5 Time’s a Charm – DoWoo #133/365

Today it is not about what to write about but more which aspect of today to write about. YEAH!

Would it be about the fact that my almost 1/2 century body rebelled after I decided to join the kids going down the snow hill on a crazy carpet? Or would it be about the kindness (our virtue for this weeks’ Franklin Makeover) exhibited by the other parent at the top of the hill when he offered to let my 2 charges go down on his fantastic sled? Or would it be about my son commenting at the dinner table we need to translate “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy!” into Spanish for when we are living in Costa Rica?

Today was a day filled with numerous opportunities to observe without opinion but the start was the most challenging. I’m sure someone out there may relate…

After my morning routine I opened up my laptop and typed in my Microsoft Password – to which it promptly told me it was incorrect. I checked my caps lock, my #s and then tried again. OK…still not ‘correct’. I tried an alternative password thinking maybe I changed something online or Walter changed something when we got the new Microsoft Office package earlier this week. I even did what every good IT support person tells you to do when all else fails, I restarted my computer. All with no success.

I called our IT people. Thank goodness for 24-7 support. They said I would need to log onto the Microsoft site through another source and update my password. BUT when I did this using the message noted on my screen, this site did not exist. Another call to IT support to get the correct site. Tried it on Walter’s computer – this site does not exist! Turns out our internet was unstable. Tried it on my phone, using my carrier’s access not my WiFi, and was able to change it.

I logged on to my laptop using the new password and it still said incorrect. I waited a few more minutes (figuring there may be a slight delay) and typed the new password again. SUCCESS!! Then called IT Support again. I asked them to complete a system diagnostic to see what was going on – as I had not changed my password – so maybe there was something intrusive which had attached itself to my system. IT started doing this and then got kicked out because the internet went down. They tried to call me on my cell but I had forgotten to turn on my sound for the day!

When I came back to my office and found the message on my phone and my screen locked without internet. I ended up having to restart my computer to get the internet connection again. When I logging in using my new password I was told it was incorrect.

Went through the whole new password reset with Microsoft. Called IT Support again (anyone keeping count?) and when I got connected, I was immediately disconnected. Called in again and finally got someone to link up and review my computer. YEAH!

This was not my observation…it was Walters. He turned to me and said he was impressed. Why? Not too long ago, he explained, I would have thrown up my hands and arms in frustration and asked him to deal with IT Support. I would not have even made the first call let alone 5. He was correct – I have come a long way. It’s still a journey though….as I’m nowhere near where I want to be. However, today I realized I am certainly well on the road to being the me I envision.

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Human Toy – DoWoo #132/365

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After I had “DoWoo’d” yesterday I explained to Walter that it may not be perceived as a huge observation but more of a consistent one…in how we interact and communicate with our son. Walter commented that not every DoWoo needs to be earth shattering. It’s like baseball.

He explained that a baseball player who fails at hitting the ball 70% of the time is still considered a 300 hitter – which means they are ‘hall of fame’ material and multi-million dollar earners. When I chose to observe daily without opinion some days may be more of a hit then others…but I am most definitely hall of fame material! I am blessed and most grateful that I did whatever I did to deserve this man.

So today…I again was considering my daily observations when Walter and I sat down in front of the fire to chill before the boys came down to watch the movie. Mya, our 2 year old Belgian Malinois, decided she wanted Walter’s hand to pet or play with. This is something she does on a regular basis which amazes me.

Now for those who are not familiar with a Belgian Malinois, they are a bread who (as per Wiki) are used as working dog for tasks including detection of odors such as explosives, accelerants (for arson investigation), and narcotics; tracking of humans for suspect apprehension in police work; and search and rescue missions. The U.S. Secret Service uses the breed to guard the grounds of the White House.

I bought my first dog when I was 16 and kept her at my friends house till her parents told me I had to pick her up (I managed about 3 months believe it or not – my parent had no idea). She ended up being given to a woman on a farm. The next dog I purchased was the only cute, large, slim dog, in the pet store which was NOT the Rottweiler my husband (ex) was looking at so interestingly – a Belgian Malinois. The breed was not something I had never heard of but I was hooked. That dog could clear a 3′ fence on command, clear a park bench from sit without touching it, would growl at anyone who approached me who he did not recognize, but was instantaneously courteous as soon as I touched their arm to “accept” them. When we separated and he came back to take away his stuff, he went to give me a hug and the dog pulled him off of me – something I had not trained him to do…he just knew.

So…when I wanted to get another dog for Gregory to grow up with, I wanted this breed. They are considered to be good with other dogs if socialized and good as a family pet, with kids (you got it) if socialized. We adopted Mya as a rescue at 8 months old. She had been malnourished and has a permanent eye infection which requires daily drops. However, for this breed she is THE most laid back, calm, affectionate, gentle dog the rescue group and I have ever seen. She’s still a Mal but just nowhere near as driven as the breed typically is. When we showed up to consider adopting her the person running the rescue operation said we were the right family for her (we had fostered for them before so they knew what we were all about). We are blessed to have been in the right place, looking for the right dog and she was ours! What better dog for a young boy to have – one he can wrestle with, throw snow at, play tug or war (and not win) and yet a dog who keeps her teeth gentle as she grabs your hand in her mouth.

