Compassion Passion

We are moved when we see someone hurting, suffering, or feel compassion for people we don't know at all. We have seen evidence of people who will risk their lives for others, for another living creature or for someone they hardly know at all. The seed of kindness and compassion is hardwired in us all.

Reaching out and connecting with our others is how we will survive. Nurturing our relationships that provide emotional and physical well-being brings deeper meaning to our lives.

Cooperation, collaboration and compassion is also the basis for survival of other species in nature.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=forget-survival-of-the-fittest

The out pour of emotion and compassion for Jack Layton from Canadians this past week has been is insurmountable. We believed in his dream, his honestly and passion. I was moved by his compassion.

We are not judged by what we do, where you've been,...what you own or where we live. We will be remembered by our compassion, our relationships and our humanity.

Sometimes you hear about something or meet someone who makes you re-think what you do or what you know. In our society, competition, getting ahead, is the message for success. Real success not about competition but about compassion. In nature, species who collaborate and cooperate are the species who succeed.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=forget-survival-of-the-fittest


A very cool video from my good friend L:

Surfing for your Soul

When I was flying back a few weeks back I caught 'Soul Surfer' on the plane. I had wanted to see this flick but not one wanted to see it with me. They said, 'girl surfer goes surfing, loses arm to shark, gets back on board, surfs again....don't need to go see it!" Anyhow, I did enjoy it and it was the start of a surfing movie marathon!

I just saw 'Northshore' and even though it's a bit dated (1987), the story line weak, it features some of the best surfers. Okay, I admit, it was full of cheese!!

I chuckled at the surfer neon gear but loved the idea of making a board and learning to surf. I'm totally amped about the art and the design of boards. It also made mention of understanding or reading a wave, (part science, part art) which is also in a book I'm reading called 'The Wave' by Susan Casey.

Another film I saw again was 'Blue Crush'...LOVED this film! It was GREAT!

Here is a link for some surfology!

http://www.zoozoo2.com/surfology.html

Surfer movies....aaahhhhh!



Here's 'Surf City' with a Flintstone clip. I used to rush home at lunch just to watch the Flintstones and back to school...those were the days!

In Paris at Midnight

Twilight Zone

I find the concept of time travel fascinating, to be able to venture into the future, back into the past. Movies have milked this theme at least a dozen times, even television has with the series the "Time Tunnel".

I'm not always sure of Woody Allen films but his lastest offering is worth a look, if you're passionate, love art and the city of Paris. I found the characters fascinating and the dialog was smart and witty. People sometimes have an illusion that a life different from theirs would be much better.

We all dream of another place, another life. As of late, I've also had some of those dreams as well...more of an escape from my work world. Sometimes I think our worst enemies are ourselves, we talk ourselves into and out of most things.

Sometimes I think life sends us in different directions only to see how we will react or handle a situation.


Hang on....we're changing directions again!


 Here's the song from the movie..."Bistro Fada."

L Versus

Mosquitoes and Listerine
In the last few weeks, mosquitoes have taken over the outdoors! There is little relief if you like to spend any time outdoors. The weather has been spectacular the last few days and I've resorted to a concoction of Listerine...yup...Listerine which I would never use as a mouthwash cause it's yucky but is a wonderful repellent for skeeters.

Listerine has Eucalyptol which is a derivative of Eucalyptus oil, a natural repellent that is often found in natural repellents on the market.

I did think about using oil of lemon as well, but I didn't want to smell like sunlight detergent. There was always the option of using garlic... it keeps the vampires away too!

Here is a link that I followed for a solution to spray on the deck.

Read more: How to Repel Mosquitoes with Listerine | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5096300_repel-mosquitoes-listerine.html#ixzz1SKg5RwaJ

L versus...
When I was in 8th grade we read an amazing story called, "Leiningen Versus the Ants" by Carl Stephenson. It is a classic short story that was published in the December 1938. I didn't know it was published so long ago, but the story made a strong impression on me when I was growing up. Leiningen never gave up...he defended his house to the end and was innovative in creating ways to fight off the ants.

