Wednesday, 12 December 2018

The Journey


A journey is defined as ‘an act of travelling from one place to another.’

Each journey is made up of pieces. It encompasses so many little details, that when you put them all together, make a beautiful picture. If you take the time and look closely at a success you have experienced, and dissect the journey little by little, you will surprise yourself. Every detail, no matter how minute they may seem, has contributed in some way to how your journey has turned out, each piece playing a part.  In picking apart these little pieces, you can learn so much about yourself and what you are capable of.  You may learn that you are strong when you think you are weak. You may learn you are confident when you feel little. You may learn you are loved when you feel alone.  You may learn you inspire when you think your presence doesn’t make a difference.  You may learn where you belong when you feel lost.

In every moment of doubt, weakness and frustration, one only has to look back at past journeys to confirm that you got what it takes and if you pursue it with gusto and truly see, acknowledge and appreciate each part; your result will be success.  It may not be the success you planned, however, a success it will be!

Alana Regier

http:/alanaregier.blogspot.ca
 

Sunday, 9 December 2018

Once upon a time, a long time ago...


Yesterday I ran across this picture of my first day of Kung Fu. Looking at how the height difference between Kayden and I has reversed itself, tells me it’s been a while.
 
Like many others, I started as the mom and wife on the sidelines. One whispered ‘that looks like fun’ had my husband placing a uniform in my hands saying ‘you start on Monday.’ It was a cold weekend in our home.  However, what was a bit of an unconventional start began a journey that lasted a distance with many valleys, long climbs, and downhills out of control along with mountain tops that would take my breath away. As I look at this photo I remember very clearly what it was about Kung Fu and more specifically Silent River that caught my interest and continued to bring me back through the doors every class.  What I remember standing out was the respect, humility, hard work and compassion I saw being taught and practiced.  I saw Silent River as a school that placed value and instilled qualities that I held high and ones that complimented what I believed and tried to practice in my own life. These are the qualities that still today I believe build men and women of character and integrity, something lacking in so many these days.

I have learned so many lessons in the last 12 years, been given opportunities to grow and contribute to the community and world I live, and I am thankful for each one. I know that the last 12 years have helped reinforce that what I put into something will determine what I get out. If I invest little or nothing, I can’t rightfully expect much in return. I have gained a confidence to try things that at an earlier time I allowed fear to hold me back from. I have been inspired and motivated to push and pursue. I have built meaningful relationships while sharing sweat and tears and even blood with some wonderful people. So for all of these moments and memories I am very grateful.

Alana Regier

Wednesday, 17 October 2018

Be the Bamboo


I have had a bit more time to contemplate on and think about where things are in my life and where I want them to be.  Being physically stopped in a few ways recently has a way of doing that, giving a person more time to be with their thoughts, yikes! 
For as long as I can remember I have found physical activity as a release, a way to get rid of steam, motivate and energize me.  It has given me an escape of some sorts that enables me to refocus, reground and carry on.  Getting the blood a pumping and the sweat a dripping is the place that I can find perspective that I have a hard time finding while sitting stagnant and pondering where to go and how to get there. So in this time of limitations, as I continue to try to fight the obvious, I am humbled and brought back to this quiet place. Unfortunately too much time to think has my mind racing trying to find something else that will enable me to work up that sweat and get the blood a pumping, kind of like what I can imagine an addiction would feel like. In the last almost 4 weeks now I have relentlessly tried to control and manipulate my situation, all to no avail. In this process I have found discouragement and frustration, however, I have also had the opportunity to practice patience (thank you Ms. Kohut for the gentle reminder), learn to ask for help and perhaps get a little rest on certain body parts. In the quiet I have been able to accept, to a certain degree, some things, but with that being said have used some of this quiet time to do research and experiment with different things to get back to where I want to be (yup still stubborn).  As important as it may be to be flexible and accepting at times, I believe there is a fine line between accepting and making an excuse as to why ‘I can’t’. I can honestly say this to be true for myself because I have teetered on that line, mostly in an effort to protect myself. I think being aware of this simple fact only makes me want to work a little harder to stay on the side of the line I wish to remain on. I know at this time, and many more in my life, I will need to be more flexible and accepting in order to be happy and find peace. I will need to be more like the bamboo and willow which survive by bending in the wind, changing and adjusting as life makes it necessary. Life is full of lessons; one just needs the right perspective in order to learn from them when they are presented to us.

 

Alana Regier
http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

A fall picture from one of my favorite local running places, with even a bench to rest on!

