Something to think about

I was sent the following quote the other week. "Those who achieve great things, defeat long odds, and become legends, don’t have anything you don't have. They just kept showing up, expecting a miracle, long after everyone else got practical."

I thought it was a powerful and inspiring thought! Here is why

1. Everyone has the same resources: The idea that those who achieve great things have something special or unique that others don't is a myth. In reality, everyone has the same basic resources: intelligence, talent, skills, and opportunities. The difference lies in how they use these resources.
2. Consistency is key: The phrase "kept showing up" emphasizes the importance of persistence and consistency. Legends don't achieve their goals overnight; they put in the effort, day in and day out, often for years. This consistency is what sets them apart from others.
3. Expecting a miracle: This phrase is often misunderstood. It's not about expecting a sudden, magical solution to appear out of thin air. Rather, it's about having faith that your hard work and dedication will eventually lead to success. It's about trusting the process and staying committed to your goals.
4. Long after everyone else got practical: This part of the quote highlights the importance of staying optimistic and idealistic, even when others have given up or become pragmatic. Legends don't settle for mediocrity; they keep pushing forward, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
5. The power of delayed gratification: Achieving great things often requires delayed gratification. Legends are willing to put in the work now, knowing that the rewards will come later. They're willing to make sacrifices and take risks, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.
6. The importance of mental toughness: Legends have a mental toughness that allows them to overcome obstacles and setbacks. They're able to bounce back from failures and keep moving forward, even when others might give up.
7. The value of a growth mindset: Legends have a growth mindset, believing that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. They're not limited by their current circumstances or abilities; they see themselves as capable of growth and improvement.
8. The power of community and support: Legends often have a strong support system, whether it's a team, a mentor, or a community. They recognize the importance of surrounding themselves with people who believe in them and can help them achieve their goals.

To apply these lessons to your own life, try the following:

• Set clear, ambitious goals for yourself and create a plan to achieve them.
• Show up consistently and put in the effort required to achieve your goals.
• Stay optimistic and idealistic, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.
• Focus on the process, not just the outcome, and trust that your hard work will eventually lead to success.
• Surround yourself with people who support and believe in you.
• Embrace delayed gratification and be willing to make sacrifices for your goals.

Remember, achieving great things requires a combination of hard work, persistence, and mental toughness. By applying these lessons, you can increase your chances of success and become a legend in your own right.

Living your life to the best when you retire.

Choosing the right path for life isn't always easy. We might run into problems and have to figure out what works best for us. Before we can make the decision to live life in retirement to the fullest, we need to take a good look at who we are and how we live.

Finding the right path is important so we don't miss out on what retirement has to offer. We need to do everything we can to make the most of life and enjoy the potential that we deserve.

Our lives may have been limited by the decisions we made in the past. This is why it's so important to think carefully before making decisions that could change our lives. We need to do everything we can to reach our goals and find out what we can achieve in retirement.

We've all made mistakes and chosen the wrong path at times. That's normal. The key is to learn from those mistakes and turn them around to make us stronger. We need to keep doing this even in retirement.

Sometimes, we let our past decisions limit us. It's important to remind ourselves to stay on track and avoid choices that will hold us back. We need to figure out a plan and find the path that works best for our retirement goals and dreams. Don't let anyone tell you that you're making the wrong choices. Take the time you need to be in control of what you truly want from life in retirement.

Get out there, explore different paths, and find the one that shines brightest for you. There are many ways to tackle challenges in retirement. If you don't use the right methods, it can throw you off course. Taking the time to get organized and learn everything you can will help bring your goals closer to reality.

People sometimes lose focus and get stuck on the wrong things, making it hard to move past life's problems. Staying off track can make it difficult to be successful and achieve our important goals. Take time to problem-solve, and it will help you become a better person in your personal and career decisions.

Being goal-driven is important even in retirement. When you're ready to pursue your goals and make them work for you, there are endless possibilities. You'll find that choosing your path makes you feel good and more secure in your decisions. It may take time, but once you figure it out, everything will start to fall into place.

Joe just retired after 40 years of hard work. At first, he wasn't sure what to do. He tried golfing every day, but it didn't quite make him happy. Then, one day, Joe remembered how much he loved painting when he was younger.

Joe dusted off his old paintbrushes and started painting again. He even took a few classes at the community center. Soon, Joe's paintings were getting noticed, and he was invited to display his work in a local gallery. Joe found a new passion and purpose in retirement, simply by exploring different paths and choosing the one that made him happiest.

So, be like Joe. Don't be afraid to explore new paths and find what truly makes you happy in retirement. The right path might just be waiting for you to discover it.

Jazz

When I was in high school one of my best friends was a musician with an older brother who became the father of a singer Diane Krall. I am not a big jazz fan, but I have followed her career with interest, even though I have lost contact with my high school friend. 

For those who do not know, Diana Krall is an accomplished singer and jazz pianist. Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, in 1964, she began playing the piano at the age of four. Music runs in her family, and during high school, she played in a jazz group and performed in various restaurants in Nanaimo. At 17, she received a scholarship from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival to attend Berklee College of Music, where she studied for one and a half years.