Today I observed a gentle animal and her human toy! No humans were injured in the making of this video (…or not much). You can be the judge and leave a comment down below. Thanks!

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Conversations with a Little Man – DoWoo #131/365

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Was attempting to explain the word neutral to Gregory tonight. I asked him if he understood what war was. You mean the thing with the guns? Yes. OK – so if one country chooses not to go to war and does not take sides, allowing the war to go on around them, they would consider themselves to be neutral. He clarified this by asking; You mean they did not choose the bad or the good side? I pondered this and figured this could be a good time to explain that war does not have to be about one being good and the other bad….so I responded: Well, it could be that neither side is good or bad – they just don’t see something the same way – they disagree.

He was adamant that one side was bad and the other good and asked to explain his reasoning: He said the people on the one side think they are good and the people on the other side are bad. Then the people on the other side they think they are good and the people on the first side is bad. So it can be both but not.

I asked him whether he knew what this was called and he did not know. It’s called Perspective!

I truly love my having conversations with our little man. He does inspire so much reflection within me. I recall when the 3 of us were in Kauai, Mark J commented that Walter and I lit up about different things: Walter about Costa Rica and me about our son Gregory.

I understand Mark’s observation and I also observe we are interchangeable. The same way Gregory has always mixed us up – calling one of us Daddy or Mommy – depending on what is going on….sometimes without any distinction between us until he occasionally realizes we are the other one.

Earlier this week Gregory was explaining a challenging thing which happened at school and how it upset him. After getting the full story, I reminded him that only he can choose to feel bad or upset, no one else can do this to him. He allows it to be this way. It’s his choice. To which he replied “That’s what Daddy said.”

Turns out Walter and I are on the same page in yet another aspect.

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Ctrl+Alt+Delete – DoWoo #130/365

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To carry a bit over from yesterday’s post, Walter and I had quite a long discussion about my family, my interaction with them, how I can proceed to think and be aware and ultimately my choices in all of “this”. He also pointed out that I have come a long way.

If I have come a long way…I must have been damn fine for him to have fallen in love with me back then! AND now…well, I must be indescribably over the top appealing. Right? Laugh with me…this is exactly what I must do in order to put everything into perspective!

Now onto a serious note. I’m very grateful Walter loves me. I remember when we first started to date, I waited a few months before I introduced him to any of my family. When we were on our way back from a dinner with my mom, 2 of my sisters and their husbands…I asked “So…what did you think?” To which he asked “Can you laugh?” My response “Yes!”

Now, I’m sure each of us has some unique family dynamics which we believe are out-of-this world dysfunctional. It truly does make for some interesting conversation when stories are shared. Bottom line is no matter how interesting our family is…yesterdays observations about forgiveness reign true. We must concentrate on something else.

I’m reminded of the question “How come your family knows which buttons to push?” and the answer is “Because they put them there!”

I choose to concentrate on making today count!
I choose to concentrate on being my best me today!
I choose to be whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious & happy!
I choose….

and that is when I started to consider….

Now…this may be as simple as hitting Ctrl+Alt+Delete. However, we may need to dig a bit deeper to find where those buttons were installed. AND If they were installed in our default programming files it may take a bit of extra knowledge to safely uninstall those memes…those peptides can be rather complicated files…duplicated in various areas to minimize attempts to remove.

I’m working on it. How YOU doing?

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Two Additional Words – DoWoo #129/365

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Attended a family meeting this evening with my siblings to talk about our mother’s health. Turns out I realized quite a number of things this evening. Some were observed in the moment and others were upon reflection. Please allow me to share:

I am still affected by my perception and interaction with my siblings.
I do not understand where they are coming from.
AND they appear to have no clue where I am coming from.
When I look at them I continue to see any challenges we have had between us in the past.
I do not know how to forgive.

That last one…that’s the doozy!

Walter and I ended up with a HUGE discussion on the importance of forgiveness including the part about whatever you are feeling is totally on you – your responsibility – because no one can make another person feel anything – you can only allow yourself to feel whatever it is you are feeling. I get the whole forgiveness part so I can be free of this negative emotion. I just don’t know HOW to do it. So I understand it….but I have no clue how to truly put it into reality. AND this does not appear to be one of those deals you can “fake it till you make it”.

Walter kept telling me that “it does not exist”. By recognizing it, you cause it to exist. If I do not recognize it, give it any power by offering it my concentration, then it does not exist. So whatever I need to concentrate on – other than that – is good and then it does not exist.

THIS is where I go a wee bit squirrelly. Logically, I explained to him, whatever THAT is still exists. You’re just telling me to concentrate on something else…but it still exists…I can’t fake that it does not exist by thinking about something else. We went round and round in circles until two words changed it all. He finally said….

It does not exist “for me”.

Whoa! Am I gaining a bit of clarity here? The jury is still out but I may be getting closer. So work with me here…

Since in my reality it does not matter if something exists for someone else…it only matters what exists for me. AND if I do not acknowledge it in any way – completely. truly. honestly, wholeheartedly have no recognition of its existence…THEN it does not exist “for me”.

