Christmas is Nigh

Well, it's been a while since I last wrote. Been sick and dealing with a lot of stuff, so the brain just wasn't functioning. 

Christmas is now two weeks away. What will it bring this year? The decorations are up, the tree is decorated, the gifts have all been bought and most wrapped. All that is the same as every year. Other things are different. New people in my life, others gone from it; new ideas and hopes and aspirations, others fallen by the way side. Change ... some things change, others stay the same. The main thing is the peace I feel inside, the love of family and friends, and the spirit of Christmas. May we all have a Christmas that is merry and bright!!

The Hurricanes of Life

This weekend we experienced a category 1 hurricane—Hurricane Earl. I watched as the winds progressively picked up, stronger and stronger. I watched the trees as some of the leaves were shredded and torn from their branches and strewn across my property and plastered to my windows and doors and everything else in sight. I watched it rip a thousand small crab apples from my tree and deposit them on my property. I watched the trees bend nearly in half from the strength of the gales. I listened to the sound of the wind and rain beating on my windows. And where were the birds? None were to be seen. They had all taken shelter from the storm, shelters provided in God's world to protect them and shield them from the storms of life. More than 220 000 people lost electricity, a time to shut down the world of electronic noise and listen to the sounds of their own lives. The rains helped for a short time to moisten the dry ground. To bring much needed refreshment to the arid land

Following the hurricane, the winds continued to blow strong for another day. The clean-up began around the neighbourhood. Missing items retrieved from another's property. Trees, limbs, and twigs were gathered from the lawns and roadways. Leaves were raked and bagged for collection. The sound of power saws still rings out as fallen trees are cleaned up. The sound of hammers resounds throughout the neighbourhood as small repairs take place to roofs and siding that came loose.

Then today the winds have subsided. By times they are still. The cooler air has been pulled into the region by the tailend of Earl. And life begins to go back to normal ... whatever normal may be.

I was struck by the similarity of this to human life. I believe that God is the master of the universe, and what a story He has to tell. When I look at those trees and the stress that they were put under and watched them survive, I was awed. But why would I be? Their roots are deeply planted into the Earth, giving them a strong foundation. They have been given the ability to withstand a lot bending under the strain and yet to bring themselves back upright again. The leaves they have lost, they will rebuild and start afresh with a new spring. The limbs that are lost are only those things that are not healthy parts of the tree, those parts of it that may sap their strength and their worth, and that they may be better without, allowing them to grow stronger and healthier.

How similar is this to human life? I believe that God does not give us more than we can handle, and He gives us the tools to handle it with and offers us shelter from life's storms. Where do we go wrong? Perhaps in not trusting in that. We have the strength to bend without breaking and right ourselves again. We have the ability to shed those things (and yes, people and situations too) in life that are not healthy for us and to surround ourselves with happiness and joy and love from those people willing to share it with us. Ultimately, God wants what is best for us and is there to lend a hand. We must trust and reach out that hand. Michaelangelo captured this well in his painting of Creation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:God2-Sistine_Chapel.png)

Be strong. Have faith. Believe in a power greater than yourself. Believe in yourself too. Great joy, happiness, and love are there for you if you just reach out and trust it. Be brave. You are worth it!!!

My, How Time Flies!

This week I celebrated 30 years of service on the job. When I walked through those doors as a teenager, I never thought I would still be there all these years later. Nor did I know how different my job would be from the way it was when I started.

The changes I have seen over that period of time has been incredible. Time has a way of changing things. I have met and worked with a lot of people over that time. The skills, abilities, and personalities were and still are very diverse. And as is the norm, always the odd one here and there that challenges your patience and tolerance. The people I work with at the present time, though, are the cream of the crop. The days are not without their challenges, but the team pulls together to create a quality job.

Those years there have seen me through a marriage, the birth of my two wonderful children, and a subsequent divorce, and the death of both my parents. There were other life issues that they and my colleagues saw me through as well. The appreciation and respect I receive from my colleagues is immeasurable.

I love my job! How many people can say that after 30 years? Another 5 years, and I can retire with a full pension. Whether or not I will want to leave a job I love is yet to be seen. Let's see what the next 5 years brings my way. Life, bring me the good stuff!!

