September 20, 2002 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer

   Following a brief hiatus across town, for the past two weeks I have once again been vacationing by the lake side. 

   One night I sat watching the sun set over the water.  The air was still, the water was barely rippling, and there was a hush in the atmosphere.  Nothing was moving or making a sound, with even water fowl just floating along calmly.  As I watched the reddish sun slowly sink to the horizon, I admired its reflection on the water and the lovely hues it painted on the clouds in the sky.  It was a perfect moment, a moment when time seemed to freeze, allowing me to really enjoy and appreciate the heavenly display.  We all need moments like that in our lives.  Moments in which time stands still and all our worries, cares, doubts, and fears are placed on hold and forgotten for a brief span of time.  Moments in which we just sit, not moving or fretting, and just absorb the beauty in the world around us.

   The next morning, I went for an early (7:00 am) walk around the lake - going one direction and then turning around and returning the other way.  There was a light mist rising above the water and the air had that clean, cool, misty feel to it.  The conditions were so perfect, I could easily imagine the skirl of the bagpipes accompanying me as I walked.  I noticed the fall colours are starting to emerge, and the vivid red rosehips and the vibrant lavender thistle blossoms provided a colourful display along the trail.  I even found some juicy (and still edible) saskatoons to nibble on along the way.  I listened to the early morning birds sing to me, until the crows came along and commandeered the platform.  Walking along under the canopy of the trees, I realized that I had really been missing a close contact with nature in my life.  I am someone who needs water around, either to just gaze at such as the lake, or as a fountain flowing in the background, and I need trees, or at the very least, living plants around me, to restore my sense of balance and rejuvenate my soul (must be the Celtic blood in my background!). 

   Is there something in your life that you need to restore your sense of balance and calmness?  Are you taking the time to experience it?  Or, are you running full out, not taking the time for a pit stop to refuel.  Taking the time to watch the sun set, or rise, can make a difference in how you end, or begin, your day.  Taking the time to connect to something that calms and revitalizes you will have a profound effect on your daily outlook and on your interpersonal relationships.  It doesn’t even have to be a big thing.  Little consistent efforts can pay off big dividends in the future.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E_owsZTtMHmRe_QqBo45zskD2EjoZRfQ/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

September 6, 2002 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer

   Recently, I have had numerous folks come up to me and express their admiration, praise and support for my newspaper and my editorials.  I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who reads the paper and Thanks for your support and well wishes.

   What amazes me, though, is the surprise that is expressed by some of these same folks as they compliment me.  I thought it was obvious that I could produce a quality paper and write thought-provoking editorials!  Now, on the other hand, if you’ve been chatting behind my back with my former English teachers I can see why you would have cause for concern!

   On a more serious note...many people in our world, as hard as they try not to be, are very strongly influenced by the expectations, realistic or not, of the people in their lives.  They suffer from guilt, insecurity, low self-esteem and fear.  If others expect you to be something you are not, it is hard to live the life they want you to live.  No one wants to be put on a pedestal, and when you fall off (and believe me, you will)...it can really hurt.

   What dreams, skills, and projects have you put on hold or forgotten about because someone else thought that it didn’t meet their expectations for you?  How have you let the expectations of others hold you back, or paralyse you, from pursuing certain dreams?

   The only person you have to answer to is yourself.  The only person’s approval you have to obtain is that of yourself. 

    Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed. (Abraham Lincoln)

   If you believe that you can do it, you will be able to, despite what others may think.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15F3q_Tg54L2y0MNFF9GLBIY-3F5ckwfY/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.