Judy Price is Writing

The last day of the year is a time of reflection and/or new year resolution-making.

2012 will definitely be one of change.

Some karmic astrologers would predict a cosmos in flux, jeopardizing relationships.

A clean slate is how it will begin.  What will be written is unknown.

The only certainty is that life, although mysterious, will unfold as it is intended.

Once faith rather than fear becomes the norm, the rest will follow naturally.

Embrace the moment each and every day . . .

One week from today is Christmas Day.

The week leading up to the day Christians celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is filled with anticipation.

It is very easy to be distracted from the true meaning of this time of year by all of the glitter and glamour.

Party-goers, shoppers, merchants; all vie for attention.

When many have little while few have much, it only seems appropriate for each person to generously share whatever special talents one has with others.

For some it could take the form of a smile, laughter or time.  For others it might be of monetary value.

Giving exemplifies the true spirit of this season no matter what the gift.

October saw the Canadian Thanksgiving, and November marks the American holiday.

One day set aside each year to count our blessings doesn’t seem nearly enough in these democratic societies.

We, who are blessed to live in North America, have much to be thankful for.

Every day is a gift.

To embrace life with all of its ups and downs, knowing that each of us can choose the attitude we bring to the day, whatever our respective limitations, is indeed a very great blessing . . .

Just shy eight months of the date my article referenced their uprising, the Libyan people are free of forty two years of tragic oppression.

Their dictator is dead!

From this day forward the hope is that Libya will find peace and democracy to replace bloodshed and autocracy.

NATO was instrumental in this successful unseating of power.

Our Canadian forces with their allies took the lead role in conducting as peaceful a mission as possible in the midst of genocide being perpetrated by Mommar Gadhafi on his Libyan citizens.

Freedom is not free. 

If one asks the Libyan benefactors if the price of freedom is worth the cost, I believe their unified answer would be a resounding yes!

What a difference one week makes!

Yesterday in rain and cool temperatures, I hiked the Bruce Trail in a favourite area of mine with a very small (two car) group.

We negotiated slippery rocks on the escarpment while thoroughly muddying our boots and pants.

The canopy of trees on most trails provided some relief from raindrops overhead, yet finding a dry spot to enjoy our lunch was no small feat and in fact became an impossible task!

Any leaves which had changed showed muted colours on such a grey day.

With windy conditions the day before some had fallen before their time, making it more difficult for the women hikers to find privacy on the trail.

Despite all of these deterrents, hiking in nature provided me with the oxygen, exercise, endorphins and companionship (both during the trek and afterward in a coffee shop) that I craved yesterday.

Similarly, I enjoyed my adventure the Sunday prior, although a very different experience ensued.

One week ago gave me a brilliant, sunny, summer-like day on a variety of trails, again in one of my most well-liked areas.

Sunshine showcased magnificent crimson leaves on Sumac bushes, and vivid purple and canary grasses in meadow-lands.

A variety of deciduous trees on escarpment trails offered glimpses of colourful change occurring among vibrant green leaves.

Birds chirped as butterflies circled and followed me on the paths I took.

Several hikers travelled together on this day, in a yellow school-bus, in order to get to the area we desired.

City dwellers without vehicles have limited options when escaping into nature!

We finished our enjoyable, fast-paced outing in a lovely, rolling village where we hikers met some bikers who apparently enjoy frequenting this locale as well.

Now, when I say bikers I do not mean cyclists!

Motorbikes of every make and engine noise, carrying leather-clad gents of varied description roared into town as we walked the hilly countryside.

As some of us searched for the local pub, and determined that there is only one inn that offers alcoholic beverages, the black-jacketed bikers sat outside the ice cream shop and coffee store, relishing cones or imbibing coffee!

Not one of them was to be found where we congregated before our journey back to the city.

Perhaps that is one benefit of having a designated bus driver as opposed to manoeuvring a motorcycle in the great outdoors

October signifies the beginning of fall in this part of the world.

Leaves change to brilliant shades of crimson, scarlet, canary, and tangerine before they fall from branches bearing buds which hibernate until the following renewal of spring.

This month also elicits bittersweet emotions for me personally.

As I am in the autumn of my life, and literally born under the sign of Libra, I am conscious of how quickly time can slip away.

I have experienced sudden losses of life throughout my own, which raises my awareness of the precious gift each day with loved ones brings.

My journey has had numerous twists and turns, a wide variety of adventures; some of the most significant being inward.

Introspection is a blessing and a curse.

Living in the present moment is most fulfilling for me as a conscious choice, being aware of consequential actions.

I remind myself to ‘be still and smile’, as the mystery of my future unfolds before me while my past falls away . .  .

Strong yet fragile, small yet vast, capable of holding and releasing copious amounts of life-sustaining love into the world at just the time its needed in just the right amount; this is the heart of a woman.

Such an invaluable resource requires nurturing to not only maintain health, but also to grow and blossom, thereby benefiting all.

When treated with dignity and respect a woman’s heart thrives, enabling love to multiply.

When ignored or neglected this same heart closes, shrivels or dies, resulting in suffering.

Since ‘love makes the world go round’ it is crucial for everyone in the circle to handle a woman’s heart with care . . .

Wow, what a revealing night this has been!

A friend and I lined up for entrance to a local bar/restaurant we had not experienced before.

As I am inquisitive, I took the initiative to meet a few people who might possibly be able to expedite the two hour process.

As it turns out, they did so, and consequently we were ushered to a coveted spot at the bar where we could not only sample various wines to get just the right one, but also eat the most mouth-watering cuisine imaginable, not to mention enjoy people-watching as we were simultaneously admired by many.

The bartender’s youth did not belie his ability to discern beauty as he told me mine could open doors!

I told him that if the manager, who stopped by and offered us a free drink to linger, gave freebies to every beautiful woman there, they might go out of business and he would be out of a job!

He replied very sincerely that I, unlike the rest, possessed true beauty, the genuine thing!

Now that was “price-less” I must admit

As a single, the sea of love can be a difficult expanse to negotiate.

Selecting a mate best suited to travel the journey of life, however far it may take the pair, is often a gamble.

There are a variety of ways individuals choose to look for a partner.

An active search can involve anything from online dating to frequenting clubs or bars to introductions from friends or family.

A more subtle as well as personally favourite way for one who is available and not already in a committed relationship to look, is to remain open in every situation.

Love can find you in an instant of recognition or can evolve from a friendship.

There are limitless possibilities for the one who possesses an open heart.

Cupid’s arrow knows no bounds!

Falling in love can be uplifting indeed!!!