Tag: creative

SPINNING INTO HEALTH

On By MarieIn Aglows, PoetryLeave a comment

“We do not stop exercising because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop exercising.”

K. Cooper

 

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I move

because if I don’t

fat conglomerates in body and mind

life becomes joyless and stagnant

creating a road to unhappiness and poor health

I have broken the monotony of

s-e-d-e-n-t-a-r-i-n-e-s-s

that work has demanded of me

 

muscles now fire up

the heart pumps beats of delight

mind blooms with synapses of jubilation

wheels spinning

inspiring and encouraging

habits that promote

health and happiness

 

 

 

 

 

I was a acute care nurse for 18 years. A lack of fulfilment, due to increasing work load demands, left me exhausted and stressed out. I do however, miss the movement that acute nursing provided.

Now I am a home care nurse – WHICH I LOVE – with one exception. It has led to being more sedentary.  I sit too much, at a desk or in my car. Clogging my own and the world’s arteries.

I have always found time to play in the outdoors outside of work. Without the forest runs I would not be a sane person. Regardless of this extra time for other activities, the sedentariness of work was causing aches and pains I had never had before. Time to find a solution and make a change.

So I have purchased a cargo electric assist bike. I am now spinning into wellness as I commute between clients’ homes.

Many are skeptical and ask, “doesn’t it take more time?”. The reality is that I have been able to get to where I need to be within 5 minutes of what it took in my car. A few times I even beat a driving co worker to the same home. Plus – parking is a non issue!

I would not be able to do it without the cargo space; I carry a lot of supplies. I also need the electric assist due to the many hills where I live. Assist or not, my legs are always moving.

The following is a great video addressing the hidden health risks of a sedentary life style.

 

I am already seeing the results after doing this for just a few weeks. The emotional, physical and mental stress that can result from my job is releasing with each pedal stroke. Movement creates a healthy body, mind and spirit.

My carbon footprint is less. If Glory can carry it (of course I named her), I bike to get myself around the city when not working as well. With the continued threats on planet earth, every little bit helps.

Life is rich and full with many demands.  If we do not show compassion and care for our own well being, it becomes more difficult to care for all the others in our lives. The burdens are greater, all those demands become arduous, and the stressors immobile us.

It can be tough to find the time and we can make numerous excuses.  It is said, best to get out of your own way to make change happen. Put those excuses to the side and find a solution.

So I have broke the sedentariness of my daily routine at work with cycling.  Changing my routine to make it happen, when I can.

What do you already do to incorporate exercise into your daily routine? Or how will you change to promote a healthier body, mind and spirit?

“The groundwork of all happiness is health”  L. Hunt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIME LAUGHS

On By MarieIn Aglows, PoetryLeave a comment

 

TIME

Time is rich and full

possessing intervals of adventure

in the squashed space cradled

between demands of the earth’s state of affairs

 

previous —

memories of childhood linger in fairytales of realness

presently —

time laughs in the face of my accumulating years

 

I now choose ever so mindfully

my collection of thrills

of moments wrapped in the universe’s jest

that nibble at my brain’s intervening patterns 

creating velvety, supple synapses

to span the seasons on this cosmic journey

 

photo by me

BEING CREATIVE

On By MarieIn Aglows, Poetry1 Comment

“KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. LISTEN. FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY. IDEAS ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. LET THEM KNOW YOUR ARE AVAILABLE”

                                                                                                               Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Here we are the last day of April. My final poem for Poetry Month. Kind of crazy just how quickly the month went, but really, time is such a warped way to measure reality. When I started this blog I never thought I would be writing a poem everyday for a month. I have astonished myself. I truly enjoyed the experience. Being creative in this way actually changed how I perceive the world. I have always been fairly aware, but I am now tuned in to another frequency and I love it. 

vege man

 

 

 

 

A poem   ♥   are thoughts spoken and unspoken

What is Life  ♥  but poetry in motion

 

 

 

When I began this journey of blogging I was worried about what others thought. I have succeeded in pushing my boundaries around vulnerability. Now I just don’t care. This is my journey, my imagination and it is inspiring me to keep evolving. Another favourite quote from “BIG MAGIC” 

 

“IF PEOPLE DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU’RE CREATING, JUST SMILE AT THEM SWEETLY AND TELL THEM TO GO MAKE THEIR OWN FUCKING ART”    Elizabeth Gilbert

 

I will most likely not be posting everyday from here on, but I will continue to carry pen and paper with me. When the creative adventure flows, my mind will take note. I encourage all to listen deeply to the world around them. There is so much inspiration that otherwise goes unnoticed. 

