Magnificence and Beauty

I've wrapped up my trip across our beautiful country of Canada this past Friday, September 13, 2013. A lot of people would say it is probably a bad day to end a trip on, but the theories of bad luck surrounding that day doesn't bother me at all. I almost see it like a challenge.

This trip has been a way for me to trace a line between a journey and a new adventure. Like most of you know, I lost my job with my previous employer about (2) months ago. I would understand that some people might see that type of experience as a failure, have feeling of rejections, thinking that you haven't done enough or perhaps your employer or boss or colleagues don't like you anymore. A friend and mentor of mine told me after the event had taken place, that perhaps, people that don't perform as well or are too comfortable will most likely never get fired or laid off. Perhaps because they are showing signs of loyalty, but maybe sometimes because they are not pushing the envelope enough.

I have came to understand that I don't have to stop pushing the envelope or start aiming for less, but maybe find a better to use my skills. Find a better way to use my passion, energy and intelligence. Take the time to learn what other people needs, take the time to listen more and you'll be in a better position to make a good impression. A job or project is not a race, it is a process. It is kinda funny that I learning this now, cause of my educational background, as an industrial engineer, all we talk about is a process. It is hard to apply what you are teaching most people.

I also found myself very touched and overwhelmed by the feedback I have received from teammates, colleagues, suppliers from my days at my previous job. I thought I was doing a pretty good job, but I have found that they appreciated me a lot, and I was very touched by their reactions. It is all those relationships that I was able to build while at that company that helped me through this journey and helped me find another employer and a great job, an exciting opportunity that is coming along at the right moment in my life. It is a big step and a big change, but like a conversation I had this week, perhaps the path of less resistance is the good way to good. Maybe there is a better path, but sometimes life takes us for the ride, and I truly believe now that everyone has a journey, everyone has a path. You have to open your heart and follow you intuition.

Throughout my journey across Canada, I have come to realize how magnificent our country is. The magnificence is not only in the places I have visited, the roads, the city, the mountains, but mainly from the people that are living in it. Travelling by myself, which was a first for me in that big of an adventure, you found yourself opening up to people. Some friends that you haven't seen in years, but that you reconnect with like it was just tomorrow. Thank you Megan!
I was also able to get together with some newer friends, that I had met not too long ago. I can always appreciate meeting new people because they never judge you, they don't know your best, and you can have the best conversations with them. You are still learning about one another and I find it interesting, to learn what other people have been going through and how sometimes your stories are very similar.

Along the journey, I found myself sitting a the bar at a restaurant, because you can always find someone that is willing to talk or just listen. I was on the sidewalk on day in Edmonton, trying to figure out the parking meter and I heard those guys speaking french and swearing while they walked by me. I decided to talk to them and let them know that they shouldn't be swearing like that, just as a joke. They turned around and next thing you knew, they were from back in NB and we chatted for 5 minutes on the sidewalk until they invited me to join them for lunch. We ended up hanging out together for about 2.5 hours and chatting about life and everything. One of the fellow had been in a similar situation that I had been into last winter and we exchanged about that and how we were now living our life now. Well, some people have told me that they are worried about me and how I had been living my life after my burn out last winter and I was happy to talk to this fellow because he confirmed me that I was going to be alright, because he was experiencing the same things that I am at this moment. We've talked about vulnerability and how you see life with an open mind once you've been down on the ground and hurting so much. There is a clearness about things that a lot of people don't understand, but we both knew that it made sense. I was glad I had screamed after them that day.

Vancouver was probably the nice city. In one screen shot you can see the ocean, the mountain, the beach and palm trees. I was able to watch the sunset sitting on the beach patio in English Bay. It was the perfect way to start my trip and let things sinked in. Sinked in about the fact that I was doing this trip by myself and that it was a reality. It allowed me to make peace with all things that had happened and let me enjoy the rest of the trip without worrying about what other people thought.

Alberta, with Jasper, Edmonton and Calgary were also a highlight. Jasper for the nice drive and the magnificent views of the Mountains, and Edmonton and Calgary for the people and friends. Marci, Megan, Troy, Susanne, Joel and Stella. It was a hard place to leave because of all the people.

