End of the Road

I guess the sun was really being shy in these last few weeks of 2010. I kept hoping for a brilliant sunrise to end the year and this project. But that was not meant to be.

I can't believe that this is the last entry in my year-long project to write about every sunrise in 2010. I have witnessed and written about every sunrise for 365 days. Some have been spectacular and others nonexistent.

The project has taught me a lot about many things. I think the one concept that stands out is discipline. This project has helped me to develop discipline. There were many days where I didn't feel like making the effort to witness or to write. But I did. There were days of travel where it was challenging to get an entry in on the right date. But I did it. I realized that sometimes in life you just have to do what you said you would do. Therebis an old Buddhist saying that says before enlightenment you chop wood and carry water. Then, after enlightenment you chop wood and carry water. I love this phrase because it emphasizes that we must take disciplined action in order to get the most out of life. I am looking forward to taking such action in 2011.

Tranquility

The sunrise was quiet and gorgeous this morning. I took this shot of Blue Mountain shortly after sunrise. It looks just like any skiing postcard you would get from Canada.

I am on a mission if tranquility today. It's funny how we have to schedule peacefulness into our lives. It seems like it should come naturally but that is not my experience. I have learned to set time aside to relax, slow down and just be. Today is such a day. Perhaps I will wind down 2010 in my mind and began to plant the seeds for 2011. Or maybe I'll just read my book.

Another Day

It was another gray morning with no sunrise to speak of. It must be the time of year. I had hoped for a glorious Collingwood sunrise this morning. Perhaps tomorrow will be the one that I am waiting for.

This year is quickly drawing to a close. I have spent some time reflecting in the last few days. I realize that I have spent a lot of time preparing and organizing and perfecting but not as many days taking good old fashioned action. Action is the bridge between our thoughts and our reality. We must take action. Usually, we must take massive action. Our old paradigms and habits run deep in our lives so making changes to the paradigms takes massive and repetitive action. Action is the name of the game.

Beautiful Birches

Finally a gorgeous sunrise. The golden sun was peeking through the birch trees this morning. It was a very picturesque scene with all of the snow. Looking out the window was like looking at a postcard.

I often forget how good life is. I tend to over focus on what's wrong in an effort to make it better. This morning I was reminded of just how really good it is. I chose to focus on that and then I started to see more goodness everywhere. Now I'm on a roll.

Active Morning

There wasn't much of a sunrise this morning but the view from the top of Alpine was still pretty spectacular. All of Collingwood and the surrounding area is covered in a lot of snow. It was like waking up in a winter wonderland.

My kids were super excited to hit the ski hill today and were therefore up pretty early and raring to go. I love the enthusiasm kids have when they really want to do something. They have boundless energy and endless enthusiasm. It's infectious and makes even mundane tasks seem fun. We were commenting that kids seem to run everywhere, even just down the hall. Always running. Maybe that's the key. Be enthusiastic and run.

Continuous Gray

There hasn't been one single sunrise since I've been in Windsor over the holidays. That's not say that the sun hasn't shone because it's out right now as I type this. It just seems that every morning it is hiding from view. Bad timing, I suppose.

Timing is everything. Many people always say that you have to be in the right place at the right time. While this is true, most people don't realize that you also have to take action. If you don't take action at the right time then your opportunity will be wasted. Action is the bridge between thinking and having. Action is what brings your thoughts into reality. If you find yourself in the right place at the right time then be sure to take some kind of massive action.

Peaceful Day

A quiet Christmas morning. Well, who's kidding who? Santa was here and it was anything but quiet at 7am. But, it was fun!!

And it is a white Christmas this year. Very white. And very cold. The days are now officially getting longer in the northern hemisphere. I sure would love to see the sun. It's been a while. Peaceful blessings to everyone today!

Christmas Eve

'twas the night before Christmas.... Well, actually it was the morning before Christmas and there wasn't a sun to be found anywhere. Just gray clouds bringing the promise of a white Christmas here in Windsor.

Christmas is a time for peace and for forgiveness. I have had a few opportunities to drop my ego in the name of love. It was well worth it. Someone once said that you can be happy or you can be right. I would offer a slight alteration. You can be loving or you can be right. Trust me. Loving is better!!

Mishaps

I swear I took a photo this morning of the nonexistent snowy sunrise. But I can't find the photo anywhere on my iPhone. I know that I saw it save the photo but it has disappeared completely.

Life's weird like that sometimes. You swear that it's one way and it turns out completely wrong. I really believe that mishaps happen for a reason and that we should look for that reason when they are occurring. I wonder why I lost the picture. Perhaps there will be a better one tomorrow.

