Many of the entries I have written about in my Active Living Blog are the "moments" that I share of human connections. Those connections usually focus on the simplest things: an exchange, a glance, a smell, or a smile. My husband asks how I remember these things, and I wonder how he retains all of those mathematical equations, but these are the things that truly breathe life into me - Revitalise me. My days are filled with more inexpensive activities as a result of a choice I made to be working less while returning to school. These activities usually include practising volley ball with my daughter, or playing soccer at the park with my son, family walks with the dog, and my own personal dog walking (therapy) sessions. I continue to go to Boot camp for fitness, but I am aware of that toll on my body (my knees) and my pocket book.
Roughly 70% of one's body is made up of water. Our bodies are meant to move, not to remain static; we are dynamic. We are bodies of motion and as Stephen has pointed out there is no mystery that the word emotion has motion residing within it. Much of what I have shared in this Active living blog may be seen as very ordinary examples of my life and Active Living. Seizing moments of love, laughter, and even anguish that flow from me onto the page change the ordinary to the extraordinary (there is motion and emotion in change).
I look forward to the winter break when we go away to a smaller ski village in the Interior of BC. This is a retreat for all of us as we embrace the cold and clear of mountain freshness. To be on top of a mountain and have your daughter proclaim "Mommy, it is so beautiful here" is another example of Active Living. Yes we are skiing, and exercising, and moving our bodies, but for me to hear her so "moved" in that moment, makes an ordinary moment very extraordinary. But moments such as that do NOT require an elevation of 2000 meters. They are prevalent while raking the leaves together, gardening, playing board games, or during the walk to school, running to catch the bus, tobogganing, jogging, swimming, hiking, biking, and even putting up Christmas lights. Often the simpler the activity the greater the moment. They are accessible, and plenty, and they are very affordable.
Enjoy the holidays!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
InterActivity
Two weekends ago my family faced a three hour lineup at the Border so we quickly detoured into White Rock for lunch and a walk along the beach.
The wind was fierce and and as we walked out to the pier, the gusts increased. We were forced to brace ourselves to stay upright. The waves roared as the momentum of energy filled the ocean with whitecaps. The seagulls overhead were motionless - they were fixed in flight, static, taking on the wind. Even they felt nature's call to attention. The 90 km/hr winds were too much for my husband and daughter as they turned back to shore but my son and I persevered to the very end of the pier.
We could hardly catch our breath as the wind forced more and more air into our lungs. What vitality, what forces; the two of us alone with the elements. There was a precariousness that we balanced, edging nearer to exhilaration than peril.
The fierce arctic wind sprayed an icy chill over our bodies. The wind was whipping my son's hair back and his cheeks were emblazoned a bright pink from the cold. We ran and we played tag; we laughed while the wind chased the sounds of glee from our voices. We struggled to keep our hair from our eyes and our faces. Our lips were frozen and ears aching from the bitter November cold. We zipped up our coats and snapped on our hoods. We were numb with cold and yet we were invigorated. We were carefree and so happy. The pier was abandoned, and the world was ours. The smile on his face and the sparkle in his eyes reflected my own overflowing joy. Within these moments there is a stillness, that is rich with energy, flow, relationality, and connections with self, my son and nature.
This is one more personal definition of active living.
The wind was fierce and and as we walked out to the pier, the gusts increased. We were forced to brace ourselves to stay upright. The waves roared as the momentum of energy filled the ocean with whitecaps. The seagulls overhead were motionless - they were fixed in flight, static, taking on the wind. Even they felt nature's call to attention. The 90 km/hr winds were too much for my husband and daughter as they turned back to shore but my son and I persevered to the very end of the pier.
We could hardly catch our breath as the wind forced more and more air into our lungs. What vitality, what forces; the two of us alone with the elements. There was a precariousness that we balanced, edging nearer to exhilaration than peril.
The fierce arctic wind sprayed an icy chill over our bodies. The wind was whipping my son's hair back and his cheeks were emblazoned a bright pink from the cold. We ran and we played tag; we laughed while the wind chased the sounds of glee from our voices. We struggled to keep our hair from our eyes and our faces. Our lips were frozen and ears aching from the bitter November cold. We zipped up our coats and snapped on our hoods. We were numb with cold and yet we were invigorated. We were carefree and so happy. The pier was abandoned, and the world was ours. The smile on his face and the sparkle in his eyes reflected my own overflowing joy. Within these moments there is a stillness, that is rich with energy, flow, relationality, and connections with self, my son and nature.