Thursday, 11 October 2018

Its Come to Crawling


There seems to be little I feel I can do these days, and with that I can’t help but feel like every minute I am getting further behind.  I had these great plans and goals at the beginning of the year and have modified and changed them as needed but somehow now I feel like there is little I can change that will keep me going in a forward direction. Surgery on my hand = no hand and arm movement & no lifting, okay not great but I still have my legs and can get some extra km’s and running in.  However, it would seem that in my effort to stay moving and keep a little bit of sanity, I have over done other body parts. Intense pain on the base of one of my feet have me walking off balance and with a limp which is throwing my knees, hips and other foot all out of whack. I now find I’m going to a number of appointments and am limited in all movements that include using my feet. Fabulous! I’ve had my share of injuries and discouragement and I have always tried to find some positive, some gift and to keep some semblance of a smile but to be honest, it’s getting harder. So as I sit in my pity party, going through photos (because I don’t need my legs or both arms), I found this quote I had taken a screen shot of at some other time in my life that I must have seen as a significant note to self.

 

Well I’ve never been able to fly, not able to run right now, walking is with a limp, pain and in circles, so I guess I’ll try crawling in a slow effort to keep moving forward, at least till my knees give out!

Alana Regier

I took this pic at the vet clinic this week, just cause it made me smile!
 

Monday, 1 October 2018

Vision determines our decisions


‘Vision focuses our decisions and our decisions determine our destiny’. This idea isn’t rocket science to me or a big ah ha statement but rather just a reminder. Our vision or goals, if kept at the forefront and genuinely pursued, will guide us in the decisions we make which will then determine how successful we will be. Are we setting goals with the hope of getting more but inefficiently using what we already possess? Take time for instance. Many of us say we want to have more time to _______. However, if we do not efficiently use the time we already possess, is it very realistic to believe we can somehow find more?  This has led me to examine my own life. Am I using the tools, resources, skills and opportunities available to and that I already possess to the best of my ability?  Are they in line with the goals I have set?  Better yet are my goals realistic?

A week ago I had a conversation with a dear friend as to a list of potential goals I would like to set and work towards in the near future.  Now my real motivation in sending her this list was so she could go over them, pick them apart and bring me down to earth.  I wanted and expected her to say ‘look Alana, I like what you want to do here but really girl, how realistic is this’?  My list was shooting for the stars in some respects in my own mind and I felt I needed to be brought back to reality, and I believed she was the girl to do that for me.  What I didn’t expect was her answer.  She actually refused to say anything I shot for was unrealistic and would not want to be responsible for limiting me and my potential. She is so right! What is realistic to one person is completely different to another. Some think more open minded and believe the sky is the limit, while others play more on the safe side and perhaps think too much and would rather stick to the comfortable. Our view of what is realistic can be so limiting depending on our perspective. Only we know how we feel, what we want and understand our circumstances. For this reason  I’ve found that seeking out people that I respect and trust with certain decisions I have has been of great value. Their opinions and advice have many times helped guide me in some tough decisions, not always the direction they intended or expected but was genuinely listened to and appreciated. What I have learned is that although I can listen to and see their point of view, it may not align with what I know is right for me.

Now my list of potential goals didn’t contain growing wings and learning to fly, so if asked if they are realistic, I would answer that differently now.  I'd be able to confidently say ABSOLUTELY!!!! However, there is a catch.  Beyond having that vision and setting those goals, I need to look hard at what in my life may be preventing me from accomplishing what I set out to.  What obstacles do I need to remove and am I willing to? Am I willing to put in what I need to in order to make my vision come alive?

It’s not going to happen overnight, but with each decision I make with my goals/vision in the forefront I will be put on track.  Taking one day at a time, one positive step each day with dedication and consistency will take me toward my vision, it will require some easy decisions but I also know I will need to be prepared for the tough ones.

Alana Regier                http:/alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

Monday, 24 September 2018

I Want My Right Hand Back


Less than 48 hours after my surgery and I was bored silly and frustrated with the inability to do the simple things. My attempt at brushing my teeth left toothpaste all over my face and a toothbrush almost in my ear, almost swallowed my ear ring trying to take off the back, had to use my teeth to help tie my shoes (guess I should be grateful that on occasion my foot will reach that far), had Kayden wash my hair in the kitchen sink (looked like hurricane Florence went through) while hearing the dreaded words ‘your hair is so long it reaches into the garburator’, couldn’t get my bra off without becoming a tangled mess on the floor and putting on make up to look somewhat presentable, ooooo was not pretty.  It is safe to say I am missing the use of my right/dominant hand!

We take so many things for granted on a daily basis.  It is not until we lose them, walk away from them or just allow their value to fade do we realize just how important they actually are and just how much they contribute to our life.  Some things are missed instantly while others may take longer and may even be lost slowly over time from simple neglect.

