valerie-in-mid-life

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Paradigm Shift

A radical change in personal beliefs, complex systems or organizations, replacing the former way of thinking or organizing with a radically different way of thinking or organizing.

Paradigm Shift was a buzzword that came into favour in the world of business management in the mid 1990's. I remember the first time my boss used it to describe how the OPS (Ontario Public Service) was changing and how managers were going to have to be prepared for the fallout.

Not surprisingly, it is a phrase that incessantly buzzes in my head these past few months. My world, and the world of so many others has shifted. Some would say shattered.

Thomas Kuhn, the man who developed this theory believed that "Successive transition from one paradigm to another is the usual developmental pattern of maturity.".

While we pick up the pieces and learn radically different ways of thinking and organizing ourselves, this transition marks a new beginning. There are so many good quotes on new beginnings. These will be our buzzwords in the months to come:

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” - Seneca

''Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.'' - Carl Bard

''Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.'' - Henry Ford

''I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship.'' - Louisa May Alcott

''The darkest night is often the bridge to the brightest tomorrow.'' - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

End, start, failure, sail, tomorrow. And so it begins.

Halloween

She had been anticipating this day for months. She knew what she wanted to be, but over the past few weeks, some of her costume ideas didn't pan out. Thankfully her sister found time to collaborate the night before and these two creative girls found a way to realize Leah's vision.

Ahh, a cute bunny

A cute bunny doesn't win "Most Original Costume". No, our sweet child welcomed Halloween as Road Kill. Here she is with Zombie and Vampire Fairy:

Gore and gruesome carried over to my world as my colleagues and I carved this revolting pumpkin at a charity event on Friday:

We were awarded 3rd place.

Next year we will contract Evann and Leah to design costumes for us. My kids aren't going to be the only ones winning top prizes.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

It's not even Halloween...

...and someone had already drawn up her Christmas wish list

Here's one from 3 or 4 years ago

The kid is still waiting for a pet, but there is no doubt that she is cool.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Cross Country Champ

Last night, we plotted strategy while cuddling in bed:

- Get in the lead pack as early as possible.

- Keep a comfortable pace.

- Be ready to sprint at the end to push past some of the other racers.

This morning she executed the plan to perfection.

Our little athlete took the lead from the start. For almost the entire 1600 metres, she had one girl keeping pace right behind. Sometimes 3 feet, sometimes 20. (Yes I'm mixing units of measure, but feet are what I visualize here).

The last stretch, the two girls were side by side. One would go ahead, the other would catch up. Leah said that she had never run faster in her life. Neck and neck the last 20 feet, Leah managed to thrust her shoulders over the finish line ahead of the other girl. All she could hear was "I see green" from the race judge. Leah had to look down at her, yes, green shirt to confirm that she indeed had won that hard fought contest.

What a thrill to hear her on the phone telling me she had won. What pride hearing her recount the race to us at dinner time. What a kid!

Post Script

Thanks to a mom of one of Leah's team mates for the following pictures from the meet:

At the starting line