There was heat in Cape Breton this week. Enough heat that I actually stood outside for quite a while certain that I could watch my garden growing. A few of the tomato plants seemed to reach up, but that could have just been a mirage.
Lately I have been reflecting on my time on the East Coast. It has been 2 years since we arrived, and we have made many, many strides within our community.
We have built incredible friendships, hiked amazing trail, swam in numerous bodies of water, grown things, made things… and learned to live a completely different life.
Similar to the notion of a cat and its nine lives, I am beginning to think that we humans also live out many different lives within our single physical life.
We grow, change, have mini and maxi epiphanies, change friendships, towns, cities, countries… and we are able to do so with alarming ease.
Recently Stephen, my ever wonderful and supportive husband, nominated me for a television program that focused on individuals who are trying to make a difference in their community. It was one of those shows where they come to your home and re-do part of it with the help of the greater community.
The first thing that came to my mind was, wow, why on earth would he nominate me? Then after he explained his reasons (which I won’t get into here for the sake of keeping you awake) I was tried to remain flattered and not feel unworthy.
It turns out that the production company thought there might be something in our story, and Stephen spent the next few months running, writing, calling people, arranging interviews, collecting info, taking photos… you name it, he did it! And two days before our trip to B.C. a camera crew arrived at our home.
The whole thing was pretty surreal. I had somehow become a finalist for a t.v. program!
There were many challenges during this time. Some of the people in my community were supportive, but many were not. Even though I had nothing to do with the nomination or selection process I was met with anger and hostility in the strangest of places. So a time that should have felt like a real honour for me felt more like I had done something wrong.
A show about community support and honour had actually turned into a process of me being ostracised.
But, that being said, I tried to stay positive and to appreciate the incredible support that I did receive from Stephen and many of my neighbors.
Fast forward a few months.
About a week ago Stephen received a brief message on our answering machine letting him know that I hadn’t been chosen. Exhale now…
It was time for everyone to put down their pitch forks and tuck away the voodoo dolls and pins…
Stephen was disappointed. I would compare it to someone who has been dating, putting in lots of effort and energy, only to be dumped via answering machine without a real explanation.
For me the let down was what brought on this time of reflection.
It started my thinking about Community, and the fact that you never really know what people think of you; and perhaps it is better that way!
I have to say, I came out of the whole experience a little tougher and perhaps a smidge more synical. Not because I didn’t get a new fridge or the ugly pink carpet in the upstairs pulled out, but because I now feel a little rejected. All the leaps and bounds that I thought I had made in a place that is a little bit of a hard nut to crack, now seem kinda futile.
I am generally a glass half full kind of person, but I guess the intended idea of bringing my community together sort of back fired.
Luckily, I have an incredibly supportive family as well as some fantastic friends and neighbors. I see who will support me when I am in need. It is also easier for me to see where my energy should be placed, and where I should just let go.
I think everyone wants to be accepted and appreciated. Be that in their community, their home or their workplace.
So we move forward; focusing still on community, though perhaps with a bit of a different perspective.
Lately I have been reflecting on my time on the East Coast. It has been 2 years since we arrived, and we have made many, many strides within our community.
We have built incredible friendships, hiked amazing trail, swam in numerous bodies of water, grown things, made things… and learned to live a completely different life.
Similar to the notion of a cat and its nine lives, I am beginning to think that we humans also live out many different lives within our single physical life.
We grow, change, have mini and maxi epiphanies, change friendships, towns, cities, countries… and we are able to do so with alarming ease.
Recently Stephen, my ever wonderful and supportive husband, nominated me for a television program that focused on individuals who are trying to make a difference in their community. It was one of those shows where they come to your home and re-do part of it with the help of the greater community.
The first thing that came to my mind was, wow, why on earth would he nominate me? Then after he explained his reasons (which I won’t get into here for the sake of keeping you awake) I was tried to remain flattered and not feel unworthy.
It turns out that the production company thought there might be something in our story, and Stephen spent the next few months running, writing, calling people, arranging interviews, collecting info, taking photos… you name it, he did it! And two days before our trip to B.C. a camera crew arrived at our home.
The whole thing was pretty surreal. I had somehow become a finalist for a t.v. program!
There were many challenges during this time. Some of the people in my community were supportive, but many were not. Even though I had nothing to do with the nomination or selection process I was met with anger and hostility in the strangest of places. So a time that should have felt like a real honour for me felt more like I had done something wrong.
A show about community support and honour had actually turned into a process of me being ostracised.
But, that being said, I tried to stay positive and to appreciate the incredible support that I did receive from Stephen and many of my neighbors.
Fast forward a few months.
About a week ago Stephen received a brief message on our answering machine letting him know that I hadn’t been chosen. Exhale now…
It was time for everyone to put down their pitch forks and tuck away the voodoo dolls and pins…
Stephen was disappointed. I would compare it to someone who has been dating, putting in lots of effort and energy, only to be dumped via answering machine without a real explanation.
For me the let down was what brought on this time of reflection.
It started my thinking about Community, and the fact that you never really know what people think of you; and perhaps it is better that way!
I have to say, I came out of the whole experience a little tougher and perhaps a smidge more synical. Not because I didn’t get a new fridge or the ugly pink carpet in the upstairs pulled out, but because I now feel a little rejected. All the leaps and bounds that I thought I had made in a place that is a little bit of a hard nut to crack, now seem kinda futile.
I am generally a glass half full kind of person, but I guess the intended idea of bringing my community together sort of back fired.
Luckily, I have an incredibly supportive family as well as some fantastic friends and neighbors. I see who will support me when I am in need. It is also easier for me to see where my energy should be placed, and where I should just let go.
I think everyone wants to be accepted and appreciated. Be that in their community, their home or their workplace.
So we move forward; focusing still on community, though perhaps with a bit of a different perspective.
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