As the book states, “If you experience anything at all by looking at an image, you are experiencing a reflection of yourself” (Ranck, Nutter. p. ix). I’ve been experiencing a lot, not just in the book though. In everyday life.

I’ve realized I am a creative individual as I see beauty everywhere. I understand the things that make me smile are reflections of myself. For instance the other day on the bike path there was a Kevin Costner look a like fishing on the blow river, smoking a cigar. He reminded me of my dad as they look a like and my dad used to smoke cigars that smelled similar. It reminded me of going to the lake and just seeing that man enjoying the afternoon made me happy.

Another time I ran into an old East Indian couple. The wife was using a cane to walk and the husband was right beside her to support her. He seemed like a very positive support for his wife as he was smiling, gave a big wave up in the air, and said hello to everyone that passed them on the path. It was sooo cute!

It was also cute to see young teenagers crushing on each other. There was this girl and boy and the girl was completely invading the boys space. It was hilariously obvious she really liked him. Oh the many crushes I had growing up, fun fun.

In everyday life, I want to continue to reflect on what I’m enjoying, and what makes me happy.

I really appreciate everyone’s support and thier feedback they’ve given.

As Eric (a man I work with) signs his emails,

“I  hope you have the best day of your life”

Krista

In search for Ken Robinson’s literature, I ran into “IGNITE THE GENIUS WITHIN, DISCOVER YOUR FULL POTENTIAL” by Dr. Christine Ranch & Christopher Lee Nutter (The library didn’t have any of Ken’s books in at the time, and there is a long waiting list to get them so I’ll just have to purchase them .

I’ve only read the introduction, but I’m inspired and I’ve already learned a lot. This is a big step for me as I’m usually too afraid to put myself out there and take a chance, but I’d like to share my experiences:

“If you experience anything at all by looking at an image, you are experiencing a reflection of yourself” (Ranck, Nutter. p. ix) Wow, this happens to me all the time, not just with images though, but with music, and everyday life. I’ll be listening to a song and it’ll take me right back to a distinct memory or make me think of an old friend. I experienced this today as I was out for a jog, I was running over the bridge and I looked down at the clear water running over the rocks. I had an amazing sensation of calming and I couldn’t turn my eyes away.

“…nothing is fixed, but rather everything, including you, exists in a state of possibility and therefore can change” (Ranck, Nutter. p ix), from this I realized I can change and I will start by looking at the possibility in things rather than reverting to asking, is this right or wrong?

I also learned the definition of Quantum Leap, “Moving to a different plane of existence without physically moving” (Ranck, Nutter. p ix). I think I experienced this recently.I had a very difficult life decision I had to make with my career. I was working for the company I currently work for now and I had a feeling like there was more for me. I was given an Project Management opportunity with a prestigious agency and client. I took the opportunity. It was a very hard decision as I was happy in my position at the time, but I thought it would get me closer to what I am meant to do. Once working at this agency, I found I was not myself, I was trying to be someone I’m not, I was working crazy hours trying to do what I thought was “right”. I had a harsh realization that this was not what I wanted and that I needed to quit and go back to my previous job where I knew I could attain the balance I needed. Suddenly, the plane of prestige and material existence was no longer important to me. I had shifted to a plane of existence where I had a need to spend time on tapping into myself and spending time with my family and friends. This brought on an incredible calming experience that I’ve been riding since.

“Only want what will make you happy” (Ranck, Nutter. p. x), This is very simple, but you would not believe how often I do things I really do not want to do, but I do them because I think it will make others happy. I need to concentrate on wanting what will make me happy, not others.

“Use your own awareness to see  that everything you want to have, you already do; everywhere you want to go, you’re already there; everything you want to be, you already are.” (Ranck, Nutter. p. x). This quote gets me excited and inspired!! I don’t know why, maybe it is a gratitude thing, not sure. but I love it and I feel it! I’m excited to tap into this feeling more as I read this book.

I’ve also learned I need to stop “forcing” things. I need to  “allow” things to happen. As well I need to work on looking at the possibilities of things and using my creativity to “reveal something that is already there”. I remember as I child. I was playing with cars, and I would fluff up a sleeping bag and make race track for my cars out of the mountain of my sleeping bag.

