Olympic Attitude Lives in Us All

Getting caught up in the Olympic spirit I watched a few events since the opening ceremonies,  each time I watch I am in awe of these men and women. Regardless of who wins the medal , I find myself  teary eyed each time they stand on the podium and their national anthem is played. The look of pride in their eyes , the realization that the dream they visioned and worked so hard for has final materialized into reality. WOW!
I read a blog post by Jian Ghomesh that started me thinking! Q Essay - Jian Ghomeshi
I watched and read the many "disappointing" comments made by people around Patrick Chan's silver medal finish. I say disappointing because ,  I guess they figured he should have won Gold and made no bones expressing their opinions without thinking about what it takes to get that far. Shame on these people for judging so harshly. Unless you are an Olympic Athlete I am not sure you have any right to judge in such a critical way. Let's not forget the courage, incredible character and love these athletes have for their sport. The kindness they show to one another , how they represent their country outside of their sport.  No one will judge them any more harshly than they will themselves. That is my opinion.

As I was thinking, I thought about the characteristics of such an athlete and came up with my top 5 :

1. Focus - the ability to stay true to what you believe in and dedicate your life for a moment in time to achieving the end state goal you have set for yourself is remarkable. The ability to work/perfect  the process of performance and not the final outcome
2. Confidence - the ability to believe in yourself, that you can learn new skills, that you can do anything you set your mind to. 
3. Perseverance- the ability to not give up. On the days when it may not be optimal , days when you are down, days when there are critics. The days when you figure it out and you want to get better or do better. 
4. Fatigue/Recovery- the ability to recognize when your body , mind and spirit need rest. Taking the time and realizing it isn't a weakness but rather a necessity to restore the balance so performance can improve. Utilizing support and resources when needed.
5. Optimism- the ability to know that even when the bad hours , days , weeks creep in and life throws those unexpected curve balls that it is a temporary state. Using mistakes as learning platforms to get better and not dwell it. 

The inspiring thing as I was thinking through my top five (I'm sure there are many more I have missed) I realized how we all have the ability within us to develop these characteristics. In fact, I believe they all live within us , it's a matter of whether or not we choose to recognize them and develop them.

The Olympic attitude lives in us all...ponder that for moment. Enjoy the final week of the 2014 Olympics and please permit me to show my Canadian pride and say how proud I am of all our Athletes in Sochi.

I also want to express a special shout out Joann Greeley. A high school friend of mine who has recognized these characteristics in herself and as a result of her hard work and dedication has been nominated to participate in the Bold Vision 2014  Conference Panel. She is an electrician by trade and believes that women can do whatever they put their mind to. I am very excited for her and wish her luck as I know she would be an excellent addition to the panel setting a collaborative vision for Women in Canada.  Check out her story at A Bold Vision to learn more.

www.aboldvision.ca

Live in Courage or Crawl in Fear

It's Saturday morning , I am enjoying a peppermint mocha latte in the comfort of my home and reflecting upon the last few weeks. Call me crazy but that's what I do these days. Maybe that is what you are supposed to do in your 40's I don't know, but I am compelled to do allot of it. I'm OK with it. I shared my thoughts on this with a trusted friend and she encouraged me to write about it here. I write from my heart not from the pen of an eloquent writer so please forgive me if you find a spelling mistake or literal blunder! 

So what can I share in this blog post that may have some meaning this morning to anyone who takes the time to read? 

To keep it simple, in my opinion there are two paths in life for us to follow… LIVE with Courage or Crawl in Fear.. the path you choose you can FEEL the difference inside … POWER of Choice determines the path and the feeling.  How in the heck did I come to form this opinion? Well aside from my over all life journey..there was one week this past month that particularly struck me that lead me to this message.

In the span of a week I was blessed to have dinner with a man who has turned his passion not only into a career but a mission that inspires young and old alike to believe and challenge themselves beyond what they ever thought possible. Passion that explodes so addicting that it lights an internal spark within. You know because you can feel it in your gut and the energy his aura creates is invigorating. His resolve and courage

That same evening I am announcing a special memorial award in honor of a colleague who lost her fight with cancer in front of her parents. Their resolve and courage

Next day I learn my Aunt has passed away. One of the kindest and gentlest lady's I ever met. She cried when she saw you coming and she cried when you left..always tears of joy on both occasions. My last memory with her was at her daughters 60 birthday party in August where she hugged me and of course cried. My sister and I had our picture taken with her as did all her family that day. With each picture she cried as she posed. I felt then, they were not tears of joy but the realization knowing it was probably the last photo’s she would take and the last birthday she would celebrate with her daughter. She was right. Her resolve and courage

 It hit me , the  special people who made up the bulk  of my childhood memories are dying off. What is left are the memories.  You take these people for granted when you are young. The thought that one day they will be gone doesn't  enter your mind. Somehow we believe they will live forever. Then you hit  the age when you realize forever means something totally different. 

