Love Gives Meaning + Time For My Check Up + That Would Sound Silly
Good Morning from Warren Grove, Prince Edward Island,
Please put the hot chocolate on, no marshmallows, but happy with extra cream.
Omicron is tearing through the land, but I am encouraged by what I read. Viruses tend to wear themselves out. Could this be true?
Could this be the light at the end of the tunnel?
I sure hope so!
A friend in her early nineties wrote to tell me, ‘I have a nice little sign made for my door side mailbox. It says, "Unvaccinated? Unwelcome!" So far, so good. I have lost a few friends but am still safe.”
When I read this, I laughed out loud, and it also made me think of the self-respect she had for herself. And I loved it. Not everyone will, and that’s ok, but we need to respect each other.
-MEE-TEE, a student of CONFUCIUS
It is hard to believe that next Saturday is Christmas Day. There will be a blog that I will wait to write the morning of.
This week is a time to thank all who have helped my year. And I look forward to saying many times. But, first, a BIG thank you to you who continue to subscribe and comment on our blogs.
Did you read on our collective blog taking you down memory lane? The Kitchen Range by Theresa Redmond.
I like to look back on the last year and the accomplishments.
I am grateful for all the community is doing to protect each other. The nurses and frontline workers are heroes. Not only are the citizens being tested for Covid, but Covid tests governments everywhere.
We need to celebrate the global scientific community’s coming together who tried and succeeded at creating a vaccine to solve this problem at record speed.
You have to define beautiful for yourself." - Zendaya.
Thinking ahead, I like this exercise I learned from a Tim Ferris podcast some years ago. However, I have altered it a bit to fit my style.
This week will be the start of my annual “check-up,” sort of speak.
What was healthy or unhealthy this past year?
The exercise:
- Take out a piece of paper create two columns: POSITIVE and NEGATIVE.
- Take a calendar from the last year.
- List any people, activities or commitments that triggered peak positive or negative emotions. Then, write them in their respective columns.
- Look at your list and ask, “What produced the most reliable, positive and rewarding outcomes?”
- STEP ONE: Take your “positive” and schedule more of them in the new year. Book things with friends and prepare for activities/events/commitments. It’s not real until it’s on the calendar.
- STEP TWO: Take your “negative,” put “NOT-TO-DO LIST” at the top, and put them somewhere you can see them each morning for the first few weeks of 2022. These are the people and things you KNOW make you feel positive, so don’t put them on your calendar out of obligation, guilt, or FOMO. (fear of missing out)
I try and take the good with the bad and plan for more good.
As part of my check-up, I start with free-flowing a list, a brain dump sort of thing. I don’t question anything; I just write. Then, I review it over and over, asking myself why.
Then I pare the list down and fit it into the basics—Spiritual, Health, Family, Relationships, Business, Finance.
I break it down into actionable steps of progression. Once I have it settled, I will put it on the calendar. That doesn’t mean it won't change, but it is a good start.
– Chris Williamson.
Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, there is one thing I hope we can all agree on.
If it separates people and creates animosity among them, it is bad.
The time is coming, a time of concord, harmony, forgiveness, and love. Depend on it. We must do everything in our power to bring this time closer and to stop those things which delay its arrival. ~ Leo Tolstoy
Music. I love music. Especially music that allows me to think, read or relax.
Here are a few links to new music I have been enjoying this week:
Jazz: Street of Dream Bill Charlap Trio
Classical Crossover Piano: Yiruma - Solo
Choral: The Belfast Cathedral Choir
And Songs To Make Your Heart Warm a playlist by Nao.
A BIG Thank you to all who supported us during this shipping season; our staff did a fantastic job! THANK YOU, team.
I wish everyone a great week ahead.
Take care of each other, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Peace and Love.
Bruce + Millie
ps. Your Morning Smile from Millie
On a slow day with few customers, a clerk at a telegram office looks down from her counter and sees a dog waiting in line.
"Oh, aren't you cute?" she says. "What would you like me to put on your telegram?"
"Bow-wow wow, Bow wow wow," the dog replies.
The clerk says in a cutesy voice, "But you can add another 'Bow-wow wow' for the same price."
The dog responds, "Now, wouldn't that sound a little silly?"
Comments
Murdock Morrison said:
Well Bruce it is a time to thank all of those who made a big contribution to the success that the Preserve Company had in 2021. Liked your blog and the special comments about love and respect as they are truly the virtues that we need in our lives. Writing to you from Toronto with our daughter and her family and wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Hope and Good Health. Murdock
December 24, 2021
Bunny Wortman said:
Merry Christmas, Bruce. Thanks again for your wonderful thought-provoking blogs, the great music, book recommendations, and humour. Another thing for which to be grateful in a challenging year. All the best in 2022. Can’t wait to taste those fish cakes again!