This is one more personal definition of active living.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
The UnHealthy Canadian Workplace
Andrew Jackson
Chapter 7, Social Determinants of Health, 2nd Ed., Raphael, 2009.
Chapter 7, Social Determinants of Health, 2nd Ed., Raphael, 2009.
Seven Key Dimensions of Employment Impacting Health and Wellbeing.
- Job and Employment Security
21% of Canadians worry about losing their jobs.
Only half of working age Canadians have had a single full time job for over 6 months (2009).
Women are over-represented in forms of precarious work.
- Physical Conditions of Work
31% of Canadians feel that their employment puts their health at risk.
Five work related deaths in Canada every day ( Based on 230 work days/year). 2005
One in every 65 workers injured (2009). http://www4.rhdcc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=20
- Working Time
1in 4 workers work overtime: most unpaid.
- Work Pace and Stress
The incidence of stress from “too many demands or hours” is at 40% in the sectors of education, health and social services.
- Opportunities for Self Expression and Individual Development at Work
1 in 4 Canadians feel over qualified for their jobs. (www.jobquality.ca)
- Participation at work
Only 10% feel they can strongly influence employer decisions.
- Work-Life Balance
Work life stress results in high public and private healthcare costs.
High Job Strain (High psychological demands at work combined with a low degree of control over the work process) is linked to increased risk of physical injuries at work,
high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, depression and other mental health conditions, plus increased lifestyle risks to health.
Experts estimate 10 – 40% of cancers may be caused primarily by workplace exposures.
What We Need:
· Increased government intervention to shape and improve workplace conditions, policy and law. http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/why-it-matters/law
· Systematic Canadian information, evidence, and studies focusing on working environments and conditions.
· Collective and organised action through unionization of workplaces to balance power between employees and employers
Stronger legislation g
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
The Mane Event
On Sunday my sister phoned me.
She lives out of town and she was checking in on her little sister as she had heard of a disturbing event very close to where I live. I had to ask what she was talking about and she told me the details of the situation.
I was happy to tell her I was oblivious to that event as I had been on a Fieldtrip. In fact, I was at a horseshow, the Mane Event, learning about “pedagogical relationality”. She balked at this, knowing that I am the biggest dog lover in the world, but horses? She is aware that I have ridden three horses and fallen, or been thrown, off of three horses.
For the next 20 minutes I shared with her my experience of the Mane Event. What it is, why we went, and despite my initial (perplexing) thoughts, how I had grown to appreciate the experience. I had the pleasure of witnessing Horsemanship at it’s finest, observing three trainers using methods of “natural horsemanship” while training young horses.
Despite the crowd pleasing of some of the trainers my heart and head went out to Kade Mills. I loved the connection and connectedness that he demonstrated. Rarely, did his eyes leave his horse, and, you could see the unfolding of “Training Thru Trust”. I loved the calm, the encouragement to ‘Try’, the patience, and his caring confidence of self and horse. I loved Kade’s wisdom knowing the boundaries of when to stop, when to let things settle. Not only was there a calm in the training ring, there was a serenity in the audience. I could palpate the stillness and the intrigue. The audience was captured and caught up in the moment of silent signals, postures, expression, touch, movement and collaboration. There was no condescension, no inequality; animal and trainer were working together. The most subtle nuances of motion and emotion allowing the shedding of layers to create Unity.
During another session with Trainer Jonathon Fields, I was fascinated with the subtle motions of energy flowing. To watch him at work and play with his stallion was a feast for the eyes and the soul. He spoke of the relationship akin to a flock birds with their innate sense of flying in harmony. That moment took me back to the exercise we had done the previous class mimicking and following the hand movements of my partner, and the vibrations shared as our motions were no longer directed, but in synchronicity, charged and flowing.
