recovered. Another sign of good heart health :)

3. I ate lunch on a picnic table outside of the St. Lawrence market. Hardly anyone was sitting outside since it had been raining earlier in the day, an the benches were still somewhat wet.

Lucky me!

4. Listening more to Dr. Wayne Dyer's I Can See Clearly Now and to Brian Tracy's No Excuses!

Goodnight,

Kim

Sunday, September 6, 2015: hot and humid

New and good:

1. My Blackberry was drained of battery even after I had charged it for over 5 hours... Which led me to use a 'new' phone :) now it's bigger and has more functionalities.

2. I managed to take 7 spiders out of my room and out into the hot and humid front yard.  Cleaning, tidying and rearranging does good for the body and the soul.

3.  I have a day to look forward to before the start of another school year. I want to relax, clean up, organize and get clear about goals.

4. I got to see my very good friend Jennifer and her beautiful family yesterday in Toronto. Although the hornets made it challenging to have a picnic, it was awesome to see each other.

Next year we'll need to choose an indoor area away from the flying bugs.

What situations have you encountered that at first you thought sucked but then turned out to be a blessing?

Here's a breath of cool breeze for the hot anticipated Labour Day!

Kim

Fantastic Freedom Friday, September 4, 2015

Highlights:

1. Overflowing with emotional gratitude for all my mentors past and present - writing down special people and what they did or said to me that I hold dear.

2. Helping a frustrated client who in the end thanked me for my patience, and that he had learned from me today. He was deeply grateful for my help. 

Be generous and sincere with your words. His sincerity sent me a wave of warmth and gratitude over the phone.

3. I received recognition from a co-worker for helping her and a client.

4. Listening to Brian Tracy's No Excuses audiobook.

5. Having an overnight dream of either an out of body experience, or and experience of massive energy movement like shock circuits buzzing from my extremities exiting through the crown of my head.

Maybe this was induced by listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer's last book I Can See Clearly Now. This book totally resonates with me.

What are your highlights if the day?

Garlands of love and sunshine,

Kim

CHOOSEday, August 25, 2015: fun with family

Places we went today:

1. I took Little R and Little S with me to the NDG bakery early when it opened at 9 am. I didn't know how much of a physical feat it would to carry three huge slabs of "NDG" pizza (pizza with just tomato sauce on top) with my arms out in front of me. Makes you think how much weight you instantly gain by eating a pizza! ;)

2. We hopped in the metro to go to the BioDome. On the metro, Little S have up her seat to an elderly man. He kept looking at us and smiling until we got off when he waves and said 'bye.' :)

On the way back from the metro, Little R sat in a seat beside a mature woman who clearly was uncomfortable with him sitting beside her. She kept holding into her bags while Little R vocalized with his mouth open, eyes focused in an angle downward and his fingers forming a continually opening and closing open fist.

Then there was more family that came over to the house.

Wonderful Wednesday, September 2, 2015: busy day!

New and grateful for:

1. Message from a friend to know she and her child are safe.

2. The roof overhead

3. Meeting Little R's new school teacher and vice principle. Awesome to know that he will be encouraged and expected to do chores and take charge of his own personal hygiene :) :) :)

4. Meeting Little M's new daycare ECEs. He started off frightened and wouldn't get out of the wagon. I led the way into the fenced yard. He tagged along quickly but was very hesitant and other kids and the friendly staff.

He started warming up once we were able to go inside to the centre where he used the sensor operated washroom sink. When the other children came in, one group of kids gravitated to the snacks table while another group to the play-doh making table.

I knew that Little M loves play-doh, so I sat down at the table close to the ECE. He would not sit beside her yet. But the started to get more comfortable after she gave him (and the other children) some raw flour to play with.

The ECE asked him what colour he wanted it to be, "green or red?"

"Red," he replied twice.  The other children agreed.

Soon, he sat down and started playing with the homemade play-dough. As I saw he got more comfortable, I sat my bag down beside him and stood up behind him. He looked up, turned around, saw me and then calmly went returned his focus on playing.

I moved away further gradually until he couldn't see me anymore and started crying.

By that time I believed our visit was done, but he decided he wanted some snack. He chose breadsticks and yogurt (first day trying yogurt). He started to like it there but still held onto my thumb.

"I want more, peez," he requested politely. This time he decided to dip the breadsticks into the yogurt.

I feel great about him going to this centre with the staff and other children. It's close by and very clean.

What blessings are you counting today?

Sunshine and smiles,

Kim