Kerri On Down The Road

I can't remember when exactly I started a daily journalling practice - feels like it has been a long time now.  I purchased a deck of The Universe Has Got Your Back cards about a year or so ago to help bring some direction and inspiration to these daily writing moments.  After using the cards for a few weeks I was inspired to read the book, and to open myself up to the idea around the Universe being an active partner in our lives.  Part of me wanted to believe this and there was definitely a part that was skeptical and found it hard to embrace. One exercise in the book stood out to me, where you tell the Universe that you are open to guidance and then pick a totem or sign for the Universe to show you to let you know when you are on the right track or path.  I figured that I had nothing to lose and made my proclamation and on a whim chose butterflies as my sign.  This may not seem like a very imaginative symbol and also an easy one to find all around me, except t...

 Old stories die hard.  This is what was running through my head as I sat on my bike trainer the other morning.  I have started marathon training for a race in the spring, and on this particular morning was scheduled to be out on a 5km run.  And had planned to do it despite the fact that we were entering a cold snap that brought -20 degree celcius temperatures that felt (apparently) closer to -27.  I knew that this was the forecast and yet I set out my running gear the night before and decided that I needed to do the run the next morning, that it was only a short one and that I'd be out and back in no time and before any negative side-effects could set in....and just to set the record straight, I am sober so these thoughts were not brought on by any "helpers" the night before. I woke up and checked the weather and yes indeed, it was still frigid out.  I saw a warning about the potential effects of being outside and thankfully some bit of common sense poked ...

 Throughout my life I have been more than happy to hand over the car keys to my significant other to drive us places.  It never bothered me to step aside and let someone else drive.  In fact, I have often preferred it that way.  Not having to be in the driver's seat meant that I could just sit back and let things happen and allow someone else to be in control.  No decision to be made, no voicing of opinion around the route, unless asked, and often not commenting on the driving style (despite sometimes not being comfortable with speed and other aspects of the experience). It struck me today how much that has changed in the past couple of years.  Ending my last long-term relationship meant that I was required to once again change positions and climb back into the driver's seat.  To start to take charge of things and be responsible for making decisions on the how, when and where again.   For the most part, this was a change that I was very ready...

 It's interesting how one word can conjure up so many different images, feelings and thoughts.  In my life I have had a few different experiences with edges.  Two that stand out in my mind would involve skiing and hockey.  Until I started to learn how to ski in my early 40s, I had no idea that skis had metal edges and that really accomplished skiers actually skied on their edges to get that lovely, fluid and fast swoosh down the hill.  I often managed to catch my edges as I went down the hill, leading to some epic yard sales where my skis, poles and body all seemed to end up in different places.  I had a desire to get over on my edges but at the same time had difficulty trusting my ability to be able to handle it if I did.    When I started to learn how to skate for hockey (also in my early 40s...yes, there is a theme there) I quickly learned the importance of trusting your edges.  Being able to stop without bashing into the boards, to change...

 When I first sat down to write, I hesitated at the idea of posting a reflection piece.  In the past couple of weeks there seems to have been a deluge of these types of memes, posts and stories that I didn't know if I wanted to add to it all.  Yet here I am on the first day of 2022 and my mind is wandering back to review and reflect on what 2021 brought and what I can carry forward with me into the new year. Three hundred and sixty five days are a lot to ponder in any given year, never mind in a year that has been as changeable as the last one was.  Where do we even begin?  I found myself trying to remember what I was thinking and feeling a year ago - hope, fear, uncertainty...I'm sure that they were all present.  I then started to think about what I am feeling now, in this moment, and have to admit that those same three are present, and are also joined by appreciation, gratitude and knowledge of inner strength.   I started to think about what has...