In my practises of nursing, coaching, and counselling, achieving the pedagogical relationship has been of greatest importance whether teaching or being taught. Being in tune, in touch, responsive to and aware that we truly all are co- creators in living and learning. The walls are down, and there is an open flow of energy back and forth, to and fro, creating the lived and learned experience. It is those moments of connection that I strive for and cherish. Call it a teachable moment, Flow, In-Sync, it is the establishment of a foundation for greater learning and greater being.
I can hardly wait for the next field trip!
Friday, 14 October 2011
How do I reVITALISE?
In an earlier blog I mentioned I try to get to Boot camp 2 - 4 times a week.
I do this at the hour of 6:00AM, usually arising at 5:00AM in order to have my morning coffee and then stroll down the hill to a neighbourhood school yard with a mat, water and weights in hand. When I tell people I do this they are shocked that I put my body through this. When I invite people to give it a try, they scoff at the early mornings.
And I am OK with that.
Boot camp has become a ritual for me and an almost sacred one. I arise while the rest of my family sleeps. I have the house to myself, and the opportunity to slowly come to terms with how the day will unfold. Some mornings I listen to the early news, some mornings I muse upon my own reflections. It is "me" time.
I have never been a gym person or a team sports person. Although I have tried running, it never felt very natural to me, and I am not certain my body was designed for long runs. And, then one day I tried Boot camp and I loved it.
I loved being outdoors, I loved all the diverse exercises, and I loved the energy I used and the energy I gained. Currently I have the honour of an instructor that straddles the politically incorrect fence, injecting laughter, honesty, and fun into the workouts.
She offers this 6 days a week.
Her company slogan states "We kick Butts! (YOURS)".
Monday to Friday she targets specific body parts and cardio for each day. In the classes we have a refreshing mix of males and females, young and old, from every working background. (Word has it that there is a city counsellor in our midst).
Saturday morning group is filled with working moms, and amidst the stretches, running hills, tabatas, increased heart rates, and sweating, we talk about our children, our husbands, ourselves, and our lives. We laugh, we snicker, we gasp ( both from exertion and various discussion topics) and we have been known to cry. There is a great deal of sharing, authenticity, and honesty.
All the while, watching the rest of the world wake up and get on with their day.
It ends up costing approximately $10.00/session and I am grateful that I am able to participate in this. Most of my fellow Campers are working, and although geographically it is very accessible for our community, there are many who cannot financially afford this luxury.
For those who cannot make the 6:00 AM class, the instructor also offers two other later classes. For me and my family, the 6:00AM class works best. If I don't exercise first thing in the morning, there always seems to be something else that gets in the way as the day progresses, whether that something is work, homework, kids activities, or just the rest of life.
Despite the early rising, it is a wonderful way for me to clear my head, focus, do some cardio, and laugh. It allows me to HEAL from within on many levels. It is a great activity for me now at this time in my life. I sometimes wonder how long my body will endure this, but I know that this is working very well for me now.
Boot Camp, anyone?
I do this at the hour of 6:00AM, usually arising at 5:00AM in order to have my morning coffee and then stroll down the hill to a neighbourhood school yard with a mat, water and weights in hand. When I tell people I do this they are shocked that I put my body through this. When I invite people to give it a try, they scoff at the early mornings.
And I am OK with that.
Boot camp has become a ritual for me and an almost sacred one. I arise while the rest of my family sleeps. I have the house to myself, and the opportunity to slowly come to terms with how the day will unfold. Some mornings I listen to the early news, some mornings I muse upon my own reflections. It is "me" time.
I have never been a gym person or a team sports person. Although I have tried running, it never felt very natural to me, and I am not certain my body was designed for long runs. And, then one day I tried Boot camp and I loved it.
I loved being outdoors, I loved all the diverse exercises, and I loved the energy I used and the energy I gained. Currently I have the honour of an instructor that straddles the politically incorrect fence, injecting laughter, honesty, and fun into the workouts.
She offers this 6 days a week.
Her company slogan states "We kick Butts! (YOURS)".
Monday to Friday she targets specific body parts and cardio for each day. In the classes we have a refreshing mix of males and females, young and old, from every working background. (Word has it that there is a city counsellor in our midst).