Lastly for today, I’ve learned I need to “Know my creativity is an expression of my own power to turn every moment of my life into a beautiful piece of art” (Ranck, Nutter. p. xi – xii). When I read this I got a feeling of needing to trust myself and knowing I can trust myself – it feels great!!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this, and I hope I have possibly sparked an awakening in you. Please don’t be afraid (like I usually am) to make a comment.

Cheers,

Krista

Like Terry said when I featured him on March 8th. When you feel gratitude and I’m positive when you express your gratitude, the universe just keeps on giving you more. So I’ve decided to create a category called ODACAVA Gratitude. Please feel free to join me in expressing ODACAVA Tude.

I’m grateful for:

• the sunrise shining through my windows in the morning
• the strength to have plans and the ability to live in the moment
• my husband, family, and what it feels like to love someone or something
• a clear sky so I can see the mountains from the city
• red wine and cheese
• Yoga and Thai chi

What are you grateful for today?

Cheers,

Krista

Terry had been thinking about how to become self employed for quite a long time, but the final push was when he was laid off May of 2003. Rather than being petrified, he was incredibly excited about his future. Terry’s goal was to utilize the internet to find an online based income from home with no employees. He searched for 2 weeks before deciding what model to use. He decided to create online content solely for the purpose of advertising.

Becoming wealthy, was never part of the equation for Terry. His initial financial goal was to make a reasonable $1500 a month. As well, his goals consisted of providing his business the ability to grow, providing his wife the opportunity to not work unless she wanted to, and providing the freedom to travel 4 months of the year. Terry also says his goal is to do nothing (makes me laugh every time I hear him say this), however his ultimate goal is to live a stress free life.

Terry was frightened to turn his back on a steady income. He explained to me, “Being self employed; some times are good, some are bad”. Ironically, the bad times have turned out to be what Terry loves most about being self employed. He finds the troughs of his business are the most challenging and exciting as adrenaline kicks in during these stages of uncertainty. Terry has learned to embrace the uncertainty of self employment. Uncertainty is not scary to Terry, it is exciting.

Terry’s new goals are to scale back on lifestyle expenses and reach a financial income of $20,000 a month.

Terry’s words of advise and things he live by:
Dream big and be totally accepting of not achieving it
Mind like water
Learn to be happy with no money and let go of urges to control
Seek spiritual balance to learn acceptance
Be grateful for what you had in the past and what you have now
We are born with nothing and we will die with nothing, things/bojects don’t matter at all

Terry’s Background (Q & A):

Where were you born? Prince Rupert British Columbia, Canada. Small fishing town on the Pacific Ocean. Northern British Columbia.
Where did you grow up? All over British Columbia
Did you have siblings? I’m the oldest of 2 kids
What were your partents like? Extremely Conservative with an employee mind set. Didn’t take risks. What did they do? Mom, homemaker, Dad – telephone co. One younger brother
What kind of education do you have? Grade 12, went to school to gain my aircraft engineering license. I went to a tech college for one year after highschool.

What/who do you love? My wife, dogs, Canada, my parents, my family. I love the freedom of not being told what to do or someone expecting me to do things on a schedule
What kind of food do you love? seafood, pasta, and salads
What do you do for fun? Watch old movies, golf, basketball (but I don’t play anymore). I like driving and stopping in the middle of no where that seems foreign and different. I also love watching politics for its view into the flawed socioeconomic world we coexist in.

What makes you laugh or smile? human foly, or when people take things so seriously. The insanity of the uncertainty. Human ego. When we laugh at it, we are laughing at ourselves. Anchorman, Big Labousky, Anti hero, ironically, his dream is the same one I have. You can be very poor and at the same time be very free and happy.

What is your proudest accomplishment? My business with my wife. My proudest moment was when my music was on much music, on the radio, and my band was playing live.