For the last 48 hours I've felt a little bit like Leiningen, perhaps, not to the extent of the war or battle that he fought but it was my own combat. Trying to figure out how these flying red ants were getting into my home. Wondering where, which crack or crevice they had made into a freeway to my home. Using a vinegar solution to wash out their trails for future ants to follow. Checking the yard for ant condos or new constructions underway. My CSI skills were in full force!

Today I contacted an exterminator for some professional help. She said that the bugs were extra resilient this year and everyone...EVERYONE was fighting a similar war with bugs and stuff. Maybe I'll sleep better now. Time for some ant music....

Spiderman and other Tales

Rock on...
Over 15 years ago, I started rock climbing, I took the courses, learned the knots....and loved it! Climbing is a physical and mental challenge, it taps into your strength, endurance, agility and balance.  Then work took over, and it was all about indoor climbing from then on.  I forgot all about outdoor climbing until a weekend in Jasper.

WOW, it was MAGNIFICIENT! I remember when I first started climbing it felt like re-experiencing what toddlers must experience when they crawl around. You just become so tuned into the surfaces and subtle pockets and holds that seem invisible just a foot away is suddenly so clear and obvious! Stick! Go!

Climbing challenges you to make decisions, to plunge ahead and dynamo! It's a good training ground to expand your horizons and try new things! I've been on a new adventure!




Spiderman School
My little nephew has always been a climber. He used to hang off of the pedestal sink in the bathroom when he was just learning to stand and he instantly gravitates to jungle gyms. Lately, he's been focused on going to Spiderman school which my sister promised him when he became a 'big boy!' Well, he's wearing his big boy pants now and R and I will probably take him out when he's older.

Right now he has absolutely no fear! I asked him on the weekend what he needed for spiderman school and in his cute little voice he said, "a suit and a mask!" Then I added, " I think you'll need a harness and a helmet too!" He said I don't need a "hell-mitt, that's for bikin'" I smiled and can't wait to take him out....first, I have to find a full body harness for my little superhero!


Free Falling always reminds me of rock climbing because I went to a climbing tournament and this was one of the songs they played over and over.....

Foods Sans Water

It's not about creating an emergency food supply or flipping over the  latest, raw food diet. It's not even about getting 5-10 servings of fruit and vegetables in every day. It's rediscovering Mom and Dad's dehydrator...and what a joy it is!

I've been looking at all the wonderful things that can be dehydrated and my favs are still the fruits. Strawberry chips! Especially, mangoes!


I've also made beef jerky and potato chips! I'm on a mission to discover some new foods to bring on hiking trips that are nutritious and delicious! Open for your ideas and recipes if you have some to share!


Time Well Spent
I was thinking back to when we ran outdoor education courses and had kids look at what they would spend their time at if they were in a survival situation.

What order would you prioritize your needs in a survival mode?
Choices:   Water  food  shelter   First Aid  fire


Remember the Rule of 3's
This is 3 minutes without air, 3 hours shelter and  fire. 3 days without water, and so on, applying to many different aspects. In reality, a person could go for about 2 to 3 weeks without food, but that is only until (at the end of the 3rd week or so) they will die due to starvation.

Order survival priorities:

1. Attend to First Aid concerns.
2. Build shelter.
3. Build a fire.
4. Locate water.
5. Locate food.

The Wisdom of Yoda

Sometimes I'm really not sure where my inspiration comes from? Movies, characters, books? Tonight, it was from a little green man who sounds like Grover and looks like Mr. Mayagi from The Karate Kid. I found myself peppering my presentation with quotes from a Star Wars character (totally unplanned).  The quotes were fitting and my Yoda imitations drew a hearty laugh from the crowd. 

"Do or do not; there is no try."

 

"Named must your fear be before banish it you can."

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Lately, I've found myself in a state of flux and I turn to Yoda for some Jedi wisdom. Ah, if name the fear I only could...mmm.....