I have found myself challenged this past week on a couple of different fronts as to just how much value I place on certain things in my life. If taken away how would my life be different? What would I be missing if I choose a path leading in an opposite direction? My hand, well that’s an obvious, I want that one back, but for others that are requiring some decisions, it really isn’t so cut and dry. So I have found myself with a special extra awareness and on a close look out all while recording and listing my findings. To say this year has been one full of surprises, realizations and change is an understatement. What the future looks like I have no idea at this point but l continue to search for the direction I am meant to go.

Alana Regier

A proven lesson that if you are patient and quiet things will come to you.

Saturday, 15 September 2018

Authentic Success


How does one define success?  I have been searching for my own definition for longer than I have realized and in my reading today I heard the words that define it perfectly for me!


Some people may view success as their name in lights, a list of letters behind their name or certificates and awards on the walls and shelves in their office, but I see true success as something quieter, something observed in ones relationships, happiness, perspective, something that is demonstrated in their character on a regular basis, not just when they think they are being watched. It is someone who brings true value to those surrounded by them.  Their absence is evident because of the difference they make.  This is the success I am striving for!

Alana Regier

Sunday, 9 September 2018

Evaluating the Results


I have over the last few years made a point of reviewing the results of goals I have set for myself.  What I have and continue to learn in my kung fu and in my life experiences is that there is extreme value in evaluating the results. It truly is in this that you learn the most and have a better chance of success the next time around.

My first ‘list’ I made and actually wrote down in black and white, was in the late night hours after my black belt grading.  On that piece of paper I started with listing the things I did that I thought worked well for me and given the chance I would do again. Following that was the list of what didn’t work and what I would do differently.  Seeing just how much this self-evaluation helped me in choosing new goals as well as building on the goals I had made in the past, only encouraged me to continue and to make this part of my goal setting journey.

As valuable as I have found this tool/habit, I have found it easier to do with some goals over others. I’ve struggled with trying to figure this out and all I can come up with so far has been that it seems to be largely influenced by what is going on in my life at that time and whether my heart is really in the place that makes that goal a priority or of importance in that moment.  Is that goal serving me, mind, body and soul?  As I have revisited my goals throughout the year, I have observed that most of my ‘kung fu’ ones in the physical sense have suffered. However, what has been very evident to me is that the personal ones I have set for myself have actually come out quite strong with the added bonus of learning more and adding to what I had planned in directions I did not foresee. This I see as awesome and makes my year in my eyes a successful one.  I have been challenged, I have learnt and expanded on things I thought I understood and believed and through all this I have grown and gained some clearer clarification as to the direction I want to and need to go.  All this may be totally unobservable to the outside eye, but what is really important is what I know and am confident of in my own heart.

I am not sure of where all this will lead or where exactly I will land, but I am confident that it will be somewhere great and as long as I am willing and ready, it will result in a lifetime of adventures yet to come.

Alana Regier

As we have celebrated both our boys birthdays this past week, I have found many pictures of many adventures and memories!  This picture was from a few years ago at a favorite lake just outside Jasper. Here's to many more great memories and adventures.

Sunday, 12 August 2018

Why?


I have been asked on many occasions why I do some things I do, everything from my kung fu, job to most recently death race. Why would a person pay, travel a distance and put their body thru such stress with such unkind demands? I found words would not come to me; it is truly something that one must experience firsthand to understand.  I know in my heart why but to explain that to someone else is impossible.  Every year as runners pour into Grande Cache a new slogan is posted. This year’s sign described it perfectly for me. 

The truth is I love the challenge, I love the location I love the people and the environment I love it all! Each of the last years I have gone into the bush one Alana and come out another.  I believe anything that has the power to do this is something quite incredible and a true gift. Seeing and feeling the impact first hand only proves to me the ability experiences have to change us, help us find ourselves and to help point and direct us in the direction we are meant to go. I have prepared for a year for this past weekend and have not left disappointed. In many ways going in I felt like I was so unprepared and physically not up to the task but I surprised myself and proved that consistency and smart training benefited me greater than I would have believed possible. This year had a huge bonus for me in that I was able to run with a dear friend and share a day full of adventure. So thank you Darlene for making this day one so full of memories I will treasure always and a bigger thank you for still being my friend! You did amazing!!!!

Alana Regier





A few of so many pictures of a wonderful weekend!

Sunday, 22 July 2018

Disconnected But Engaged


Can you disconnect but yet still be engaged? Please don’t get me wrong, disconnect for me isn’t laying on the couch stinking but rather more of a leaving the unnecessary busyness of life in the back ground vs. at the forefront taking over and running the show.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to spend the last couple of weekends out in the mountains, my favorite place to be.  Although a weekend alone is a short time, it was made sweet with the leaving of the hustle and bustle and distractions of everyday life. I am finding for myself that a little disconnect is just what is needed for me to stay engaged.  I am very aware that it’s a slippery slope and very individual as to where that line is for each individual, this is where being very aware and in tune is key.