OK- So on that note I’m going to call it a night. I will ponder this further right before my sit – the time at night..just before you go to sleep, when your mind is open to new and interesting ways to observe something…and you just allow it to unfold. Catch you on the flip side tomorrow.

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A Shovel Gets an “I’m In” – DoWoo #128/365

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We spoke to Costa Rica! Connected with a wonderful gentleman, Michael, who manages rentals and real estate purchases for the Lake Arenal area. Chatted for about half an hour, covering all sorts of aspects – different areas, variances and what each has to offer, what kind of rental, suggestions and ideas to consider, schooling, etc. He even provided me with the local facebook page to which I have already joined as a member and made a few comments.

One post was hilarious. I ended up thanking them for my loud smile!

Turns out the locals and local expats may have a serious sense of humour – just what I like to see!

This evening the 3 of us sat down and had another Loud Smiles International meeting. When I explained to Gregory the schooling where we are going may not set up like here…Michael had explained they sometimes start at 9 or 9:30 and let out before noon or earlier, and sometimes the teacher does not show up at all.

We filled him in on the other information we had gathered thus far, explaining about Consulates and Governments. We then asked Greg about what what his thoughts were – did he have questions, concerns, ideas?

He wanted to know whether this was a vacation or a move? We explained that we will start out with a tourist visa which is good for 3 months and then we come back to Canada and choose what type of visa we go back to Costa Rica under (we then elaborated on going to the Consulate to find out more information on options).

Gregory then wanted to know about how much money it would take to have his best friend Anil come to visit? We explained that a round trip it would cost between $800 and $1,000. Whoa! His eyes bugged out and he asked if that was just for one person? Yes. I asked him whether he was still planning to get a job (as he had proclaimed during an earlier discussion about this exact topic)? He said…well, yeah but not sure doing what. Maybe a lemonade stand?

I suggested he may want to consider picking up horse poop (no idea where this came from) to which he made a horrible icky face response and stuck out his tongue. He explained he already picked up Mya’s poop…why would he want to pick up more? Walter then explained about Darren Hardy (pointing to the Success Magazine on the office desk) and said Darren suggests finding what other people are not wanting to do and then you do it. It could make much more money than a lemonade stand. He asked if he needed to use a bag to pick it up, to which I replied no, a shovel. “I’m in!” he replied.

BTW – when I was first drafting this post…and got to “success” I glanced down at the word count and it noted 333.

Celebrate!

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In the Flow & Taking Initiative – DoWoo #127/365

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Had a wonderfully fulfilling day. Got 1 full bin packed of Christmas stuff which we are keeping and 3 bins of stuff to garage sale, give away or donation. No questions on most stuff with only the odd discussion with Walter to confirm keep or give. Managed to clear out the dining room cabinets of all the oddities. Had already called my brother about our grandmother’s mantel clock and I will drop it off on Wednesday.

Walter and I discussed the antique book shelf I have had since I moved out of my parents place many many years ago. I don’t recall when this book shelf arrived in our household but I know we had it since before I was 9 – and it may have been around a lot longer than that. We can’t take it with us as the wood would not survive the climate and Greg would most likely not want it as a pass down. So I went on line and started researching what the possible value could be. THEN I narrowed my search by adding in our location and low and behold there was someone looking for exactly what we have – they even had a picture of what they were looking for and it matched our bookcase – right down to the markings on the metal straps on the side.

I LOVE HOW THE UNIVERSE PROVIDES!

I’ve sent off the picture to the interested party with an estimate of what we would like to ask for it. They responded asking for more pictures. I have faith in the flow!

UPDATE: 2 days later, we agreed on a price and money exchanged hands to solidify the deal! I love how when you “key” something with the lessons from the Master Key Experience amazing results take place.

It is a very interesting thing…this going with the flow. It allows you to observe more…which as you know is part and parcel of why I’m doing this 365 day journey. I was speaking with a friend of mine yesterday and she mentioned all the “ah ha” moments she has read about. Upon reflection this evening I realize that is indeed the purpose and benefit of reflection!

If one does not take time to consider what one is doing…how can one change how one interacts, acts and responds to their external world. Walter commented this evening that he was appreciative of my response when I was in the heat of the #CBHF, allowing him to redirect me to where he believed I needed to go, providing me with the tools I needed to embrace. I thanked him for his appreciation and for persevering through my #CBHF!

This week our assignment within the Master Key is to consider how we have witnessed certain virtues. I am concentrating on witnessing “Taking Initiative”. I did this today…more than a few times – including offering an ergonomic alteration for Walter’s desk to help with neck strain, reaching out to people I have not spoken to in ages through Linked-In, accepted a request to connect with someone I have been estranged from for over a year, the above situation with the bookcase. Gregory also participated by choosing to set his alarm earlier than usual so he could get ready for school before we did our morning workout. My friend within the Digital Connections rocked her involvement and presentation material this evening – creating a solid learning tool for the entire class.

Today was a blessed day! I am most grateful.

If you change how you look at things – the things you look at change!

The 2014/2015 Master Key class commenced September 28th, 2014.