Blowing Snow

The whole world was white this morning. The sky was white, the snow was white, the air was full if white snow. Even the Christmas lights were white. It was beautiful and especially nice to be inside.

This is a slow time of year and yet it feels incredibly hectic at the same time. It is the ultimate in multi-tasking. One year I'd like to do nothing except sit by a fire and read. I suppose I could do just that however my kids might have something to say about that.

Winter Solstice

It was a calm and chilly morning on this, the shortest day of the year, for those of us in the northern hemisphere. There was ice forming along the edges of the lake and 3 swans graced me with their surprising presence as they foraged for food along the shore.

I am quite happy to have made it to the shortest day of the year. The days will only get longer now. Well, actually they will appear to standstill for 3 days and then, on Christmas day, the days will finally change direction and get longer and longer. I've heard that metaphor somewhere before. Anyway, I love this day because it reminds me that everything will pass. It gives me hope on the days when I feel like I am stuck. Speaking of endings, there are only 10 sunrises left in this project. Wow!

Icy Reality

The state of the dock this morning reminded me that it really is winter. Despite the fact that it hasn't really been that cold and there hasn't really been that much snow, the icicles clinging to the side of the dock were a telltale sign that this is more than just a passing fancy. They look so beautiful when the lake is calm because you can't imagine how they possibly formed unless you know that they form when the lake is raging and the water is constantly washing over the top of the dock and freezing on its way down.

I love ice because it represents transformation to me. Despite being an adult and trained in chemical engineering, I am still fascinated with ice. Well, really it's water in its many forms that fascinates me. Water can be the most submissive and docile substance on earth taking the shape of any container. Paradoxically water can be one of the most destructive and powerful forces on earth in the form of a raging waterfall or thundering ice floe. Same substance, different form. Metaphorically, we also have powerful transformative abilities being able to adapt to our circumstances in many creative ways. The person who is willing to continuously transform and grow will ultimately prosper a very full life.

Gentle Morning

The snow was softly falling this morning. The kind of snow you see in movies, just drifting from the sky and gently landing on everything but not really piling up anywhere. There was no sunrise to speak of but it seemed completely offset by the fact that the snow was creating such a serene scene. Toronto looks much more beautiful when it snows.

Sundays are typically gentle days. There are no schedules to follow and no deadlines to meet. I find Sunday to feel like a sigh and a hug. A snowfall on Sunday makes it all the more peaceful. My circumstances are usually anything but peaceful so the snow helps to offset the chaos that is reality with two kids and two businesses. Looking at the snow is a bit of an escape. Even better with a cup of tea. Maybe I'll put some snow in my tea :)

Accepting What Is

I could tell that the weather wanted to change this morning. The gray clouds hung on long enough to prevent any sort of sunrise. However, they didn't last long after that. By noon, the sky had cleared to a pretty blue mottled with white puffs. It's too bad that it didn't happen at sunrise because it could have been spectacular. It was what it was.

How I often I have tried to not accept what is actually happening. How many times I have wished it to be some other way. Most of my angst comes from this type of behaviour. I find that when I am flexible and bend with the situation then it tends to turn out the best. Hanging on for my version of the what is should be is usually the biggest problem. Learning to accept what is actually happening is my biggest lesson.

Wavering

The sunrise was nonexistent this morning. The weather was at a standstill. It wasn't snowing but it wasn't not snowing either. It was hanging in the balance. Since the sunrise I have seen it snow and I have seen a brief glimpse of the sun. The whole thing feels utterly uncertain.

Uncertainty is not my strong point. I much prefer certainty. That being said, when things are too predictable then I get squirmy for some variety. But when there is too much variety, too much chaos then I yearn for certainty again. It feels like a tug of war. I remember writing that balance was a dynamic state. Well this has a lot to with balance. I suppose the real trick is learning to be flexible enough to handle the varying levels of certainty and uncertainty with grace and even ease.

Surprise Morning

There were quite a few centimetres of snow this morning. I didn't even know it was supposed to snow last night. It was very light and fluffy snow with enormous snowflakes. A walk down to the lake this morning revealed a pristine blanket of soft white beauty.

Surprises keep things interesting. Otherwise it would always be business-as-usual. A surprise is a great way to shake up your reticular activating system and get it set to start looking for something different. A surprise will almost always shift your focus. If it's a surprise that you want then it will also give you a host of positive emotions. Surprise yourself today and see what happens.

Beautiful Morning

I always the day after a snowstorm ends. It is crisp, clear, cold and beautiful. The whole world is blanketed in bright, white snow. Despite the fact that we are approaching the shortest day of the year, the brightness of the snow allows for reflection of the sun making it seem twice as bright.