 I have found real growth recently in this perspective.  I have found new and renewed passions and have found myself more engaged and slowed down in individual moments that together are building toward goals I have for myself. With this realization my goals have changed a little and therefore my plans and actions. I’m not exactly sure what all the reasons are to where I find myself, maybe being tired, maybe finding a shift in priorities, maybe the realization that time is going fast and the moments I have in this place at this time are only here for this moment so I need to enjoy and relish each one.  Or maybe it’s the realization that I won’t always be capable of doing everything I am at this time or that the people in my life now are not a guarantee for a million more moments, so spend your time carefully. I have no doubt it’s the combination of all these and more.  I find as I get older with more experiences and lessons under my belt, I am starting to view things differently, maybe at 45 I’m finally starting to grow up and get a little more of this wisdom thing I’ve heard so much about. 

So at this point my disconnecting may appear to others as disengaged but I’d have to argue that that would be only an outside view and a very small picture as to where I am. I believe I am where I am meant to be right now and still moving in a forward motion, with steps back along the way.  More lessons and more growth continuing, the moment you stop learning you stop living.

Alana Regier





Pictures from last weekend up in Grande Cache, each moment treasured!  Last pic was the only guns I had to fend off the bear, never ran so fast, not sure which one of us ran faster to get away!

Friday, 13 July 2018

Lessons Along The Way


Along each journey there are a number of lessons and opportunities however it is dependent on the attitude and perspective of the person that determines what they walk away with. A bad attitude leads to a distorted perspective which leads to a diminished value of the journey.

This past weekend I had the privilege of witnessing our oldest son go after a goal he had set almost a year ago.  I watched him hit the submit button last November and saw his dedication, hard work and consistency only grow as the day approached.  His goal, actually one of a few, was to complete his first 100 miler in the Sinister 7 race in the Crowsnest pass.  Anyone familiar with this race will know it's not for the faint of heart especially when done solo. He may not have made it to the end of this gruelling 100 miles in 30 hours THIS TIME, but he learned many valuable lessons in the 90km and over 15 hrs he was trudging those mountains, rocks and roots.         

In the year preparing for this past Saturday as well as the day itself, Brandon learned lessons larger than expected. He learned the meaning of progressing wisely after an injury in May. He learnt adaptation, modification and patience in trying to heal and at the same time move in a forward direction. He learnt more about his body, what it needed and when it had had enough. He was given a gift with the opportunity to run and chat with some fellow racers that he has followed , admired and respected for quite some time. All these pieces and more made his journey one worth every ache, pain and lost toenail.     

I am completely inspired and proud at what he did accomplish but what stood out the most this race was the attitude he walked away with. Of course he would have rather been toting around the belt buckle Sunday afternoon, but seeing him make the tough but wise decision as to when he thought his body had been pushed enough, was something new for a young man who is determined, stubborn (a quality probably from his dad) and at this age where he is invincible, makes me so incredibly confident that he will continue to accomplish remarkable and extraordinary things in his life. Not only did he make the call on his own, but he did so with peace and a smile and a kind word of thanks to everyone who was a part of his journey from the volunteers handing out meatballs, the strangers ringing cowbells and to the crew that washed feet, rolled out muscles and changed up bladders and packs. He walked away with no regrets and a heart full of gratitude and to see that only makes me all the prouder. He will be back I have no doubts and I will be there to wash feet, ring bells and push him back in the bush. He has big plans and I will be grateful for every one I am able to be a part of. 

If a person stays aware and in the moment along the way to a goal I believe this is where true success is found.  You can plan, prepare and commit and yet the outcome is still unpredictable.  I can say without any hesitation this was one of the best weekends I've had in a while filled with moments I will never forget! 

Alana Regier


Wednesday, 27 June 2018

The Seven Best Doctors


I have heard the 7 best doctors are sunshine, fresh air, exercise, water, diet, laughter and rest. 

In looking at this list I can easily cross off sunshine being that’s where I work every day.

 Being outside every day all day allows me the opportunity to take in all the fresh air my lungs can. 

With my job and the activities I do daily I get exercise that flops me in bed every night. 

Working outside, especially in 30 above in chainsaw pants and gear has a girl drinking water till I’m ready to float away.

As for diet, thats always been a no brainer for our family as we know what you put into your body affects your output so we have always been very aware of our food intake (exception being the chocolate chips I steal while hiding in the pantry from time to time, for blood sugar purposes of course).