Well, I took the first step today, I  would like to introduce you to Chris Doucher. Chris grew up in Oakville, Ontario. He discovered comic books when he was 9 years old. He loves comics for thier story, the dialogue, and the action.  His all time favourite comic is,  “The Amazing Spiderman”. Two years ago Chris started to create his own comic, it started as a fun, unique hobby that has since turned into a passion and a vision of his future. He starts by describing the scene, and continues to create the dialogue.When he gets ideas, he lets them sit for a week. If the idea is still on his mind after a week, he acts on it and incorporates it into his comic.

Chris appreciates how there is always something new in the Comic industry. In turn, he is trying to create something new. He has a focused story, however he wants to keep it on the down low. I appreciate that, he needs to keep his ideas safe.  Chris’s goal is to finalize the first four issues by the end of November (2009). He’ll then get all his legal trademarks and registrations in place. Early 2010, he’ll get an artist involved to draw up samples of the first few pages. He’ll then shop it around to the big comic players such as Marvel and DC. Chris Doucher’s goals is to make a big foot print and a name for himself in the Comic Industry. The best of luck to you Chris! You’ll have to let us all know how things are going in the New Year.

I love hearing about other’s goals and dreams. What is your passion?  What is your goal? How will you get there? When do you want to get there?

Cheers,

Krista

It opened with Lady Antebellum – They all have amazing voices, especially Charles Kelly. He has a very unique breath taking voice. I’m sure Keith played a part in picking the opening act, and he picked well. Lady Antebellum are going to go far!

Kieth is very talented, he has many hits, so of course he started the show off with two, get out of your seat and dance songs. He continued to mix it up with slow songs and high energy songs, it was so much fun!

At the end of the second song he played guitar while walking all across the floor to the back of the venue. He had a mini stage set up and played a few intimate acoustic songs at that stage. Later, he played another show on a mini stage in the first level stands!

He took it back go the front played a couple hits from his new album. I honestly didn’t know them, but they were great, high energy, and I’m sure they will be my favorite songs soon.

Lady Antebellum came back out to sing a song with Keith – it was great! You could tell Hillary Scott was beside her self, she was thrilled to be on the same stage as Keith. So cool.

When Keith introduced his band mates, he had pics from when they were children, told us what instruments they played (each played numerous difficult  instruments), and they each belted out a hit! All of them had very  handsome voices!

Keith brought out the craziest guitars. there was one that had neon lights, I don’t know what it is I love about neon lights, probably that light game from when I was a kid. You know the one that had colour pegs to  stick into black paper with patterns on them and light up from the background light. Anyways, back to the guitars – He had another guitar that must have had diamonds on it as it reflected light back into the crowd. Another guitar with a pattern that looked like cracked dry soil…but Black and silver. And of course amazing acoustic guitars.

At the end of the show, Keith was very appreciative for all the people that came out and found the money to buy tickets in a tough economy. Then to top it all off he ended the show with a an inspirational song and told everyone to believe in themselves. I loved it!

So of course, I personalized this show. I have to admit, I’m not on track (yet). The last month has been hard, I was sick with some sort of flu for a week, not long after I got over that, I got shingles. Now I am fighting canker sores that have taken over my mouth and tonsils. I haven’t been able to talk with almost starting tearing up or eat solid foods in almost a week. I’m on numerous different types of antibiotics, and home remedies, but they aren’t leaving. Since it hurts to sing  to Keith Urban’s songs, I had some time to think…. I thought about dreams I had that I was convinced not to pursue, I thought about times I almost walked away from my relationship with my husband, I had some dark moments during the show. But hey, I’m sure that’s why Keith is very successful. He tugs at our emotions. He then has some very positive songs, I thought about how how my husband and I have been through some hard times and got through them together, I thought about the promise we have for our future, and I thought, I can do this, I can achieve all my goals and dreams. It was great, it was exactly what I needed!

Thank you Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum!

Cheers,

Krista

If money wasn’t an issue, what would I do everyday?

I would learn about architecture, host fun parties, make amazing feasts for my friends and family, I would do something outside everyday, whether it be hiking, snowboarding, kayaking, back country skiing and the list goes on of what I love to do outside.