TAKE INITIATIVE – Be first on the list for the next class, register now.

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Self-Referral – DoWoo #126/365

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Yesterday Walter brought me out of my #CBHF through reading to me The Law of Pure Potentiality from Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. I was having a challenging day – concerning myself with what others were thinking, how I would respond, considering permutations out the wing-wang…all with less-than-desirable responses from my body, my mind, significantly reducing my ability to interact on any form of rational level.

He then read: ‘The experience of the Self, or “self-referral,” means that our internal reference point is our own spirit, and not the objects of our experience. The opposite of self-referral is object-referral. In object-referral we are always influenced by objects outside the Self, which include situations, circumstances, people and things. In object-referral we are constantly seeking the approval of others. Our thinking and our behavior are always in anticipation of a response. It is therefore fear-based. In object-referral we also feel an intense need to control things. We feel an intense need for external power.’

I recognized the need to step back and reconsider. I had been operating from a position of object-referral. And by doing so my behavior had become fear based. So then…how am I to experience self-referral?

‘When you discover your essential nature and know who you really are, in that knowing itself is the ability to fulfill any dream you have, because you are the eternal possibility, the immeasurable potential of all that was, is and will be. The Law of Pure Potentiality could also be called the Law of Unity, because underlying the infinite diversity of life is the unity of one all-pervasive spirit. There is no separation between you and this field of energy. The field of pure potentiality is your own Self. And the more you experience your true nature, the closer you are to the field of pure potentiality.’

I imagined our world and my place in it, of my body and it’s infinitesimally small cells creating my entire being. I had visions of individual blood cells combined together, going with the flow, as blood, bringing oxygen to the other cells of our body…working in unity – our body having access to its pure potentiality. I can only imagine that blood cells know their essential nature, their purpose.

However, if a cell in our blood decided not to go with the flow, decided they wanted to consider an alternate purpose for their existence, or have a hissy-fit, they would no longer be in harmony with their purpose, no longer be in unity (going with the flow literally and figuratively) and access to pure potentiality would be lost.

This is the same for me. I must relinquish my object-referral, allow myself to go with the flow and embrace my true purpose as an individual in harmony with the whole.

I am “the eternal possibility, the immeasurable potential of all that was, is and will be.”

In embracing my true self I find unity with Self, harmony with all and have unlimited access to my pure potentiality.

Blessings of abundance to you all!

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“Read to Conquer not…” – DoWoo #125/365

I am certainly getting a lot of THIS particular message lately.
What do YOU think that means?

OK – so we had a bit of a situation today. I was having a cyclical-breakdown-hissy-fit (#CBHF), and Walter calmly spoke to me, attempting to get me to snap out of it and finally asked to read me The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success…The Law of Pure Potentiality; Deepak Chopra.

He read. I saw pictures. Pictures of what Deepak’s words meant to me. I had to jump up and make notes so I could write about my thoughts later. I relaxed and allowed the words to surround me, encouraging comprehension through my visual interpretation. It was magical.

I got out of my funk AND I recognized what ‘reading to conquer’ looks like, feels like, is…compared to reading to escape. There is no comparison just polar differences in the world within and ultimately in the world without.

It appears I made good choices for my counsel…3 of them have already bopped me on the head today!

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Branding & Stuffies – DoWoo #124/365

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We had our Loud Smiles International BOD meeting. Gregory rolled in his desk chair from his room to our office. He came with small pieces of paper and a pen. He sat so proudly at the office desk beside Walter all prepared to forge ahead with whatever was on the agenda.

First we explained what the purpose of the Board is – in that they determine the direction we take the business, how we do things, when we do things and where we do them. His first question, said very seriously, was “So what exactly is Loud Smiles? Is it a restaurant? A bar? A business?” Walter explained branding – using Lego as the example. First it was a building block toy, then it was made into games, then it was a movie…so it can be many things.

Loud Smiles originated as the name of the piano bar Walter and I envisioned. Then we chose to call our registered business Loud Smiles International as these aspects will get us to where we have the bar. Now it is a brand, representing our philosophy and our vision. The restaurant…well, that is something Gregory envisions for us.

We then made a list of things we will need to do before we can depart. Creating sections and subsections, discussing all the aspects of things we need to think about. I showed him the various rental properties and explained the what it costs per month here to live in a house and what it will cost there to live in a house. His eyes bugged as he has a good comprehension of money and #s (it’s his favourite subject besides art). I also pointed out that it may not look like what we are used to here…the furniture, the walls, the kitchen…but that we will also have views which are totally different than here.

We spoke about reducing what we have so we can travel lightly. He asked about saving stuff for his little sister…stuff he may not need anymore but that she may like. He figures a few of his stuffies need to be saved and passed along as they cannot be replaced easily.

He listened well, raised his hand when he had something to say, added when he felt he had something to add, kept notes on what his ideas were as well as the key points he felt were of relevance and summarized these points to us at the end of our session.

I observe: Our little man brought one key aspect to the meeting we did not ask to him to bring – a good attitude.

If you change how you look at things – the things you look at change!

To be first on the list for the next class, register now. It’s your choice.