 

 

Daily word prompt astonish

 

 

LISTENING TO THE MUSIC

On By MarieIn AglowsLeave a comment

springs delight

So someone pinched me and the dream is over.

The memories remain vivid and the learning continues. Travelling taught me many things. The biggest lesson was to slow down. For there is so much to be embraced.

My wise and wonderful friend Leila describes time as an accordion. Moments can be long and stretched seeming like they will never end or squashed with far too little of it. There is music in both if we are willing to listen. So my goal on my return was to remain mindful and listen to the music. Be it a slow waltz or a fast polka.

To take extra care and fall less off the teeter totter of life. I promised myself that I would do my best to not get consumed in the ever increasing demands of life.  Instead of the mantra, “there is not enough” time or whatever else it may be; I comment on giving thanks for what I do have. To not loose focus on what is precious and true. To see the beauty and inspiration in the micro of life. To embrace the moment. To be patient with myself and others. To meditate and listen to the whispers of my heart more often.

Well, its been a month now and I am once again a hamster on the wheel of life. Wowsers, can that wheel ever pick up speed if I let it. The difference now is that I am aware of its speed. That most days the wheel is not spinning so crazy out of control. That most days I can keep the wheels speed in check and can even change directions if I wish to. Better yet, I am able to completely jump off the wheel and let it come to a complete stop. Even if only for a moment.

Breathing in the forests’ fragrance.

The sound of a song bird.

The full moon rising and the stars shimmering.

The gentle caress of the wind on my face.

The joy as a pod of dolphins jump, swim and play.

Street dancing with my son under the stars last sparkles before the sun wakes for the day.

Digging in the garden.

A friend’s laughter.

My children’s HUGS and I LOVE YOUs.

The crunchy crispness of alpine snow.

Walks with friends.

Walks in solitude.

My sons’ contagious joy of unicycles.

Dancing on hill tops.

Springs first blooms.

Dancing with patients.

The wonder of clouds.

Waking to a quiet house with a coffee and my journal.

Silence shared with someone who is dying.

A cup of tea and some poetry.

A deep awakening breath.

The difference is my awareness. I am not getting lost in the demands and chaos of everyday life as often. Life can be all consuming, or all embracing.

I choose to embrace life in all its variety and brilliance. In its harshness and its beauty.

I choose to stay mindful more often. To be true to myself and those around me.

Yes, it is a difficult balance. Yet the balance is easier to maintain if I just take that extra moment to breath and give thanks. The more I breath it all in, the more of the moment I embrace, the more brilliant and colourful the world around me is.

Everyday I wake with gratitude to the sleep and silence I did have during the night. I dream of what the day will bring.  Then I go to bed every night and believe that

I AM ENOUGH

 

DREAM BELIEVE ACHIEVE

On By MarieIn AglowsLeave a comment

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6 SLEEPS!!!

My Hubby and I are about to take our two boys on an around the world journey. Europe, India and South East Asia. Lots of places to explore in only 4 months. But we are a family inspired by adventure and we are up for the challenge.

BK (Before Kids) we travelled fairly extensively. Then we embarked on our biggest, most challenging and most rewarding journey ever…. children. Many things changed, but we never lost our desire to travel. We have been dreaming of travelling with our boys for 5 years now.

So many thoughts could have got in our way. Can we afford it? What about work? What about the house? When would be the perfect ages? Is the world safe?

Those questions only motivated us to make it happen. To believe.

First I want to acknowledge just how privileged we are. We were born into privileged families, in privileged communities, in a privileged country. We are white and middle class. This dream did not mean we had to sacrifice. We had to make choices. Choices that so many do not have the pleasure to make just because they were born into not so fortunate circumstances. I want my boys to ground themselves in gratitude. To be aware to just how privileged they are, and to promote change so one day every one can make choices instead of sacrifices. To honor diversity and support those who are less fortunate.

Some may say I use and abuse my privilege because I choose to travel. Am I selfish?  Yeah I am. I still have much learning to do, and I crave personal satisfaction. My desire to travel comes from a deep inner place. I love the adventure, the unknown.

