I don't really make New Year's Resolutions. However, last year I did make a New Year's Resolution to quit procrastinating. It didn't go so well. I suppose the fact I didn't make my resolution until May was an ominous sign of things to come.
Anyhoo, this year I do have a few minor goals I want to achieve. I don't want to call them resolutions because I think I'd just be setting myself up for a repeat of last year. They are:
-Stop Procrastinating (So nice I resolved to do it twice)
-Run 10km every day
-Reduce my time online
-Read my bible daily
-Sleep more
-Play guitar more
-Play video games less
-Get my scuba rating
-Get my motorbike licence
I'll get to work on that, next week. I know, I know...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012
Today is the first day of the rest of my life. So is tomorrow. And the day after that. I guess there's nothing too significant about today's date but it does offer a chance for a symbolic clean slate. Old things are passed away, all things have become new.
I'm in a really good mood at the moment. Maybe it's because of this mental reset the new year offers, maybe it's because the sun is out, the sky is blue, and the Saskatchewan Winter has yet to arrive. Whatever it is, I'm feeling optimistic about what the future has to offer. Just based on the last year and a half, my life has been getting better and better in all areas, and there's no reason to think this trend is going to change in 2012.
You know what this means? Happy rant.
First, the weather is amazing. I wouldn't mind a little more snow for snowboarding, but seeing as the slopes can make their own snow, I'm happy. I haven't had to brave any -30 degree days with an additional insane wind chill so I can't complain. And today is just so amazing. I'm going to go for a walk. I haven't taken a casual stroll in a while.
The days are getting longer. Winter Solstice is my favourite day (Dec 21st) because every day after that for the next 6 months has more day light than the one previous. How awesome is that? And I live in the place that has more hours of sunlight than anywhere else in Canada. No seasonal affective disorder for me.
I get one more week of vacation this year than last year. While I'm not a big fan of travelling, because I travel for work all the time, the idea of going to Australia and New Zealand in the fall is taking shape. I'm planning on getting my scuba rating and diving the Great Barrier Reef. One less thing on the 'ole bucket list.
I'm not going to make any specific New Year's resolutions but I do have some things I want to continue to work on. First, I want to continue to develop real relationships with people I know and people I may meet in the upcoming year. Second, I want to restart my training regimen and give the Iron Man Canada a shot in September. Third, I want to get my scuba rating and my motor bike licence. Fouth, I want to continue to allow God to permeate all areas of my life, more so. These seem like realistic goals.
I'm still not an upfront, in the spotlight, center of attention kind of guy, but I won't shun those situations either if they offer themselves to me. Last night at a New Year's party there was a chance for me to play guitar for worship, which I temporarily avoided, but realized afterward that it is not the end of the world to stand out briefly. This may open new doors for me in the upcoming year, now that I have decided not to run away from those situations.
And finally, work. Work is a mixed blessing. I have a job I really, really like. It pays well and I am in a position some people wait for their entire career and never achieve. However, work has also been my biggest frustration this last year. While I like what I do, I wish I didn't have to do it so much. Scheduling has interfered with my life outside of work so often I started wondering if there is some other career out there that would allow me to live a normal life. Last year it seemed as though I was free every Thursday for C&C. This year it feels like I can't even buy a Thursday night off. I feel like a stranger when I come to C&C because I'm only there once a month, maybe, while everyone else there is much more regularly and growing their relationships. As well, I barely get to be involved in youth group for the same reason. Even when I think I can plan on something after work, my schedule changes. This has happened at least twice in the last few months where something important to me was overruled by work. Frustrating. Hmmmm, I didn't mean to end my happy rant with a complaint, so I'll end by saying I think scheduling will be better this year than last.
Ok, time to go for a walk on this beautiful day.
Bring on the year of optimism.
I'm in a really good mood at the moment. Maybe it's because of this mental reset the new year offers, maybe it's because the sun is out, the sky is blue, and the Saskatchewan Winter has yet to arrive. Whatever it is, I'm feeling optimistic about what the future has to offer. Just based on the last year and a half, my life has been getting better and better in all areas, and there's no reason to think this trend is going to change in 2012.
