Odds, Sods and Nods: As I See It!

Greetings to one and all! Thank you for reading my first column a couple of weeks ago. From the feedback I received, it seems that you enjoyed the read.

For today, I thought I would follow up a “The Power Of One” with “As I See It”. As I see it, you have many choices in life to make something of your life, to do something with your life or to have an impact on the lives of others.

I have been very blessed in my life by being able to do all three.

No, I haven’t changed the course of history (though I do love to read about it and I am involved with the Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society); nor have I invented the best mousetrap or written a Pulitzer prize winning book (I have written several plays) and I haven’t impacted millions of lives around the world (but I have done my best to be a good influence/role model for my step-children and I have made a difference in the lives of a number of dogs and cats needing “furever” homes).

As I see it, how you feel about where you are and who you are and how you are is solely up to you. Too often, I hear “I hate this place” or “I hate my job” or “I hate my life.” You know, it seems to me that there is a lot of “I” there. I don’t hear “I hate your life” or “your job” or “your place”, so it would seem that as “I” see it, “I” need to make some decisions and/or changes. These circumstances are what you make of them.

Is my life perfect? No. I have day to day challenges and I learn from them. I have a great family and wonderful friends who accept me as I am. I am this way because I chose to be this way, to be involved with the community, to look for the bright side of things and if I didn’t like what was happening in my life, to change those things I could and change my thinking about the things I couldn’t.
Will you have the perfect life? If you choose to. Will you have the perfect job? If you choose to. It is depending on how you look at things and how you want to change what is going on in your life to make it so. A better job? Maybe take some courses or go back to school. “I don’t have the time” you say? Ahhh, then you are making an excuse not to change. “I don’t have the money” you say? Hmmm, not willing to look into grants, loans or other possible sources? More excuses. You can, if you want, make more, do more, be more, but it has to start with YOU.

Change what you do, where you go, who you talk to. Adopt different habits. All that stops you from doing the things you want is your old habits. Get some new ones. Make some new friends, get involved in something you like, whether its’ the dart league, bike riding, local history or community theatre, but try something new. If you don’t, the only person that is holding you back is….you.

I know it sounds simple and I know it isn’t always easy but as I said in my first article, the longest journey begins with the first step. So get out, smell the roses or better still, plant some. Read a book, talk to your neighbours, go for a walk or at least step out of the house. For by doing that, if you make yourself happy, you can be a good friend and be or make others happy.