 I look to laugh at every opportunity I get.

And then there is the rest,  ahhhh…  this is where I fall short.

 As tired as I may be, I am not getting the amount of restful sleep I need.  I know without it my body and mind don’t function to its full capacity and that I am more prone to injury and less likely to heal and recover. So it is with this knowledge and pure exhaustion that I have finally decided it’s not worth putting off the inevitable. I have finally gone in and have a scheduled date for carpal tunnel surgery.  As quick and easy as this procedure is, less than 20 min actually, the recovery time is a bit longer.  I am to do NOTHING for 6 weeks and for other stuff 12 weeks possibly longer.  As the surgeon looked me straight in the eyes with a pulling no punches stare, he asked me point blank “Are you capable of rest and allowing yourself to heal?”  I think my family squealed to him as to my inability to sit down and do nothing, good thing my legs will still work.  I have put this off for a few years now but have finally reached the point that it’s never going to be a good time and I would rather have a better quality of rested life. As frustrating and disappointing as this may be to setting back progress on my goals, I have reached a place of realization that I want to be able to do the things I enjoy until I’m older and ricketier and I want to be able to enjoy each moment of the journey not just surviving through it with little grace and a whack load of pain.  The truth is I’m looking more to longevity in all of my training, activities and work.  Sometimes one must step back a little, get the rest and healing the body is yelling for in order to progress forward and accomplish and enjoy the things that are important to us.

Alana Regier


 
Picture of the week, taken November 2017 on Brandons and mine road trip to Crowsnest Pass.  Just beautiful, no other words to describe.

Saturday, 16 June 2018

Value of Team


|We are not a team because we work together.

We are a team because

We respect,

Trust and care

For each other.

We each joined the year of the I Ho Chuan for our own personal reasons; however, I believe if you were to look closely and compare ones list to another, they would most times be working towards similar goals and directions. Looking around our circle of teammates it is quite obvious that we are a group made up of very different personalities.  It is the combination of all these people put together that have the potential to make a great team with the ability to accomplish fabulous and extraordinary things. Although there are parts of a year in the I Ho Chuan that are quite individual there is a huge part that is team.  This team portion is the part that for some is more difficult than others. Those who may prefer to work it on their own and to focus solely on their own personal goals and ambitions may miss out on a big benefit of what being part of this team has to offer.  As I have found myself in a tough place personally I have been deeply touched by the reaching out of a couple of teammates.  It is the sincere reaching out, honest, respectful, caring actions that have had the power to keep me moving forward even though at a turtle pace. It is the qualities that these individuals have demonstrated that I see as true qualities that make up not only a person worthy of a black belt but one that is a gift to the world they live in.  It is even more incredible to me when the outreach of support and care comes from someone whose balancing of life does not allow them to be present at every class or event however they are more in tune and engaged than what many might recognize.

I really encourage each of us to continue or for some start reading each other’s blogs and for those not blogging, start.  Allow the entire team to be a part of your journey.  Let each member of this team know that someone has their back, that there is a group of people who care, respect and are looking out for them. The moments we believe we are the only ones struggling, the only ones who have ended up detoured, I will guarantee there is at least one of the many who make up this team who has found themselves in a similar place and who may be able to offer help.  Why struggle alone in silence when we have such a wealth of resources at our finger tips? Why not help others from our own lessons learned? 

I am truly grateful to those who have reached out to me at a time that was low and discouraging. You will never know completely how much it meant and the difference it made! You have reminded me how important it is to be aware of, watching out for and caring for those around us, whether they are there in the flesh or from a distance. Thank you thank you thank you!

Alana Regier

Picture of the week, a slam on the brakes look at that barn moment!
I love old barns, old stuff of all kinds actually. Love to think of the stories they could tell!

Sunday, 3 June 2018

Cutting Corners


I’m running down the trail, a long steady hill climb ahead, my feet feel like they have 50lb weights on them, I’m tired and drenched in sweat.  Three steps ahead I spot a hidden path that few use that would obviously be a short cut to my final destination allowing me to avoid the grueling hill, cut my distance to 2/3’s and land me back to the parking lot ½ hour sooner, nobody would be any the wiser.  What path do I take? Will I be okay in my own mind with knowing I took that shortcut? Will there be consequences that I haven’t considered or are not aware of at the present time? Will I regret it?