You know what this means? Happy rant.
First, the weather is amazing. I wouldn't mind a little more snow for snowboarding, but seeing as the slopes can make their own snow, I'm happy. I haven't had to brave any -30 degree days with an additional insane wind chill so I can't complain. And today is just so amazing. I'm going to go for a walk. I haven't taken a casual stroll in a while.
The days are getting longer. Winter Solstice is my favourite day (Dec 21st) because every day after that for the next 6 months has more day light than the one previous. How awesome is that? And I live in the place that has more hours of sunlight than anywhere else in Canada. No seasonal affective disorder for me.
I get one more week of vacation this year than last year. While I'm not a big fan of travelling, because I travel for work all the time, the idea of going to Australia and New Zealand in the fall is taking shape. I'm planning on getting my scuba rating and diving the Great Barrier Reef. One less thing on the 'ole bucket list.
I'm not going to make any specific New Year's resolutions but I do have some things I want to continue to work on. First, I want to continue to develop real relationships with people I know and people I may meet in the upcoming year. Second, I want to restart my training regimen and give the Iron Man Canada a shot in September. Third, I want to get my scuba rating and my motor bike licence. Fouth, I want to continue to allow God to permeate all areas of my life, more so. These seem like realistic goals.
I'm still not an upfront, in the spotlight, center of attention kind of guy, but I won't shun those situations either if they offer themselves to me. Last night at a New Year's party there was a chance for me to play guitar for worship, which I temporarily avoided, but realized afterward that it is not the end of the world to stand out briefly. This may open new doors for me in the upcoming year, now that I have decided not to run away from those situations.
And finally, work. Work is a mixed blessing. I have a job I really, really like. It pays well and I am in a position some people wait for their entire career and never achieve. However, work has also been my biggest frustration this last year. While I like what I do, I wish I didn't have to do it so much. Scheduling has interfered with my life outside of work so often I started wondering if there is some other career out there that would allow me to live a normal life. Last year it seemed as though I was free every Thursday for C&C. This year it feels like I can't even buy a Thursday night off. I feel like a stranger when I come to C&C because I'm only there once a month, maybe, while everyone else there is much more regularly and growing their relationships. As well, I barely get to be involved in youth group for the same reason. Even when I think I can plan on something after work, my schedule changes. This has happened at least twice in the last few months where something important to me was overruled by work. Frustrating. Hmmmm, I didn't mean to end my happy rant with a complaint, so I'll end by saying I think scheduling will be better this year than last.
Ok, time to go for a walk on this beautiful day.
Bring on the year of optimism.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Bears
Two and a half years ago I could have been eaten by a bear. Here's the story.
For the last six years, excluding 2011, I worked in Northern Canada as, what some might describe, a bush pilot. It was definitely an interesting time, and I have had experiences and seen things most people on this planet can only imagine. I've seen northern lights so big and bright they fill the sky and light up the night. I've seen the world's most northern active sand dunes. I've seen clouds of black flies that block out the sun. I've seen lake trout and walleye bigger than a kindergardener. I've seen marmots, beavers, caribou, foxes, wolves, ptarmigans, greyling, and bears. I've discovered waterfalls and named previously unknown islands.
Seeing as we had an hour to kill, my co-pilot and I decided to wander up the road and see what we could see. When our passengers where ready to leave they would have to drive back down that lone road and we could catch a ride with them back to the plane. As we started to walk around the bend in the road, hidden by the trees, my co-pilot remembered he had his camera on him and had never taken any pictures of the lake. Instead of walking down the road he wanted to go back to the shore and take some pictures. We turned around and went in the other direction. I took a picture of him in front of our plane with the bay in the background. Then we went down to the shore and poked around for a bit. A short time later our passengers returned. They asked us if we saw the bears on the road. We were a bit surprised at their question. Apparently just around the bend, behind the row of trees, was a mother bear and her two cubs. Now, I'm no Dwight Schrute, but I know enough to avoid a mother bear when she has cubs in tow. These bears were hanging around, just on the other side of the trees from us all morning, and we were blissfully unaware. As we taxied down the gravel runway, sure enough, the bears emerged from the trees and watched us from the edge of the tree line as we flew away.
