Friends come and go throughout your life. There are always people coming and going in our lives, whether we meet them through school, work, or social gatherings. Most people who we come across in our lives will leave eventually. It's sad but true. Through high school and college, I probably had 20+ people that I would hang out with and keep in contact with. Now, after graduating and moving on with life, there are a handful that I call true friends.
Life interferes and makes keeping in contact with friends more difficult than when you were at school and able to see them on a daily basis.
Call it crazy but I met my best friend online, and called her my best friend for the last 8 years. Oh, did I fail to mention that I never met her once in those 8 years? We met on a website for clubs/bars and just spoke online, finally swapping phone #'s and branching more into texting/calling each other.
We basically grew up together, she was something that I could always count on and I knew she was always there for me anytime I needed someone to talk to, someone who would console me at my worst, someone to tell good news to. She always made herself available to me, even if she was busy with everything, she always managed to spare 5 minutes to fit me in.
There was something special about her, something I couldn't put my finger on.. and to this day, I still can't. She made me feel feelings I hadn't felt before, someone who was always able to make me smile and cheer me up even when I was at my worst. She's the type of girl that brightens a room just by walking into it. She is herself. Doesn't put up a face or pretend to be something she's not.
We've had our ups and downs, just like all friendships do. But we were always able to work through everything and put things behind us and carry forward.
I was lucky enough to have her fly out to Vancouver last month, she could only stay for a weekend, but let me tell you... that weekend was amazing. 8 years we've known each other, and this was the first time we met. After the first 2 minutes of the "Holy crap, I can't believe you're here" moments, it was as if we were best friends and have always been a part of each others lives. No awkward moments at all (phew!)
She is the type of girl that inspires me. She has so much drive and passion in everything she does. It really is inspirational to see someone put so much heart into things. She's always driven me to be a better person. She really is my best friend for so many different reasons.
I'm excited to see what the future holds in store for us. We've taken the first step on what could be a long journey. There will be bumps, there will be forks in the road, and there will be hills. But knowing I have her by my side, I feel safe in knowing we can overcome any obstacles that come our way.
"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you I had no control over."
Monday, 24 October 2011
Monday, 17 October 2011
The world...
...is your oyster.
I've been fortunate enough to have traveled quite well in the past 25 years. My parents would always do their best to make sure we went on at least one vacation every year. So yeah, I can safely say I've been to Disneyland over 10 times, Disneyworld at least 4 times, Hawaii at least 5 times.
I love all those places. I'll always be a Disney fan. My favorite coffee mugs are ones I bought in Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland Tokyo.
In my opinion, there is no better way to appreciate yourself and what you have than to get out and see the world.
I backpacked through Europe with a friend in 2006. I'll tell you, some of those places were an eye opening experience. By the time I came home from my trip, I had a whole new outlook on life. Made me look at everything I had in my life; family, friends, a job, my health, a car, etc. and made me appreciate everything that much more.
Granted, I haven't been to any major poverty driven countries (though I would like to and plan on it one day), so I'm sure there are even more harrowing experiences out there that will once again make me put things into perspective.
You can read in books, look on the internet, or hear the stories through the media about how lucky we are and how we should all be thankful for what we have. But until you see if through your eyes, it won't dawn on many people as to just how lucky we are.
Everyone takes things for granted and we lose our appreciation for things in life, it's how we are. We grow and become accustomed to many things and never think that one day it could be taken away. Could you imagine losing things such as your computer? Tv? How about a roof over your head, or a fully stocked refrigerator?
Your life is what you make of it. Some people have had it all since the beginning, and some have come from nothing.
If you're able to, get out and explore the world, there is so much to learn from it. So much beauty in unusual places. Different cultures, different experiences, different foods. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, it's the times you do that leave a lasting impression.
Countries I've visited
Canada (duh)
USA
Mexico
England
Netherlands
Belgium
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Italy
Greece
Vatican City
Monaco
Lichtenstein
France
Japan
China
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Hopefully I can continue to add to that list. :)
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
I've been fortunate enough to have traveled quite well in the past 25 years. My parents would always do their best to make sure we went on at least one vacation every year. So yeah, I can safely say I've been to Disneyland over 10 times, Disneyworld at least 4 times, Hawaii at least 5 times.
I love all those places. I'll always be a Disney fan. My favorite coffee mugs are ones I bought in Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland Tokyo.
In my opinion, there is no better way to appreciate yourself and what you have than to get out and see the world.
I backpacked through Europe with a friend in 2006. I'll tell you, some of those places were an eye opening experience. By the time I came home from my trip, I had a whole new outlook on life. Made me look at everything I had in my life; family, friends, a job, my health, a car, etc. and made me appreciate everything that much more.
Granted, I haven't been to any major poverty driven countries (though I would like to and plan on it one day), so I'm sure there are even more harrowing experiences out there that will once again make me put things into perspective.
You can read in books, look on the internet, or hear the stories through the media about how lucky we are and how we should all be thankful for what we have. But until you see if through your eyes, it won't dawn on many people as to just how lucky we are.
Everyone takes things for granted and we lose our appreciation for things in life, it's how we are. We grow and become accustomed to many things and never think that one day it could be taken away. Could you imagine losing things such as your computer? Tv? How about a roof over your head, or a fully stocked refrigerator?
Your life is what you make of it. Some people have had it all since the beginning, and some have come from nothing.
If you're able to, get out and explore the world, there is so much to learn from it. So much beauty in unusual places. Different cultures, different experiences, different foods. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, it's the times you do that leave a lasting impression.