Perhaps that just a trick of perspective but if I think it is bright then doesn't that make all the difference in my attitude? Fake it till you make it is a popular saying. There is some truth in it because your attitude is what really sets all of your results into motion. If you focus on what's right and get in control of your emotional responses then you will be at your peak potential in terms of reaching your goal. It's worth it then to make up reasons why things are looking good. It helps you get where you are going.

Moving On

This snowstorm appears to be moving on. At least that's what I thought. However, it's still snowing from this morning so maybe not. The weather person said that it feels like minus thirty out there. Yikes!! We Canadians are a tough bunch. That's seriously cold!

I just read an article that over 300 people were stranded in their cars overnight during the snowstorm last night. Overnight! In a car!! That's either tough or crazy or both. But I guess you do what you need to do when a crisis presents itself. These people had to figure out a way to stay warm throughout the freezing night. Farmers came out to help them. Truckers offered their cabs. People shared blankets. Thankfully, no one was injured. That's amazing and a testament to the creativity and compassion of everyone involved. When push comes to shove you will find that you always have the resources within you to deal with whatever comes your way. Even if that resource includes getting help from someone else. The point is to remain focused on your end goal and do what you need to do.

About Face

This morning was the opposite of yesterday. It was minus ten, at least, and felt much colder in the wind. There was no chance of seeing the sun.

It seemed so bleak out there that you would wonder if it was ever going to change. Some days are just like that. They seem so bad and it just keeps piling up. I have had days like this. They also seem to last forever. So far, my best strategy is to start to look for what's right. Sooner or later it turns around.

5 Degrees

It's pouring rain this morning and cold out but not freezing. It's five degrees above zero. Rain, at this temperature, is torture. I remember ten years of freezing cold rain during the winters in Vancouver. It goes right through you. There is no sunrise to speak of, just a lighter shade of gray sky each moment.

If it were only five degrees colder then all of this rain would be beautiful snow. It wouldn't be a drag, it would be a winter wonderland. It's amazing that five little degrees can make that much difference in perception. Invariably, there will be people who prefer the freezing cold rain to the snow. However, I am not one of them and I am the one writing this blog. I love the clean, crisp look of snow and I don't mind the cold. Most Canadians will tell you that there is very little difference between -10 and -15. Cold is cold and usually five little degrees matters not. Except today. It matters a lot. I think it's like that in most of life. Everything would change dramatically if we only changed about five degrees. It doesn't take much.

It's Just a Ride

It was quite a dark sunrise this morning. However, the sun did manage to find its way through any available opening. I particularly liked the small opening through which the sun showed up as bright orange. It was a breathtaking little paradox.

"Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down..." go the lyrics to a brilliant song that I was listening to this morning. It's called "It's Just a Ride" by Jem and she makes a very valid point in the song. You get what you get and your job is to do the best you can with it and have fun in the process. How often I forget this perspective when I get attached to life turning out my way as I have it planned. It is a lot easier to live with what actually is and enjoy the moments I've got.

Manhattan Morning

I watched a subtle sunrise over the NYC skyscrapers this morning. It was a welcome view from all of the electric lights of the city. It seems like this city is always alive.

Part of what I love about NYC is the fact that everyone here is chasing their dreams. You have to bring your "A" game to New York. Excellence is everywhere. You can feel it. Most people in NYC are living their dreams even if it costs them their entire life to find it. I think that is a much better fate than simply living a life that costs you your dreams.

The Impression of Increase

I watched the sunrise this morning with my best friend from 25,000 feet on the way to NYC for an art opening. I watched the sunrise get gradually lighter and more beautiful. It just kept increasing.

Do you leave everyone you meet with of impression of increase? Do you make the world just a little bit better? I like to think that I do. I sincerely want to make a huge difference in the lives of others. Ask yourself today "what could I do that would leave the impression of increase?"

Calm

Everything was calm this morning. Everything - the lake, the air, the snow, the sunrise. Calm was all around. It was kind of weird. Even the dogs on the beach were calm. I can usually count on at least one dog accosting me on my morning walk but not today. Calm.

Calm is not something I experience on a regular basis. In fact, it usually eludes me. What stuck me as interesting is that calm was there this morning without me even thinking about it. I'm proud of myself for noticing it. I just sat there for a few minutes listening to calm. It did wonders for my morning attitude and spun off into great productivity. Who knew that such a little 4-letter word would be so powerful?

