Belonging to Community

Hello again,

Community is SO in the forefront of my experience and mind these days! Having celebrated Canada Day on July 1st in our little community (Sechelt, with a population of approximately 15,000 people), watching the colorful parade then joining in the festivities at the local park later enforced how blessed I am to belong to this beautiful coastal community and country. Canada Day is our equivalent to the United States' 4th of July Independance Day, a day to feel proud of those values we stand for and for being a strong people living in a resourceful land.

Here's a photo of our local Country Square dancers taken during our parade!

It is not only the "big picture" of living in this great part of the world that makes my heart swell, but the relationship with the surrounding people that makes me want to write today. Without valuable friends and neighbours (people who reside in close proximity to me, those known and even those not known, aligned in caring principles and actions), what is community?

AND...

As a means to replenish my “social batteries” and get off my butt after sitting at the computer for a year writing our BEST YOU eBook, I recently accepted an auxiliary job working for the Gov’t Liquor Store through the summer and again at Christmas. Here I get to experience another dimention of community, which I'm appreciating. It is happy, hard work uncasing boxes, stocking shelves and cashiering. For now, it is absolutely perfect, meeting my criteria of actively working with my strong body, working with an upbeat team of fun individuals AND talking with my community customers all day. I’ve never done so many squats in all of my life!

So, how do you experience a sense of community?

Who are the people that serve to inspire and motivate you?

Who really cares for you that you trust and appreciate?

If you do not feel you have a community around you, why do you think that is... and what do you think you can do to make it different?

Whether you know neighbours closely or not, it is important to feel that you belong somewhere! So, how about checking in as to who you care about, who cares for you, and opening your self and life more to let people in to knowing you better.

You really DO belong... but you have to open yourself to it!

Here's to community!

Warmly, Carolyn

Summertime Balance

Summertime hellos!

How wonderful it would be to play complete hookie from all obligations and commitments (both work and personal) and simply play for the summer months! Those of you that can afford work time off and afford a vacation are fortunate. Those of us that have to continue working (me included), really need to make the time to have bite-size opportunities to break away and rejuvenate. Keeping up with all the peripheral "need-to-be-done jobs" has to be put into perspective (and occasionally put on the back burner) in support of healthy living!

Wouldn't you say...

The yardwork can wait one more day.
The filing of papers and answering correspondance can wait one more day.
Certainly, the vaccuuming and dusting can wait.
The mess in the carport will still be there tomorrow.

I admit, my life is hectic busy and not in very good balance right now and I know that working non-stop is simply not healthy. Thankfully, my involvements are ones I enjoy at least.

This is the time of year to be outdoors, walking in the woods, having a picnic or canoeing the inlet! Friends are calling to meet for barbeques, beer and laughing together. Nurturing our souls, our bodies and our friendships are key ingredients to life balance. Thankfully, our westcoast Canada summer season is fairly long compared to many other world regions... but still, time moves on quickly if we're not aware and setting priorities. Taking leisure time, balanced with other responsibilities is important for life.

So I ask, how are you doing in this regard? If you're like me, working like a dog and just managing to stay on top of necessary tasks it's time to step back and evaluate! Believe me, I am asking myself the following questions... you might ask them of yourself, too...

What are the aspects of life and work that could be slowed down for now?
What activities or commitments could be graciously declined?
Who could be called in to get help from?
How could responsibilities be delegated?

We've already had our longest day of the year, from here they begin shortening gradually. Now is the time to catch the spirit of summer and do some things to recharge our batteries, even if they're close to home and in the evenings after your work!

It's summer! There are festivals to enjoy, there are parks, there are picnics, there are bike rides, there are musical celebrations, etc. happening in your community. Get out and seek balance... instead of wishing you could have it. I'm committed to changing things for myself.

Here's a photo taken during our recent Canada Day parade...

Warmly, Carolyn

Perform An Act of Kindness Today

When life is bumpy and you're tempted to fall into an emotional rut, here's a simple remedy that will help your spirits... and others, too.

Set your sights on a person, whether you know him / her or not and make this person the recipient of a random act of kindness. Small kind acts can work wonders on life!

• It might be as simple as offering a compliment, making sure that it is super sincere, though.


• Offer your hand or your help to someone that is struggling with a challenge or a task.

• Give an inexpensive gift to a person you know, such as a rose or a movie theater ticket, or ???


• Extend a hug to someone that is hurting.


• Offer to babysit a friends child for an hour so that she / he can have a little respite time.

What made me want to write about this today is that, despite the fact that I feel and think I appear tired, two of my community friends unexpectedly paid me nice compliments... at a time that really meant a lot to my tired spirits AND definitely perked me up.

It really doesn't take much to touch another person's heart in easy, little ways. Heck, you'll feel better for it, too!

Warmly, Carolyn
http://www.life-balance-success.com/

Summertime Fun for Balance

Glad you're visiting!

Thank goodness, in the midst of going through much renovation chaos, Richard and I are taking moments to step back and have some fun. With far too many projects going on all at once (and feeling rather overwhelmed with it all), we've not had nearly enough fun yet this summer... and that's disappointing considering how fast it is slipping by! Fun is a vital ingredient for living a balanced life... and I admit I've been off kilter.