Thursday I am at a youth group home painting. A place that is home to kids their backgrounds each different and unique , in some cases the only thing they have brought with them is the clothes on their back. This place is a safe haven compared to where they have come from. Their goal if they choose to stay is to graduate high school or secondary education, learn life skills so when they leave they can make it on their own.  What might be running thru their young minds , how they cope, how they carry on, their perseverance to rise above the stereotypes and the struggles they face are all questions I have. Their resolve and courage.

Hearing about a young man in my community who is losing his battle with a heart condition he has had since birth. Thinking about what his parents must be feeling knowing they are going to lose their only son..it’s overwhelming.  This young life was placed on earth for a purpose. He is here to fill HIS purpose and from day one everyone knew his life was limited. From the stories I have heard and read , from seeing him myself,  this little man through his young life has inspired many lives. He probably doesn't even realize it. He sure has inspired the power of prayer, people praying who may never thought of such an act. The fact he still smiles while he is fighting says a great deal about his character. His resolve and courage.

Ending the week helping a friend who was having a rough week. My role in that moment was to listen, give a hug and hold his hand. Tell him someone does care and someone does understand. Tell him, what he is feeling..he is not alone and it’s OK to break down every now and then..there is no judgment.  In that moment, I wasn't there to judge I was there to potentially save a life.  His resolve and courage.

Am I crazy for thinking about the impact these experiences had? I like to think I am lucky enough to value these moments to really feel the lessons that I myself are being taught. I like to think they are powerful enough to share.

Resolve and courage.. …..feels like a powerful combination. In each experience I thought about what if FEAR replaced the courage? What could the alternative meant? It's pretty simple to figure out based on my own choices and based on what I see going on in the world.

Power of choice ...time for me to pay attention to that. I think without even realizing it, my whole life I have always had that power..it may be what has gotten me through all my ups and downs! 

The trick is realizing we are never alone, people do care. There is something to be learned from every experience and the beauty of it is..we can always change what path we go down 

..The POWER OF CHOICE!

Impossible To Possible?

I had the privilege to not only sit beside and have dinner with Ray Zahab but to listen to him deliver a very inspiring presentation about his journey from not understanding his passion in life to running 7500km across the Sahara desert in 110 days. He is an adventure seeker in every sense of the word. Using his passion for marathon running to create a foundation designed to inspire youth through adventure. His story is indeed worth the read and his message worth the watch.
As I was listening and watching him , I could feel his passion and you could tell he believed in his mission. His message wasn't complicated, it wasn't difficult to digest at least for me..if you set your mind to do something and you believe in yourself ..anything is possible. He is living proof of that.

Your mind and attitude are key! 

I wanted to make sure I thought about what I could take away from having met Ray.  As I thought about it I was reminded of the following: 

• The only limit to what we can achieve is in confines of our own mind. 
• Every achievement is relative to our situation! 
• The biggest step you can make is making that first small step..and focusing simply on doing the very best you can do!
• Passionate people are on fire and their energy is hypnotic!

Ray's story and movie trailer can be found at

www.rayzahab.com 

Hang around people with passion ..light your fire within..dare to be the best you! 

Peace and love

Tracey

Just something I wrote

It will soon be time to say goodbye Hold me close but please dont cry Ive not gone far from the place It only means you wont see my face Remember the smiles we would share The gentle hugs to show we care It will soon be time to say goodbye Hold me close but please dont cry We are only ever just passing thru Remember my world was better for loving you. Tracey(July 2013) Copywrite Yes You Can

Dancing keeps you young at heart?

I am amazed at the things people are posting on utube these days. In fact, if I think about it too much its a scary thing as I see how people are using the technology to bully, embarass and do harm to other humans. What good comes from that?
Then there are those few video's  I come across that inspire me and restore my hope that technology can be a tool used to inspire and bring happiness into the lives of others. A viral video like the one I am sharing today. I hope it is ok that I am sharing this, it is everywhere on the internet so I like to think I can. I take no credit for it, just want to share the joy.
This 88 year old Nana who loves to dance as she gets into her granddaughter's car. I won't say anymore because I think the video really says it all about how young at heart this lovely lady is and how inspiring she is to her family.
I've always believed music is the conduit to joining people together,  to keeping ourselves young at heart whether we are singing loud in the car to the tunes or dancing around the kitchen with our kids or if you are single , the trusting broom that is always there when you are ready to whip around the floor!
In fact, music is so powerful it can alter any mood and is one of the greatest gifts we are blessed to have available to us!

On this fine Saturday morning as I sit and watch Nana and listen to the oldies I am inspired to get my mojo moving and do my own little shake rattle and roll routine as I head out to my car!

What do I have to lose except for a few extra pounds ?

Life is stressful at times  and guess what ,we all need to lighten up every now and then.
Take a few deep breathes ..let yourself go and then pause for a moment and check in with yourself and see how you feel!

Peace..and remember " if you light a lantern for another, it will also brighten your own way" Nichiren Daishonin