Blanket of Beauty

The snow stopped falling at some point late last night. We awoke to a cottony blanket of snow and a gray sky. Only now, a few hours later, are the clouds breaking up. It is going to be a gorgeous day. It's amazing what a blanket of snow can do for the scenery. Despite the fact that the trees are all barren and the grass has stopped growing and there isn't a flower in sight, a blanket of snow brightens up the landscape to the point where it looks more beautiful than before.

Things aren't always what they seem. I used to view the world in black and whites. I used to think there was only one way to do it and one way to not do it. As I get older I am starting to see shades of gray. I am beginning to understand that there is no right way and that what's more important is that I do what's right in my heart in that moment. This perspective also gives me the ability to see another person's point of view without being attached to it. It leaves us both space to expand.

Snowy Sunrise

There was a beautiful brilliant surprise this morning: a soft blanket of snow. The air always seems more peaceful after a snowfall. Perhaps the vibration of the snow crystals changes the air somehow. There was no wind, just gently falling snow. They were the kind of snowflakes you used to make out of paper when you were kid - lots of beautiful detail.

I got to thinking how each snowflake is unique. It's really hard to imagine when there is so much snow falling at one time. Yet, each and every one is different. It's the same with people. We like to think that we are the same but we're not. We're each very unique. Yes, of course, we are similar but no two people are exactly the same. That's the point. Your potential is your potential. It cannot be realized by anyone other than you. You aren't going to get any permission to be who you are. You just have to take your space and become who you are now.

Surrender

The sunrise looks ordinary this morning. There isn't much fanfare or glowing golden light. There are some fairly ominous clouds on the horizon hinting at the snowstorm that is on the way. We will surrender to the snow today in the same way that the sunrise surrenders to the formation of the clouds when it appears. Resistance is futile.

You will get to a point in your life where you will make this realization for yourself. Resistance to change is futile and will only serve to increase pain and suffering in your life. Change is inevitable, suffering is optional. I might add that suffering is also self-inflicted. You are stronger than you think you are. So much more than you can imagine. You can handle what life throws you and you know it. Shrinking away doesn't make change go away. Step up. You can do the thing that you think you cannot do. Become who you are!

Golden Lining

You know that every cloud has a silver lining but did you know that, at sunrise, some clouds have golden linings? The horizon was obscured by a thin layer of cloud all along the edge. I couldn't tell where sun would actually rise. Then, I saw the golden lining. It was faint, at first, just a thin golden thread. It grew stronger and thicker until the sun eventually burst over the rim of the cloud.

The golden lining started out very small, very faint. It was almost not there at all. Gradually, over time, it continued to get stronger leading up to a very beautiful sunrise. Results are the same way. For a long time, it seems as though it will never happen. In fact, it often seems as though nothing is happening. But if you continue focusing on what you want and taking action towards your goal then eventually the results will start to breakthrough. It takes faith, perseverance and commitment.

Softness

It was such a peaceful, quiet and pretty morning along the lake at dawn. There were very few people and the lake was almost dead calm. A few times, I felt like the only person on earth. I came across the tree in the second photo that someone had lovingly adorned with Christmas decorations. I wondered who the person was and then speculated on the motivation for decorating just one little tree. I assumed it had to be a gesture towards a loved one lost.

This type of contemplation softens me. It causes me to take stock of everything in my own life. It puts me in a gratitude mood. Then, I start noticing everything that I am grateful for and the effect snowballs. It was only a 30 minute walk but it set a softer tone for the rest of my day.

Seize the Day You Have

The sky was gray again today. Cold. Windy. Gray. Same as yesterday and the day before. I took a picture anyway because I realized that waiting for a more beautiful shot could take days still. It is winter after all and the weather is very unstable.

It dawned on me that I am partial to taking photos only on the days that are colourful and beautiful. However, I have come to appreciate the subtle beauty in shades of gray as my very good friend Sara Genn can paint the most sublime paintings using only gray tones. I wonder how many other things I put off because they aren't perfect and yet they are perfect in some other way. We don't get to pick our circumstances but we do get to pick our responses. Regardless of what's happening we can always choose to see beauty.

Repitition

Today looked like yesterday. Gray. Wet. Cold. Bleak. I seriously think that these types of days are designed to force us to want to hunker down for an extended period of time and hibernate. There was no colour change in the sky this morning save for a lightening of the dark gray colour.

Repetition builds habits. In fact, it takes about 21 days to install a habit and another 21 days to master it. In total it takes about 42 days of repetition to make a habit stick. Imagine what you could change if you stuck with something for 42 days straight. It needs to be 42 days straight. If you miss a day, you really need to start over. If you want a different result then you need to do things differently. Try something new for 42 days and see what happens.