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Sugar Plums with Wine? – DoWoo #123/365

They can SING!

We brought one back out to the kitchen and I filled partially with water and showed him how it sings. He then tried it himself and asked how. While I know it works – I’m not sure how – so…(you guessed it!) we “googled” it. What we found was really cool!

The Mechanics (I had no idea – but now I do):

The principle at work here is a “slip-stick” form of friction. It is also called “dry-damping.” When the fingertip circles the rim of the glass, it excites the glass molecules. They follow the motion of the finger around the glass, in effect “stretching” in the direction of the moving finger. The frictional force is high as the molecules stretch.
The elastic forces within the glass pull the molecules back into place, but because of inertia they overshoot and go too far. At this point, the molecules are moving in the opposite direction of the finger. The frictional force is low. The stretching and returning action of the molecules becomes a cycle. An imbalance in the frictional forces is created, causing the vibration that makes the sound.
This illustrates the fundamental natural frequency of the glass. Different glasses have different frequencies, which depend on factors such as the size of the glass, the position of the glass and the volume of liquid in the glass.
Regular glass is “soft” glass. It has high internal friction (molecular) so that sound waves produce a dull sound. Crystal contains lead, which makes it “harder,” with very little internal molecular friction: molecules are freer to follow the fingertip. This creates the clearer sound in crystal.
Regular glass can make a rim sound, although with more difficulty, and the tone has less quality.

What was even better than the description on how and why was finding videos on people creating amazing sound using these techniques. Here’s my favourite of the day….

Just think: wine glasses + water +a wet finger + friction = beautiful ethereal music. What else do we have so easily at our finger tips which could create something totally different than what we currently use it for?

REMEMBER: If we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.

To be first on the list for the next class, please register now.

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Bins & Our Counsel – DoWoo #122/365

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We are now 1/3 of the way to my promise of 365 daily blogs. I know we celebrated at the 1/4 mark but 1/3 is still a bit of a WOW!

And in honour of the 1/3 mark, we went out and splurged on bins for our relocation. 38 bins to be exact – with various colours so we can arrange what we take with us and store by the exterior of the bin. Walter was only able to bring home 10 in the mustang. When we went back I did not truly anticipate how to fit the rest into the Nissan but we managed – including Gregory (look for the hand) in the back seat. He was actually buckled in!

We have decided on the balance of our Board of Directors – our Mastermind – our Loud Smiles International “invisible counsel”. So in addition to Walter, myself and Gregory we have:

Jeanne Cooper: A very dear friend who passed last year. She was a no BS, straight shooter who loved all 3 of us and is the reason we have our rescue dog Mya.

Deepak Chopra: A soul who has inspired and continues to inspire both of us in his teachings. The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success is a constant in our daily readings and I am inspired to help our son live these laws to their fullest – teaching others along the way.

Wayne Dyer: A gentleman whose words have altered how we look at life and ourselves, a man who helped to shape Walter many years ago and has helped us both to create an environment where our son true light can shine.

Mark Januszewski: A man who is near and dear to us all (Gregory will always say it “en-THU-siasm”), whose Master Key course has inspired me to write and create this vision for change, who keep us both true to ourselves by reminding us what is important, he understands our limitations and revels in our abilities.

Ken Varga: A long time mentor and friend of Walter who is a is a self-created, big thinker with a forceful mind, he lives the philosophy of give more get more, and is a huge supporter of our piano bar vision…I know he will be one of our first patrons in Costa Rica (if he can get off that Aruba island long enough!).

We have the counsel, our mastermind – and we have 38 coloured bins to commence sorting and packing. Our journey is upon us.

All good and prosperous things are happening in 2015.

We send blessings of abundance for all you envision for yourself and your family.

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Virtual Mastermind – DoWoo #121/365

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Was sourcing accommodation in our preferred Norther Region of Costa Rica and came across one home which showed this quote – “Live your dream – don’t dream your life.” How very true!

This evening I explained to Gregory we were having a meeting of the Loud Smiles International Board of Directors and he was invited as one of the board members. He asked me what a board of directors was. I explained these are typically the people who have a say in the direction the company is taking – they are there to discuss and agree on action, timing and overall method. We would be discussing our plans for Costa Rica and we need his input. He is excited and wanted to know what we would be discussing and what to bring.

I mentioned I had gone online today to look at places we may rent and even sent an email to the rental group to inquire as to pet-friendly locations. He nodded and smiled saying of course they have to allow dogs – Mya must be with us I second that motion!

The great news is the location we are looking around has a good number of furnished homes to rent. The views are all magnificent. I am truly realizing that what is important is not what I have placed value on. I’ve always known family is important but now that we have a time frame, I see everything differently.

Wayne Dyer stated “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

I used to be a shopaholic. Actually I still probably am, I just have something else to focus on which steers me clear from shopping for things. Every since the foot came down and we gave ourselves the definitive date, my shopping “self-talk” is quite different. The wonderful thing about someone who likes to shop is they can pretty well talk themselves into anything, rationalizing any purchase. Recently, I find myself asking whether I really need to have this right now or is it more of a ‘nice-to-have’? Is this something I don’t already have anything even remotely similar? Will I be packing it up to take it with us to Costa Rica? If the answer is not an emphatic ‘yes’ to all of the above 3 questions, I keep walking. It’s been quite liberating.