Have you asked yourself this question before? Is there anyway you could make this a reality for your everyday life? If so, how? What do your answers tell you about yourself?
What does my answer tell me about myself? How can I make this happen? To be discovered

Cheers,

Krista

Side track, it drives me crazy when people complain about summer being over and that the weather sucked. It isn’t over yet, the forecast is great for the next week, and it was a great summer. Maybe if people were a little more grateful and took the time to enjoy the summer they would realize, it was a great summer.

This summer has been life changing, I feel as though, at 26 I have become a woman. I feel as though I am the most confident, and independent I have ever been. However, at the same time I have also joined my husband Brendan in marriage which in a sense we have become one. At times I feel as though we are one, we know what one another are thinking and we balance each other out. In that same sense, I feel as though I have found a balance of oneness and independence and that makes me proud to be a woman and be where I am today.

However, not gonna lie, I fell a little off track lately, it happens. I confess, I am addicted to making myself too busy. Sometimes I make myself so busy trying to please everyone else, I forget about numero uno, me!

I am human, but sometimes the best thing is the feeling of getting back on track. Today, I went to work (financial needs) early, went for lunch with a girlfriend (social needs), and I left on time to give myself the chance to go to the gym (physical needs). After the gym I came home to spend me time! I cranked the music, opened a bottle of wine, and made sushi, all while making this blog post (mental needs). I believe these are the basics of human needs, and everyone’s individualism needs to have a mixture of these with their passions. What is your passion? What makes you tick? What keeps you in check and balanced?

Cheers,

Krista

Harris was incredibly small; it was about 4 blocks wide by about 6 streets. We had one school where all the kids from kindergarten to grade 12 went. There was a rink, a couple ball diamonds, 2 parks, and of course a grain bin.  Main Street had the general store, a café, and a bank. My favorite thing at the café was their fries with gravy and orange pop floats. We used to ride our bikes up and down Main Street and all around town, numerous times in a day, going from one park to the next, racing each other, and riding from one friend to another’s. I have many great memories at the Harris school yard; telling secrets in the tree house, playing tricks on friends at the teeter totter, doing the helicopter trick on the swing set, and competing against the boys on the monkey bars.

As we got older, adventures got funner. We’d go quading out in the sand dunes, or in the winter we’d pull a toboggan behind a sled. My grandparents had a farm and I learned how to drive when I was 8. I always wanted my grandma to take me driving and I was eager to run errands in town or drive lunch to my dad and grandpa in grain fields. Any chance to drive!

My cousin Meagan would visit the farm every summer from Yellowknife (NWT) for a few weeks. We got excited about anything, even riding the lawn mower up and down the driveway. We’d spend a ton of time in the forest, building on to the tree house. We were busy little girls. We’d also go out to the pond behind the forest and catch frogs and salamanders in our rubber boots. We’d bring them back to the house and keep them in a paddling pool. We got the itch that summer, we laugh about it now!

Oh the memories

• Making quad race tracks in the stubble fields
• Hanging with my Grandpa Tom in the grain truck waiting for my dad to come by in the combine – I will never forget that harvest moon
• Country dances at the curling hall, fell in love with boys and country music
• Going into volleyball camps on the weekends
• Playing with my brother in the puddles
• Playing hide and go seek tag at the farm
• Picking raspberries that filled old milk jugs we strung around our neck with shoe laces
• Washing dishes and listening to my family tell jokes after a big dinner
• When my grandpa had just the right amount of rum, the old tunes from his university days came out
• Getting stuck in the mud after a big rain storm and having your dad come pull you out, haha, then getting stuck again!
• Playing baseball in the yard after dinner, so funny to watch my grandma round the bases
• Cleaning out grain bins with my best friends older brother, I confess, I had a crush on him
• Going to pit parties – my first french kiss in a car while the song “video killed the radio star” played
• Getting into pancake fights at the rink the morning after a freshmen party
• Partying till the sun came up

It was great growing up in a small town. I would not trade it for anything in the world. I truly believe it was because of my upbringing there I am the way I am. I completely relate to the Paul Brandt song, “Small town, big dreams”.  I had so many dreams and ambitions when I was younger, some of which I have acted on and accomplished, others I am still working towards, and I’m excited to achieve. Where did you come from, what were your favorite memories growing up? Did you grow up in a small town too? What  are your big dreams?

Cheers,

Krista