Saturday morning group is filled with working moms, and amidst the stretches, running hills, tabatas, increased heart rates, and sweating, we talk about our children, our husbands, ourselves, and our lives. We laugh, we snicker, we gasp ( both from exertion and various discussion topics) and we have been known to cry. There is a great deal of sharing, authenticity, and honesty.
All the while, watching the rest of the world wake up and get on with their day.
It ends up costing approximately $10.00/session and I am grateful that I am able to participate in this. Most of my fellow Campers are working, and although geographically it is very accessible for our community, there are many who cannot financially afford this luxury.
For those who cannot make the 6:00 AM class, the instructor also offers two other later classes. For me and my family, the 6:00AM class works best. If I don't exercise first thing in the morning, there always seems to be something else that gets in the way as the day progresses, whether that something is work, homework, kids activities, or just the rest of life.
Despite the early rising, it is a wonderful way for me to clear my head, focus, do some cardio, and laugh. It allows me to HEAL from within on many levels. It is a great activity for me now at this time in my life. I sometimes wonder how long my body will endure this, but I know that this is working very well for me now.
Boot Camp, anyone?
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
i walk
Monday morning we walked to school.
Actually Sebastian scootered and Elise unicycled. It was only Diesel, the dog and I who walked. It is one of the best times of the day, when we leave the frantic-before-school-house-routine and head off togther.
Upon arriving at the school I had the honour of talking to 6 classes of Kindergarten and Grade 1 students about i walk week. i walk is an international initiative that started in Great Britain in 1994. Today over 40 countries participate. The initiative hopes to discourage us from hopping into the car for short trips and to get out and walk. The goals are many including:
Actually Sebastian scootered and Elise unicycled. It was only Diesel, the dog and I who walked. It is one of the best times of the day, when we leave the frantic-before-school-house-routine and head off togther.
Upon arriving at the school I had the honour of talking to 6 classes of Kindergarten and Grade 1 students about i walk week. i walk is an international initiative that started in Great Britain in 1994. Today over 40 countries participate. The initiative hopes to discourage us from hopping into the car for short trips and to get out and walk. The goals are many including:
 | |
Encourage physical activity by teaching children the skills to walk safely, how to identify safe routes to school, and the benefits of walking Raise concern for the environment Reduce crime and take back neighborhoods for people on foot Reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and speed near schools Share valuable time with local community leaders, parents, and children - Our local Translink is promoting the idea as an opportunity to build a strong sense of community by encouraging kids to walk to school and to get to know their transit systems. It’s also about finding alternatives to cars.
- Here are a few health facts that may help move people from talking the talk to walking the i walk.
§ Taking up regular walking can reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 50 per cent and can help guard against other chronic diseases such as diabetes and even some cancers.
§ A 10 minute walk for a person weighing 70 kg can burn 42 calories. Leave the car at home and burn your own fuel instead
§ Staff who walk to work are more productive, have less sick days and have improved fitness.
§ Children who walk to school have better concentration and memory throughout the day.
§ People who are regularly in cars suffer three times the amount of pollution as pedestrians because they are sitting in the line of the exhaust fumes from the car in front.
§ Most people overestimate public transport travel time by half and underestimate the time taken to drive.
Taken from Government of Western Australia, Department of Transport, 2011- Now can we expand i walk week, to simply i walk...365 days of the year.
- Keep walking!
Monday, 3 October 2011
Phenomenology
I believe I am finally making sense of this term Phenomenology.
In fact, I believe I have not only been making sense of it, I have been living it most of my life. I love stories of the every day and of the every person. Life is about living and can be documented through narratives and stories. Each of us are made up of chapter upon chapter of stories and a richness that we can impart to the world .
In the discussion link
http://www.aare.edu.au/02pap/mos02453.htm
I extract this sentence
Phenomenology is the descriptive methodology of human science, seeking to explore and describe phenomena as they present themselves in the lived world in order to find the meaning of the phenomena for itself. It has its origins in philosophy. It is a discovery-oriented method where the observer needs to have an attitude of openness to let the unexpected meanings emerge. (Giorgi, 1997).
If anyone is still trying to make sense of the word Phenomenology, chances are you have been living it all along, possibly just without the official philosophical term.