December 19, 2021
Lynn said:
May I join the chorus and thank you so much for your blogs and for the others that pop up from time to time. You and your business are a treasure! I’ve learned so much from you this year and am grateful for that. I have also had some good laughs and much to ponder, plus heard some great music. Do you realize how wonderful your blogs are and how we all enjoy the in our own special way? I particularly appreciate how upbeat you are, even when the going gets tough. May we all be able to emulate that.
Have a blessed Christmas and may 2022 be filled with even more blessings!
Lynn
December 19, 2021
Brian said:
Bow-wow wow, Bow wow wow, Bow-wow wow!
It does sound a little silly.
December 19, 2021
Cathy Hammond said:
Thank you for your blogs every week. Always enjoy reading them. Merry Christmas to you, your family and staff. Hope you all stay safe in this unprecedented time of Covid.
December 18, 2021
Susan said:
Just a note to thank you for your uplifting words this past year. There must have been days when it wasn’t easy. Hang in there and have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas. You are loved…
December 18, 2021
Julie MacKenzie said:
I look forward to your blog every weekend. Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas 🎄 & a Wonderful 2022! 🎊🎉
December 18, 2021
Derinda said:
Thank you Bruce for all the uplifting words in your Blogs, and Stories and beautiful photos. Music is a big part of my life and I always enjoy your choices, although often new to me. I wonder if you realize how much your positive outlook on life inspires so many of us. I wish you and your Family a safe and Blessed Christmas and New Year 2022.
Derinda
December 18, 2021
S Kalich said:
Peace and love to everyone, human and animal. Merry Christmas. Thank You Bruce and Millie for providing comfort weekly in your blog. If you haven’t read it yet I highly recommend “The Code Breaker” by Walter Isaacson…it really gives the history of how the mRNA vaccines were developed and the scientists who are behind it all. It totally fascinated me and was reassuring that they have been around for some time.
December 18, 2021
Elaine V said:
Thank you Bruce, for sharing your great products, blog, kindness and wit with us through the year. Merry Christmas to you, your family and great staff!!
December 18, 2021
Ellen Fisher said:
Just a wee note:
I have been listening to relaxing Christmas music by Peder B. Helland. Peder is a Norwegian artist known for beautiful music in many genres. Perhaps you would like his music as you read.
Ellen Fisher
December 18, 2021
Gillian Keane said:
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Wishing you a joyful and Healthy New Year.
December 18, 2021
Carol Prickett said:
Thank you so much for being a reliable bright spot during a dark year! Happy holidays!
December 18, 2021
Judy Donovan Whitty said:
Bruce, your blogs co; ntinue to amaze AND expand my heart… I particularly like the Tolstoy quote today, the Benjamin Hardy quote; I plan to try the model you shared re making a list, a “check up” of this year and thank you whole heartedly for sharing all this. Your blogs are all worth reading. May 2022 be good to you and your beautiful family/staff at Island Preserve!! judy Donovan Whitty in Ch’town, PEI
December 18, 2021
Ellen Fisher said:
Merry Christmas to all!
2021 ~ a wonderful year of Bruce’s blogs, pictures of nature at it’s finest, the blogs ~ full of uplifting, thoughtful words, beautiful music, and books to read.
A joy to receive!
Blessings to you Bruce, and to your loved ones.
Ellen Fisher
December 18, 2021
Kay said:
Thank you for your weekly blog, always look forward to it. Your blogs are interesting, informative & inspiring. Also enjoy the beautiful pictures that you send with your blog.
A Merry Christmas & A Blessed New Year to you & your family.
December 18, 2021
Kathy said:
Merry Christmas Bruce and health and happiness in the New Year, to you and your family ❤️
December 18, 2021
Jamie said:
What a lovely way to end a year and prepare for a new one. Blessings for you and your family and all across the globe,
December 18, 2021
Wendy said:
Thank you for the comfort and joy you send out to us all!
December 18, 2021
Marlene Andrews said:
Love the quote about change. Merry Christmas to you and your family and wishing you all a happy, healthy 2022.
December 18, 2021
Bev Shapiro said:
Bruce, I love the nature pic that opens your blog. Love the rest of the blog too.
I know you will close out the year in Grace.
Thank you for all you do to add to my life.
Bev
December 18, 2021