Kerri On Down The Road

 I am a strong believer in the idea that when the student is ready, the teacher appears.  Or at least, that is what I have noticed in my life.  I find that I can be going along, living my life as I usually do, when all of a sudden I am struck by a realization right in front of my face.  This happened most recently while out on a run this past weekend. Back in the mid-eighties, I was a big fan of a band called Crowded House.  I loved all aspects of their music from their catchy tunes to their insightful lyrics that were all wrapped in playfulness and joy.  I still have some of their songs embedded in my playlists for that extra boost I need on long runs.  One of these songs is titled "Now We're Getting Somewhere" and always adds energy to my strides.  After listening to the song as many times as I have, I thought I had the lyrics memorized, and as it played in my headphones I was silently singing along.  That's when it happened - I noticed tha...

 I live on the top floor of a house in an east-end neighbourhood of Toronto.  My neighbourhood has existed for several decades now and is home to many majestic species of trees.  One such tree lives on my next-door neighbour's front lawn, her branches spreading tall and wide across our properties.  In the coming months, her branches will begin to sprout green buds that will signal the arrival of spring.  These buds will erupt into lush, rustling green leaves providing much-needed shade on scorching summer days.  In the fall her canopy will turn into a patchwork quilt of firey yellows, oranges, and reds providing stunning beauty that will eventually be shed as cooler temperatures arrive.  Her bare branches will cradle snowfall through the winter months, a beautiful seasonal display best enjoyed while snuggled indoors with a hot drink in hand.   I coexist with our neighbour's tree, without giving it much thought.  I see its reaching branch...

 This past weekend I engaged in time travel, going back 43 years and returning to tap dancing lessons.  I first started to think about revisiting tap at the start of COVID, when there were many new and interesting fitness ideas and options being advertised on social media.  I remember seeing ads for "tap fitness" and thinking that it might be fun to try, but logistically, living on the top floor of a house made following through with this idea die on the vine.   The last time I took tap lessons was back in my early years when I was nine.  While I only have vague memories of those lessons, what I remember was how much fun it was.  As a kid, I was relatively active but never did find a fitness niche that worked for me.  I didn't thrive in figure skating or gymnastics, and aside from riding my bike or jumping rope, hadn't really found an outlet that was my thing.  Tap seemed to fit that need.  I remember the recitals that I participated in ...

 I was reminded of an idea today that resonated with me - the knowledge that every action we take either moves us towards something or away from something.  As simplistic as this may seem on the surface, the more I mulled it over, the more depth I felt.  Perhaps it is the time of year - new year, fresh start - that caused me to consider this gem.  Perhaps it is simply because I am ready to listen.  I will be the first to admit that I tend to look at the big picture when planning a goal or change in my life.  I like to take time to apply logic and determine all of the necessary steps required to meet the target I have set.  Even as I type this I can start to feel the sense of overwhelm that this causes.  After all, it is virtually impossible to accurately plan out each and every move required to navigate the path toward a goal.  Often it is the unforeseen obstacles encountered along the way that provide new opportunities to learn and grow and ...

As I watched the final days of 2023 wind down, I couldn't help but notice the increase in year end messaging.  It seemed like I was suddenly surrounded by wrap-up emails summarizing accomplishments and milestones from the past twelve months.  For example, Spotify has provided my year-end wrap, which amongst other things has confirmed that my musical persona is Vampire - I can honestly say that teenage Kerri would be so proud, and also would nod her head and say "told ya - this is not a phase"!  These messages are followed by others that provide suggestions for how to welcome in the new year - how to prioritize new goals, new habits, new health priorities.  It has been enough to make my head spin.   While I appreciate and am intrigued by many of the hints and suggestions that are flowing my way, I am also finding myself starting to feel a sense of overwhelm at the idea of what to prioritize for the new year.  I am a planner by nature, and tend towards h...

I know that I am not alone in the last-minute holiday frenzy that takes over as we near Christmas morning.  I remember it all too well when the boys were younger - the sense of accomplishment that I would feel by beating the clock and managing to get those last minute items on Christmas Eve, before the stores shut their doors.  And although managing to cross off those last items on my to-do list felt great, what felt even better was the sense of peace that came with the knowledge that no matter what, I could literally do no more.  Once the stores had closed, that was that.  Unless there was something that I was going to pick up at a gas station or corner store left to do, I was basically done. As the kids have gotten older, and my need to be out shopping for them has decreased, I still find the same sense of ease washes over me on Christmas Eve as everyone winds down for a couple of days to spend time with friends and family for the holidays.  The sense of the w...

 I don't remember what year it was, or my age.  What I do remember is that it was summertime and my parents and I were at the annual carnival held in the large parking lot of the main shopping mall in my hometown, and I had convinced them that it was a good idea for my dad and me to take a turn on the Scrambler.  The Scrambler was a somewhat suspect attraction that subjected its riders to being shuttled around in jagged circles, to and fro, for what seemed like an eternity but was likely only five or so minutes.  Whatever case I had managed to plead had led to my dad and me being held captive on this torture device.  The adventure started out okay, with the first few twists and turns feeling quite exciting and exhilarating.  These good feelings were quickly replaced by a growing sense of nausea in the pit of my belly.  I was a kid who tended towards motion sickness on hilly roads so can only imagine what my body was trying to make of this experience....