Thankfully, 400 antique cars rolled into our little town a few days ago and dazzled the community with their showy features... everything from 1934 Model T's to the 60's and 70's muscle cars, drag racing cars, old ambulances, police cars and even a pedal car. Have a look...

To my special subscribers that are lovers of Boler campers, I thought of you as I saw this amazing vehicle. The owner of this trailer decked out the inside in a 50's jukebox style of decor... SOOO cute!

Enjoy... these photos are in tribute to you.

Being a 50's girl, I am naturally drawn to the shiny elegance of the chrome-laden cars... taking me right back to my childhood. This car was a nice example of what I really love.

Take a look at the chrome in this following photo. If you look carefully, you'll see my reflection in that amazing paint job. : )

I am so grateful for an infusion of community fun... my balance batteries felt a recharging this day. This coming weekend will help me further heal from renovation overload for an awesome week-long Arts Festival is now underway, which means dancing, singing, playing and remembering what summer is REALLY all about!

Hope you are enjoying some summertime fun, too.

Warmly, Carolyn
http://www.life-balance-success.com/

We Belong... Community Is Home

After completing an important project today, I decided to take a break and go for a long walk before the predicted rains set in.

Along the way, I met one of our special neighbours and her gorgeous dog, Keeshaw. We stood and talked for several minutes and during our talk I became aware of how important it is for me to "belong" to a community of lovely people that reside close by. Though I don't know my neighbours like I do my closest friends, still my relationship with them is important in my life.

So I ask...

Do you know who your neighbours are?

I recall living in a high rise apartment building in the great West End of Vancouver for many years. Even though we lived in close proximity to people "down the hall," we had absolutely no relationship with these people... sad as that may be.

Instead, here on our Sandy Hook mountain we have a friendly way of visiting... often coming across each other during our walks in the morning... often visiting over our dog friends. I smile at how many neighbours I "know" because of their dogs!

Anyways, it got me thinking about how vital it is to feel that we are a part of a community... no matter what size. I feel blessed that I know who lives around me, their furry dogs that befriend me and feeling a sense of belonging.

Do you even know who lives beside you?

If not, why?

I urge you to mingle some... get to know their furry creatures... for there's nothing like feeling as though "I belong." You belong, too... but do you know it?

Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca

B.C. Lions Won the Grey Cup Yesterday!

Woo hoo! Hi and thanks for visiting.

Though Richard and I are NOT sports fans, we couldn't help but get swept up in the excitement of the Grey Cup football finale, afterall, our province's team was excitedly set to take the revered trophy home with them... paired with another good team, the Monteal Allouettes.

We went out to our local Lighthouse Pub, knowing full well that it would be packed with excitable community members and plenty of big screens to watch. We joined in the fun, sharing a tasty snack of sauteed prawns accompanied with a glass of lovely Australian Yellow Tail Shiraz red wine.

Our B.C. Lions "had" the game pretty much from the start, though we admired Montreal's firey spirit... they never once showed signs of waning in vitality, right to the end.

What I enjoyed most was participating in the community enthusiasm! Good and innocent fun... aligned with supporting our local athletes to play well (and hopefully win). To me it wasn't really about the game... it was about doing something completely out of character and being a part of our community, it was about being light-hearted, having fun and cheering for our home team. Lions... thanks for a good time and "Good work, too!"

Why am I blogging about a football game, you might ask?

I say, when you can, get out and do something out of the ordinary. Go and find some fun where you can cheer with your community members, such as what we did. Even if you're not really into sports (like us), experiment because you'll realize what fun you had anyways. Fun and laughter is good medicine... and are important ingredients for life balance!

Warmly, Carolyn
Still not a sports fan, but what the heck... my "fun batteries" are topped up now!
www.innerfitness.ca

Family Is Everything

Gee I'm glad you're visiting!

I had a spontaneous opportunity arise the other day... a tiny window of time to visit with my sister, Marina! She lives a long distance away on the northern coast of British Columbia, but happened to be in Vancouver for an overnight work experience. Since I typically only get to see her once or twice a year I jumped at the chance to see her, even for a mere hour and a half visit.

Talking on the phone is great, we do that weekly.
Talking and seeing each other over our videocams is also great... the visuals add a special element.
But it does NOT make up for time to actually be in each other's presence... to hug, to be close and share in a deeper way than is possible through other communication mediums.

Now more than ever, time marches on and lives get busy... and if not attentive, distance can grow in family relations. Our culture is suffering a deep division these days, with a degree of community missing and so many families affected by divorce. It definitely takes more initiative in these busy times for the family core to get together and share quality time.

I urge you to become / stay mindful about bridging any gaps occurring in your family. Heal the sore spots and make the effort to stay connected. Family ought to be a core foundation of our lives, well nurtured and care for.

How are you doing in this family regard?

How high on your priority list is seeing your family members?

Do you make the effort to keep in contact with siblings and parents?

I say, "Family is everything!"

My heart batteries are topped up, with even a short (but sweet!) 90-minute visit. Thanks, Marina... I love you.



Warmly, Carolyn
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca