HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA

Thanksgiving 

Thoughts






SIMPLIFIED GRATITUDE

Sometimes I'm hungry
         I thank God I have food to eat every day
Sometimes I'm sick
         I thank God that I'm usually not
Sometimes I'm cold
         I thank God for a roof over my head
Sometimes I'm in pain
         I thank God it's not every day
Sometimes I'm lonely
         I thank God for all my friends
Sometimes I'm tired
         I thank God for a cozy bed each night
Sometimes I don't want to work
         I thank God for my job
Sometimes I'm sad
         I thank God it is only sometimes
Sometimes......

Every day, each of us are reminded to be grateful - it is that simple!


Give Thanks!


P.S.  This is my 50th and final post on this blog.   Thanks for reading!






  

INTERNATIONAL WORLD PEACE DAY IS TODAY!

Does the world feel like a peaceful, secure and safe place to you?

Is the United Nations getting any closer to their mandate of world peace
since their conception in 1941?

Is World Peace even a possibility?

Right now the Middle East is full of horrific war activity.  Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.  Not only war but also needless violent deaths of innocent women and children.  Foreign journalists beheaded and the atrocity televised for the world to see.

Russia is at war with Ukraine.  Ugly long civil wars continue in Somalia and many other countries.

In West Africa we have an E-Bola epidemic that has put the nation of Sierre Leone in quarantine.

Not only are there more wars and bloodshed but there is also more earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and famines creating more turmoil and suffering for many.

What does all this mean?  We long for peace.  Many pray for peace.  Government leaders negotiate for peace.  Yet armies still fight for peace.  So peace seems to be elusive.

The desire for world peace appears to be more of a naive notion.

According to the Bible we should not be surprised by any of this.


       "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for
       this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation,
       and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in
       various places." (Matthew 24:6-7)

As a Christian, I don't believe there will be Peace on Earth until Jesus restores it, on His return.  Scripture teaches that wars and famines and earthquakes will increase.  And when they do it means His time of return is getting closer. Until then, many can only know peace in their hearts if they live to please God and worship God.

If a historical study was performed to determine which countries have known the most peace as apposed to wars, the likely result would reveal that it is nations that love Jesus and live for Jesus.

      "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at
       peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)

But God's love and peace is for everyone of all nations and ethnic groups.  God handpicked the Israelites to be His children and then Jesus opened up the love of God to everyone when He died on the cross.

So someday, everyone who chooses to love Jesus and accept His salvation, will know peace when Christ's new Kingdom is established.  

In heaven there will be no war, no tears, no pain, no famine, no sickness.  Heaven will be beyond our human comprehension.  It will be utter perfection.  

We will be in the presence of a loving, good God forever.  The physical beauty of heaven will surpass the awesome views of even the Grand Canyon and go beyond what our finite minds can comprehend.  

But the best part of heaven is the endless presence of God.  And in His presence is peace!

I don't believe we will ever achieve world peace until God establishes it in heaven.  

I am thankful that I am blessed to live in a peaceful country and I have the assurance of a peaceful eternity in heaven with a loving God.

Give Thanks!

CAMPING ON HORNBY ISLAND

I LOVE HORNBY ISLAND!

The name is rather unusual but oh well, it is still one of my favorite nearby places to escape to each summer.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park is picturesque!  The beach is known as the Hawaii of Canada.  The aquamarine color and the warm temperature of the water in the summer makes it a popular destination for those who know about this special little place.

Lots of soft, white, sandy beach.  Nearly a mile to be precise.  Shallow water perfect for skimboarding and safe for children.  Sandstone formations that are fun to explore.

Only about a 1000 people live on this little island year round.  Many of them are said to be Vietnam draft dodgers that never left.  The island is full of artists and hippies who enjoy the beauty of nature the island provides.

Hornby Island is an outdoor enthusiast's dream location.  Hiking trails, mountain biking, swimming, boating, kayaking and so much more.  Campgrounds are available to allow ample time to explore all this Island has to offer.  Check out Tribune Bay Campground just a short walk from the beach.

I can't imagine a nicer way to spend a warm sunny day then at a gorgeous beach hide-away on Hornby Island.  That is why I go back every year and Give Thanks!

OKANAGAN SUNSHINE

The Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia is a popular summer destination!  I was blessed to have lived there for 5 years so I know personally how much the Okanagan has to offer for summer adventure.  The outdoor beauty alone will have you saying, "WOW!".

Seldom is the summer weather anything but perfect in the Okanagan.  And there is so much to explore and do while there.

Okanagan Lake is 135 km long and 4 to 5 km wide.  The highway drive beside most of the lake has breathtaking views.  But there are many other beautiful lakes in the valley as well, such as Kalamalka, Skaha, Osoyoos and more.  All of these lakes have fabulous swimming at sandy beaches and various water sports to enjoy.

For accommodation there are many campgrounds either private or provincial.  Most are located either on a lake or very near.  Of course there are also many motels, hotels and even high end resorts to choose from as well.

Restaurants abound.  Whatever your palate is yearning for can be found in the Okanagan.  My favorite is a Greek restaurant in Penticton called Theo's.  Their Moussaka and Mediterranean Ribs are like none other.

Lots of exciting activities await you in the Okanagan Valley.  Fun in the sun is on most people's itinerary while there.  For young children, a free water park is in Summerland at the beach.  In Penticton, many like to take a leisurely float down the canal from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake on inner tubes or air mattresses.  Tubes can be rented at the starting point in the north west end of Penticton.  Also at the Penticton Lakeside Resort you can parasail and have a birds eye view of the Valley.

There are countless trails to hike or bike.  One of my favorites is easy for either of these activities and offers glorious views of Okanagan Lake.  It is the KVR Trail between Penticton and Naramata.  The trail head is located in north east Penticton at the end of a cul-de-dac on Vancouver Place.  I also enjoy the hike up Giant's Head Mountain in Summerland when I need a good work out.  More fabulous views await you at the top.

Let's not forget the famous wine tours in the Southern Okanagan Valley.  Most of British Columbia's wine is found in this region and many are award winning.  Fine wineries are located in Naramata, Summerland and between Oliver and Osoyoos.  Popular Wine Tours are available in the Fall Season but stop in for wine tasting any time of year.

If you are driving through Okanagan Falls, don't miss stopping at Tickleberry's for their fabulous Ice Cream Cones and Fudge.

In Summerland, a visit to Summerland Sweets is a popular stop for their specialty syrups and jams, unique fruit wines and delicious ice cream.  Summerland is also the location of my favorite beach on Okanagan Lake called Sun-Oka Beach.  There is even a great dog beach in one isolated section for furry family members to cool down.  Also in Summerland is a great restaurant called Local Lounge.  It is on Lakeshore Drive and has a great outdoor patio to enjoy the great views while feasting on fabulous food.  There are boat and jet ski rentals available here for more adventure.

You will run out of vacation time before you run out of things to see and do in the Okanagan Valley.  It is an extremely popular vacation destination for good reasons.  If you have not yet visited, then start planning now.  The "WOW Factor" is unending!

I just finished a one week vacation in the Okanagan and wonder why I ever moved away.  But I am blessed to be able to return every summer for a visit to this incredible destination!

Give Thanks!

ROBIN WILLIAMS DEPRESSED AND DEAD FROM SUICIDE

The man that made us all laugh suffered from depression.  How ironic.  How sad.

But do we all realize that depression is much more than sadness?

Never equate having a "feeling blue" day as being depressed.  It simply does not compare.  Feeling blue does not even begin to encompass all that real depression involves.  You can't just snap out of depression and choose to cheer yourself up.

Tell me, when you last felt sad or blue, did you also wish you were dead?  Not likely but severely depressed people do.

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a deep pit that was cold and dark and lonely?  The emotional pain was impossible to bear and there was no way out?  You just wanted the pain to go away so suicide seemed like a viable option?  If so, then you do know what depression is.  And I am so sorry you had to experience it.

Many today are still so naive about depression.  Only if you have been severely depressed or know someone close to you who has can you grasp the enormity of the emotion.  It does not matter how smart you are, how rich you are or how many friends you have, depression can still come down on you like a ton of bricks.

I loved watching Robin Williams entertain me from the very beginning with the TV show "Mork and Mindy".  And what about "Good Morning Vietnam" or "Mrs. Doubtfire"?  However, perhaps my favorite movies were not comedies but rather dramas called "Good Will Hunting" and "Dead Poet's Society".

"Dead Poet's Society" is a movie about young students at an elite prep school with Williams portraying their English teacher.  It is a drama full of emotions and even the ugly reality of suicide. 
In "Good Will Hunting" Williams played a psychiatrist helping a young troubled and brilliant mind.  So since he played the role of a psychiatrist, don't you think he knew all about getting help?  Of course he did.  Unfortunately psychiatrists and medications do not successfully help everyone with severe depression. 

There is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression.  The anti-depressant medications attempt to balance that imbalance although they often fall short.  25% of people worldwide have suffered from depression.  That is one in four so you likely know someone who has experienced severe depression at one time.  It is very common yet usually suffered in silence and shame because it is so misunderstood.

Famous people have gone public about their experience with depression to increase awareness and diminish the stigma.  Olympian Clara Hughes has been a recent spokesperson.  Household names have suffered from clinical depression such as Billy Joel, Princess Diana, Jim Carrey and many more.

I would rather have a physical illness then depression.  At least physical ailments are visible and tangible to those around us and easy to understand.  People with depression are afraid to admit their pain for fear of being judged and ostracized for being "crazy".

I know because I have suffered from severe depression.  So I get it.  

I can only hope that many of us will seek to understand it better.

The stigma needs to be torn down.  Those suffering need to feel free to come out of hiding and seek help and love and compassion from those around them.  

Hopefully it will not take a huge spike in suicides to achieve this.

No one is immune to suffering from depression.  Situational depression can happen to any of us.

Today I am grateful that my experience with depression is in the past.

Someone you know has been depressed or is depressed right now.  Find out who it is and seek to understand them and love them.

Give Thanks!