SAGE at the Centre for Aboriginal Initiatives Presents Kim Anderson

Getting Myself Fit in Every Way Possible

 

By: Christine McFarlane

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. I believe that this goes for everything you try in life. Whether that is wanting to get more fit, incorporate more fun into your life or doing something that you normally wouldn't do. For me, getting more active after the winter months can be a bit difficult, especially when I struggle with depression and getting myself out of a particular mode that has had me in hibernation. (ah the bear spirit is speaking to me right now!)

As the weather gets warmer,  and I see the sun shine more, and witness more and more people putting away their heavy winter coats and boots, and pulling out their windbreakers and running shoes, a little voice inside my head says “it is time for me to get fit too.”

Getting fit is important but it is not just about feeling well physically. For me it also means feeling emotionally, mentally and spiritually balanced and it involves incorporating an attitude and lifestyle that helps me to feel good about myself in every way possible.

Keeping myself fit means that I have to make a point of paying attention to how I am feeling in every way, and incorporating a routine into my daily life that helps me to stay focused. That means eating regularly, getting outside more, walking, journaling and/or drawing and painting and getting together with friends even if my mood dictates otherwise. I have to do what works for me.

As an individual in recovery from eating disorders, I sometimes worry about overdoing things and possibly relapsing. I think about this because it is very easy for me to put food aside when I am feeling stressed, and not feel like eating. I have to be consciously aware that if I don't make time for eating, my overall sense of well being can be put off kilter. Getting balance back can also be quite trying, work that I can find myself beating myself up for.

I'm learning when it comes to getting fit in every way possible that I must incorporate the following into my life

•  setting my alarm in the mornings and getting up instead of staying in bed and sleeping
• going for walks, getting off public transit a stop or two early and walking the rest of the way to my destination
• writing- getting my journal out and writing, even if I don't feel like it
• calling friends, answering the phone even when I feel like ignoring it
• taking breaks when I need to, and doing things I would not normally do

Getting myself fit and active involves many steps but I am learning that it does not always have to be difficult. In recovery, you learn about letting things go and going with the flow. I hope that with my continued work, I will learn to keep going with the flow and live my life to the fullest, and have a smile on my face instead of a frown.

Book Review-Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America

Review-The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America

By: Christine McFarlane

Have you ever really looked at history and the stories behind them? Do you question if these stories are fact or myth or accept them as the absolute truth? You would like to think that what you are reading in your history books is truth but in “The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America,” author Thomas King looks at the stories behind such events as the 1861 Almo massacre by the Shoshone-Bannock, the meeting of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith, The Rebellion of 1885 with Louis Riel, the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn, with George Armstrong Custer and many other stories and points out the inconsistencies in each.

In each story, we are made to believe facts that are based on tales someone has made up and told someone else. King states that the massacre in the town of Almo did not happen, because at that time in history attacks with such a large number of casualties did not go without mention. Newspapers at that time made no mention of this so called massacre, nor is there records of this in the National Archives or in the records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs that is kept for various states and territories.  King also argues that it was not until 66 years after this supposed event that a plaque was erected in the town of Almo as part of “Exploration Day,” which is an event that is designed to celebrate Idaho history and promote tourism in the area. Makes you wonder doesn't it? It makes you question, why it took 66 years to commemorate lives lost in such a massacre, when there are no records to back up this story. It's a legend told to make the town of Almo stand out, but the town did not even exist in the 1800's.

Similarly, there is the story of how Captain John Smith was saved by Pocahontas. It makes a great story for Disney where a beautiful maiden saves a hero. However, at the time of this meeting, there is questionable evidence to the background of Smith and how he had been saved before by other beautiful women. Yes, he may have been captured by the Powhatan peoples, but to be saved by a mere child? In1607, he was twenty seven, and Pocahontas would have only been ten, maybe twelve years old.How convenient that he is saved by a beautiful Indian girl.

History as Thomas King points out “may well be a series of stories we tell about the past, but the stories are not just any stories. They’re not chosen by chance. By and large, the stories are about famous men and celebrated events. We throw in a couple of exceptional women every now and then, not out of any need to recognize female eminence, but out of embarrassment. And we’re not easily embarrassed.”

History is not always what we are taught to believe. King argues that our concept of history is often thought of as something grand happening, a national chronicle built upon by authenticities and truths that are melded together into narratives that explains how we get from one end to the other. This very fact is interesting because the stories we read in textbooks are presented as truth and we are often taught not to question the stories that are told to us. To do so, goes against the acceptable norm.

“The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America” by Thomas King is a book that once you pick up, you cannot put down. It takes you on a historical journey of examining the stories we are told throughout history, speaks about the relationship between non-Natives and Natives throughout the centuries, and has you wondering how we might tell a new story for the future. Thomas King fans will not be disappointed!

"The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America" is published by DoubleDay Canada and is 288 pages.

Please note: A similar review will be published in Windspeaker at a later date

When Things Get Hectic-Some Great Writing Advice!

Sometimes when all your writing projects and deadlines seem to converge at the same time, you need to take a pause. Learn to look at each project, or article individually and prioritize. I found this great advice today on the Write To Done website- www.writetodone.com

Check out the article below. I guarantee it will resonate with you in one way or another. It did with me!

 

Slow Down Your Writing Life with a ‘Pause’ Button

The Benefits of Pausing

Giving yourself the opportunity to pause time and enjoy your surroundings is important, and provides four key benefits that enhance your writing life:

1. Clarity – To prioritize which tasks must be done now and which can be tackled later.
2. Nourishment – Food, water, exercise and human interaction allow for efficient work and an energetic outlook on life.
3. Reflection – You are learning all the time, but you need time to what you’re learning in order to make rational decisions on how to use it.
4. Self-fulfillment – Sometimes you need to pat yourself on the back to appreciate a job well done. Enjoying a victory reminds you of what success feels like and encourages you to achieve your next goal.