In fact, I believe I have not only been making sense of it, I have been living it most of my life. I love stories of the every day and of the every person. Life is about living and can be documented through narratives and stories. Each of us are made up of chapter upon chapter of stories and a richness that we can impart to the world .
In the discussion link
http://www.aare.edu.au/02pap/mos02453.htm
I extract this sentence
Phenomenology is the descriptive methodology of human science, seeking to explore and describe phenomena as they present themselves in the lived world in order to find the meaning of the phenomena for itself. It has its origins in philosophy. It is a discovery-oriented method where the observer needs to have an attitude of openness to let the unexpected meanings emerge. (Giorgi, 1997).
If anyone is still trying to make sense of the word Phenomenology, chances are you have been living it all along, possibly just without the official philosophical term.
Good Things Come In Strange Packages
Friday night after class I rushed home to have a wee bit of family time, settle the kids in bed, and walk the dog. My hope was to get to bed at a reasonable hour before my 6:30 morning alarm. I did indeed enjoy a bit of family time, I read a great Roald Dahl book to my son and, pleased with how the evening was progressing, I had only walking the dog left on my list. Yes, I was anticipating bed by 11:00.
A beautiful evening for a walk with Diesel. A mild temperature, no rain, and some down time to myself. On the homeward stretch I made the ill fated decision to give Diesel his freedom and unleash him two houses away from our house. Sadly, the moment I released him he flew down the back alley, after what, I did not know, but I hoped it was a cat and not a raccoon. Diesel cowardly slunk out of the yard he had trespassed into, shaking his head, as if trying to cast off an evil spell, but I soon realised he was trying to shake off an evil SMELL. That being the smell of very close range skunk spray.
My heart sunk, and I was furious with my own stupidity of taking him off leash, and angry that this domesticated animal of mine returned to his primal urges at the most inconvenient times, not that any time was a good time to be skunked. It was also gradually dawning on me that my goal of an early bed time was not to happen….
Still steaming, I entered the house and told Ron what had happened. He wished me good luck, then I returned outside with peroxide and some Skunk Odour Remover, that we fortunately happened to have on hand.
I set this up with some humour to smokescreen my frustration, anger, and a lot of feeling sorry for myself. It was to be a long evening…. and yet there was a gradual shift in my thinking. I hate this expression “ It is what it is.” but I needed to have some acceptance of what happened, deal with it, get over it and move on.
I started the first application of deodoriser, and Diesel settled in for the grooming, the washing and rinsing. I shifted my body to become more comfortable and instead of hovering over him, I sat beside him. With man’s best friend by my side, a mild evening and my backyard to myself, I spent the next two hours, focused on this cleansing, and truly all else was lost from my mind.
The stillness of the night had settled in. The anger dissipated and was replaced with a calm and a satisfaction of doing something so simple, yet gratifying. I had a sense of aliveness. I had surrendered to the event and cleared my emotions. In a sense, I was "going with the Flow". I was allowing for the space of that moment, the connectedness to my dog and to the beautiful evening. In some bizarre, satisfying way, this evening had become magical and grounding and invigorating. This was a gift - I was no longer the victim, but a person with intentionality.
The stillness of the night had settled in. The anger dissipated and was replaced with a calm and a satisfaction of doing something so simple, yet gratifying. I had a sense of aliveness. I had surrendered to the event and cleared my emotions. In a sense, I was "going with the Flow". I was allowing for the space of that moment, the connectedness to my dog and to the beautiful evening. In some bizarre, satisfying way, this evening had become magical and grounding and invigorating. This was a gift - I was no longer the victim, but a person with intentionality.
Three days later I am reminded of this as Diesel approaches me with his loving eyes and the ever so subtle smell of skunk that lingers.
This could be Vitality…..
Monday, 26 September 2011
In the beginning....
Today as the rain falls fiercely outside my window I sit here beside my children as we all attempt to tackle our homework. I too share their reluctance do get started......Hmmmn, already something to ponder (trepidation, procrastination, anxiety) and I haven't yet begun to get to the real object and content behind this blog.
So please bear with me as I get my feet wet, sharpen my wit, and polish my research skills. For the moment I shall deep breathe, and open my palms and heart to embrace this new technological and educational journey.
