Feeling Zen During Moving Times

Transition is hard on everyone! Change can be scary because you can’t see the other side. So I lean on faith to believe it will all be OK and it’s all happening for a reason. I love when I can actually visualize two forks in the road. Two starts to two different chapters. This has happened many times in my life. But it’s how you handle it, how you grow from it, how you push to see the light, jump through the hoop and not look back that changes you.

Moving can be very tough. Everything you’ve touched is turned upside down. I’ve moved so many times that the longest address I’ve ever had was 5 years in San Francisco. 5 years… can you imagine? I know many people who have moved twice in their life or their children live in the same house they once lived in.

What are the benefits of moving so many times…there are some I promise! I know how to build a home, I can put pictures up fast, how to learn from each move and appreciate where I settle. We loved our community in Marin, California. And then the call came about 9 months ago to get International work experience.

At first the talks were about Australia…this threw me on a loop of wow we can do this, what an incredible adventure, but so far away from everything we know. Since we had recently traveled to Singapore and Thailand, with our then 3-year-old, to visit our expat NorCal friends, we had an idea of what their experience had been like and they even learned to speak Thai.

Just as I was wrapping my brain around that move the words Canada and Toronto and Montreal came up. No way I thought! And of course, this job opportunity was back in my hometown.

And so, we all jumped…

We moved outside of Toronto a week ago and we’ve been working hard for about a month to make it happen. It still feels like a new country move, but also familiar as I was born here, but have been gone for so long. It keeps hitting me that I’ve missed the Canadian way, as they are friendly, wonderful, courteous, smart, people, and how my friends and family keep welcoming me home. And yet, I look over at my husband and daughter and I feel like things are new.

What an incredible opportunity for all of us. Saying goodbye to California was difficult and I questioned it many times, but then we jumped with both feet. Tell me Bella how are you at making big changes? Do you have any advice?

Is Canada the New American Dream?

I am often asked what it was like growing up and being from Canada? Most of my American friends are curious about how friendly Canadians are, want to know if the school system is the same (yes) and how paying higher taxes are put towards everyone’s health care? But my favorite question has to be… did I know Drake?

Believe it or not… yes he did live near, but sadly my singing career hasn’t taken off in the same way.

                                                                  

You can usually tell the difference between our countries by the Canadian smiling and apologizing and knowing about ketchup chips & smarties. The sarcastic humor, proud to learn French & ice skating to school.

But how does Canada view America now? Canada, our cold friend, seems to be happy to put their arms around our shoulders, but not fully committing to being our parent.

As we changed Presidents a lot of American citizens crashed the Canadian Immigration website, but maybe Canada is on to something with a happier, but much much colder way of life. All I know is the second I get onto an Air Canada plane the apologizing and kindess comes flying down the aisle.

Has Canada taken over the American Dream? Last weekend I saw this segment on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria and overall Canada does sound like they are doing pretty well. Higher percentage of college degrees, higher rate of life expectancy and the sixth happiest place in the world.

Have you ever asked yourself what would our society be like without citizens going bankrupt due to health care and education costs? That’s basically how to have a caring country that watches out for one another. J’adore California and the stunning beauty of the Bay Area. We are nestled in magical views, gorgeous backdrops and nearby wine country, but what would it be like if we married the two countries? Do you think Canada is the new American Dream?

News Overload: To News or Not to News

We made it through the week lovelies and I’ve never felt so strongly about disconnecting from the news! I used to get my daily round up of news from certain apps and one news station that seems to be struggling for their lives. Oh OK I know I can be a little dramatic…but even Facebook has people dropping off from looking at their own news feeds.

One of my friends who’s living in Singapore keeps saying I am turning off FB for awhile. I used to love going to Facebook to see what you are all eating for dinner or how your kids are doing. And I agree it’s very important to have somewhere to vent, but venting through our status updates...are we being heard?

So, you must be asking yourself what are my political views? Let’s just say... I’m all about treating others equal, fairly, with respect and life is hard enough so how could I tell someone else what to do? (Does this make me a liberal? This actually makes me born in Canada:)

Last year was a difficult campaign year, but is my only option to tune out of the news and then tune back in when I can stop myself from throwing the remote at the TV? When did we become a State where we keep looking at each other to make sense of the headlines. 

What can I do about it? I'm deciding to wake up every morning and continue to see the world with positivity and light. And also, to teach our young Bella the same. There is so much to be thankful for in this world and I want to help my family, friends and community with those feelings. I can end each night by highlighting my gratitude and recall the wonderful things that happened to us.

Repeat after me "Don't give up. It is normally the last key on the ring which opens the door." and "Don't get stressed. What is really important always finds a way of revealing itself." Paulo Coelho

Let’s continue to learn and to grow. It won’t always feel like this, just takes a little time as we adjust to the new normal. We just might need to keep our seat belts fastened as this could be a bumpy ride. How can you wake up and appreciate your days? Do you remember to stop and see the beauty?