Sunshine Silly & Sailor Joe Change Travel Plans

trishapr — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:58:52 +0000

Random Pictures of Fredericton

trishapr — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:42:53 +0000

trishapr — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:59:07 +0000

When my children were small, storms were a big thing in our house. I love thunder and lightening and consquently taught my children to value the beauty of each and every storm. I find myself sitting here as the rain beats on the canopy over the boat and the lightening zig zags across the sky thinking about storms.

I’ve had a lot of storms in my life. I’m currently experiencing stormy weather with one of my children. I’ve been thinking a lot about that situation, my powerlessness and what I can do to make things better. In the midst of the sky lighting up and the thunder roaring, I saw her. She walked by with my grandson on her shoulders, umbrella in hand. For the fleeting instant I caught sight of them I was reminded of myself as a young mother.

I wanted to holler, “Hey, come in from the rain.” I wanted her to experience refuge from the storm. I am protected from the elements under my canopy. She is out there and exposed. Then I remembered how refreshing the rain feels and how cleansing storms are.

The storm that she and I are experiencing will pass.All storms do. I just need to wait and trust and be patient. I need to allow her to experience the cleansing power of the rain and the thrill of being a Mother and sharing a storm with her young son.

At my age I understand that storms are not forever. She hasn’t learned that yet. Someday we’ll talk about this storm and I’ll tell her I saw her and wanted to protect her but realized that she needed to learn to do that for herself.

The picture of her will remain in my mind long after this storm has passed. I look at her and I see her determination to prove to me that she can do it. What she doesn’t see is that I already know she can.

What have I learned as a Mother? I’ve learned to wait and appreciate the beauty of the storms. How can I ever feel the refreshing power of the rain or appreciate the majestic color of the rainbow if I don’t allow myself to see the beauty in the storm.

Manifesting

trishapr — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:15:36 +0000

What are my limitations in manifesting what I want in my life? Am I still holding onto beliefs that hold me back? Do I believe on an unconscious level that I deserve all that I want? Are conditions preventing something from manifesting in my life?

When I place judgments on others, when I talk negatively about others and when I subscribe to the belief that I don’t really deserve something , the conditions are not being met for manifestation. How do I change my old belief systems? How do I become a person who only responds positively? Practice, practice, practice. I work to change my patterns consciously. I find opportunities to practice my new philosophy and I fall into patterns that support manifestation.

I believe that, every where I go, doors open for me. Whenever I am entering or exiting a building, I allow someone else to get the door for me. I am physically creating what I want to manifest in my life. Because I subscribe to this philosophy, doors do open for me. I am presented with an abundant amount of opportunities. People refer to me as being lucky. I know though, that doors open for me.

Will you be someone who doors open for?

The How to Guide for Relationships

trishapr — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:44:10 +0000

I am writing this article as a result of some of the struggles I have been having relationally. Everything I write is my own opinion and based on my personal experience. I am not an expert on relationships. There were two things that sparked this article. One was an email response I received from a friend of mine regarding our relationship and the other was a conversation I had with someone about a relationship they were struggling with. I’ve outlined some very simple things one can do to foster a relationship. The following is a list of those things:

1. If I offend you, please tell me. Don’ t avoid talking about it for months and then throw it at me like a bag of dirty laundry. It is never my intention to hurt you. I love you and care about you.

2. Please give me the right to make my own decisions and choices. I am an adult. It is not your job to protect me. As my friend it is your job to encourage me, not judge me. I have a wonderful friend who always starts his conversations with me by saying, “Well, isn’t that great!” That doesn’t mean that he agrees with everything I do. Through out the course of our discussion he’ll say things like..you know what worked for me, I tried this and I really liked it. He never tells me what to do but shares what worked for him. Because I admire him, I usually follow his suggestions. Questions like, “What are you doing that for?” do not facilitate conversation.

3. If I don’t call you everyday, every week or every month don’t assume I no longer want to be your friend. Possibly I have stuff going on in my life that I am dealing with.

4. Don’t talk to others about your concern for me. If you are worried about me, call me, drop by, invite me out for coffee.

5. Don’t talk to me about your other friends. I do not want to know.

6. If I share a confidence with you, it is because I trust you. Just because we have mutual friends don’t assume I want you to share what I have told you on my behalf. If I want someone to know something, I’ll tell them.

7. I don’t need to know if someone is having a party for you and I’m not invited. How is that helpful?

This guide is intended for me as much as it is for anyone in my life. When my attention is focused on situations that cause me stress or turmoil, I generally look at whether my behavior is matching my expectations of others. If I notice stuff in other people it is because there is something I need to change in me.

I am a woman of integrity. I am not a victim of circumstance. I have a choice. If something in my life makes me uncomfortable, I need to examine why I am allowing it to continue.

Today I choose to remember that I teach others how to treat me. If I am mistreating myself, I am giving others the permission to do the same. I value and respect myself.

Letter to Jaxon

trishapr — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:37:41 +0000

February 16, 2010

Dear Jaxon,

After nine months and one week you’ve graced us with your presence. What a blessed event for those of us who have been awaiting your arrival. I’m on my way to visit you for the very first time and at this point, don’t even know how big you are. I don’t know any of the physical characteristics that will make you who you are. What I do know is that you picked my daughter to be your mother. What perfect parents you picked.

