Being Canadian...What it Means To Me

Shane Koyczan's speech in the opening ceremonies really spoke to my heart. Defining what it means to 'be Canadian' is a tough thing to do, but as I've taken to the streets of downtown Vancouver, it's clear to me that "...we are an idea in the process of being realized..." It's a collection of individual ideas that is continually evolving and uniting us moment by moment.

For me that idea is one of unity, of community and of having the world at your doorstep.

It's about coming together, no matter the weather and living for what you believe.

It's about respect and understanding and foreign people landing in a place where it's safe to wave their flags.

It's individuality in co-operation en masse.

It's accepting and striving for more than a half full glass.

It's knowing we are one when it's down to the gun,

And believing in something greater upon every rising sun.

It's humble and quiet when the world is a riot and it knows when to act or relax.

It's pride in what's right, a justified fight,

A peacekeepers vision in the end.

We are the example, the change we wish to see

And whether we realize it or not, that spotlight is on

Because something different is bred between our three seas.

Dispersed abroad

We smile and nod

Knowing we might create a smile

Please and thank you, your welcome too

Canadians will go the extra mile.

"With glowing hearts,

We see the rise,

The true north strong and free

From far and wide, O'Canada

We stand on guard for thee."

Hmm, that was interesting...

I've recently ventured out to the 'left coast' for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and I'm absolutely stoked about being in the atmosphere of the Games over the next 17 days. My trip didn't start with bells and whistles though. After a day in White Rock and venturing around following the torch and taking in some beautiful sunshine and sea air, I went to bed with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Needless to say I spent a good portion of the night watching the contents of my stomach re-emerge from my body. (Definitely not better the second time around!) It got me thinking about the last time I was actually sick that didn't involve some sort of alcohol induced queasiness...and my last recollection was probably when I was in late elementary school or maybe even high school; so that puts it at over 10 years ago.

Pretty healthy ten years if you ask me. I just wish I understood the cause of this sudden change in my tolerance for food and smells and eating. As of today, I'm eating, not much, but I'm eating and I'm noticing a lot of emotions are surfacing as a result of decreased food and being sick. Today I've had to deal with a lot of frustration; all a part of adjusting to the new environment I'm sure. However, I can't shake the feeling that the Universe is trying to send me a message. Amidst all the Olympic buzz I know that it would be very beneficial for me to find some quiet time and space and listen. The Universe has my attention now and based on the emotions that are surfacing as I write this, now might be an opportune time to do that.

Just breathe....

Ya know, normally I would spare on posts like this, work through it on my own and then write about how I overcame it...today, I decided to take a different route. I decided to write about that other part of the process. And here's why. I agree with optimism and I'm all for sending out a positive message to the world. I'm also all about being honest about what's going on in my life and I expect the same from others. I've had it with lies, facades, manipulations and sugar coated truths; if you can't be yourself and own that 100% of the time then what kind of message are you sending the world? "Be the change you wish to see in the world..."- Gandhi. I clearly wish to see more truth and authenticity. I guess that's also a message for me and I recognize that my fears around this are that people will be hurt by me being honest, which also causes me to realize that hurting people is not within my power...that's their choice to allow my words to hurt them. At the same time, I know that I can be...actually, you know what, I just need to trust myself!

I trust myself...and that tells me more than I need to know!

And once again, I'm writing about how I overcame it....