The Secrets of Pensions

I've discovered over the past month that there are flaws in a lot of pension plans that no one ever reveals to you. Well-guarded secrets that help to ensure the pension funds line the pockets of those who maintain them far more than of those who pay into them. Some injustices are being done.

I highly recommend that everyone look at investments vs. pension annuities before the retirement date ensues. You may be very surprised at what you find out. I only wish I had known a lot of these things 25 years sooner.

New Ways of Thinking

I've been listening to astrologers over the past year speak of a turning point that is happening right now in our world, beginning precisely at this time. They speak of innovation, new ways of thinking, and of new ways to treat each other and deal with the major issues that plague our world. Of new beginnings for the world as an entity and for us as individuals.

Someone just sent me this video link via email. I think it is a prime example of a "new consciousness thinking." What an excellent idea. Here's hoping it can and will work out. Take a look and see for yourself.

http://xrl.in/60u7

Life Is Backwards

I think life has things backwards in terms of human existence. When we finally reach the age where we have gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge and our understanding of the true meaning of life emerges, our bodies begin to give out on us. Our hair starts to grey and/or fall out, as do our teeth, our skin begins to wrinkle, age spots appear, and our bodies begin to shut down, causing all kinds of irritating issues that cause us grief. We don't have the stamina we once had.

We began our lives with someone looking after us—feeding us, changing our diapers, and dressing us. We grew, we flourished, we learned, and we enjoyed life. Then the cycle reverses. We enjoy life, we begin to forget what we learned, we no longer flourish, we shrink, and so on, until we again need someone to feed us, dress us, and sometimes change our diapers.

Hmmm ... I think Benjamin Buttons wasn't such a freak after all. I think life got it right for him. He had the young body with the wisdom and knowledge and stamina we would all like to have at mid-life.

Summer Heat ... and Cold!

I could have sworn that the bus I got on to come home said "New Flyer" on the side by the door when I stepped in. However, when I took that first step in, it became clear that I was travelling home by Frigid-Air. 


Now, I really dislike the heat intensely. I like comfortably warm weather with a nice breeze. Temperatures around 21 °C suit me just fine. That's a perfect summer day for me. Today feels like a nice summer day. Then there are those who claim to love the heat, but you will find them sitting in air conditioned vehicles with the chillers on "fast freeze."


Although it is only about 23 °C outside right now, the driver felt it necessary to have the A/C on fast freeze. How silly it looks to be carrying your coat when you're outside and then step into a vehicle and have to put it on. All the way home I was frozen. My nose and ears were cold to the touch by the time I got off the bus. I was wondering if I should go see a vet because my nose was cold!


So why do people feel the need to have the chillers on full blast? Isn't A/C simply meant to be used to take the intense heat off the air. Cooling it down inside to around 21 °C would have been fine. Heck, on a day like today, just leave the windows open to get a nice breeze and some fresh air rather than breathing that recirculated crap.


And they wonder why people get sick!!

Born Free? / Taxed to Death ... and Beyond!

This little poem was sent to me in an email. It certainly is a sign of our times. Our country really does need help. The question is, How do we do it without it falling on the backs of the taxpayers?

Tax his land, tax his bed, tax the table at which he's fed.

Tax his work, tax his pay, he works for peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow, tax his goat, tax his pants, tax his coat.

Tax his tobacco, tax his drink, tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his car, tax his gas, find other ways to tax his ass.

Tax all he has then let him know that you won't be done till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers, then tax him some more, tax him till he's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin, tax his grave, tax the sod in which he's laid.

When he's gone, do not relax, its time to apply the inheritance tax.

 

Accounts Receivable Tax

Airline surcharge tax

Airline Fuel Tax

Airport Maintenance Tax

Building Permit Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Death Tax

Dog License Tax

Driving Permit Tax

EnvironmentalTax (Fee)

Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment  (UI)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)

Gross Receipts Tax

Health Tax

Hunting LicenseTax

HydroTax

InheritanceTax

InterestTax

LiquorTax

LuxuryTaxes

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Mortgage Tax

Personal Income Tax

Property Tax

Poverty Tax

Prescription Drug Tax

Provincial Income and sales tax

Real Estate Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

Retail Sales Tax

Service Charge Tax

School Tax

Telephone Federal Tax

Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax

Vehicle  License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Water Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

--- and in 2010 the HST

(author unknown)

 

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

 

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago, and our nation was one of the most  prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

 

What in "Hell" happened?