Life is full of possible shortcuts in every aspect of life, in our jobs, education, training etc etc.  The path we choose is up to us, it may be skewed and altered by others and circumstances, but ultimately we are the ones that will make the choices that will lead to the final outcome. There are those corners that we believe nobody will notice if cut but the truth is the effort and involvement we give will always show to the outside eyes whether we acknowledge that or not; what we put into something will show in the end and will continue to affect not only our immediate progress but our future accomplishments in unlikely places. To be aware of the fact that every corner cut we cheat not only ourselves and those around us is something to consider with every contemplated shortcut.  There is no better feeling than to know with every fiber of your being that you gave all you could and at the same time showed others just what they are capable of.  So one must ask themselves, what am I doing, why and how will this affect and change my life?  Am I on the path I want?

Alana Regier

 

Picture of the week, looking down toward Grande Cache from powerline.  Love this place and the memories it holds.

Monday, 21 May 2018

The Same Inside and Out


I have found myself in a spot of what I first viewed as a lack of motivation, however, looking at it closer I discovered it has come down to more of a problem of a shortage of time to get done all I want to and a bit of a struggle with prioritizing what I really need to and want to do in order to sleep better at night.  For many people a little chaos in their surroundings isn’t a big deal and does not leave them sleepless at night but for others of us, being able to watch our childrens soccer game or crew our other child in his race, cut the grass, weed the flower beds (with a headlamp if required), walk the dog, clean the house, oh ya and work etc etc etc. has to be done in order to have our minds and bodies at peace. 

With winter hibernation at an end and the added stuff the season brings, my balancing act feels to be falling apart.  My day starts early and I go go go all day and at the end find there are just not enough hours no matter how hard I try, plan and schedule.  In the end I feel like I have been rushing and not getting what I truly should out of some things and not completing others with the quality I want.  No matter how much I tried to foresee what would be reasonable but yet challenging goals for my year, I cannot help but feel like I have bit off more than I can chew.  To say it plain and simple, I’m not doing well with my goals and feel like it’s turning out to be another year of struggling.  Time to reset and change my plan.  Hmmmm… where to start? 

I’m no stranger to the dips and holes and hope every year I can learn a little more to help with future success.  We talk of balance a lot in our group and with this I am constantly striving to balance my whole life, sometimes with little success.  I want the lessons I learn in the kwoon to filter out to my life outside the walls and at the same time allow the lessons I have learned outside in my life to help better what I do in the kwoon.  For me it’s the meshing of my life in and out that will demonstrate whether I’m truly on a path of mastery.  I cannot be one person in the kwoon and give the illusion that I have things all figured out but outside live in a state of chaos or in a manner that does not represent who I really am and what I really care about and believe. So here I am a work in progress, still trying to find another strategy, tool or plan that will help me get back to a place where I can feel like I am making progress and accomplishing all the things I want and need to and doing it as a way of life rather than for just a season. I want those who see me in the kwoon to recognize me as the same person outside.

As I look at my role models, inspirations and motivators, it is to people who I respect and believe live and handle ALL of life with character, integrity and perserverance.  They aren’t people who have it all figured out and all ducks in a row but rather continue to work towards and hold true to what they believe and cherish.  It is in observing and talking to these individuals that I hope to better find and keep the balance I am in so need of finding. Life continues to be full of lessons, the moment we quit learning we die.  So as Sid the sloth said, ‘I choose life.”

Alana Regier
http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca
Picture of the week taken on Brandons and my road trip to Waterton!
 

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Feet On Fire


Finally the leaves are starting to emerge, the geese are back and the frogs are going crazy.   With spring finally here the balancing act begins, new routines, shuffling of activities and the dreaded steel toe boots.  Aaaaaaah the steel toe boots, my nemesis.  It seems with the extra amount of time I have to spend in those evil little things my feet are rebelling more than normal.  I have found my plantar fasciitis flaring up to a whole new level again, making my feet feel like they are constantly on fire.  Needless to say I am struggling with some of my goals for the simple fact that my feet will only take so much.  To spend much time on the mats in bare feet is a challenge and to wear my kung fu shoes is causing torqueing on my knees.  My running is taking a bit of a hit, which isn’t sitting too well with me right now and my walks with my furry family member are down to two a day.  I have tried explaining to her my dilemma but she just continues to look at my trying to will me to get my running shoes on.  On a positive note, I am biking wherever and whenever I can which continues to be good for my knees being that the bike was a huge part of my physio last year for my knee.  They aren’t quite the km’s I had planned in my goals but they are what I can do at this moment and I’m working really hard to be okay with that.  I am reminded constantly throughout each day just how connected my body is.  Feet don’t just affect feet alone but affect everything from balance all the way up my body impacting parts you would never have thought connected.

So as the demands increase and the timelines get closer, I continue to take step by step, mostly forward, at a little slower a pace than I’d like but still grateful for what I am able to do.