If it hadn't been for my co-pilot's camera and his desire to take some pictures of the lake there's a very good chance we would have run into the bears on the road, and who knows what may have happened then. Here's the picture that just may have saved my life.
For the last six years, excluding 2011, I worked in Northern Canada as, what some might describe, a bush pilot. It was definitely an interesting time, and I have had experiences and seen things most people on this planet can only imagine. I've seen northern lights so big and bright they fill the sky and light up the night. I've seen the world's most northern active sand dunes. I've seen clouds of black flies that block out the sun. I've seen lake trout and walleye bigger than a kindergardener. I've seen marmots, beavers, caribou, foxes, wolves, ptarmigans, greyling, and bears. I've discovered waterfalls and named previously unknown islands.
One spring day I had a charter to Charlotte River. Charlotte River is located just west of Uranium City on the northern shores of Lake Athabasca. It is a private runway used by a power generation company to have access to three hydro-electric dams they operate which power most of northern Saskatchewan. My co-pilot and I were to hold there for an hour while our passengers performed some maintenance and we would be on our way.
The terrain in this area is quite varied and presents a lot of opportunities for exploring and picture taking. On the south side of the lake are the Athabasca Sand Dunes. They are Canada's largest desert. To the north is the Canadian Shield, covered with waterfalls, rivers, lakes, cliffs and forests. This particular runway ran parallel to a river emptying into Lake Athabasca, in a valley nestled between some very steep hills. Next to the runway was a thick row of trees, and next to the trees was a single dirt road which ran upstream to the dams.
Seeing as we had an hour to kill, my co-pilot and I decided to wander up the road and see what we could see. When our passengers where ready to leave they would have to drive back down that lone road and we could catch a ride with them back to the plane. As we started to walk around the bend in the road, hidden by the trees, my co-pilot remembered he had his camera on him and had never taken any pictures of the lake. Instead of walking down the road he wanted to go back to the shore and take some pictures. We turned around and went in the other direction. I took a picture of him in front of our plane with the bay in the background. Then we went down to the shore and poked around for a bit. A short time later our passengers returned. They asked us if we saw the bears on the road. We were a bit surprised at their question. Apparently just around the bend, behind the row of trees, was a mother bear and her two cubs. Now, I'm no Dwight Schrute, but I know enough to avoid a mother bear when she has cubs in tow. These bears were hanging around, just on the other side of the trees from us all morning, and we were blissfully unaware. As we taxied down the gravel runway, sure enough, the bears emerged from the trees and watched us from the edge of the tree line as we flew away.
If it hadn't been for my co-pilot's camera and his desire to take some pictures of the lake there's a very good chance we would have run into the bears on the road, and who knows what may have happened then. Here's the picture that just may have saved my life.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Christmas
I have a lot of thoughts on Christmas.
This is just one of them.
I have decided to do something for Christmas that is a little unusual.
I am not buying any presents for anyone.
Yep, I just said that. It makes everything so much easier. There's no stress involved with shopping in the madness, or driving in the madness, or trying to find parking in the madness, or making sure I haven't forgotten anyone. I will have no crazy bills in the new year as a result of a buying binge.
I didn't think my decision would be so shocking, but as I shared my decision with different people, I realized that it is difficult for some to comprehend a presentless Christmas. Their reactions have intrigued me.
Some thought I meant I just wasn't buying presents for co-workers or people outside my family.
Some thought I would be donating to charities in the names of those I would buy normally have bought presents for.
Some thought I am just a grinch.
Here's my reasoning...
Of the people in my life that tradition would dictate I should buy for, no one needs anything. Most of the presents given at Christmas time are not really needed. They end up at next year's garage sale, or in storage somewhere.
Of the actual useful items that could be given, the recipient probably doesn't actually want it, or they would have bought it for themselves already.