I shall start with a thought I retrieved from our Peak Vitality book, edited by Jeanne M House, 2008. Chapter 16 has a contribution from Stephen Lewis, page 157, stating,
I chose to start this blog with the above quote and over the next few entries I shall expand further on this quote, and allow you greater opportunity to understand the background and direction of the writer,
Cathryn-m.
Stay tuned...and in the meantime, remember to breathe in slowly, and exhale.
Questions to ponder........
1. How is it that we live in one of the wealthiest, developed countries and we have so many disparities in Health care access and too many disenfranchised under users of the system?
2. What tools and resources can we put in place to help Youth in Canada overcome mental and emotional issues and concerns?
3. How can Healers heal themselves?
4. Doesn't Canada's geography naturally create a multi- tiered system?
5. How can we move away from the emphasis of team sports and competition in our schools, establishing healthful individual activities that all children may enjoy?
.........and they keep coming with every article I read.
So please bear with me as I get my feet wet, sharpen my wit, and polish my research skills. For the moment I shall deep breathe, and open my palms and heart to embrace this new technological and educational journey.
I shall start with a thought I retrieved from our Peak Vitality book, edited by Jeanne M House, 2008. Chapter 16 has a contribution from Stephen Lewis, page 157, stating,
"It is imperative that we distinguish from healing and curing. Curing is in the realm of medicine. Healers teach you to access your own healing power. Curing is what is done to you. Healing, on the other hand, is an "inside job". Only you can heal yourself, but many can help".
I chose to start this blog with the above quote and over the next few entries I shall expand further on this quote, and allow you greater opportunity to understand the background and direction of the writer,
Cathryn-m.
Stay tuned...and in the meantime, remember to breathe in slowly, and exhale.
Cathryn - m
- I am Cathryn J McPhee, and I am currently a cohort member of the Health Education and Active Living (HEAL) Master's program through SFU.
- My work experience has been varied, and always, regardless of whether in Nursing, Medical Sales or in my current capacity of Career Practitioner, I am motivated to educate and support others, to learn the tools and skills to take ownership of their lives and their wellness journey, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.
- I am intrigued with human nature and curious about people, decision making, resiliency and emotional and mental health issues. I strive to continue supporting people in capacities of human potential and emotional wellness. I hope to integrate "Vitality" in my educating, supporting those who have been marginalised, and to continue to provide Health Education so that others can Actively Live - fully, passionately, compassionately and in harmony with their own values system.
- My expectations for this MEd program primarily arise from my own self-full interests in supporting my personal journey in wellness that I can impart to others. I am already excited and inspired by the reading assigned, and the incredible wisdom I hear from the professional HEALers within the group. I want to learn and I want to be surrounded by like minded people who are passionate about life and living. I am also excited to further carve out my area of expertise and hone in on a few of my areas of interest. I have witnessed how mental health can affect and impact the work place setting and vice versa- I do question which is cause and which is effect. I am also interested in the effects of anxiety effecting one's Vitality, and the compromises and isolation that people endure as a result of this. Finally, I need to move people to a place of understanding that they too have ownership and choices in self care, health and wellness.
- My current sense of Active Living includes activities that are family focused. Together we enjoy bike riding, skiing, hiking, camping, kayaking and swimming. I recognise that these activities provide the luxury of being with nature, finding peace, and providing tranquility. I am very protective of these family activities that are grounding and therapeutic for all of us. Active Living also includes purposeful work, contributing to my community, volunteering at the school, learning, discovering, reading and connecting with good friends. Active Living includes Boot camp 3 or 4 days a week, walking kids to school and walking the dog 3 times a day. And, Active Living is cherishing time with my family and cherishing time alone. Active Living is reflecting and incorporating gratitude.
Questions to ponder........
1. How is it that we live in one of the wealthiest, developed countries and we have so many disparities in Health care access and too many disenfranchised under users of the system?
2. What tools and resources can we put in place to help Youth in Canada overcome mental and emotional issues and concerns?
3. How can Healers heal themselves?
4. Doesn't Canada's geography naturally create a multi- tiered system?
5. How can we move away from the emphasis of team sports and competition in our schools, establishing healthful individual activities that all children may enjoy?
.........and they keep coming with every article I read.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)