Travelling made me the person I am today. My parents always took me on camping trips in the summer. I celebrated my 13th birthday in Mexico. Grade 12 was my first real adventure with a whirl wind trip to Europe. Then at age 19, against many peoples’ advice, I made a choice. I left university, and went travelling.

That 6 month trip, 27 years ago, changed my life drastically. No amount of schooling could have taught more about the world, the people who we share it with and how to navigate everyday life. More than anything though, travelling encouraged personal growth and discovery.

I am thankful I can give this gift to my children. Promote curiosity, independence, self discovery, belief in humanity and diversity.

Money? Saving aeroplan points for the last 5 years has covered all our flights. We make good incomes and made some choices of how to spend our earnings. We have enough to cover our costs. And if we fall short, we have jobs to came back to.

House? Find someone to move in. Easily done and we are grateful.

Work? Husband is seasonal so winter is his time off.  I was willing to walk away from my position but my leave was granted. Again I am grateful.

Kids are the perfect ages. 10 and 13. Old enough to understand. Young enough to still think their parents are made from cool stuff.

But the world has so many dangers? So does driving in my car. I am not naive to what is happening in the world. But I choose to still live. I refuse to let media frighten me and let fear hold me back. To let the few who promote hate and pain dictate how I live.  There are more people in the world who choose loving kindness. I hold faith in the beauty and compassion of the human race. I believe in the grace of humanity. I want my children to hold that grace as well.

I am a nurse and I walk alongside the dying and their loved ones often. They have taught me to embrace life. To live with a whole heart. To not put off what I can do today.

Life is a gift. It is fragile. Follow your dreams. Cherish those around you.

For one day, death will come and take us all.

“We do this thing. We open our hearts to the world around us. And the more we do that, the more we allow ourselves to love, the more we are bound to find ourselves one day.” Stuart McLean

NOTE TO SELF

On By MarieIn AglowsLeave a comment

I chose the word AGLOW a few years ago to describe who I would like to be.

AGLOW in all capacities. To be aware and give respect to all the thoughts and emotions regardless of the happiness, joy, sorrow, or frustration that they may hold. To be grateful for all of life’s experiences; good or bad. To embrace the moment and the sentiment(s) that it encompasses whole heartedly. To be curious and explore for a deeper meaning. For without embracing the experience fully, how can I learn and grow from it?

To radiate with a whole heart at all times.

No, I will not be successful and I will become unconscious often. I will stumble and even fall. But I will continually ask myself, how aglow are you? Its my trigger to come back to self and be grateful for all life’s’ experiences.

To embrace the now and be AGLOW. To illuminate with love and gratitude.

The following was what I wrote to myself at a time when I needed a boost. When life seemed hard and I was not at my best. I thought a little letter to self  would help in the healing. It did.

I love myself.

I love my spirit.

I love my mind.

I love my physical form.

I hold deep gratitude for the numerous years of daring opportunities.

THANK YOU for the intellectual, emotional and spiritual power to create everlasting relationships, a meaningful career and the ability to explore the world.

I have born two wonderful boys and continue to nurture them with love and compassion. I have loved unconditionally, created a lasting marriage and a connected community.

This body and spirit have and continue to take me on many adventures. Climb mountains, wade rivers, run, hike, surf, bike, ski powder, dance, row, skinny dip in alpine lakes, chase children, wrestle, love, tickle, walk, jump, meditate, and hug many.

I have and will continue to allow the space to be vulnerable, be strong, have courage, think, create, change, forgive, love, grieve, bleed, heal, scream, sing, cry and laugh.

Sure I am soft in some places, saggy in others. Dimply here and wrinkly there. Ache and creak on occasion. Forgetful, angry and frustrated at times. Not always on my best behaviour. I have been hurt and sadly have hurt others.

I still remain grateful for all of me. Each ache, each wrinkle, each grey hair holds a memory of what has been. Life’s inescapable suffering will stretch my spirit. Each time I step out of line, there is space for further growth. My beauty and strength hold the dreams of new adventures yet to be.

I love my body. I love my mind. I love my spirit.

I love my life. I love myself and all that I encompass. For without all of me, I would not be unique. I would not be me.

Press play and listen with your eyes closed. Better yet, dance with your eyes closed. Be inspired. Then sit and write, embracing all your treasures and your flaws with deep gratitude.

“EMBRACE THE GLORIOUS MESS THAT YOU ARE”  Elizabeth Gilbert