The Paradox of our Time in History is that

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
Drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired,
Read too seldom, watch tv too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,
But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We write more, but learn less.
We build more computers
To hold more information
To produce more copies than ever,
But have less communication.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
Tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
Of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality,
One-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
Everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window
And nothing in the stockroom;
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
And a time when you can choose either to share this insight,
Or to just hit delete.

written by George Carlin

REMEMBER TO

spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and doesn’t cost a cent.

say ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.

a kiss and an embrace will end hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

give time to love, give time to speak!

give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by those moments that take our breath away.

 

 

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Feel-good Friday: February

What can we say about this month?

“February – the month of love..?!!
No wonder the shortest one in the calendar.” – Dinesh Kumar Biran

I prefer this quote:

February days are a marketing gimmick; love happens every day. Randeep Hooda

Always look for hidden treasures.   I tend to find them in the least likely places.  Like on a recent hike:

Photo: Tammy Preast

You know what they say…one persons rubbish is another persons treasure.  But look at what became of this desert treasure:

A piece broke off so I placed it in a vase with fresh flowers around it… the old with the new.

My friend Leonard then created an outdoor mixed media of sorts using the larger piece and mushrooms that light up for a unique solar light installation placed in a terracotta planter with mixed gravel.  From the desert floor to my floor…

 

Feel-good Friday: little differences

To err is human—to forgive, canine.

Getting cleaned up for the holidays

Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.

Christopher Hitchens, The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever

Natasha (Tasha for short) is the new addition to my friend Rosa’s life. And you can bet she’s a princess.  So is the cat.
Jia Jia models a gift from uncle Michael

Not to be outdone by Layla who definitely has attitude.

Just give me a comfortable couch, a dog, a good book, and a woman. Then if you can get the dog to go somewhere and read the book, I might have a little fun. – Groucho Marx

Wishing you a warm and cuddly holiday season

 

Monday Mood Board #3

What time is it?

A visitor looks at his mobile phone as he visits the “Proper Time” installation by Lee Wan, at the Korean Pavilion, during the 57th Biennale in Venice, Italy May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini.

Where Are We?

Barbara Kruger’s “Untitled (We Don’t Need Another Hero)” is displayed with David Moffett’s “He Kills Me” at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York – Where we Are.

“Art instigates, but it also brings solace…” A perfect quote for these difficult times by David Breslin; curator of the collection at the Whitney.

Focusing on works made from 1900 to 1960, Where We Are traces how artists have approached the relationships, institutions, and activities that shape our lives. Drawn entirely from the Whitney’s holdings, the exhibition is organized around five themes: family and community, work, home, the spiritual, and the nation.

Beach Vibes

Feel-good Friday: Things to be Thankful for

Thanksgiving is a holiday but in its true spirit should remind us of what to be thankful for. feelgoodfriday2

Here is my updated 10 BEST gratitude list:

  • Happy to be living in Canada (especially now)
  • Not taking good health for granted (sounds cheesy; but really I mean that!)
  • My two siblings and a husband who has stuck with me through thick and thin. He knows me better than anyone else and lets me be me.  He also thinks I look good without makeup.
  • Dogs (they complete me)
  • Trust worthy good friends
  • Dancing and Music (maybe that’s two things but they do go hand in hand)
  • Art
  • Warm places to travel to when the weather becomes unbearable
  • Netflix (my latest addiction is The Crown)
  • Black Friday Deals (just kidding – sort of) & Fridays in generalfeelgoodfriday7

What are you thankful for?

Feel-good Friday: get inspired

What inspires you?  What makes you feel-good? fridayblog1

Our society embraces the TGIF catchphrase…well at least those who work full time do.  On Monday, Friday seems a long way away, and then Sunday shows up way too soon.  Most working people are doing what they do to make a living and really don’t enjoy  their jobs – or they have horrible bosses (even more horrible than the movie).  That’s the down side of working.  People who enjoy what they do – even they look forward to FridayFriday is just another word for Freedom…for a little while.  Because the next day you get to let loose, wake up late, get together with friends you’re too busy or tired to see during the week, do housework or do nothing.  Any way you look at it – Friday is the most popular day of the week.fridayblog4

So I’ve been thinking about what inspires us to make little changes.  Those of us who get to experience four seasons should embrace the beauty of that.  Summer is easy, we get lazy and don’t want to do very much (at least that’s how I feel) because it’s too too short.  But then we have Fall and it gives us an opportunity to get a little more serious about making changes.  We have to adapt to cooler temperature and begin to hibernate.  Neighbours you see out and about during the summer seem to disappear.  It can feel cold and unfriendly.  But the things I now embrace about Fall may sound a little superficial but that’s okay.  I like to change up my wardrobe, make comfort food which includes lots of soup, have dinner parties, visit a gallery, settle in earlier and watch something good on TV, read more, take a class, learn something new and work a bit harder on some personal matters.  It’s mostly positive.  Winter is winter focusing on holiday stuff…oh, and maybe a warmer getaway & Spring is great because you know Summer is around the corner and then there’s all the cleaning & stuff.  What? It’s a  good excuse to clean your place.  Like the Chinese New Year.  Out with the old, in with the new!  fridayblog3

And around we go… I always loved Merry-go-rounds.  And a dirty martini on the side!

 

 

 

Feel-good Friday: Change

Welcome September!

september2“The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last for ever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year – the days when summer is changing into autumn – the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change.”
―E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web  (As a child adult I loved the book & animated movie).   I am proud to say I’ve never killed a spider.

Doesn’t it feel different already?  We’re in that in between stage – not quite summer (even though it is officially still summer) but not quite fall.   Temperature is a bit cooler and it gets darker earlier.  Just giving us a little glimpse of what to Fall for.  I actually don’t mind it as much as I thought.  I’m all for a little change as long as it’s not too too sudden or disturbing.  I’m trying to embrace change.  Not crazy life changing change….just little changes here and there that are healthy and positive.

What I’m Falling For this Year:
september4

For starters exercise and diet – and it’s not even New Year’s Eve!  I’m starting early.  That’s not to say I don’t look after myself  by getting proper exercise (I do) and eating as well as I can but I’m making an effort to do it better and more effectively.  I’m kick starting this because I’m of no use to the important people in my life or anyone else if I’m not in top notch health myself.

I believe in looking after yourself as best you can and keeping your house in order.  Otherwise things can get out of control.

I’m exploring some alternative methods of relaxation like meditation to help improve sleep and anxiety.  I’m looking into acupuncture….just because I believe it can help with a multitude of symptoms.  Not just for myself.

Getting back to reading.  By that I mean….books.  I have too many gathering dust up on the shelf.

Getting rid of excess.  Going through clothing and other items that I no longer have use for.  A few of these are bigger ticket items like condos & cars (possibly).

Dancing for exercise, enjoyment, expression, social and fun.

Language for communication & the mind (it is said to help prevent alzheimers).

Philanthropy because it feels good to help those more “in need”.

I’m researching some things on my own.  I will look forward to sharing them with you in the upcoming months.  I hope to bring more inspiring posts to this page over time.  That is the main purpose of having this blog.  By keeping track of things that inspire, make a difference and improve life mixed in with the usual fashion and fun.

Style is always inspiringseptember1

Only make sure they’re GOOD surprises!