The Noticer

While I was packing to move recently, I read a great book called The Noticer by Andy Andrews. It was a good book for me to read at the time because I needed perspective and that's what this book is all about really - looking at a situation through a different lens than you had previously. It is written as a story but it is much more!

Jones was a man who had the gift of perspective. Throughout the book we find Jones meeting up with various people in a variety of circumstances. He is able to listen to their situation and give them a different perspective than they presently had. Jones persective changed people's lives - he was an influencer. Andy's story begins the book - he found himself homeless through a series of tragic events - Andy's story has a successful ending as a result of his encounter with Jones and there are more stories like that throughout the book.

There were several class lines in this book that challenged me:
1. "Worry...fear....is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each one of us." Page 52
2. "No matter your age, physical condition, financial situation, color, gender, emotional state or belief.....everything you do, every move you make matters to all of us--and forever." pg. 91

Jones planted seeds of perspective in the lives of those he met and we are encouraged to do the same! Who are the five most influential people in your life? I know who mine are and I hope my name is on someone's list! I had an opportunity to plant a seed of perspective in a young life this week and I want to continue doing that as long as I am able!

The Crown of the Valley

It's been a while since I have blogged and I decided that tonight was the night for me to begin again! Since July I have been living in Pasadena, NL which has been dubbed The Crown of the Valley meaning the Humber Valley! It's a great place - not too far from all the necessities but a place that has almost everything you need! When I go for a walk, I feel like I am walking in a park. The people are friendly, its a very ecumenical community and it's also a place where I meet people who I have history with. This is due to the fact that I grew up in Corner Brook just 15 minutes away.

The settling in has been good! I like the house I am living in and after the baseboards go down tomorrow I will be able to settle into my home office where I work from! It's great not having to go out to work - much more relaxing.

The part I love about being a Corps Officer in The Salvation Army is that everyday is different - there is no routine! I am starting a couple of programs soon - Baby Song and Card Making. Plus I am working to make our little thrift store more profitable and its starting to work! For a results oriented person that is very important! I enjoy leading worship and preaching every Sunday morning in Pasadena! And...three times a month I drive to a little place about an hour from here to do the service in the evening! On the week I don't do a service - I go there to visit people. I will have to be very careful driving back from there because it is a high traffic MOOSE area! And of course when the winter arrives I will have to contend with snow as well!

The best part of being in Pasadena is closeness to family! Being able to go to Mom and Dad's for supper or to drop in on family or friends is great! My family has been grieving my aunt's death in the last number of months and so to be around to talk to cousins about how they are feeling and hopefully being a support is also great! It makes me realize the importance of maintaining the family connection with cousins because in the future we will need each other more than we realize now perhaps!

All in all - this has been a great transition and I am praying for the best here in Pasadena and hoping that I can stay a long long time! A shopping trip to the mainland or US at least once a year would be great too!

I am looking forward to the fall colours of this area which I haven't seen in four years! Everyday now the drive to Corner Brook looks different or looking at the mountains around Pasadena look different! The area is definitely alive with colour!