Gloryland...

When I was very young there was a campfire song that my friends and I would sing as we walked along the railway tracks near home. It started with “I’ve got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun….” which I’ve since learned was made famous by the late Johnny Cash.

Every routine that we do daily, or even less frequently, may feel like a dreary habit at times. Like grocery shopping, laundry, taking out garbage, etc … 

In inclement weather even walking the dog seems a chore!

Most people’s lives seem to be chasing the clock and racing to get everything done On Time! Sometimes, in fact more often than not, we strive to achieve what simply cannot be accomplished; and the current expression of  24/7 doesn’t leave a second for one’s person to catch a breath!

A very admirable woman with whom I am acquainted recently mentioned that the location where she lives, has no TV, no internet, no cellphone – it is just a small house she cherishes as Home. When the sun shines weakly in Winter, there are a few precious moments when it floods a swingchair in her living room – and she tries valiantly to grasp that short opportunity and basks in the rays on weekends.

Her four very favourite articles in the world are good wine, good cheese, good coffee and a good book!

Last week, in conversation, I marvelled at her resilience and independence in middle age and living alone. The vocation she has embraced is demanding, she offers many things to many people – including education on particular subjects which involved a significant amount of local travel and public speaking; as well as counselling to help clients move forward.

One of the most thought provoking and soul-searing comments from this lady was that “even the most mundane is close to glory”…In this fast and furious world how seldom do we even stop to sniff the spring air, watch twittering birds, snuggle under a ratty-tatty afghan to catch forty-winks, or sit on a park bench and just observe.

We all live in “Gloryland” if we’d just pause and reflect!

Chillin' with Chai

The assortment of specialty teas and other more traditional selections can be almost too much when a choice needs to be made relatively promptly.  Students of homeopathy and other health/natural foods providers are usually quite familiar with the attributes of each type.

Included in the several boxes of tea in my own cupboard, and filing cabinet at work, are Peppermint, Blueberry, Ginger, Lady Grey, Constant Comment and traditional orange pekoe. I’ve heard it said that tea will warm you when you’re cold and alternatively, cool you when you’re hot. Many an agitated floor-pacer has been calmed in the night by a comforting cuppa!

I recently noticed, while driving,  a billboard in Bracebridge advertising a new small business which name includes the word Chai. While I didn’t adequately absorb the several types of services this company offers, the tea name did stand out boldly – with all its connotations!

At this very moment, while hosting an Open House on a sunny day, I am sipping happily on my first Chai tea. The description on the box describes this as “perfectly balanced” – which relates absolutely to my personal and professional aspirations as a REALTOR in Muskoka.

Quidditch anyone...

Several years ago, when the Harry Potter™ books and movies were all so popular, many parents and adults were very nearly as enthusiastic as the target audience.

We read so that we would “be in the know” and able to carry on a quasi-intelligent conversation if needs be.

Movie-goers everywhere thrilled to the graphics and animations – from wands to witches to muggles’ Quidditch on broomsticks, where the ultimate was to be a “Seeker”.

When a beautiful Honda Pilot, painted gold metallic, replaced a van style, it was perfect for my real estate needs. And also, it is the most beautiful vehicle I have owned. One year, for Christmas, a girlfriend gave me a license-plate frame which would be personalized by inserting letters into the frame. Thus, the Golden Snitch was named.

Months later, when perusing a costume catalogue online, I came across a representation of that ever-elusive golden globe with whirring wings. It now hangs in my car off the rear-view mirror. Children and grandparents recognize it immediately; parents smile when I explain the mindset of always striving to reach the unreachable. The symbolism is not lost on anyone.

Feel the magic when you fly too!

Throwing in the towel...

Over the past few years I’ve considered the probabilities of this action. A sense of uncertainty prevails when one wonders about the process; when perhaps the information we’ve garnered will prove flawed and one single activity can challenge one’s measure of credibility.

In the business world, there is seldom room for error – mistakes cannot simply be classified into various grades of significance; as in “not so bad”, “grievous”, “intolerable” or “unforgettable”. The sums of frequency add up, and feel impactful. There’s used to be an old saying that “ignorance is bliss”, but nowadays most opinions reflect that “one should have known – but clearly they did not!”

I guess the adage of “doing unto others…..” would be a saving grace in almost any circumstance, be it business, public/social and extends to when the cleaning lady comes!

Some people I know just create a heap of eventualities; while others are more particular. 

 

I’m uncertain about protocol to follow when any or all bathroom linens have been used and require changing. On the floor…on the shower rod….or does one simply throw in the towel?

A fish called...

The majority of my family members are all animal lovers, and all pet owners at some time or other. Cats, dogs, bunnies, the usual hamsters, and fish have all been valued and cherished.

On the occasion of leaving home to attend post-secondary education far away, my youngest niece and her Dad both knew how important it would be for her to have the companionship of a pet in her new apartment. If a bout of homesickness required nose tissues, at least there would be something furry (or not) to cuddle.

And of course SKYPE to at least see familiar faces every night!

The initial challenge in Year One was to hone her skills as the ultimate packer – Dad’s car would only hold so much, and a lop-eared bunny named Caddy had a cage large enough to nearly fill the back seat! In the first semester a kitten from the school’s Collection of Donated Animals was lovingly scooped up and carried home inside her Winter jacket. His first car-ride was a 7 hour journey in Dad’s car when he drove North to collect his girl for Summer break. The two pets actually got along quite well, despite the rabbit’s propensity to be amorous with the cat.

Year Two saw two rabbits, the cat and a fish called Marley. Imagine the calamity of this travelling zoo when Dad trundled up and down the highways delivering kith, kin and cargo to either home or back to school!

Just a couple of days ago my niece’s apartment was flooded from the upstairs. Ceilings down, carpets soaked, clothes drenched – you get the picture.. As luck would have it, Cappi the remaining lop-eared rabbit watched from his dry cage as the waters rose – but was never in peril.

As for Marley, he had swum to fish heaven just the day before - narrowly escaping death by drowning!

Worrying to the Worriers...

The intensity and pace of everyday living in both urban and suburban centers is enough to make anyone feel fretful. With electronic devices jangling/buzzing/reminding and alarming too often, people everywhere are bombarded with “To Do” notifications.

I had occasion to ride on the subway in Toronto recently and felt intrigued by the apparent absence of self-consciousness. Years ago people tucked their elbows into their sides closely so as not to infringe on the seat space of the person sitting next to them; others kept their eyes averted from sizing up a fellow passenger. The screech of the railcars was noise a-plenty.

Today there are cell phone conversations everywhere, gesticulations such as arm waving or jutting digits, and without regard to fellow passengers. I think most people are nearly overwhelmed – which brings me to the Worry-Worts whose minds and hearts are full to overflowing with fussing about too many things they have not a whit of control over!

If we can fix it, ok to fret a bit perhaps. If we can’t change it, improve it, solve it or otherwise alter a situation or circumstance, saving our energy for more worthy topics is a wiser choice. Cuticle picking, nail tearing, hair twirling, hand wringing , lip chewing, inner-cheek gnawing, zit squeezing and other common manifestations of edginess would be more infrequent if worriers didn’t worry so!

We need to chill out and find some inner balance! Even REALTORS®!