The Coquitlam Crunch is a popular exercise route.  With over 450 stairs and an elevation gain of more than 240 metres, streams of people of all ages regularly walk, run and jog up and down the route.  But recent snowfall accumulations and wintry conditions have changed that.  The stairs are now covered with ice and the highest flight of stairs are deeply blanketed with snow.  There is so much snow on this section that no stairs are visible at all.  It is just a diagonal sheet of white ice, much too treacherous for climbing up safely.

Looking around, there are alternate routes created by sunken footprints.  Some of these were created by humans and others by animals of various sizes.  A few paths lead off into the bushes, another leads directly up alongside the staircase, hemmed by a row of thorny bushes.  And one other path veers off to the right, eventually looping back to meet the path at the top of the stairs.  This is the route I chose to take and upon arrival at the top, I was greeted by warm sunshine and a fresh new vista to behold!

Life can sometimes feel like an ascending staircase.  When you reach a point where no more stairs are visible, do you turn back, forge a new trail, or look for alternate routes?  These are the choices that life offers.  Make choices that lead to outcomes you desire.  Reaching new vistas is something you will never regret but only cherish for years to come!

The countdown is on.  Only 12 shopping days left until Christmas. A buzz of frenzy is apparent in every shopping plaza.  One young woman is on a mission. She needs to purchase 15 boxes of a specific brand of maple leaf cookies for family members overseas.

It is the middle of the day and she visits 4 different stores, clearing out inventory on 3 of the 4 stores’ shelves all in a very short time.  How did it work out so well?  Many factors contributed to this amazingly successful outcome.  One of the biggest factors was her ability to stay focused on the task without getting distracted by other things, such as the sight of mouth watering decadent chocolates, brightly coloured baubles and hordes of people shopping everywhere!  The next biggest factor was her enduring patience to overcome whatever happened, including parking lot mayhem.  And last but not least, quelling her negative doubting voice within was a large part of her success.  Shouts of “This is ridiculous!”  “I’m not waiting in this line-up!”  “I’m going home!”  “I give up!” echoed inside her, but the overwhelming love in her heart prevailed and as a result, magic unfolded!  She came away with not only 15 boxes, but also 4 boxes more and an immense feeling of joy and satisfaction.  The young woman was in pure cookie heaven!  And heaven was soon to board a plane to her tropical hometown 8,000 miles away.  Cookie heaven is indeed world wide!

Cycling through the forest during damp Autumn days can be an interesting experience. Not only is the ground a haven for soft slippery mush but there are also many other surprises lurking about.  Colourful mushrooms of all shapes and sizes decorate the forest floor while tiny birds flit in and out of shrubbery and little animals scurry high and low on trees.

Riding along a wide path, I spot a black squirrel ahead of me sitting at the edge of the trail.  I wondered if it would suddenly bolt in front of me like they usually do when I am driving my car.  Just in case, I slowed down and sure enough, the squirrel darted in front of me, just  barely missing my front tire!  A woman walking towards me witnessed the entire event and shouted in surprise: “That squirrel just barely missed being hit!!”

I too marvelled at the outcome.  Life is sometimes a mystery. We cannot predict what lies ahead or the outcome.  The only thing we can do is be fully present in the moment and mindfully tread through the marshes of life.  What could have been a disastrous experience for both the squirrel and I became a wondrous moment to hold in awe.  Little miracles like this happen everyday and everywhere.  Stay open to seeing them and be prepared to say “Wow!!” to life!

David Helfgott is a gifted pianist with a remarkable story.  His life is brilliantly documented in the movie “Shine” which was filmed 20 years ago.  This emotionally captivating tribute begins in David’s childhood and journeys through his teen years where he was both adored and abused by his father. Despite threats of being disowned for the rest of his life by his father, David flees his family and place of birth to pursue his passion.

David travels from Melbourne. Australia to London, England to learn through an accomplished teacher at the Royal College of Music.  His studies culminate to a premier competition that leads to an unfolding of events like a grand roller coaster ride with unexpected twists and turns, and a most wondrous ending.  This end is only the ending of the movie though as David continues to thrive and perform for large audiences worldwide, breaking attendance records at world-class venues and enchanting thousands of people all over the globe.

David’s mental state, genuineness of character and gift of musical genius intertwined is an extraordinary example of the human spirits’ capacity to ‘shine’ despite setbacks in life.  Like a lotus flower that blossoms from mud, David Helfgott is a model of raw beauty from pure human spirit.

Life can be equated to a movie.  It is a story you create for yourself.  Whatever perspective you adopt becomes your reality.  You are the screenwriter while life is the director.  Release scripts with long drawn-out scenes where anger, fear, victimization, guilt and blame dominate. Focus on scripts that arouse unconditional love, joy, gratitude and effervescent humour in life.  Thus your legacy will be a most inspiring adventure for the world to cherish!

Movie: “Shine” (1996), Biography/Drama/Music, 1 hour 45 minutes.   DavidHelfgott.com/biography.

Dark clouds loomed overhead as the skies poured life onto earth.  Millions of rain droplets dimpled the ocean surface, creating a highly textured layer around moored sail boats. The rain danced on the wooden dock, leaving a brilliant sheen reflecting day’s light.  And then the winds picked up and as they swept through the inlet, clouds parted to reveal pockets of brilliant blue sky.  The rain stopped and the storm was over in a very short time.

Watching weather is much like witnessing life.  Human experiences and the myriad of emotions are similar to changing weather patterns.  We can’t control them and when life washes over us like a strong rainstorm, all we really need to do is relinquish to the flow of changes.  As surely as blue skies return, peace ultimately awaits our discovery.  Stay open to each passing moment and when the clouds of life drift away, your boat is always there to  take you on your next adventure!  Simply steer the sails in the direction you wish to go!