You are such a gift. I had a little boy in my life that I loved very much and because of circumstance, needed to let go of. He was my first grandson and his birth date was also February 16th. The message that I get and I hope that you get throughout your life, is that the Universe always gives us what we need. When we become willing to let go, even if we do it with resistance, we are always given something even more magnificent to replace it.

I hope that, if I have any influence on you, I teach you that the world is an amazing place and throughout the course of our life stuff happens but, it’s just stuff. What happens does not define who we are. Who we are is defined by how we react to what happens. Every situation in your life will provide you with an opportunity to learn a little bit more about whom you are. Wow! What a gift. You are already whole, pure and wonderful. As long as you remember that, nothing else will matter.

What an incredibly exciting time for you to be born. The world is evolving. Human beings are evolving. We are at the beginning of a new time, a time of a global collective consciousness. We are becoming much more aware of how we impact others and we are beginning to understand that we must treat the earth with much more respect than we have in the past. You get to be part of that incredible experience.

Our plan is to take you on your first sailing trip this summer. I hope we get to take you sailing a lot. I have a sense that the relationship I have with you is going to be unparalleled to any other relationship I have. I am so excited. I can’t wait to get to know you. I have so many things I want to ask you about and you have so much to teach me.

We’re about two hours away from Halifax, where you currently reside and the anticipation is building. I can’t wait to see you, my cherished grandson. I want to hold you and bask in awe and wonder. I can’t wait to see your parents. The respect I have for them and their commitment to you fills me with amazement.

I love you little one!

Your Nana

Letter To My Source

trishapr — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:22:08 +0000

This morning when I woke up, I immediately wanted to write. I pulled out the story that I’m working on and started writing. I wrote a few paragraphs and then realized that I was feeling something in my chest and couldn’t write anymore. I am writing to you, my source of love and creativity, about this blockage I have inside. I keep thinking that I have given everything to you and then I discover that there is still more under the layers.

I’m in a new state of feeling right now. It is uncomfortable and scary. It means I have to let go of more things, especially people and I’m feeling the panic welling in my chest. Something is better than nothing,right. I’m learning that I’d rather have nothing than something a lot of the time. How do I do this? My goal, source, was to work on my relationships and let go of those ones that are not life giving. Some of the relationships are ones that have spanned decades and are familiar. It fears me to let go of them. At the same time, you assure me that, if I trust, you will bring new into my life. I can’t welcome the new when I hang onto the old.You tell me that who I am is enough. I am not too much or too little. I do not need to compromise my values, twist myself inside and out to accommodate others. When I am constantly trying to make people like me, I am not being true to the set of values and principles you gave me.

I release all the people in my life that are not life giving. I give them to you, my source of divine light and love. I trust that your purpose will be revealed to them, when they are ready. I open my heart and welcome the new. When the fear comes in, I will use it as a reminder that I need to rely on you. I give myself to you completely and totally, even the parts of me that are uncomfortable and unpleasant belong to you.

I trust that your intention for me is higher than I ever could have imagined and I open myself to your intention. When I let go of the emotional stuff, I will get the physical release I need. I freely and easily release the old and joyously welcome the new.

Love your daughter

A Single Parent’s Guide for Stress Management

trishapr — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:11:14 +0000

Being a single parent can be incredibly difficult. Trying to work a full-time job, meet the needs of children and still have time to care of oneself is a very stressful endeavor. There are many other challenges, among them, trying to survive on a tight budget, fulfilling the role of two parents, attendance at school events etc. All of which can impact on stress levels and subsequently, the ability to parent effectively. This article will provide small, easy steps to take to assist with stress. Following the recommendations will not only decrease your stress level but improve your relationship with your family.

1. The first step is to recognize when you are feeling stressed and make a commitment to change.

2. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink. Following a healthy diet and regular exercise will reduce stress. Have a regular exercise regime and eat well. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. Sleep regular hours. Set a bedtime and stick to it.

3. Practicing deep breathing, yoga, meditation will assist you with relaxation. Maintaining a positive outlook and understanding that whatever your situation, it will change, can help you to avoid stress.

4. Try to minimize anger. Use the techniques already outlined to assist you.

5. Be respectful of your limitations when it comes to time management. It may be impossible to meet all the commitments you’ve made.

6. Give to others. When we give to other people, we take the focus off our own struggles. Volunteer if possible. This is something you can encourage your family to help with.

These simple tips will help most people. Once you attempt all of the suggestions outlined in the article and if you find you are still struggling with stress, it may be time to seek the help of a professional counselor.

Window Washing in Carleton County (For Rob)

trishapr — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:05:04 +0000

She calls me……”She who plays with delight”

As my ass and legs crawl out her window

and I am reduced to a puddle of laughter

On the bird shit covered tin roof….

Feeling like a naughty little girl

Full of dare and triumph……..

Victorious, arms raised…..

Two little girls delighting in the joy

of each other’s experiences

and the alignment of their souls

make a tedious task like washing windows

one of the greatest adventures of their love filled lives

Maria

trishapr — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:02:26 +0000

In the classroom, the smell is disgusting

A combination of old spice and dirty cum

I excuse myself.

Go to the washroom and furiously wash my hands

feel my stomach churn, vomit catching itself in my throat

I wash and wash

But, the smell persists

A long forgotten memory of my childhood.