One year later

Waking up this morning I cannot express how grateful I was to see the sun shining in all its glory and that the rains had stopped.  A year ago today my family and I were evacuated from High River due to rising river waters. 


9 days later we were allowed to return home and view the damage, and oh boy was there damage!


We were one of the lucky families and though we took in 6 feet of water in the basement, our home was still structurally OK and we were able to start rebuilding.  Here we are one year later and the changes that have happened are extreme and so positive for us that I cannot imagine what life would look like if the flood had never happened. 


Over this last year my family has had some rocky moments, like when our puppy was killed in the street by a passing motorist, and for me personally, well, I lost some relationships that were very important to me.  I could lament and morn and go on and on about the hardships and all the negativity that has happened in the last year, but I would much rather celebrate the wins!



Wins like, finding the perfect little basement suite for myself in Calgary, and Dad selling the house in high river at a time when I was very unsure anyone would want to buy out there. As well as, wins like, my family being closer and working together to create awesome communication and cooperation in the cleanup and the aftermath of the floods. 


It is incredible what can change in a year and the amazing opportunities that can flow out of a tragedy.  I have received some of the most amazing opportunities for myself and my business just because I was affected by the floods last year.  It is one of the most humbling experiences I have ever been through, and I could not be more grateful for having gone through it.


Reflecting on the past year has allowed me to realize that I will always be stronger than I think I am.  I will always be able to handle whatever comes my way and I will be able to do it with a smile on my face and love in my heart because I know it may look dark in the moment, but a year down the road I just may be thanking my lucky stars for going through that event, emotion, or time. 


There is a saying "the universe will only give you as much as you can handle".  I don't think that is true... the universe will give you what it will give you, it is up to you to prove to yourself that you can handle it!!  

 

Our backyard in High River June 20, 2013

 

 

If you would like more info about the services Nicole provides please visit her website at www.intuitivebalance.ca

 



Support from the heart...

The heart is an interesting creature, and I do mean creature!  I say this because even when we don't want to fall and don't want to feel, sometimes our heart just doesn't listen.  Then comes the lovely internal battle of denying how we feel and even trying to convince ourselves that maybe there is something wrong with us...

But the truth is there is nothing wrong with you and there is nothing wrong with your heart.  Falling for someone just means you are open and maybe you are ready for a deeper more meaningful connection with another open hearted person.  And maybe just maybe you are falling for the ones who are not ready for you because you fear what having someone love you will look like. 

How it will feel and what it might mean. 

Loving someone means making room for them in your life. 

It means being open to that persons fears, feelings, decisions, hopes and dreams and supporting them through all of those pieces.  It also means being supported in return. 

For some of us having support from someone we love can be scary.  Occasionally it comes from being so comfortable doing it on our own that we don't want to be reliant on someone else and what happens if we trust they will be there and then they aren't...

Well in most scenarios it hurts but sometimes it's because they just don't know how to be there for you, the strong one who never leans on anyone else. It can be a daunting prospect to be there for anyone while they navigate their own challenges that arise from their personal inner world.

It takes patience, and communication and a whole lota acceptance/forgiveness and love.  The important thing to remember is that we are all learning this skill, this trait so we can move through our personal world with amazing and supportive relationships of all kinds. 

Be gentle with those you love because they are doing the best they can, and if you know of a way they can support you that will help you more, then tell them.  Don't drop subtle hints and hope they will get it.  Have an actual conversation and if they get upset, remember that they are human just like you and may be struggling as well.  Have compassion, have patience and most of all hold forgiveness for them if they happen to not meet your expectations.  All we can do is keep learning and the best way to learn is to communicate and accept each other and ourselves one day at a time.

 

If you would like more information about Nicole and the services she offers please visit her website www.intuitivebalance.ca