Random thoughts, ideas, rants and posts from my mind
Sometimes you need to take a moment to recognize the small things that brighten up your day. As much as I try to be mindful and take note of things that are happening in my life, particularly the good ones, but sometimes you get so wrapped up in the minutiae of the day that you overlook it. Continue reading “Small Happy Moments”
This is me today.
Once a month, I have a “Talent Development” working group meeting that I run with a few people on my team (there were 5) who want to move into leadership or specialist roles within our company. It’s the one day a month that I love coming into work, and this for a 1-hour discussion. A month ago today, 2 members of that group gave me their notice as they were leaving the company. (And then there were 3)
Our next meeting was booked for today. Earlier this week, one member decided to take a vacation day. On Thursday – the day of our meeting. (And then there were 2).
I came in to the office this morning to a voicemail from one of the group saying she would be out sick today. (And then there was 1) Given that this is a discussion group, it was pointless to carry on with just 1 individual, so I cancelled the meeting.
This has been one of the few pieces keeping me motivated and engaged over the last while. It’s fueled me, and I love finding topics, articles, discussion points for us to tackle. Sadly, I do not see the same passion and commitment from the folks in the group. As a point of example, I assigned a task for them to complete at our last meeting a month ago. Two of them were working on this task yesterday afternoon. An afterthought.
It becomes rather demotivating to pour yourself into your work and the people you work with, but to see so little reciprocity.
Knowing that I have one of my three remaining members looking externally for work, it begs me to ask “do I continue?” I recognize that I am in a period of contraction right now. This contraction will lead to an expansion and things will become unbelievably amazing. It’s the not knowing how long the contraction will take that is the most challenging.
What advice do you have for me? What can I do to re-energize myself? What are your strategies?
Earlier today, I was chatting with one of my oldest friends when she asked me a profound question – “How are things? (The real version. Not the ‘Instagram version’)”
This was a very interesting question. Afterwards, the question lingered in my mind and I started to think about our social media lifestyle. It’s true – 90-95% of what people post on social media about themselves is the good stuff, the positive stuff.
Where’s the reality? Why are we so afraid to be truthful and honest with our friends and family? Are we worried that others will judge us? Are we delusional to the point of thinking that everyone else’s life is absolutely perfect and we’re the only ones who have bad days? Continue reading “How are things? (The real version. Not the ‘Instagram version’)”
Some time ago while I was on a silent meditation retreat, I had the opportunity to observe something that I found intriguing. As I sat by the edge of a cliff overlooking the river below me, I spotted something in the distance moving upstream in the river. At first I thought it might be a otter, ferret or something similar; but as it got closer I was stunned to see that it was a tree branch. Continue reading “Swimming Upstream”
I had started to write a long post talking about all of the amazing food that we ate while we were in Disney World at the end of August, but rather than have yet another long-ass post, I’ve opted to do something different for me.
In alphabetical order, here are my top six table service restaurants at Walt Disney World. (click on any image to see it full-sized) Continue reading “Top 6 Table Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World”
Just over a week ago, I crossed the threshold from being in my thirties to my forties. It sounds so strange to say that I’m now a 40-year old. This is the age that I still place my parents in when I picture them in my mind. But then I realize that they are now where I first recall my grandparents being in age. Time moves forward like an arrow.
Sometimes the funnest part of a trip or an activity is the anticipation leading up to it. Take for instance my upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. Though my wife and I are unquestionably excited for the trip and know that we will be spending 8 days of pure fun and excitement, all of the time and energy we’ve put into prepping this trip for my 40th birthday has been just as much fun. Continue reading “In Anticipation…”
Over recent years, I’ve started to become aware of a peculiar reaction that goes on around me. I seem to have some sort of effect on electrical systems. It’s most noticeable with light sources. Continue reading “Electric Mayhem”
Following my diabetic odyssey in March 2008, I had an opening of consciousness that launched me into a period of change; I went through a shift, if you will. One of the end results of that shift was my relationship with my now-wife, Isabelle. Had it not been for the life altering experience that I went through, I may or may not be married to the love of my life, to my soul mate. I honestly believe that Isabelle and I are soul mates, destined to find one another. And the Universe did all it could, repeatedly, to make sure it happened.
I mentioned in my last post that my darling wife, Isabelle, had surprised me with an early birthday present in the form of passes to the Quebec City Summer Festival (Festival d’été du Québec). She booked a hotel room for us for the nights of July 9 & 10, as the Foo Fighters were headlining the festival on the 10th. Another check off of my list… see the Foo Fighters in concert. Continue reading “Summer of Chris”
