positivity-page

The Silent Night Before Christmas

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:15:52 +0100

While we might think of Silent Night on a peaceful Christmas Eve after much of the rush is done, for me the Quiet reflective time comes a few days before.

When I was a college professor I would often have to stay after the students had gone for the semester because of obligations I had to the college radio station, CJIQ. This meant that I would often be one of only a few people in the big building that is the Main Campus of Conestoga College.

I can't express to you what a lonely experience that is. Knowing that outside the walls, almost everyone had left to get ready for the big day. I found this a very reflective time where I would sometimes wonder the classrooms and labs where I had only a few days before taught.

I'd think about my students and hope that they were off celebrating and taking some much needed "downtime" that we all needed.

It may sound strange that I say this was a sad time but in some ways I find the peace both sad but comforting too. Some much needed peace in what was usually a very busy time period.

My wish for you is that you find some of that Quiet time during the holidays, before during or afterwards. Enjoy your Silent Night.

What's Your Favourite Christmas Song?

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 17:33:57 +0100

We all are often asked this questions around this time and I'm often surprised by the answers.

For me there are far too many to choose from. The traditional "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" has always been a favourite but I love more modern songs too. Last year Ed Sheeran and Elton John released a beautiful song that really touched my heart.

Another Christmas songs that means a lot to me is Chris Rea's "Driving Home for Christmas". There have been a few covers but Chris' rough voice just shines through for me.

The song reminds me of all the Christmas' where I had to drive home to my family in Kitchener and Guelph. As someone who has worked most of my life in radio, I've often had to live far away from where I grew up but I was always fortunate enough to be able to get home for the holidays.

There line that really gets to me is....
"Top to toe in tailbacks

Oh, I got red lights on the run

But soon there'll be a freeway yeah

Get my feet on holy ground"

When I lived in Sudbury I would drive down Highway 69 and it was often a busy drive but eventually it would connect up to Highway 400 where the multi lanes meant you could travel at full speed all the way down to Toronto and then on to Guelph and Kitchener.

What's your favourite carol and why....feel free to drop me a line at mikethurnell@hotmail.com, Maybe I'll even share your story in a future episode.

Inspiration from Instagram

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 16:07:32 +0100

One of the reasons I started this blog was to combat the overwhelming negativity I saw on social media especially Twitter (now X) and. Facebook. But I still use those platforms but now I just ignore the negative posts.

Instagram however for me at least is a bit of a different story.

I have found some true inspiration and positivity from a number of people who post frequent messages of encouragement, self love and respect.

I wanted to share a couple with you and while I respect that everyone is moved by different things. These people helped me so you can look them up if you want to.

"Realmirandahart" - this is the comedian Miranda Hart who you might know from TV and movies. While she uses comedy, I believe she has a genuine love for the world. She has struggled herself and isn't afraid to share her struggles.

Bruce W Brackett -"bwb.positivity. Bruce has a beautiful soul and like Miranda isn't afraid to show and talk about his struggles. I wish I could meet him just give him a hug for all he has done for me.

Another great source of wisdom is Sadhguru Wisdom. His has an excellent way of speaking to you to give you the kick in the bum we all need sometimes.

There are so many others out there but these three in particular helped me and by sharing them I hope I can help you.

Damn I wish I could be more confident.

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 15:52:25 +0100

True confessions here. I am by nature an introvert and I struggle at times with some elements of social interaction.

Although I act very often like I'm confident - in fact sometimes I think I force myself to be on the verge of "cocky", - in truth I am battling with self confidence. I worry far too much about how people see me and that, at times becomes my obsession.

I'm reminded of the quotes..."Don't worry about other people not liking you, they don't like themselves" and "if you knew how little people felt about you, you wouldn't worry about their opinions at all". Another one I like is from Dr. Seuss, "those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind".

I've been caught in two situations recently when my shyness and insecurity effected some great opportunities. One social event I decided to miss because some people who didn't like me would be attending. On another very recent occasion I missed out on meeting some new people because my insecurity was forcing me to stay in my chair.

I remind myself that I need to be gentle with myself and that I have many qualities that only now I'm starting to realize.

I guess I'm only hurting myself by hiding my light from the world.

10 Things you might not know about me.

Sat, 03 Sep 2016 16:31:13 +0100

Sometime ago on Facebook there was a trend to post a list of things that your Facebook friends might not know about you. I did that but decided it's time for an update.

So here goes - enjoy!

1. I've been in radio since I was 16.
2. I wrote a classical music piece when I was 17.
3. I am an avid writer. I've written a number of short stories and I have been working on a novel.
4. I have had several paranormal experiences.
5. I'm very intuitive. I sense things and I read people very well.
6. I learned how to play guitar, bass and sax when I was a kid. I am "relearning" how to play bass and guitar.
7. I am much smarter than most people give me credit for.
8. My musical tastes range from Heavy Metal to New Age and Celtic. In fact my music library is VERY diverse. There isn't much music that I don't appreciate.
9. I am a huge wresting fan and have been most of my life.
10. Although I'm not that religious, I'm very spiritual.

Thanks for reading.