“Life is a cycle. A cycle is a circle. And in a circle all things return to where they began.”
This is a quote I heard a Cherokee elder say many times. As I was preparing to publish this post, this quote suddenly popped into my mind. I haven’t heard it or thought of it for over 10 years.
And so, this post has swung into a new direction and I’m going with it. I hope you will get on and go for the ride with me.
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19 comments
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September 1, 2008 at 12:26 am
Cath Lawson
Hi Davina – What a lovely story – you remember things and recall them in amazing detail.
1. What did you do this summer? Went to Mexico while kids went to Spain with parents.
2. Do you have a family tradition or any fond memories you’d like to share? Not really – I do remember my grandma taking us to the outdoor pool when we were younger. She was afraid of water and always looked really worried the whole time (she’d watched her younger brother drown when she was a child). Eventually – I think she was in her 50’s, she got some swimming classes and it became her hobby after that. I was very proud of her.
3. What is next for you this year? Hopefully emigrating.
4. How far are you willing to swing out in your life? As far as it takes.
Have a fab holiday Davina and try not to worry too much about those bears while you’re swimming in that hammock.
September 1, 2008 at 6:06 am
Leanne Magraith
Hi Davina. I really enjoyed your story of family memories
1. What did you do this summer? Living in Oz Land we have just finished winter, so had to think about this one a bit. We had one of our hottest summers and My partner John and I spent a huge amount of time at the beach.
2. Do you have a family tradition or any fond memories you’d like to share? I can remember when I was young our family went away every summer and these holidays always included at least some time staying by the beach.
3. What is next for you this year? More beaches!! I love the beach. Plus towards the end of summer I will be starting a course to gain a Certificate 3&4 in Personal Training, this will help me with my weight loss business.
4. How far are you willing to swing out in your life? I am prepared to get uncomfortable and step beyond my comfort zone.
Enjoy your holiday Davina
September 1, 2008 at 7:42 am
Barbara Swafford
Hi Davina,
What a wonderful story. I love how you dedicated it to your mother, on her birthday.
Your quote of “in a circle all things return to where they began”, reminds me of the saying, “things have come full circle”. Amazingly, it seems they always do.
Have a great vacation! We’ll be patiently awaiting your return.
September 1, 2008 at 8:39 am
davinahaisell
Hi Cath. That was smart; sending both your kids and your parents somewhere else
As for your poor grandmother, that must have been awful for her to witness someone drowning, not to mention a family member. Good for her for turning that around and learning to swim!
Hi there Leanne. Sounds like Life is a Beach in your world! I have a friend who was working with a personal trainer and she loved it. Then he moved to Australia and got married (not to her). Good luck with the course. We bloggers have more need now than ever for a good personal trainer.
Hi Barbara. It’s fun to sit back and marvel at these things in life. I agree, it does seem that things always come full circle. I will have a great vacation… but I believe I will miss my friends in the blogosphere.
September 2, 2008 at 1:13 am
Lance
What a great childhood memory Davina – thanks for sharing it with us!
I spent the summer going to kids baseball and softball games, and on a vacation to the Pacific northwest.
What’s next – football and soccer games, these kids of ours keep us busy!
Have a great holiday!
September 2, 2008 at 2:50 am
Anonymous
How beautifully you managed to write about life in circles and about your childhood memory.
How far am I willing to swing out in life? Quite far but yearn to go further!
September 2, 2008 at 5:52 am
Evelyn Lim
I just realised that my comment did not appear just now. Here it goes again…
I enjoyed your description about life in cycles. How far out am I prepared to swing? Far but I know that I can go further! It’s about breaking my mindset. In good time, I’d be enjoying the flow of life very much more!!
September 2, 2008 at 9:21 am
davinahaisell
Hi Lance. You’re welcome! Baseball games are great. I’m a terrible player, but when I lived in Toronto I liked to watch the Blue Jays play at Skydome. I will have a great holiday, thanks!
Hi Anon. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It seems there is no end to how far we can swing right?
Hi Evelyn. I see you now
That’s a great thought about breaking your mindset by realizing no matter how far you swing, you can still go further. No limits!