While performing in Nanaimo, she was encouraged by renowned bassist Ray Brown, the ex-husband of Ella Fitzgerald, to move to Los Angeles to further develop her talents with pianist Jimmy Rowles. She followed his advice, and this move introduced her to influential producers and teachers. In 1990, she moved to New York.

In 2003, Diana married British musician Elvis Costello on Elton John's estate. The couple welcomed twin boys, Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James, in 2006.

Diana's passion for jazz was influenced by her father's extensive collection of jazz records. She faced personal losses in 2002, with the passing of her mother due to multiple myeloma and her mentors Ray Brown and Rosemary Clooney within a few months of each other. Her younger sister remains a strong supporter of her career.

Her debut album, "Stepping Out," was released in 1993, featuring John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. This album caught the attention of producer Tommy LiPuma, who produced her second album, "Only Trust Your Heart," in 1995. Her third album, "All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio," released in 1996, was nominated for a Grammy Award and spent 70 weeks on Billboard's jazz charts. In 1997, she released "Love Scenes," featuring guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Christian McBride.

In 2000, Diana toured with Tony Bennett and received multiple Grammy nominations. Her album "The Look of Love" (2001) achieved platinum status and reached number one on the Canadian charts and the top ten on the Billboard 200. In 2001, she embarked on a world tour, and her Paris Olympia concert was recorded and released as "Diana Krall: Live in Paris." The album topped the Billboard Jazz Charts, reached number five in Canada, and made the top 20 on the Billboard 200. It included covers of Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are" and Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You."

After marrying Elvis Costello, Diana co-wrote songs with him, resulting in the 2004 album "The Girl in the Other Room." She also appeared in a Lexus advertisement that year and performed "Dream a Little Dream of Me" with pianist Hank Jones. In 2003, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Victoria, and in 2004, she was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. Since 2004, Diana Krall has continued to make significant contributions to the jazz and music world. Here are some highlights of her career from 2004 onwards:

Albums and Music Projects:

• "Christmas Songs" (2005): A holiday album featuring The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
• "From This Moment On" (2006): This album includes standards and ballads, reflecting her jazz roots.
• "Quiet Nights" (2009): A bossa nova-inspired album that received critical acclaim.
• "Glad Rag Doll" (2012): Produced by T-Bone Burnett, this album features songs from the 1920s and 1930s.
• "Wallflower" (2015): An album that includes covers of pop and rock songs from the 1960s to the present.
• "Turn Up the Quiet" (2017): A return to jazz standards, featuring collaborations with Tommy LiPuma.
• "Love Is Here to Stay" (2018): A collaborative album with Tony Bennett, focusing on the music of George Gershwin.
• "This Dream of You" (2020): An album featuring previously unreleased tracks from sessions with Tommy LiPuma.

Tours and Performances:

• Diana has toured extensively around the world, performing at prestigious venues and jazz festivals.
• She has collaborated with various artists, including Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and her husband, Elvis Costello.

Awards and Honors:

• In 2008, she was awarded the Order of British Columbia.
• In 2013, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, recognizing her international influence in jazz and popular music.
• Diana has received multiple Grammy Awards and nominations throughout her career.

Personal Life:

• Diana continues to balance her career with her family life, raising her twin sons with Elvis Costello.

Recent Projects:

• She has remained active in the music industry, participating in various charitable events and projects.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to engage with fans through virtual performances and social media.

Diana Krall's enduring talent and dedication to her craft have solidified her position as one of the leading figures in contemporary jazz.

Happy Labour Cay Canada!

What do you see, dear ones? What do you see?

What are you thinking when you're looking at me?

A worker, a fighter, a hero of old,

Who fought for rights, and a life to be told.

Who marched in parades, and spoke out loud,

For fair wages, and a better crowd. 

Who demanded freedom, and an end to strife,

And paved the way for a better life.

 

Who's still got a heart, that beats with pride,

 For the struggles of the past, and the battles inside.

Who's still got a spirit, that's strong and free, 

And a will to fight, for what's meant to be.

 

Who's still got a story, to tell and share,

Of the long-forgotten heroes, who fought with care.

Who's still got a dream, of a better day,

When workers are treated, with dignity and pay.

 

Is that what you're seeing? Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, dear ones, and look closer at me.

I'm not just a worker, I'm a hero of old,

Who fought for Labour Day, and a life to be told.

 

Labour Day began in Canada, on April 15, 1872,

A day of protest, and a call to action, anew.

The Toronto Trades Assembly organized the first parade,

Demanding better conditions, and a fairer trade.

 

The parade was a success, and it paved the way,

For the formation of unions, and a brighter day.

The Canadian Labour Union, was formed in 1873,

And it became the Trades and Labour Congress, in 1886.

 

Labour Day was declared a legal holiday, in 1894,

And it's been celebrated, every year, since then, for sure.

It's a day to remember, the struggles of the past,

And to celebrate, the workers, who fought so fast.

 

So, let's raise our voices, and give a cheer,

For the workers, who fought, and brought us here.

Let's celebrate Labour Day, with pride and with joy,

And remember the heroes, who fought for our rights, and our employ