As they say peace begins within. Just as you have to love yourself first before you can expect to love others or expect them to return the sentiments. Putting that aside peace with others can be demonstrated by my own personal reactions when I am confronted by someone. Do i yell back, try to stir the pot with them or others. This only furthers conflict. By learning to breathe, reflecting on others actions I can contribute to peace. Perhaps if fellow mankind and their leaders would do this we would all live in peace.

Acceptance of my physical situation. For years I was very physically active. Having been an athlete and playing Football at university, I had a deep commitment and sense of being and keeping in shape. When I was in my early 40s I developed knee problem that hindered my running. Luckily I was a swimmer so I got back into swimming as well as biking. I also maintained my weight tracing routine. When I reached my 50s, I developed shoulder, hip and Lower back problems. I also developed arrhythmia which affected my training. I had a second ablation this June which knock on wood, seems to solve my afib. I tried getting back into doing run, walk intervals and weights but my physical ailments have returned. I am realizing that going for long walks and doing simple calesthetics is my limit. I am learning to adapt. I am finally accepting my limits, particularly when I think about others who I know and their own personal health struggles. Some are worse off. Some have left this world. I try to be grateful for what I CAN DO!

Music… my mother was talented and an influencer.I always loved all types of music. When I was young, I self taught myself playing the piano. When I entered high school, I was taught the euphonium. I decided in grade 10 self teach the sax. Throughout high school I also self taught the trombone and flute. Two years ago during my retirement I decided to learn the guitar and currently learning to do so. I also returned to playing then keyboards and record music for my own entertainment and pleasure. Music has always played an important part of my life whether playing, listening or admiring others who are talented. Music affects the emotions whether a gentle calm classical piece, a cool swing or bebop, a quiet relaxing folk song or an energizing rock anthem. Music brings life to my world

There are so many ways. Whatever one does to help, demonstrate love and kindness towards someone else demonstrates caring. Caring sometimes means doing something for a person over your own interests first. It reminds me of this quote.
Warm weather fosters growth: cold weather destroys it. Thus a man with an unsympathetic temperament has a scant joy: but a man with a warm and friendly heart overflowing blessings, and his beneficence will extend to posterity.

Hung Tzu-Ch’Eng

A roof over my head, food a job
, relatively good health until recently. While growing up, some of my emotional basic needs were not met . For years and years I dwelled more on these issues rather than what I DO HAVE. This has been a source of depression, anxiety and lack of self worth. I have learned how to listen to my feelings and be more supportive of my inner child. Through meditation and reflection I am learning to live in the present and stop harping on negative poor me thoughts. Yes things were not provided but I cannot change the past so why live there? I am learning to accept my past as a lesson, a life experience and to live in the now by being grateful what I have.

Music has always played an important part from my life. My mother introduced me to classical music when I was younger by means of playing records or playing the piano. Later on, I was exposed to various genres of music such as rock, jazz, big band, folk when I self taught myself the piano. In high,school I learned to play various band instruments and ended up studying for one year in university before transferring to another program. Music has always played a role in my life. I dwell in the type f music depending whether I want to relax, to have fun or be nostalgic. Music is mind altering and is a means of escape from the hubbub of life. Being retired, two years ago I had decided to self teach the guitar so I bought an acoustic and electric. I have learned to appreciate the challenges and talents of those who do can play. I will never be a Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton or the like, but I find that learning to play is an adventure, a challenge and something that I can use to ground me as I continue on my life.

I express gratitude with the start of everyday when I open my eyes. I take time to meditate as well as contemplate on all the things I have, what is surrounding me such as Mother Nature, and the act of being alive. I demonstrate gratitude by telling the ones in my life how much they mean to me and the honour of having them. I also try to be grateful for the difficult times in my life and accept circumstances knowing that they are life lessons , that I coped with them and that they made me the person whom I’ve become..