I'm Batman

As I get older I see things differently than I did in my youth. Although youth offers the benefits of lasting energy, long term hopes and dreams, the feeling of having all the time in the world, believing we are invincible etc etc…, age and experience has given me gifts of a different kind. I am learning more patience, acceptance, need and benefits of modification, different more meaningful purpose, appreciation, value, priority shift, learning where I belong and a better idea of where I want to be, and these are just to name a few. 

Perspective for each of us varies. Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something completely different, walk away with an entirely different experience and be led in directions that vary. Life’s experiences, circumstances and the general make up of a person alter what and how one sees things. Although we may have our own personal reasons for seeing things the way we do, we also have a choice as to the eyes we see it through.  It may not always be easy; however, there is usually some way, somehow to put a positive spin on every experience, if we choose to.

The truth is, we limit our possibilities if we allow our perspective to be skewed in a negative direction. The reality is that things are never all rainbows and unicorns, but there is always something to be grateful for, and a positive perspective to be found, we just need to be open, aware and acknowledge it. Some may look at this idea as being ‘fake’, but I would have to disagree. I believe it’s making a conscious choice to look at the moment, the circumstance or the person and view it as an opportunity to change things in a positive direction. If we choose to dwell on and continue to feed a cycle of negative and ugly ideas, feelings and behaviours, nothing will ever change. Take the negative, learn from it and change it, making something good come out of it. Positivity is contagious but so is negativity!

Alana Regier

 

alana.regier@blogspot.com

Year of the Dog in Review

Its -22 outside, -30 with the windchill and yet I still find myself bundling up in layers to take my four legged, furry family member out for her morning walk. How is it that this ball of fur who cannot talk using words, speaks so loud and clear with just a look and a wag of her tail?  This may seem like a goofy thought; however, it got me thinking about quiet communication.  One of the greatest lessons I have learnt this past year is the value of and the necessity to listen to the quiet subtle messages, lessons and directions.  It may be the crying of body parts to rest, or the longing of a relationship requiring attention or maybe the heart being pulled in a direction that is opposite from the one you have travelled for so long. Whatever the message is, it should not be ignored as it usually has a way of becoming much louder and in a more determined form.

To say my year was one of roller coasters with crash and burns along the way is somewhat an understatement. I think it’s safe to say that my last two years has seen more changes in all areas of my life than the entire 10 years before it. I haven’t always handled it well or with much grace and have questioned my sanity and my direction many times along the way. So what can I say of the year of the dog?  Honestly I’m glad you are over. Now please don’t get me wrong, although trying, it was a year that gave a lot of realization and clarity.  I have been confronted with more uncomfortable, painful and frustrating moments than I would care to.  I can’t help but wonder that perhaps these were all moments that had been coming for quite some time but because they were more subtle they were easier to push aside.

We live in a very loud world with a multitude of things competing for our attention, money and time. It can be very distracting and easily lead a person off the course of where they truly NEED to be. This leads me to a much different place than I envisioned myself at this point. I have found myself listening to the soft quiet voices of my heart that are gently pointing me in a different direction. This change of direction may not be understood by others and may not even be fully understood by my own mind at this point, but I believe my body and heart know better than my confused and doubting mind.  So although I am glad the year of the dog has come to an end, I am in a weird way grateful for it. It has led me and helped prepare me for the changes 2019 is bringing.

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

She is eager and ready to go, I am not!

The place I would rather be, Grande Cache in the summer, no layers required!

 

 

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

 

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

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

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!

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

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

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

 

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