Are You a Butterfly Too?

(Photo courtesy of Jim Newman.)

Have you ever noticed how life has so much to teach us if we only take the time to look? If you look at the trees around you, can you see how strong they are in standing up against the wind? Only the pieces of them which no longer serve a purpose are shed in those winds, yet the roots run strong and deep to hold it steady, and it continues to grow and flourish.

A butterfly is another rich example of how change can be handled in our lives. A caterpillar will one day turn into a beautiful butterfly. That's a dramatic change in their life. It goes through many stages before it emerges as a thing of beauty to be admired and looked at with wonder and awe. 

Have you ever followed a caterpillar through the stages of its life and thought about what it goes through? A caterpillar begins as a tiny egg, which takes a little time then hatches into a fuzzy-bodied creature. Then for a period of time, it spends all day eating leaves, growing stronger and bigger, molting as it grows, preparing for the next stage of its life. One day you notice it is no longer there on that leaf. A search for it shows it has transformed itself into a chrysalis. Here insides its little cocoon it sleeps for another period of time, undergoing another big, life-altering change.

Then one day, the chrysalis begins to break open. Slowly, the butterfly emerges from its place of rest. It is tired and wet and must sit for a period of time to rest and dry its wings. But it has successfully and dramatically transformed its life from a little creature that must crawl from place to place to a beautiful butterfly who may now spread its wings and fly. It is a whole new way of life for it from the one from which it began.

How similar is human life to that? Life is full of changes we must undertake. Changing can be hard, and some days we probably wonder if it is worth it. But ultimately we know that one day all the hard work is going to get us wings to fly too. Change can be the hardest thing in the world. The work that must be done to go from one stage to the next can be very tiring and draining. Oftentimes we are scared of change because we don't know exactly how things will turn out. We are not meant to. That is when we must trust in ourselves and have faith that God is helping us every step of the way. I truly believe He is.

So, if you are undergoing change, especially major change in your life, don't be afraid. Trust in yourself. Trust your own instincts. Trust in the power that you have been given. And above all else, trust in the plan that God has for your life. It is a beautiful one, and you are worth the work to get there!

Humidity

Yuck! We have had a few days of hot weather combined with humidity here. Although the temperatures were only around 24–26 °C here on the coast, the humidity is high, so the "feel like" temperature or the "humidex" as well call it, made the temperature 32–34 °C. Gross!!! The only saving grace is the wind that has been constantly blowing. It makes it almost bearable.

I sure hope the humidity goes away soon. Forecast, though, shows no sun for the next week. I am told that where we live, it is the hardest place in the world to forecast weather because it is constantly changing. As we all say, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. It'll change." We can only hope for the best. Personally, I look forward to September weather, excluding the hurricane season that is predicted to be more intense than usual.

Life, She's a-Changing

Well now, it has been a very long time since I have blogged. Time to start anew I guess.

Last night marked a full moon, a solar eclipse, and a cosmic cross in the sky. All of this is, according to astrologers, a very powerful time marking an ending to all things we wish to put behind us. We will now have the power and resources to do so. In two weeks time, we will have a lunar eclipse. It will mark a time for new beginnings to take shape.

I can feel it. My life is beginning to really change ... for the better. Life feels like it is unfolding, opening up, opening doors. My world is slowly, but surely, expanding. I am doing my best to steer it in a direction that I want to go.

My daughter graduated today from a local business college as a veterinary assistant. She looked beautiful, and I'm very proud of her. She and her significant other are launching their own business doing reptile shows. She, like me, is an Aquarian. Her life is changing and beginning to unfold and go in new directions too.

It will be interesting to see what the next few weeks hold in store. For today, I can say I have had a busy weekend, but it's all good. What does the near future hold for you?