Joyful Wrecks: Reflections on living...

Mountain Pose

This evening was my first session in the Yoga Thrive program, designed at U of Calgary for people who have had cancer. The first step is a seven week program and this fall it has been rolled out across the city at 20 different locations. Wellspring is hosting three sessions.

I have committed to the research component and to attending the seven sessions. After tonight, I can see that this will not be a hardship but rather a privilege to get to go to yoga on Tuesday evening, with a dedicated and experienced teacher and fourteen other eager people.

It is the right thing to do. This is the time to give my body/mind a helping hand so that it can continue to help me. My version of the "mountain pose" was not strong, stately and well balanced  like this photo, but that's not the point. The point is to do what I can today. And I did.

It is truly amazing when you think of the army of people in the world working steadily to help others. I have been a fortunate recipient of so much of this help my entire life. 

With thanks to all. Trudy

Me and My Bike

 

Ok. I love my bike. And we are getting use to each other. I have an inner bubbling joy when I get on my bike coupled with uncertainty and nervousness. It has been a long time since I rode a bike, yet, there is a familiarlity. My skill does not equal my enthusiasm so my natural caution holds me in good stead and at the same time I can't allow it to be a dictator, not even a benovolent one.So I need to pedal. That is the only way I will gain confidence and expertise.

Today I was skimming a book by Margaret Wheatley, who by the way, will be giving a free public lecture at the Banff Leadership Institute on Wednesday night. In this book there are several wonderful quotes but the one I like at the moment is from Vaclav Havel:

"Hope, is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out."

Thinking of all of you, dear readers, and wishing you well. As always, Trudy

Get Active

(logo of Now Magazine Toronto)

In July and August this summer I was fortunate to meet Pamela Bowes. She is one of the Toronto Wellspringers and a prime mover behind the Return to Work program and the creator of the amazing Money Matters program that are available for free to any Wellspring member.

Besides her long list of attributes, which I won't go into here so Pam doesn't blush, she told me an extraordinary story on my most recent trip to Wellspring Toronto.

Several years ago, shortly before her friend Rob Cole died, they were discussing what she might like that belonged to him. It was a no-brainer. Pamela wanted his beautiful, cushy, green leather sofa. Considering this a done deal, imagine her disappointment when she not only didn't get the couch, but instead received a gift she hardly knew what to do with - a green, yellow and white Marin bicycle, with a two-word message: Get Active.

This gift, unbeknownst to Pamela at that time, would change her life. I have the story that was published in Now Magazine and I would love you to read it. The tag line reads On my pal’s wheels, I dropped 100 pounds and pedalled my way out of a rut.

Pamela had a wise and caring friend. I think his gift and message was an amazing bequest and her remarkable response brought honour to his gift and inspiration to others including me. I love this story and I salute the memory of Rob Cole and his very alive friend Pamela. May you continue to keep turning those wheels, Pam, one pedal stroke at a time.

With appreciation for your story, Trudy

PS My bike will appear on this page for sure on the week-end.