Alana Regier                                                                                                  

 



Picture of the week!  Zip lining in Mexico with the family a couple of years ago.  A fabulous day facing one of my fears, the fear of heights!

Monday, 30 April 2018

Cleaning Up Can Be Contagious


This past Saturday we once again had our annual Pitch in Project. This year with the late spring weather and an abundance of mud, I decided to get to the park a little earlier to scope it out. When we arrived we ran into our neighbor with her two young girls having lunch at the park.  While we waited for the rest of our group to arrive we started to pick up garbage.  It only took minutes before these two lovely young ladies pulled on a pair of gloves, grabbed a bag a started racing each other to get to the garbage first, showing just how contagious cleaning up can be. Earlier in the week Darcy witnessed our three neighbor kids between the ages of 4-7, run over to one of the other neighbors house with a handful of bags and a garden trowel. They knocked on the door and asked the neighbor if they could clean up all the dog poop in his backyard.  To say the gentleman was somewhat stunned is an understatement but what grabbed more attention was how excited these kids were to just do something nice. Fast forward a couple of days.  Along our back yard runs the edge of town with a well-used trail system.  Through the wooden fence a group of preschool age children could be heard singing a garbage picking song as they helped clean up and fill bags.  Kids are soooo awesome!  Now I wasn’t fortunate to witness either of these days but as Darcy replayed them for me my heart smiled. 

Despite the fact that there are many who may not think twice of carelessly tossing their garbage out the window, there are other groups such as our team that aren’t scared to spend a Saturday in rubber gloves, tip toeing through the mud and dodging the pokey branches to the eyes. In doing so we are not only taking care of our environment and community but setting examples to those around us. As parents and instructors, as neighborhood children with a shiny shovel and handful of bags to fill or as a preschooler who is moving with the beat of their own song, we are making a huge impact in our community and at the same time making those who witness our actions aware that our community does not stay clean magically but rather through the efforts of many.

Although some events are completed in a day, not to be looked at again till next year, this is a project that can and should continue all year long.  Unfortunately there is never a shortage of garbage lying around but if everyone picks up a piece here and there in their travels, the results are going to be huge! Every little effort works together to accomplish bigger things.

I know it is impossible to pick a day for an event like this that will work for everyone and things come up in life but I would like to say a huge thanks to those that were able to make it out and to those who had wanted to but weren’t able to.  Many hands make the load light!

Alana Regier

 
Picture of the week from last weekend in Jasper.  Got in trouble from the CN guy for being on the tracks, oops my bad!
 

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Changing Up Meal Time


Eating healthy and a well-balanced diet has always been important in our family.  As the main cook in our household (I use that term lightly) I have found myself in a rut when it comes to meal ideas.  In over 20 years I have had a tendency to stick to just a handful of recipe and meal ideas that to be honest, even I am bored of.  Now this is where I have turned to the dark side (as Mr. Mckee calls it) and grabbed onto technology.  One of my personal goals this year is to come up with and prepare at least one new recipe a week, and I have to say it is going over well.  Google, more specifically Pinterest has been my best friend.  If my family finds a recipe that has a picture that gets their salvia glands rocking, I find it emailed to me pronto. If I have a bunch of avocados I need to use or have taken chicken out for supper, all I have to do is punch in a word and out spits a hundred different options.  I really have no excuses now.

Along with this new recipe of the week, our family has been researching and changing things in our diets trying to find different foods that benefit us and our activities the most.  With different physical make ups, gender, age and energy output, we all seem to require a few tweaks in our food and drink intake compared to the next guy.  What works for one of us doesn’t necessarily work for everyone else, which makes perfect sense being that we are all built different.  Although we all may require different amounts of carbs, proteins and fats, there are some changes that we are making that agree with all of us.  Simple healthier choices like replacing miracle whip with greek yogurt or using apple sauce in place of butter in baking, are easy to do and taste great.

There is no shortage of diets and fads out there, in 45 years I have heard my share.  Instead of jumping on the band wagon of the newest and greatest way to lose 20lbs and have buns of steel, I think it is more important is to learn your own body and what you require to fuel and function to your greatest potential. 

Alana Regier
http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
 
 
Picture of the week from this past weekend hiking in Jasper. 
With a view like this I really don't know why I come home.
 

Monday, 16 April 2018

The Dangers of Comparing


I read a quote this week making a very simple but true statement: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I think majority of us can admit to comparing ourselves to someone else at one time or another, whether this is in our work, family, kung fu etc.  I believe it’s built in our human nature to look and take notice of others around us, observing both the successes and failures.  What we choose to take away from our observations is up to us.

