grrrl meets world

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of a friend for your friends.

Mark Twain

If ever there was a quote for the last year of my life, this is it.

Over the last few months I’ve had some disappointing days, particularly in thanks to some people who I thought were friends — but in fact turned out to be some of the ‘small people’ Twain refers to in the above quote.

But on the other hand, the year I’ve made some strong connections and friends — from all sorts of unexpected places! And the result is that my world (both personally and professionally) is a much bigger and brighter place because of these inspiring relationships.

Big news for my career on the horizon — stay tuned!

So, it’s March.

I’m nearing the end of a pretty wicked cold, only to find myself in the thick of things. My Google Calendar is starting to look intimidating! Here are just a few things that are on my radar this month:

• Tonight: my first meeting for the committee of the Varsity View Bishop Murray Community Garden. This will be my third year gardening, and I’m happy to now serve on the committee! Hopefully this committee work will make me feel that much closer to gardening — an activity I miss way too much in the wintry months.

• Speaking of gardening, this Saturday is the annual Seedy Saturday event.  There’s a workshop on home composting that I’m hoping to get to.

• In addition to Seedy Saturday, this Saturday is also the big indoor garage sale at Market Mall, and also that evening there’s an NDP fundraiser event that Emma and I are going to: the 13th Annual Celtic Celli. (plus I’m carpooling to dance in the morning and picking up a friend from the airport that afternoon — I’m already exhausted)

• On Sunday, there’s an event in honor of International Women’s Day: Women and Girls Feeding the World over at the Farmer’s Market. Emma and I may check it out.

• Next Friday night will be my last indoor soccer game for Vandelay Industries.

• On Saturday the 17th, I’ll be leading a breakout session for the Breaking the Silence conference. Here’s the blurb for it:

Out(side) Spirituality for Secular Humanists: For many in the LGBT community, personal rejection by the religious community has turned people off from the church and faith practices. If being religious isn’t for you, where do you go to find support for life’s difficulties? If you’re not a member of a congregation somewhere, who can you turn to help you commemorate or celebrate life’s milestones? This breakout session will brainstorm and talk about options for the nonreligious.

• On the last 2 Sundays of the month, I’ll be teaching RE at the Unitarian Centre (go to the website and find my wrist, and the back of Emma’s head)

• Friday, March 23 is the premiere of The Hunger Games — AND I HAVE TICKETS!

• Saturday, March 24th is TEDxUofS — AND I HAVE A TICKET (it’s sold out).

Phew.

So, yeah, if I’m not blogging much, it’s probably because I’m busy. But, thanks to the prevalence of social media, you can keep track of me on Facebook and Twitter and now Pinterest.

EDIT: I forgot that I’m also planning on participating in the “40 Days for Choice” counter-protest to the Catholic Diocese “40 Days for Life.”

Over the last few months I’ve had an epiphany when it come to human relationships — some friendships just aren’t meant to last.

Second epiphany I’ve had: the older I become, the more I’m amazed that some of the most meaningful lessons in life are the ones that are the most simply stated.

For a long time, I thought friendships were something that were static. You became friends, you remained friends, the end. But now I see friendship in such a different light. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to take a more ‘zen-like’ approach, but I’m trying, more and more, to see friendships in the light of the present. No expectations, no disappointments — just … now.

And the more I look around me, the more I see these types of meaningful friendships popping up in my life!  From people I met by accident, to people who inspire me — I’m surrounded by these strangers, turned friends.

Today I had a quick coffee with someone at the University who’s really inspired me.  These days I feel more alive than ever in my career, and I blame this particular friend for quite a bit of this newfound passion of mine.  There are other friendships I’ve stumbled upon who have also filled big voids in my life (and heart), and these are people who I’ve only known for months — but it feels like we’ve been friends for so much longer.

One thing I’ve always personally struggled with is the burden of holding too high of expectations when it comes to relationships — for others, and for myself.  These last few months have really taken that struggle and have put some sunlight on it.  These expectations are just unnecessary burdens to carry.

While I’ll always have a few long-running friendships (and you know who you are, these friends of mine who connect with me, despite distance and time) — more and more, I’m learning to appreciate these accidental connections in my life.

So thanks, those of you, who make me smile, think, and be a better person. Even if it’s only for a little while.