Ways to Activate the Pause Button

So where is the pause (or slow-motion) button in your life?

Luckily, the solution is simple. All it needs is a few small changes to your everyday habits.

1. Eat your meals

Don’t work and eat. The most productive workers are physically and mentally rested, and properly nourished.

Shutting down your work space helps you clear your mind.

Take each bite slowly to indulge yourself in the taste and aroma of your meal. Doing this will also help you add sensory details to your writing!

2. Shut down the electronics

Electronics pull your attention in different directions all day long.

In the morning, most people check their phone before they even get out of bed. The barrage of media each day can be dizzying.

Place your phone, computer, tablet and whatever other devices you may have in another room, close the door and look around. The lack of connection to the world will initially make you feel naked.

Challenge yourself to think of something else to occupy your time for an hour. Think about activities that were fun before electronics demanded every second of your attention. Walk around outside, play a board game with friends and family or exercise.

You will come back to writing refreshed by your break.

3. Change a few things

I realized an unfortunate truth during my first job out of college: the days were unbearably long, but the months and years disappeared.

Why is this? Because with no change, when you look back, the months and years blend together.

When nothing changes in your life, memories aren’t created and your life flies past you.

• Change the route to work or your morning jog.
• Try a different recipe.
• Read a book in a genre you’ve never tried.
• Play a new game.
• Go to a new place.

Change energizes us. It makes people and events stand out because it pauses the humdrum routine of life.

4. Soak in your surroundings

Wherever you are, be there.

At dinner, pay attention to who is saying what. Taste your food, savor its aroma.

While jogging, notice what people are wearing, doing, saying as you go past them. Notice the path and the scenery.

Becoming a keen observer of the human experience allows you to appreciate your life more fully and notice the details about people’s moods, tendencies and experiences. This is great for character building!

5. Appreciate more with less

Clean out your closet and give away the clothes you no longer need.

Think about selling old electronics or furniture that take up space.

Ask yourself how many times you throw food away because it has gone bad. The next time, only buy as much as you can use.

The incessant clutter in little areas of life builds tension, causing your mind to run quicker and time to speed up. Clean out the extra items to see and breathe clearly.

6. Stop thinking about tomorrow

You might have a deadline, a presentation, a submission for a project or even an exciting event coming up, and that’s all you can think about. You can’t wait for it to be here.

Always wishing for tomorrow is like wishing away your whole life.

Think about how you can make your current situation more fun and stop looking to the future.

The problem is, every deadline will pass, and after that deadline another will roll around. If you keep stressing or anticipating future events, your life will fly right by you.

7. Use your vacation days

Never let your vacation days go to waste. You work hard. You deserve the time off.

Also, refrain from taking half days off. Take the full day. Going into work for a half day is still going into work. You still undergo the stress, still see the same people and still do the same work.

It’s human nature to entangle yourself into a web of tasks and responsibilities.

But you can hit that pause button. All you need to do is take a deep breath and focus on changing the little things to slow down your hectic writing life.

What helps you halt the chaos of your writing life? 

Post in the comments!

About the author:

Joe Warnimont (@writewithwarnie) is a marketing professional and writing enthusiast. He blogs at writewithwarnimont.com, a blog about writing, marketing, living truthfully and embracing your life through creativity.  Grab his free eBook, Create Your Writing Adventure.

The post Slow Down Your Hectic Writing Life With a ‘Pause’ Button appeared first on Write to Done.

Back the tap! Go bottled water-free.

CALL OUT FOR FIRST NATIONS/INUIT/METIS WRITERS

 Want A Chance To Write For A Really Cool Magazine?

As Editor of "Beyond the Books" with Shameless Magazine

I am recruiting First Nations/Inuit/Metis writers

to contribute to my column.

Beyond the Books aims to bring to light issues

that are not normally discussed in mainstream media

If interested, 

shoot me an email with your ideas to

cmcfarlane@shamelessmag.com

Event Posting- Graduation Celebration 2013 @ First Nations House of the University of Toronto

Event Posting-Nation to Nation Now The Conversations

Dreams Begin With Little Steps

Dreams: By: Christine McFarlane

 Dreams begin with little steps. Putting one foot in front of the other, marching on even when you feel despair and think you're going nowhere. My dreams began that way also. I grew up not believing in myself due to circumstances not entirely my fault.

Dreams begin with little steps. Putting one foot in front of the other, marching on even when you lose focus and want to turn down a different road. A road that can destroy you, if you're not careful. I know that road, I was on it for way too long, yet I turned myself around with the help of too many to list here in this post.

Dreams begin with little steps. Putting one foot in front of the other, marching on and reaching out to say "I am ready, I will listen to the changes I know I need to make."

 Reach for the stars, don't be afraid because dreams begin with little steps. Putting one foot in front of the other and telling yourself

 "I will not give in, no matter how hard it gets." 

Dreams begin with little steps. I've begun to follow mine. I am a survivor, you can be too.

CALL OUT For Writers to Contribute to My "Beyond the Books" Column with Shameless Magazine

 Call For First Nations/Inuit Metis Writers for "Beyond the Books" Column with Shameless Magazine

Are you interested in contributing to my "Beyond the Books" column with Shameless Magazine? 


 If so, I am looking for First Nations/Inuit/Metis writers who would like to contribute to the Fall issue of Shameless Magazine on the issue of Sports.

Topics Include:

Racism in Team Mascots

Relationship between Nationalism and Sport

History of Lacrosse- 


If any of these topics appeal to you, please contact me at cmcfarlane@shamelessmag.com

Chi Miigwetch!

Mark Your Calendar-Aboriginal Language Gathering March 25, 2013