In my own family, one activity that we all share an interest in is running.  Now I am not a natural born runner, every kilometer I travel on these two feet, I have to work extra hard to complete. Being surrounded by three boys who seem to have more of a knack for this whole trail running thing than this short legged tortoise making her way through pudding (yes I need this t-shirt), makes it kind of easy to fall into the trap of comparing myself to them. I have caught myself several times feeling frustrated and discouraged with what I see as a lack of progress in myself.  What I have failed to do is to remember why I started running in the first place and what it does for me personally.  I remember very clearly my first runs and how I didn’t even know how to breathe, I felt so tired I started tripping over shadows or that the longest distance I could run was 5km and with every step I was sure I was going to die. Fast forward about 7 years and I find myself still trailing behind my boys, however, with a more positive and cheerful perspective. I have remembered why I do it and where I came from and with that am able to now celebrate my own little successes with the joy and determination to continue to take it to the next level.

I believe that comparing can be dangerous. It is important to remind ourselves that no two people are alike.  Each one of us is built completely different inside and out.  We each have our own limitations, our own life circumstances and experiences along with our own lists of strengths and weaknesses. With all these things considered, our journey and results will differ greatly to the guy sitting next to us. Myself, I am truly inspired by those who things don’t come easy for, the ones that demonstrate the qualities of determination, hard work and commitment with a humble and encouraging approach. When looking at and admiring someone else’s achievements, choose to be happy for, inspired by and driven in a crazy way and rather than comparing ourselves to others find the joy in our own successes.  No matter how small they may seem in someone else’s eyes, they are ours, they are significant and they matter.

Alana Regier
 
Picture of the week, me coming down the dreaded powerline in Grande Cache, doing something that a few years ago I wouldn't of thought I could!

http:/alanaregier.blogspot.ca

Sunday, 8 April 2018

Fear of the Unknown


Every day, three times a day in fact, I can be found walking our furry family member on a set route around Stony Plain. With each one of these walks I have to pass a fenced yard that has a dog the size of a pony laying and waiting for unsuspected victims. This fence is a tall solid wood one that does not allow a view into or out of the yard, unless of course you are willing to jump and balance on the top rail, which is exactly what this pony sized dog does.  Each day as I approach the yard I imagine what lingers behind it, my heart races and my stomach turns to mush. I cautiously and as quietly as possible try to sneak by all the time waiting for the beast to make his leap off the deck to teeter on the top of the fence with a throaty bark that makes me think he’s coming for my jugular. The knowledge that this property is coming up actually has the power to ruin the peace and tranquility a walk usually gives me, kind of like the jack in the box toy that some demented inventor thought would be a good idea for small children. The unknown of whether he’ll be out or won’t prevents me from not only wanting to go by the yard itself, but in some ways destroying my journey right from the start. The simple answer would be to cross the street and watch him launch at the fence from a safe distance away or to take a different much safer route, however, should I allow fear to keep me from the path I have chosen?

I admit to watching and waiting, from the other side of the street of course, as the unsuspecting group of tough teenage boys get surprised and scream like little girls.  Yes it’s a good chuckle but at the same time I admire their ability to laugh and learn from it, either by walking on the other side of the street or as boys have a tendency to do, dare one another to see how fast they can run by the next time. Unfortunately, as we get older we get more cautious. A lifetime of experiences tells us we are not invincible and we come with a pile of doubts and insecurities that can warp our perspective. Allowing these negative experiences to take over the great possibilities, we can potentially set ourselves up for failure before we even start. To be aware of and look out for this in our own lives, not allowing our perspective to be skewed to a side of the negative can be tough. However, if we instead choose to use the wisdom we have acquired to guide us, we can still strike out on the journey’s we desire and not only find success in what we set out to do but become who we want to grow up to be. The simple fact being that if we aren’t willing to choose to go beyond ordinary we will not accomplish the extraordinary.

The lesson for me in this daily saga is that fear of the unknown and the unpredictable path that life will take has an ability to destroy, cripple and take the enjoyment out of moments and has an incredible power to discourage and alter the choices I make.  I believe a certain level of fear is healthy, what we fear we respect, it’s this healthy level of fear that protects us.  However, if allowed to dominate every choice we make, keeping us safe in our little box, what kind of experiences will we have? What opportunities will we miss? How will we change a life,ours or someone elses?  Stepping out of our comfortable box or pass the tall wooden fence, into the unknown and unpredictable, will give us a chance to experience a journey few choose, give us a range of experiences from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.  It will give us a deeper understanding of ourselves and what we are capable of. It will better prepare us for the roadblocks that come up and better equip us to tear them down, deal with them or at least sneak around them.  

Alana Regier
 My picture of the week!
This would be my guard dog! Picture taken almost a year ago at our garage sale.
 Makes me laugh every time I see it!