The idea of giving to charity in lieu of presents is probably closer to the true meaning of Christmas. I do give to charities as much as I can, both time and money, but not because it's Christmas. For me, giving happens all year round.
Of all my memories of Christmas presents growing up, only one still stands out to me. (My nintendo when I was 9.) Most I can't even remember. And of the ones I do remember, most were not really needed or wanted, and ceased to be used shortly after Christmas. I don't want to contribute to the commercialization and materialism that Christmas is known for. The things I do remember are the people, not the things.
So here's to you, readers, hoping you have memorable people hanging around you this season.
Merry Christmas.
This is just one of them.
I have decided to do something for Christmas that is a little unusual.
I am not buying any presents for anyone.
Yep, I just said that. It makes everything so much easier. There's no stress involved with shopping in the madness, or driving in the madness, or trying to find parking in the madness, or making sure I haven't forgotten anyone. I will have no crazy bills in the new year as a result of a buying binge.
I didn't think my decision would be so shocking, but as I shared my decision with different people, I realized that it is difficult for some to comprehend a presentless Christmas. Their reactions have intrigued me.
Some thought I meant I just wasn't buying presents for co-workers or people outside my family.
Some thought I would be donating to charities in the names of those I would buy normally have bought presents for.
Some thought I am just a grinch.
Here's my reasoning...
Of the people in my life that tradition would dictate I should buy for, no one needs anything. Most of the presents given at Christmas time are not really needed. They end up at next year's garage sale, or in storage somewhere.
Of the actual useful items that could be given, the recipient probably doesn't actually want it, or they would have bought it for themselves already.
The idea of giving to charity in lieu of presents is probably closer to the true meaning of Christmas. I do give to charities as much as I can, both time and money, but not because it's Christmas. For me, giving happens all year round.
Of all my memories of Christmas presents growing up, only one still stands out to me. (My nintendo when I was 9.) Most I can't even remember. And of the ones I do remember, most were not really needed or wanted, and ceased to be used shortly after Christmas. I don't want to contribute to the commercialization and materialism that Christmas is known for. The things I do remember are the people, not the things.
So here's to you, readers, hoping you have memorable people hanging around you this season.
Merry Christmas.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Preview
Hello Blog
It's been a while. I've missed you. I've been so busy I've neglected you and I'm sorry. I'll be back, soon.
Here's what I'm working on:
Thoughts on Prayer
What does God want from me?
The time I was almost eaten by a bear
The one thing I'm most uncomfortable talking about
I hope that keeps you interested.
See you shortly. I just need to get a few things done before I run out of time.
It's been a while. I've missed you. I've been so busy I've neglected you and I'm sorry. I'll be back, soon.
Here's what I'm working on:
Thoughts on Prayer
What does God want from me?
The time I was almost eaten by a bear
The one thing I'm most uncomfortable talking about
I hope that keeps you interested.
See you shortly. I just need to get a few things done before I run out of time.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Rest
Through a series of scheduling anomalies, days off, days on call and a company Christmas party I have just had 6 days of nothing to do. No work. No work related items. No side business duties. Anything I did, I did because I was free to do it, not because I had to do it.
I never realized how much I needed to rest until my days off began. I slept for 12 hours. I never, ever, ever sleep that long. And it was good. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I was able to relieve myself of all the expectations placed on me by my responsibilities in life. Before my time off I don't think I would have said I was tired or needed a break, but that's because I couldn't see outside my circumstances. I didn't know that there was something I was missing because I didn't know what I didn't know.
Jesus said, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
I don't believe He was speaking of a physical burden so much as a spiritual burden. We all carry this burden with us, whether we know it or not. Some people have experienced this rest. Other's have no idea they are carrying a burden. They can't comprehend this abundant life Jesus brings because they haven't experienced it yet. It's like a catch 22. You won't know what it's like until you know what it's like.
This physical rest reminded me of the spiritual rest Jesus brings and I just thought I would sit back and think about it for a while. I'm thankful that I have received it and hopeful that others will too.
