Dear World...A Christmas to Remember

On December 14th the unthinkable occured. A tragedy occured in a little town that touched the hearts of a world. What is supposed to be a magical time of year filled with the joy of children's laughter , excitment of Santa's arrival, hugs and kisses was replaced with tears and sorrow for this little town. For the past week , as news stories begin to settle down and the families directly impacted begin their journey of healing I began to wonder what is becoming of our world. It is up to each of us to keep the spirit alive...to be a little kinder, a little more compassionate..understanding and most of all when these lost souls commit acts of violence that we do not allow ourselves to take on their cynical view of the world that caused their hearts to turn cold. It is up to each of us to keep the magic of Christmas and the magic of everyday alive... So this year I wish you all peace and joy ...and this year enjoy your families and your friends that little bit more...don't be afraid to say I love you..smile a little more and gosh darn it..hug a lot more..all these gifts are free and we all have it within us to give these gifts anytime of the year. 

 I wrote this poem called Dear World as I started to think about what positive could we find in such a terrible action.  

A tragic thing happened to us all today
Innocent lives taken carelessly away
No rhyme or reason for this unthinkable violent act
Saddened to the core that is a somber fact
Little angels and heroic souls their futures now gone
How do we make right this terrible wrong?
Families are grieving their pain all too real as we approach Christmas day
The questions of why are being asked by so many, but what do you say
When someone you love is taken so dreadfully away?
Now is the time for our love and humanity to shine through
Is this too big a prayer to ask of you?
Are you up for the challenge to open your heart and not be lead astray?
Don’t let this steal our peaceful spirits or darken our souls today
Give us courage to find comfort and good will
Support one another and in honor fulfill
What peace on this earth means
As each life held purpose during their time on this earth now angels above
In spirit they share their love

Charlotte, Rachel, Olivia, Dylan, Dawn, Jesse, Ana, Anne, Emilie, Noah
Jessica, Lauren, Mary, Victoria, Daniel, Josephine, Madeleine, Catherine, Chase
James, Jack, Caroline, Avielle, Benjamin, Allison

Dear World
We must not forget the lives that were lost, shed a tear if you must as you remember a name
Then use wisdom and compassion to make changes instead of getting caught up in the circle of blame.
Tracey (Dec 2012)



                                                                                                                       

Keep it Simple Stupid..A message to Remember!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxfHB5wPWeQ

This past week I had the great fortune to attend and MC an Award's gala recognizing Trade Excellence in Canada. During the evening there was a guest speaker who delivered a very engaging one hour  presentation on Leadership Qualities. One sentence Keep It Simple Stupid.That resonated with me.
He shared some interesting stories , and he posed a question. Could you build a successful company transportation company that would compete with FedEx and UPS companies of the world , with no technology, no university degrees? Perhaps a trick question to some, as most people in the room thought impossible. Then he shared a video..the story of the Dabbawalas. Never heard of the Dabbawalas? Check out the link above..impressive and if you think about what makes this system so successful it brings us back to the basic concepts.
On October 14th, Felix Baumgartner makes history. Setting several world records, and daring to do something no body thought possible , a feat I feel is compariable to the first man walking on the moon.
How about Malala Yousafazai, a 14 year old girl shot in the head by the Taliban because she is promoting education for woman in her country?
What do all these examples have in common..everyday people who believe in themselves, who have courage and incredible resolve to make the world a better place and to challenge the age old thinking..it can't be done!
I sit back and I ponder these stories..I think of my own story..and I am excited in the proof that keeps showing itself to me over and over...IF YOU THINK YOU CAN YOU CAN!!

Everyday people..passion...believing...dreaming...courage...risk...love..change..

We complicate the hell out of things..for various personal reasons I leave that for another day...but the message in my opinion and said with love and compassion

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!!  :)

Love and peace!

Thanksgiving...a Different Twist?

During a nice long walk , I discovered myself not thinking about all the things I should be thankful for this year but oddly enough I thought about a variety of things I am thankful I don't have. Sounds strange doesn't it...maybe a bit awful but stick with me for a moment.

