Good morning from Prince Edward Island,
Put the kettle on, get the cup, put the glasses on, and let’s chat.
Not too chilly today at -14C or 6.7F, no wind makes taking Millie out to do her business a little easier. If you missed last week’s blog, who is Millie, she is our new 9 week-old fur baby as of today, a beaut of an Australian Shepherd.
It has been a week of calling her Marvellous Millie and Mischief Millie, and Millie of course. She now knows her name and comes upon calling. We have had lots of laughs and lots of, “quick, get her out of there!” moments. There are times when the energy gap is evident. Poor Millie can’t keep up to me. NOT... LOL
Prince Edward Island News.
Near the end of December, a fire destroyed The Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre.
Hockey rinks in most small towns throughout Canada mean everything to the community. People come together to honour the beauty of life by participating in all things sport and community.
It didn’t take too long for locals to jump into high gear and begin the process of raising funds for the rebuild.
Their efforts to rebuild the rink will soon get help from some former NHLers. Summerside is hosting a celebrity hockey game on February 8 with NHL stars from the past.
Raymond Bourque, of Boston Bruin fame, will be headlining the game at Credit Union Place. All money raised will go toward rebuilding the rink in Tyne Valley. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, all proceeds go the fundraising efforts.
Another reason, I LOVE Prince Edward Island.
When the chips are down, everyone chips in. This is more than a village losing a rink. It is a story of Islanders, Maritimers and Canadian hearts beating together. Pumping new life into a knocked down but not out community.
A friend, Debbie Brady has started a unique business. It promotes a one-of-a-kind perspective on oysters, art and giving.
Debbie lives in Tyne Valley, home of the Oyster Festival held annually in the rink. It makes perfect sense to create a special piece of Oyster art to help raise funds in response to the #rallyforthevalley.
Debbie explains below the photo.
“Phoenix” uses the dark mark left by an oyster’s adductor muscle to signify dark times breaking through ice-like surroundings into the light of a new tomorrow. The shell used for this commemorate piece is from our local Valley Pearl Oysters.
Until February 29, proceeds from the sale of “Phoenix” will be donated toward rebuilding the Tyne Valley Sports Centre. To give your support by purchasing this unique piece click here. www.oysterart.ca/oyster/phoenix
If you appreciate the beauty in nature, as I do, click the link to see more of Debbie’s talents for capturing nature's beauty in a special way.
Speaking of community, I love this story out of England. Since 2014 Good Samaritans', have been leaving money to be discovered by strangers.
The money was always left in plain sight and often on pavements.
In a lot of cases, the money was returned to the police station. I love it. Honesty. After the waiting period, in most cases, the funds were returned to the person who found them.
The benefactors told police they had received unexpected windfalls and wanted to give something back.
One of the Good Samaritans - who both wish to remain anonymous - said she felt an "emotional connection" to the former pit village after being helped by a resident and wanted to "repay the kindness she received". Read more here.
For those who are new to reading my musings, I had shared in a previous blog to have challenged myself to read 20 books in 2020. To some, I realize that is nothing.
I was self-convinced by listening instead of ignoring. In an earlier life was told by a teacher that I was stupid. It left a scar and caused a procrastination gap between my desire and my doubt. And in most cases doubt won.
It took me a few years. I finally threw that nonsense in the trash. Moving on to 20 books and looking to 2021 and the challenge of 21 or perhaps 42.
This week, in reading Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday, I found many nuggets of wisdom. I share some here.
1.
“Many of us carry wounds from our childhood. Maybe someone didn't treat us right. Or we experienced something terrible.
Or our parents were just a little too busy or a little too critical or a little too stuck dealing with their own issues to be what needed.
These raw spots shape decisions we make and actions we take-even if we're not always conscious of that fact.
This should be a relief: The source of our anxiety and worry, the frustrations that seem to suddenly pop out in inappropriate
situations, the reason we have trouble staying in relationships or ignoring criticism-it isn't us. Well, it is us, just not adult us.
It's the seven-year-old living inside us. The one who was hurt by Mom and Dad, the sweet, innocent kid who wasn't seen.”
2.
Most people never learn that their accomplishments will ultimately fail to provide the relief and happiness we tell ourselves they will. Or they come to understand this only after so much time and money, so many relationships and moments of inner peace, were sacrificed on the altar of achievement. We get to the finish line only to think: This is it?
Now what?
3.
What do we want more of in life? That's the question. It's not accomplishments. It's not popularity. It's moments when like we are enough. More presence. More clarity. More insight. More truth.
More stillness.
Three nuggets from Stillness is the Key, by Ryan Holiday. I have to say, I am wearing down the nib on my yellow highlighter reading this book.
Music
Classical musicians around the world are celebrating the anniversary of Beethovens’ 250th birthday. So, I too celebrate today listening to a new recording by Fazil Say. Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 4, 5, 6 & 7. A sample listen here.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and thank you for taking your precious time to spend it with me.
Take care of each other.
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Sincerely,
Bruce
ps.
A Mom visits her son for dinner who lives with a girl roommate.
During the course of the meal, his mother couldn't help but notice how pretty his roommate was. She had long been suspicious of a relationship between the two, and this had only made her more curious. Over the course of the evening, while watching the two interact, she started to wonder if there was more between him and his roommate than met the eye.
Reading his mom's thoughts, the son volunteered, "I know what you must be thinking, but I assure you, we are just roommates."
About a week later, his roommate came to him saying, "Ever since your mother came to dinner, I've been unable to find the silver plate. You don't suppose she took it, do you?"
He said, "Well, I doubt it, but I'll email her, just to be sure."
He sat down and wrote :
Dear Mother:
I'm not saying that you 'did' take the silver plate from my house, I'm not saying that you 'did not' take the silver plate. But the fact remains that it has been missing ever since you were here for dinner.
Love,
Your son
Several days later, he received an email from his Mother which read:
Dear Son:
I'm not saying that you DO sleep with your roommate, and I'm not saying that you DO NOT sleep with her. But the fact remains that if she was sleeping in her OWN bed, she would have found the silver plate by now, under the pillow…
Love,
Mom
