PEACE IN THE PARK

 There’s something very peaceful about time spent by the water. In fact many studies justify and confirm the calming effect on our body, mind and soul. 

Like many communities, ours has a beautiful body of water that we tuck up against. When I have time in the morning before work, I take a bike ride around the trails by the Bay. The air is still tinged with the coolness of the passing night as I glide along the path.

There are lots of inviting benches to stop at. Apparently when our mind is calm and allowed to wander, it unlocks our best problem solving abilities. So the next time you are trying to surpass that mountain, please, take a seat and stare at the water for a bit. 

As I gain speed and pass underneath the bridge the pigeons are cooing and checking out their best echos under the massive concrete pillars.

I pass a heron posing on a lone rock

And, a gaggle of goslings off to school - the school of life that is.

Most of the boats are all still sleeping in the harbour. But a few people are up and about. I pass a young woman with a black poodle, trimmed in the classic French style. There are two elderly men walking together; one tall, one short. There is a tiny elderly woman alone taking careful but determined little steps. She’s adorable and gives me a quick little smile. 

This is the dog park  and if I were a dog, I’d be pretty excited about running amuck in there myself!

Time is ticking and my day job (and a cup of coffee) is calling. I can hear the train whistle in the distance and pick up the pace to get across the tracks before I get caught having to wait. 

Back home, with my coffee in the garden, I’m grateful for these simple pleasures: a bike ride, a body that still works well enough to ride it, a cup of coffee, the beauty of a summer morning and peace in the park. 

#QUINTE COMPASSION

 I follow a local Facebook page that focuses on our community’s local history. It’s filled with amazing photos, stories, facts and memories. I read one about a woman during the depression who lived near the train tracks. She would have coffee and sandwiches on hand for hobos. This opened up a thread of so many in our community, including my grandmother who ensured there was food to hand out when they would come to the back door. 

My husband tells me one man who drops off deliveries at our house and always leave a dog treat on the top of the box for Lulu. 

And what about all those porch drop offs of food and little pick-me-up gifts during the pandemic? 

The Latin meaning for compassion is “co-suffering.” We relate to another’s situation and sympathize with them. We are moved to help and do what we can to relieve suffering. It involves kindness and mercy. 

I value compassion deeply and love to see it expressed. The other day when we stopped down at L’Auberge de France, a little French restaurant downtown, they had a bowl of water outside for thirsty dogs

Thank you L’Auberge for this small act of kindness!

On my bike ride home there is this bin outside of a house:

Thank you resident on Charlotte street for showing compassion to others in need!

There is an international movement called “Compassionate Communities”.  In Canada it is led by Pallium and you can read about it here: https://www.pallium.ca/compassionate-communities/

Wouldn’t it be great to create a culture that values compassion? That teaches our children the importance of considering others and showing kindness to all living things, including animals? What if we honoured our weak and vulnerable, protecting them and doing what we can to help? Something as simple as putting water out for the local dogs?

Maybe we can avoid in the future, such tragedies as the loss of 215 little children, pulled from their homes and families.

I want to acknowledge those in our community who show kindness and compassion. If I hear or see something I will #QuinteCompassion and celebrate it! I encourage you to join me or let me know and I will give them a shoutout.