So – by changing how I look at things – now everything needs to be immediately useful, uniquely required and important enough to be taken with us when we relocate….everything I see at the store looks so completely different. AMAZING! When looking at possible accommodation there, it is completely different to how I would look at accommodation here. I AM BLESSED!

I realize we must look at our board of directors differently too. We will be adding depth to our meeting tomorrow – inviting 5 others to fill the red chairs above. People who have a wealth of experience. They don’t pull any punches – telling us the rock solid truth, even when we may not want to hear it. They will not only help us attain our vision but will keep us on track. They are our Virtual Mastermind.

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Translation / Direction – DoWoo #120/365

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Bear with me – I’m in a groove with Costa Rica on my mind today. In the words of the Dalai Lama XIV “If a problem can be solved it will be. If it cannot be solved there is no use worrying about it.” Translation: There is absolutely no need to worry! Direction: Be happy!

Costa Rica accounts for only 3% of the earth’s surface. However it contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity. Its natural wealth, both in species and ecosystems, is partly explained by its geographical position. Costa Rica has served as a bridge of countless species of animals and plants for thousands of years.

The system of National Parks and Reserves covers an area of 1,342 hectares or 25.6% of its land area. These areas include islands and beaches, rain forests and dry, active volcanoes, hot springs, caves, river canyons and waterfalls. This biological heritage, the product of millions of years of evolution, presents us a spectacle of a nature not processed and undomesticated. The services these ecosystems provide to humanity are manifold. Courtesy of http://www.costarica-embassy.org/?q=node/12

Comparatively, Costs Rica has 14% of Canada’s population with only 1/2 of 1% of Canada’s overall size. It calculates to 95 people per square kilometer in Costa Rica compared to 4 people per square kilometer in Canada. But since 25.6% of Costa Rica is protected land, assuming it has no people, this ends up calculating to 128 people per square kilometer. However, that said, there is A LOT of Canada which has no people at all. As an example, Walter and I live just outside of Toronto which has 2.8 million people in 630 square kilometers. That calculates to 4,444 people per square kilometer. AND this then results in 699,370 square kilometers elsewhere in Canada without any people to make up for Toronto’s population.

Translation: Not nearly as many people to bump into at any given moment in Costa Rica. Direction: We’ll need to get out and meet them!

From the perspective of cost of living, here are a few facts courtesy of numbeo.com

Consumer Prices in Canada are 30.72% higher than in Costa Rica
Consumer Prices including rent in Canada are 42.45% higher than in Costa Rica
Rent Prices in Canada are 85.46% higher than in Costa Rica
Restaurant Prices in Canada are 39.97% higher than in Costa Rica
Grocery Prices in Canada are 35.80% higher than in Costa Rica
However local purchasing power in Canada is 124.12% higher than in Costa Rica.

Translation: As long as you don’t need ‘stuff’ you are good to go! Direction: Go! Remember your camera!

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Illusion or Reality? – DoWoo #119/365

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Was driving back from dropping off homemade turkey soup to my mom today when my mind drifted to thoughts of my siblings. I even entertained (briefly) the idea of calling one up and dropping by. Years ago I used to spend quite a bit of time with a few of them. However, over the past 3-4 years any interaction has been either non-existent or only as it relates (recently) to the welfare and care of our mother.

With thoughts of leaving the country for a good portion of the balance of my life, many people have queried how we will deal with the challenge of missing family. I ponder whether we would miss family or whether we would miss the illusion of what family could be even though it is not.

I recall splitting up with a boyfriend in my late teens and being rather distraught. After quite a bit of reflection (yes…I was always like this) I came to the realization I was missing my perception of who I thought this young man was. When the rose-coloured glasses were completely removed – and I saw him clearly – I realized the person I was missing did not actually exist other than in my mind. And since he did not exist – missing him was a useless way to spend my time.

Just because someone is “blood” does it mean they are “family”? In our society two people choose to be spouses/partners and then, for some of them, they create another being through their joining. The parents who are not blood are considered family members to the child who is only partially of their blood. Then we have couples who adopt and their children are not blood but they are considered family. Or we have the step fathers and step mothers who are not blood but still family. So when people who are not of the same blood can be called family, it may also be reasonable to deduce the possibility those who are of the same blood could be considered not-family.

It appears to boil down to two things: choice and our definition of what family is.

There is a person in my life I consider to be “family by choice”. This person is someone I can tell all my deepest thoughts to without needing to filter, knowing there is no judgement. They are someone whom I know I could call on at 2am and they would not only pick up the phone, they would do whatever it takes to help. This person knows me for all that I am and loves me unconditionally. And I offer the same back. From my perspective, based upon my perception, this is what family is. Some may consider this a pretty tall order but if I choose to treat those I consider to be family like this, why would I settle for anything less?

There may be hope between myself and maybe one or two of my siblings. The rest…well, I’ll leave them as having an outside possibility. Since I know God has a sense of humour, I’d be silly to rule anything out.