I never realized how much I needed to rest until my days off began. I slept for 12 hours. I never, ever, ever sleep that long. And it was good. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I was able to relieve myself of all the expectations placed on me by my responsibilities in life. Before my time off I don't think I would have said I was tired or needed a break, but that's because I couldn't see outside my circumstances. I didn't know that there was something I was missing because I didn't know what I didn't know.
Jesus said, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
I don't believe He was speaking of a physical burden so much as a spiritual burden. We all carry this burden with us, whether we know it or not. Some people have experienced this rest. Other's have no idea they are carrying a burden. They can't comprehend this abundant life Jesus brings because they haven't experienced it yet. It's like a catch 22. You won't know what it's like until you know what it's like.
This physical rest reminded me of the spiritual rest Jesus brings and I just thought I would sit back and think about it for a while. I'm thankful that I have received it and hopeful that others will too.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Christian Music
If you ever said to yourself, "The Dove Awards don't have enough hard rock, screaming, or Brian Head Welch from Korn," then this is for you.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
What Do I Want?
I tend to be very intentional with the things I say and do. I won't ask how you're doing unless I sincerely want to know. I don't buy the latest gadgets and doo-dads simply to keep up with the Jonses. When I go to a store it is to buy something I need, not to "shop". When I go to church, C&C, a concert, or to get groceries, I am very intentional about my reasons for going.
But life... life just seems to happen. I can't say I've been as intentional with my life as much as I have with the things in my life. I want to change that. Rather than sit back and let life happen to me, I want to happen to life.
So what do I want? That's what I asked myself. That's the starting point. If you don't have a goal, you'll never achieve it. If you don't have a destination, you'll never arrive. I've been somewhat directionless for most of my life so I took a little time to sit back and ask myself what do I really want out of life. I made a list. Here's what popped out of my discussion with myself.
-Family (wife and kids)
-House (with a yard for the kids and a garage for the car)
-Car
-Church (family of believers)
-God
-Fun
-No stress
-Roots in a community
-Friends
-Free Time
Good. That's a start. The next question is, "How"?
And that's basically where I am at right now.
The decisions I make will be to intentionally lead me in this direction. For instance, I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that allows me to work anywhere in the world. Without exaggeration, I could be living in Toronto, Vancouver, New York or Los Angeles within a month. Or, if I wanted more of a change, I could go to France, Hong Kong, Australia, Antarctic or the United Arab Emirates. However, will this help me develop roots in a community, develop friends, have a family, be stress free? Probably not. It would be fun but I don't think it leads to my other goals in life. So, right now, I have no plans to live with the penguins.
But that's good. At least I can cross off "living with Penguins" from the list. I've already narrowed my focus.
Stay tuned. I think some other changes are on the way.
But life... life just seems to happen. I can't say I've been as intentional with my life as much as I have with the things in my life. I want to change that. Rather than sit back and let life happen to me, I want to happen to life.
So what do I want? That's what I asked myself. That's the starting point. If you don't have a goal, you'll never achieve it. If you don't have a destination, you'll never arrive. I've been somewhat directionless for most of my life so I took a little time to sit back and ask myself what do I really want out of life. I made a list. Here's what popped out of my discussion with myself.
-Family (wife and kids)
-House (with a yard for the kids and a garage for the car)
-Car
-Church (family of believers)
-God
-Fun
-No stress
-Roots in a community
-Friends
-Free Time
Good. That's a start. The next question is, "How"?
And that's basically where I am at right now.
The decisions I make will be to intentionally lead me in this direction. For instance, I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that allows me to work anywhere in the world. Without exaggeration, I could be living in Toronto, Vancouver, New York or Los Angeles within a month. Or, if I wanted more of a change, I could go to France, Hong Kong, Australia, Antarctic or the United Arab Emirates. However, will this help me develop roots in a community, develop friends, have a family, be stress free? Probably not. It would be fun but I don't think it leads to my other goals in life. So, right now, I have no plans to live with the penguins.
But that's good. At least I can cross off "living with Penguins" from the list. I've already narrowed my focus.
Stay tuned. I think some other changes are on the way.
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