Countries I've visited
Canada (duh)
USA
Mexico
England
Netherlands
Belgium
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Italy
Greece
Vatican City
Monaco
Lichtenstein
France
Japan
China
Hong Kong
Taiwan
Hopefully I can continue to add to that list. :)
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
Friday, 7 October 2011
Life..
...don't take it for granted.
This is my first blog post, and despite me having written blogs on Word and saved them for this day, I feel like there is no better way to start off a blog than to speak from the heart.
Life is what you make of it. We grew up being taught that we can do, and be, anything we want in life. The sky is the limit. For me...I lost that inspiration somewhere along my path of life. I don't know when it was exactly, but I lost it. My career dreams of what I wanted to be when I grew up slowly dwindled down and instead of me telling myself I can do it, I started to think that there were just certain things that I couldn't accomplish in life. It hurts me to think about that today. I'm a very optimistic person, I'm usually the one that tells people they can do anything in life, they can keep climbing the corporate ladder, they can keep achieving more in life... why didn't I listen to myself?
I'm not saying I'm hating where I'm at right now. I have a family that would do anything for me. Friends that would drop everything they're doing to come and give me a hug, or go for a beer because of a rough day I had. I currently have a job, and despite it not being the most interesting job, it pays well and has the potential to become something big. I have my health (though I still need to work on it).
I fully believe that everything that has happened in the past, happened for a reason and has brought us to where we are today, brought us the friends and opportunities we have. Do I have regrets? You bet I do. I think everyone has, or will have, regrets. No one is perfect in life, that's what makes us all unique. I'd hate to see a world where everyone is perfect.
All I'm saying is that if I kept telling myself what I keep telling my friends, would I be where I am today?
What if I pursued law school? med school?
What if I enlisted in the air force to become a pilot?
Would I still have the amazing friends I do now?
I've told myself that I don't want to live my life questioning myself "what if" all the time. It's not the way to live life. You can question yourself that a million times over, but in the end it's not changing a thing. You're still where you are today because of the choices/decisions you've made prior.
Life, in retrospect, is short. Sure 80 years (average for Canada) sounds like a long time. But is it? Think about it. In the big scheme of things, it's not long at all.
I don't think people these days live life to the fullest, and don't appreciate what they have. It's scary when you think about the future, who knows what's in store for us in the future? I'm not saying to go out and climb Everest, I'm saying to appreciate the finer things in life.
Family.
Friends.
Health.
Love.
When is the last time you hugged your mom? Told her that you love her and thank her for always being there for you while you grew up.
When is the last time you thanked your dad for showing you how to be a man? How to build things with your hands, how to shave, how to survive.
Do you thank your friends for being in your life? For giving you memories that you'll remember forever?
The past is the past. What happened in your past happened for a reason, and unfortunately, it cannot be changed. The future is unknown, tomorrow I could be hit by a falling satellite (that joke is 2 weeks too late!), or I could win the lottery. We can't live our life dreaming of our perfect future. We have to live for today, and work towards our dreams.
Appreciate life and make each day better than yesterday.
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha
This is my first blog post, and despite me having written blogs on Word and saved them for this day, I feel like there is no better way to start off a blog than to speak from the heart.
Life is what you make of it. We grew up being taught that we can do, and be, anything we want in life. The sky is the limit. For me...I lost that inspiration somewhere along my path of life. I don't know when it was exactly, but I lost it. My career dreams of what I wanted to be when I grew up slowly dwindled down and instead of me telling myself I can do it, I started to think that there were just certain things that I couldn't accomplish in life. It hurts me to think about that today. I'm a very optimistic person, I'm usually the one that tells people they can do anything in life, they can keep climbing the corporate ladder, they can keep achieving more in life... why didn't I listen to myself?
I'm not saying I'm hating where I'm at right now. I have a family that would do anything for me. Friends that would drop everything they're doing to come and give me a hug, or go for a beer because of a rough day I had. I currently have a job, and despite it not being the most interesting job, it pays well and has the potential to become something big. I have my health (though I still need to work on it).
I fully believe that everything that has happened in the past, happened for a reason and has brought us to where we are today, brought us the friends and opportunities we have. Do I have regrets? You bet I do. I think everyone has, or will have, regrets. No one is perfect in life, that's what makes us all unique. I'd hate to see a world where everyone is perfect.
All I'm saying is that if I kept telling myself what I keep telling my friends, would I be where I am today?
What if I pursued law school? med school?
What if I enlisted in the air force to become a pilot?
Would I still have the amazing friends I do now?
I've told myself that I don't want to live my life questioning myself "what if" all the time. It's not the way to live life. You can question yourself that a million times over, but in the end it's not changing a thing. You're still where you are today because of the choices/decisions you've made prior.
Life, in retrospect, is short. Sure 80 years (average for Canada) sounds like a long time. But is it? Think about it. In the big scheme of things, it's not long at all.
I don't think people these days live life to the fullest, and don't appreciate what they have. It's scary when you think about the future, who knows what's in store for us in the future? I'm not saying to go out and climb Everest, I'm saying to appreciate the finer things in life.
Family.
Friends.
Health.
Love.
When is the last time you hugged your mom? Told her that you love her and thank her for always being there for you while you grew up.
When is the last time you thanked your dad for showing you how to be a man? How to build things with your hands, how to shave, how to survive.
Do you thank your friends for being in your life? For giving you memories that you'll remember forever?
The past is the past. What happened in your past happened for a reason, and unfortunately, it cannot be changed. The future is unknown, tomorrow I could be hit by a falling satellite (that joke is 2 weeks too late!), or I could win the lottery. We can't live our life dreaming of our perfect future. We have to live for today, and work towards our dreams.
Appreciate life and make each day better than yesterday.
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)