September 2, 2008 at 4:20 pm
spaceagesage
Davina -
1. What did you do this summer?
Found a path to wholeness.
2. Do you have a family tradition or any fond memories you’d like to share?
In most of my adult years, the family gathered for a huge family camp out around the 4th of July. Our nightly fires were always excessive, but festive. This tradition died out for a bit, but now my nieces and nephew have resurrected it to pass it on to their kids.
3. What is next for you this year?
Finishing an e-book and jumping on that merry-go-round
4. How far are you willing to swing out in your life?
Is there a limit?
September 2, 2008 at 4:33 pm
veredd
What a lovely memory.
Your mom must have had a difficult life – being a single mom to three kids on a farm.
We went to Israel to visit our families this summer. It was a good trip, but exhausting. It’s good to be home and it’s good to go back to routine, now that the school year has started.
September 2, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Urban Panther
I too have very fond memories of the CNE. And it relates to my mother as well. It is something special we did together. Didn’t do the swings, but we both loved the rollercoaster. Remember that huge wooden one?
1. What did you do this summer? – boating, gardening, and working on our outdoor kitchen construction.
2. Do you have a family tradition or any fond memories you’d like to share? – quite a number, but I think my favourite one was our Christmas morning ritual. Too long to write here, but I promise I will save it for Christmas and post on it then.
3. What is next for you this year? – finally officially moving into the Lion’s and starting our new life together. Enjoying the hot tub we just bought. Renovating our bedroom.
4. How far are you willing to swing out in your life? – With the Lion by my side? To the ends of the earth and back again.
September 2, 2008 at 5:18 pm
davinahaisell
Hi SpaceAgeSage. Oh the path to wholeness. And it seems you are sharing this with us on your blog. I enjoy reading it and seeing the beautiful pictures you show. Have fun finishing that e-book!
Hi Vered. Yes, mom had a difficult life and she was a gentle soul. Life doesn’t seem fair sometimes. She made certain choices though and yadda, yadda, yadda. I know what you mean about routine. There’s a certain comfort to it isn’t there?
Hi Urban Panther. I sure do remember that old wooden rollercoaster. I would never go on it! I’m terrified of rollercoasters. Wow, I love how you said you are willing to go to the ends of the earth and back again with the Lion by your side. Sigh.
September 2, 2008 at 5:22 pm
davinahaisell
OK, that’s it for me folks. Time to log off and take off. It’s holiday time!
I will check in every 3 or 4 days to see what I’m missing. My next post should bust into the blogosphere on Friday or Saturday, but no promises out there in camping land.
Till we meet again
Davina
September 3, 2008 at 4:56 am
Al at 7P
Hi Davina – looks like I’m chiming in right after you left for your vacation. Hope you enjoy it! That was a very moving article about your mom as well. Life is indeed a circle.
September 3, 2008 at 5:32 am
Exit 78 » Shout Out for August comments…, and then some!
[...] davina [...]
September 4, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Robin Birch
Hi Davina – that’s a lovely story about your trips to the carnival. I remember how exciting it was to go to the sea-side carnival when we were on holidays, as a child.
We have just staggered through a long, cold winter here in Australia, and I am looking forward to summer!
September 5, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Maya
Or life can be a Spiral too.
September 5, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Natural
wonderful memories.
i have a hard time remembering my childhood. every once in a while something with jar my memory and i will remember something.
we never had any traditions that we did every year which is why i think my siblings and i now try to do that we our kids.
something to think about though, its nice to have those memories and family traditions. i started a family cookout every year a few years ago until everyone started moving. not so easy now.
hey i look forward to your next post
September 5, 2008 at 6:47 pm
davinahaisell
Hi there Al. Yes I am enjoying my vacation. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed this article.
Hi Exit 78. Thanks for the link!
Hi Robin. I hope you have some wonderful plans for your upcoming summer. If you are not a winter person I bet you are happy it is on your horizon.
Hi Maya. Thanks for your comment. I like spirals! Life is like them too; especially if you are dancing or being creative… like blogging
Hi Natural. A family cookout sounds like a fun time. Too bad everybody moved away. Who was the cook?