Saskatchewan, you've enabled me to quiet my thoughts. I don't know it is because what a while of only looking at flat lands, cows, hay bails and train, but it did do me a lot of good. Manitoba was short and sweet with a few hours spend visiting in Winnipeg. Some good pictures were taken and I was happy to get to see the statue of Louis Riel. Sorry Jennifer, didn't find the naked one! lol

Ontario! I stopped in Thunder Bay for my first night in Ontario. I ended up going at the Terry Fox Memorial in the pouring rain. As I was standing there, I had the chills, not because it was cold but because I was so mesmerized by the fact of what that young man did. Standing in the rain for about 20 minutes, I was trying to picture myself running 42 kilometres a day, sometimes in the snow, pouring rain and all that on one leg. I had the most respect for the guy at that time, and it was truly an inspiration of determination and courage. A lot of us complain even if we are healthy, have a fridge full of food and a roof on our head. I don't want to teach anyone a lesson, but maybe we could reconsider our way of looking at life and adopt some new things and challenges once in a while.

Ontario was also the longest province to get by. I really enjoyed driving along lake Superior. It is hard to describe or take a picture that can do justice to one of the nicest sight in Canada. I ended up going from Thunder Bay to Sudbury because an hour away from Sault Sainte Marie, I heard on the radio that some part of the city had flooded and some sections of the TransCanada Highway had been washed out. I didn't stop in that night and drove through because of it. Probably the worst part of the whole trip but I am proud of myself for having found the resources that I needed at that time and the strength to make the right decision to get through.

In Ottawa, I got to meet my sister in law Danie and Mr. Ty, my little nephew. He always craps me up and it is great to see him grow up. He will end up being quiet the entertainer I am sure.

Montreal I stopped in for the afternoon, having a lunch in the city where I will end up spending lots of time over the next little while. I truly enjoy the city, the restaurant, the excitement. It will be fun to do this for a little while. The ski hills, the good shopping and eventually the great friends.
It is too bad that my friend Eve is now moving to Vancouver, it is always great to have a conversation with her, she gives me perspective and sometimes points me out to a job opportunity. I will be forever thankful for that phone call I gave you back in the spring. First for the professional relationship but now more for the friendships. I will miss you dearly and I can't wait to see you again soon! I am sure we'll have fun down the sloped in Whistler in the near future!

My last stop was in Quebec City, where I have spent the night at Diane and Sylvain's new place. Some good food and wine were waiting for me. We chatted a while about their new adventure and life in general. We all agreed on the fact that life sometime throws you for an unexpected turn but it is up to ourselves to make the right choices and for the right reasons. I really appreciated the conversation and the openness in the discussions, and I will try to apply what they were trying to teach me.

As I got back in Moncton, the last few minutes of driving, I did feel a little bit of bitterness that this experience was coming to a close. I was however thankful that I got to experience it, but that I had allowed myself to do so and that to some degree my family had allowed me as well. Not that I wanted to prove anything, but I was proud of myself for the journey. Not just the traveling part but for some of the clarify it brought me. It helped me to see the path ahead a little clearer. I surely don't have all the answers yet but it brought me confidence that I was going to do the right things and for the right reasons.

The next few weeks will be busy as I get started with the new jobs and a lot of activities on the go. I always remind myself that in those busy moments, it is important to take time to reflect on things and take time to breath. Sometimes it has to be like tonight, at 00:11 at night, because your life surrounding doesn't always bring you the quietness you need to think and reflect. I am not trying to solve the world's problems, but trying to clear my thoughts and quiet my mind.

If only one thing I have learned on this trip, is that you have to be true to yourself. You might get up one day and you had thought the night before that you were going to do something else, and you end up doing another thing. Well, some days, it is better to change your plans and go with what your heart is telling you, go with your gut feelings, go with your intuition. We only live one life and you have to take advantage of it as much as you can. You have to allow yourself to live and BE in the moment. You have to BE yourself, even if sometimes it means that you will be vulnerable and that you might end up hurting in the end.

If you are in your car tomorrow and your favourite song comes on, why don't you sing it loud, why don't you dance behind the wheel while you are waiting for the green light to come on. Just be what you want to be in that moment, no matter of what other people may think. Just BE magnificent and beautiful, just like our wonderful country of Canada.



Cheers!

Veronique
September 16, 2013

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