As I was thinking of the things I am thankful I don't have, here is what surfaced:
I am thankful I don't :

• have to live in a country where men treat women like property and children are taught to kill.
• have a fancy car or model home because it reminds me that I don't need nice things to make me happy and that I am content with what I do have.
• have to use the services of a food bank but it reminds me how real a problem hunger is and that people close to home do need to rely on these services and I am capable of helping for I never know if one day it may be me or a member of my family needing those very services.
• have a perfect body because I don't think I could keep up with the pressure of trying to maintain it or the vanity that goes along with it. My goal is to remain healthy and simply be happy with the body I have.
• have a perfect life..I have problems, made mistakes, screwed up , fell down and because of it all I learned valuable lessons, learned to accept ownership for my screw ups and make amends , I learned to dust myself off and stand back up..I learned life wasn't meant to be perfect. I learned that every experience was mine to learn something from and that I need to keep an open mind, take risks and not be afraid to screw up.
• have to be silent and that my thoughts and opinions are as valuable as everyone else who has a voice.
• have a serious disease , it helps me stay mindful of all those who do and the courage and strength they have and it makes me want to help in whatever way I can and not to take life for granted. 
• have to say good-bye to a love one today..for a I have watched many over the course of this year have to do that. It keeps me mindful how precious life is and the importance of making the most of time while on earth..it keeps me humble.

Whether there are things in life to be thankful you have or don't have..perhaps its all a matter of how you choose to look at it and I suppose taking something from a negative perspective you can still  find the good in it..the choice is always ours to make!  Now there is something to be thankful for..CHOICES!!

So I think I choose to go and enjoy a glass of red wine! Bottom's up!
Happy Thanksgiving
With love
xo

How do You view the world?

As I was sitting enjoying my java last evening I of course allowed my mind to wander . What else is new!! Last evening my mind wandered to a joyful place.
Have you ever watched a child's face as they embark on a new adventure? Whether it be finding that magical rock or stick that instantly becomes a magic wand or sword that will fight dragons or transform them into a super hero.  How about the look on their  face when they hear the sound of the ice cream truck soon approaching?
Fast forward a few generations and have you watched a senior's face as they hold the hand of their grandchild? How about when they open a card from a family member or simply look outside and gaze at the beauty mother nature has blessed us with?
I think to myself ..as a child  the world is viewed with innocent curiosity with the joy of a lifetime ahead..as we age we leave the world returning to that innocent wonder but through a more mature eye.... What happens to us in between?....
Maybe when life seems rough remembering to view the world through the eyes of a child or senior isnt so bad! How do you view the world?
Tough times won't last forever yet it can be tough to remember that...as I was thinking about this the following words came to me.... here it is..something to ponder:

Forever
Forever is not what we perceive
If only they would believe
Hardships will pass like scorn lovers in the night
Each new day brings hope and all will be alright
Forever is not what we perceive
Joy is in your heart
Waiting to be received

Tracey (June 2012)Copyright

Just Something I Wrote

I was watching an interview with the Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker and I was drawn by his comment when said what we needed was more poets in this world. When asked why he felt that way he explained that poets have a way of simply bringing to life meaningful topics that we need to think about in order to help make a difference in our soceity.  Poets don't get caught up in the filters..that cloud..they simply express feeling on important issues. Often things we are afaid to contemplate.

His words gave me goosebumps.

When I read poems by Maya Angelou, Elizabeth Browning, Kipling, Emily Dickenson, Emerson etc..I am reminded of the wisdom these creative souls were leaving for the future. During their life many endured  hardships, some not well liked or seen as too out there..yet the wrote.

 Not all people "get" poetry or can relate but each and everyone one of us is a poet. Every song is a poem.

What I realized from Mayor Booker 's observation was poets have the courage to feel..and from that deep feeling leave a message for all those who are brave enough to open up and feel. Those that relate to one song, poem..the message has hit a cord.

I remember reading a quote by Maya Angelou that went like this "Poetry puts starch in your backbone so you can stand, so you can compose your life".  I couldn't imagine my world if I lived without feeling or having the freedom to express what that means.  It is through feeling..I have learned and I have grown...and I continue to dream!

To those poets before me..now..and into the future..thank you for your courage!

Imagining

Imagining my world when my sight was gone

To relinquish control in that moment didn’t feel wrong

Abandon one sense to discover another

Alert, a feeling best described when I became a mother

In this new world of darkness its learn as you go

Things took for granted and done with ease, now thoughtfully slow

With careful wonder you learn to trust

Opening your heart and mind a must

All of the color as it disappears

No time to dwell on your deepest fears

Imagining my world when my sight was gone

It didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the tranquility of a song

Take pleasure in hearing the voice of a friend

Imagining their smiling face divinely a heart can mend

Or remember the sound of my son’s sweet voice

How we choose to live our life we all have a choice

Imagining my world when my sight was gone

It helped me to see just where I belong

With each adventure you have courage to embrace

You realize how much it contributes to the smile on your face!

Tracey(May2012)Copywrite.