Either way, what I’ve decided is to only concern myself with the reality and not any form of illusion.

Would really like to hear what you think?

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A Special Moment – DoWoo #118/365

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After lights were out for about half an hour, Gregory came down to the the family room to tell us he was having challenges going to sleep – he was relaxed but just not sleepy. Walter offered to do the relaxing meditation technique with him. He said yes and they headed upstairs.

When he came down about 15 minutes later Walter said they got to his chest before Gregory was asleep soundly. I asked Walter what he does exactly. He has explained it to me before but mostly in generalities. I asked for details.

Walter first asks him to get comfortable. Positioning his legs and arms and body in a way that once he goes to sleep he won’t move – so a relaxing pose in anticipation of going to sleep in that position. This maybe takes 1-2 minutes. Walter says “He’s good at this”.

He then takes the blanket and pulls it up and they start breathing. Deep breathes in through the nose and out through the mouth. He does about 5 to 10 of these – maybe 30 seconds. Walter repeats “He’s good at this.”

He then starts at his toes…”they are feeling tingly and heavy, yet they are floating, totally relaxed.” Without direction to Gregory Walter pauses before the next body part – quietly taking a deep breath in through his nose and then out through is mouth. Gregory breathes along with Walter. They do the ankles, the calves, the knees, working their way up the body with Walter pausing between each body part to breathe quietly but deeply. He explains that as long as Gregory is awake he breathes along. However, once he is asleep he will not follow with the deep breathe. Walter completes 1 or 2 more body parts just to be sure and then they are done.

Walter said he enjoys this time with him. It’s their “thing”. I totally get it. Gregory and I have our “thing” as well. It has changed as he has grown up. One favourite “thing” was singing the Crazy Little Caterpillar book together. He would choose it for me to “read/sing” as his bedtime book whenever he felt I needed it – saying it was my favourite. Ah, what he may not have realized…he is our favourite.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Life is a journey, not a destination.” One of the promises Walter and I made when we talked about having children was that this would still be our ride and he or she would be along it. I had no idea then that the ride would become such a sweet one with our little man along with us. I observe the joy parenting has given me – us. A billion special moments one right after another.

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20 Seconds – DoWoo #117/365

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Was putting away the stockings and packing up the leftover Christmas bags, wrapping, ribbons and bows today…considered what we would want to keep and take with us to Costa Rica next year. What would we absolutely need there?

It was a bit overwhelming and yet exhilarating. For a split moment I thought about having a contingency box – stuff which we may need IF we were still here a year from now. It was only a split second. I told myself there was no place for doubt in my future reality. I chose exhilarating.

I am reminded of my brother’s advice. He explained to me when I first got married that “divorce” is a box which sits on the mantel. It is a reality which exists. However, as long as you leave it on the mantel, never pick it up, never open it, it remains where it is meant to remain. As soon as you start to pick it up and consider it as a possibility you are done for. You may stay married but you will never be as strongly committed as you were prior to picking up that box.

The same is so true of your dreams and doubt is the box sitting on the mantel in this analogy. Sure, doubt exists but we do not need to give it any power over our dream. As long as we don’t pick it up, consider it’s possibility it remains out of the equation.

We all can see it. We all believe this is where we are meant to be. There is a little girl out there waiting for us to be strong enough to take the leap so she can be part of our family. How can we disappoint ourselves or her?

In recalling my brothers advice I also recollected another mantel – in a refurbished pub outside of San Francisco. The mantel was engraved with Martin Luther Kings words “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. There was no one there.”

Tonight was Pizza / Movie night. When we mentioned it to Greg he said “already”! How quickly a week off school can go. We rented the move “We Bought a Zoo” – a 2011 American family comedy-drama film loosely based on the 2008 memoir of the same name by Benjamin Mee. The film is directed by Cameron Crowe, and stars Matt Damon as Benjamin Mee, who purchases a dilapidated zoo with his family and takes on the challenge of preparing the zoo for its reopening to the public.

Loved the line “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”

Our decision for Costa Rica may have taken 20 seconds, and we recognize the rest takes a bit longer….but no doubts – something great IS coming of it! I was in the abyss and am now in the transformation of my Hero’s Journey. What a blast!

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Full Circle in a Really Nice Way – DoWoo #116/365

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Started my day sleeping in! YEAH! What a wonderful Christmas present to ourselves. Gregory crawled in around 7:15 and after about 15 minutes asked if we could get up and go see the tree. I asked him how he wanted to proceed. He said tree first and then stockings (family room downstairs). What about breakfast? Afterwards!

Love it!

One of the things I remember about Christmas morning as a kid…we were allowed to sneak a peek at the tree and the mounds of presents (can’t believe my mom did all that for the 7 of us!) but we had to have orange juice first, then we could have our stocking, then we would wait for everyone to do the samebefore we’d have breakfast AND THEN we’d gather around the tree and do the presents. This was of course done in an orderly fashion with each person being given a present and then we waited our turn, watching what the others opened until it came to us. There was never paper flying or boxes being ripped open like you see in the movies. Not sure if this was due to my father’s Air Force background or the only way you could keep some semblance of order with 7 children.

