The Shortest Day of the Year

Today is the first day of winter so in the northern hemisphere we have the least amount of daylight. As a person who loves a bright sunny day this is not my favourite day of the year. Thankfully the holidays make you so busy that you don't really notice how little the sun is up. The hard part is getting through the first part of January. At least we have turned the corner and there will be more daylight everyday for the next year.

It has snowed a lot in Ottawa this year and it's stayed cold enough that it is sticking around. There will not be a lot of sunlight to warm things up and melt the snow so its best to find ways to enjoy it.

Snow can make for beautiful photos, especially in the sunshine.

Snow means you can ski, or toboggan, or build a snowman.

Snow can be mesmerizing, especially the big fluffy flakes when the sun is low in the sky.

I will admit that winter is my least favourite season but there are still some really cool things about it. The way things are going we may have a very long season on the Rideau Canal, which I must admit is a great place to go on a winter day.

The climb out of the cold darkness of winter to the re-birth of spring is exciting and unpredictable. It takes two steps forward and three back. It's always something to talk about and on the first day that really feels like spring, it's a moment everyone will enjoy every year.

Today is the shortest day of the year but that only means that good things are coming our way, and as long as there are good things coming, we have a great reason to get up and seize the day.

If We Could Change, How Should We?

I've been thinking about change a lot recently. There are a few reasons. The Liberal Party of Canada has chosen a new leader.  I don't specifically speak about work here but change is in the air at the office. It's spring, a season of renewal and change.

Through all this, I'm not sure what would be a good change. Back in the fall of 2010 I started a new job, in a new city, in a new province, in a new region of the country. It was a big change but I can say that I'm happy I made the switch. Overall I think my life is better. There are things I would still change if I had the chance but I can easily say I'm happy with my decision to make a change.

All that being said, I feel that more change is coming. I think it's coming on a national level in that what Canadians want is shifting. I think that it's coming on a personal level in some way shape or form. What I'm not sure of is this feeling coming on because there is a desire for something different or a clear path to something better.

Nationally, I'm starting to sense that Canadian's shifting priorities are ready to focus on something else. We did pretty good getting though the economic setbacks and most people are still above water but I get a sense that Canadians are finding the world a bit bland. They are safe but not inspired. They know its good but don't want to seem to make it great. There is a lot of wait and see instead of lets do something great.

However, maybe that's not most Canadians, maybe it's just me.

I don't seem to have that same adventurous feeling I do at times. I feel like I have to grind through everything. It's not a chore but its not inspired either. It's a follow the rules time not a change the paradigm time.

Another reason is I am getting older. It's nice to be comfortable. It's nice to be stable. It's not exciting and you don't get a rush but you do have a predictable life.

Don't worry, I'm not bummed out and I'm not going to do something stupid or dangerous to feel alive. However, when you spent a lot of your adult life going places on short notice and your plans for the day were often upset for something urgent or exciting opportunities popping up last minute, the predictable life is just that, really predictable.

I don't how how things are going to change, I gave up soothsaying a long time ago. I wasn't very good at it. It is a bit exciting to think there is new different and possibly exciting around the corner even if it may be new but bland. I just have a feeling that we are all going to be looking at some change, in some way coming at us. That is exciting and a bit scary, as it should be.

Looking Forward

This is the time of year a lot of people look back at what has passed as we complete another lap around the sun. I think I do enough of looking back and recounting great moments. I think it's time to look forward to what 2013 could be.

Now looking forward you need to seize the moment and make the difference. It doesn't get better if you don't make it better for yourself. I find the easiest way to make life better for myself is to try and make someone's day better everyday. So that's my big plan. I'm going to try to make somebody's day better each and every day. It won't be the same person all the time and it won't always be world changing but I want to brighten a day.

It's my intention to exercise more in 2013. I already exercise regularly but I want to be more consistent. I won't let the desk get in the way as much. I'll find a way to get the exercise in. Being in good shape and having a pleasant disposition will give me the ability to overcome any challenge the year will throw at me. When you can take on all challenges, life becomes an amazing journey. I feel like if I maintain the lifestyle I want to, I can do anything.

I don't know what is going to come my way in 2013. It could be a cake walk or a meat grinder but I know I will be able to face all the challenges and be successful. If you want to be successful be the person you want to be and be ready to go. Then you will be able to take anything on and win.