Discoveries

Today I went with my partner and his family to his sons school where a book fair was taking place. Having little interest int he reading material displayed I sat back and people watched. Two little girls caught mt eye, they couldn't be more than 5 years old. The two were comparing their copies of a Hannah Montana book not realizing the books were exact duplicates. Deeply immersed in their excitement of having found such a treasure they would look first at one girls book then the others. When one found three pages of colour pictures in the middle of her book the other, not wanting to be showed up, immediately looked for some in hers. Finding them she opened her book to the second page of pictures and thinking that her pictures were different than her friends she excitedly showed them off. Her friend asked if she wanted to trade books but now the first girl was starting to catch on and told her friend to go to the second picture page as she thought they may be the same. Upon close examination they came to the exhilarating conclusion that their books were exactly the same. Happily they went on their way leaving me amused and reflecting on the point in my own life when I made the same amazing discovery.

Peter

Everything happens for a reason, there's no such thing as a coincidence. Paths cross, unexpected events pop out of nowhere and our lives are changed. One such event happened when I was down south. Marc and I decided to go for a stroll on the sea wall in Stanley park and as we were trying to figure out how to legally park my car I noticed that the man behind us had a bunch of strange stickers on his arm. While Marc was swearing at the parking ticket machine I got nosey and asked about the stickers. This was the beginning of a wonderful and intriguing conversation. He said the stickers were a new Japanese healing technique that his friend had recommended. From there the dialogue developed at an amazing speed. He's a writer and he writes books on relationships. All kinds of relationships, personal, professional, with other people, with yourself. A very interesting man. I think we must have chatted for close to an hour. I love it when wonderful people just pop out of the woodwork. Our visit with Peter allowed me to re-examine some aspects of my life, forcing me to let some things go, put some things to rest and stop sitting on the fence. Move forward again. I highly regard those in life who can stop us in our tracks and make us think... gently. I am very much looking forward to reading Peters book.

Downtown Eastside

A very interesting place. Poverty, drug use, mental instability and general misery runs rampant. I found a grounding reality check when looking into the dirty, gaunt, semi conscious faces of the occupants of East Hastings. A renewed appreciation and respect for the state of my own life followed me home. Humble is an experience I am proud to say I enjoy.

Relationships

The most important aspect of humanity. We can survive without money, homes, things, jobs, ease and media. But show me someone who is of sound mind that can survive without relationships. It could be a relationship with a friend, a lover, an acquaintance, a neighbour, a sister, a brother, a parent, a child, God, an animal. The most important one though is with yourself. Without a strong relationship here, how can any other relationship work? Allot of people are not privy to this information or if they are they choose stubbornly to take the easy way out... Blaming others for the effects of their broken relationships with themselves.

Take a close and critical look at your relationship with yourself. If it ain't up to snuff... fix it. For our sake.