So…I gave our son the choice this morning and we went to the tree. He immediately noticed all the boxes and bags and while I told him to go find what was under the tree addressed to him, he chose something for Mya from him first. Making sure she had her new toys to play with. He then methodically worked his way through each gift, delivering it to Walter or me or sitting down and opening anything with his name on it. While each was opened he waited and appreciated each gift for each person.

What was painful to me as a child is now precious to me as a parent. I appreciate each and every moment as I know how truly blessed we are.

One of my siblings gave us an advent calendar filled with tea lights for each day. Another sibling’s present opened this morning was a serving tray which was absolutely perfect to display the candles for our Christmas dinner. I hope your day was just as magically beautiful to you. Sending you warm hugs from our house to yours! May love brighten your way.

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BAM! – DoWoo #115/365

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I am LOVING how my DoWoo process works. I sit down at the end of the evening and sometimes I have an idea already in mind of what I wish to share…I type and it totally just flows, other times I sit down with one idea, then when I start typing it turns into something completely different, some days I am so not sure what I am to write about….then Walter and Gregory inspire me, and then there was today….

I sat down, started to write that I had no idea what to write about on this evening – Christmas Eve to be exact…figuring somewhere in all the family interaction a few aspects of the day would surface as DoWoo material…but, alas – nada.

So…I did what I do when I’m stumped. I walk away. Concentrate on something else which included chatting with Walter about how we would wrap up our day, cuddling Greg, enjoying the fire, and laundry.

This morning I had thrown a load in with 2 of my favourite sweaters. These are the kind which need to “lay flat to dry”. When we were 1/2 way to Walter’s family for our mid day gathering I remembered I had not taken them out. Upon arriving back home this evening I threw everything into the dryer – including these 2 sweaters. My intent was to remove them after 10 minutes or so…once the wrinkles were worked out a bit.

About 45 minutes later I hear a buzz from the laundry room. The clothes have finished drying. An expletive sneaked out while I ran to the dryer. Walter pokes his head in and asked what happened? I explained what I had intended to do and what I did.

This is when it hit me!

For YEARS Walter had been trying to be helpful by doing the laundry. There have been times he has accidentally shrunk something in the dryer to which I have never been very kind. I realized…truly I do…that he is trying to be helpful, he does not do anything to harm my clothes on purpose and well…things just happen. Logically I KNOW this stuff. In the moment I’ve been anywhere from frustrated to angry to annoyed. I’ve attempted to be understanding but in looking back I don’t believe I ever was truly as forgiving to him as I was to myself this evening.

How can I move on so calmly when I did something that when he does it I freak out? Our wedding vows includes a phrase we coined: “I am us!” So….that means Walter is just as much me when something happens as I am to him when something happens. Therefore how can I do anything but treat Walter with the same respect i would give myself in such a situation. Whatever transpired was not done with intent and it could happen to either of us just as easily.

Once this hit me (while I was pulling my sweaters out of the dryer – fully dry) I realized THIS was my DoWoo for today. Not only does the Universe provide me with the appropriate inspiration when needed…it works in some HUGE life lessons along the way.

If you too wish to consider changing how you look at things in order to change how your world appears….please sign up below. When the next Master Key Experience is launched, you will be one of the first to know.

How you perceive your world is TOTALLY up to you!

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No Expectations – DoWoo #114/365

I believe what happened is…I just “allowed”.

And for the few minor moments which may have made the old me take pause (my old blue print) I calmly (but quickly) considered my options and made light of the particular moment – choosing to perceive what was going on as being exactly as it was meant to be.

Wayne makes mention of “Choosing rather than Excusing”. Today was my “Choose to Allow; With no concern for the How”.

What an absolutely glorious day! I am most grateful.

Were you out there today? If so, how did it go for you??

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I choose to concentrate on making today count! I choose to concentrate on being my best me today! I choose to be whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious & happy! I choose….

and that is when I started to consider….

I’m working on it. How YOU doing?

That last one…that’s the doozy!

It does not exist “for me”.

Celebrate!

I LOVE HOW THE UNIVERSE PROVIDES!

Today was a blessed day! I am most grateful.

If you change how you look at things – the things you look at change!

The 2014/2015 Master Key class commenced September 28th, 2014.

TAKE INITIATIVE – Be first on the list for the next class, register now.

I am certainly getting a lot of THIS particular message lately. What do YOU think that means?

If you change how you look at things – the things you look at change!

To be first on the list for the next class, register now. It’s your choice.

They can SING!

REMEMBER: If we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.

To be first on the list for the next class, please register now.

All good and prosperous things are happening in 2015.

We send blessings of abundance for all you envision for yourself and your family.

It appears to boil down to two things: choice and our definition of what family is.

Love it!

This is when it hit me!

How you perceive your world is TOTALLY up to you!

I believe what happened is…I just “allowed”.

What an absolutely glorious day! I am most grateful.

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I choose to concentrate on making today count!
I choose to concentrate on being my best me today!
I choose to be whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious & happy!
I choose….

I am certainly getting a lot of THIS particular message lately.
What do YOU think that means?