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At one point, in the middle of wilderness, we
rounded a curve and came across giant lilac bushes
in full bloom! They were the remains of Adra Station.
Along the route we met a man building a rock
garden filled with wildflowers, Ray Ward. Ray
commented the flowers weren't his interest- the
women wanted a display and made name tags, so
others would know the names of the local wild
flowers. He simply built the rock garden!
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 Ray
is 74 years old. He told us he and his daughter
rebuilt many of the rock ovens built and used
by the Japanese railroad workers over 90 years
ago, so they could be saved and not lost to nature.
Not all of them needed rebuilding, some still
stood as they did back then. Ray and a handful
of volunteers, all seniors, are preserving this
stretch of history. Why? Ray said because he grew
up in the area, and used to hop on the trains
when he was a teen to go fishing. He loves the
area and wants to preserve the history for others
to enjoy. If he didn't do it, it would be lost.
He told us about rock oven #4, the 'Queen' oven-
still in its original state. We made sure we stopped
and took a look. It was large enough to sleep
in- it looked like a Hobbit House! We wouldn't
have seen it if the trail hadn't been cleared
and marked. Thanks Ray and crew!
It must have seemed like an almost impossible
task when Ray and his friends started. Yet, they
tirelessly do their work and have made a huge
impact on the area. We are truly blessed for the
Rays of the world, the people who give themselves
so freely for others, who make a big difference
in the world simply because they can.
The KVR trail from Chute Lake to Penticton is
all downhill, so is a really beautiful, easy ride.
That is, unless you hit headwinds! We were biking
into the wind over half the way, sometimes into
really strong gusts! There was no coasting the
second half! It reminded me how sometimes even
the easiest paths we set for ourselves can have
rough patches. Sometimes when we hit those rough
patches it's easy to stop, to give up. Yet, if
we stay on the path, we'll get to our destination.
The difficulties only make us appreciate the journey
more! For us, there was no turning back. That
made it easy to continue going forward. And maybe
that's the attitude to take when creating and
fulfilling our dreams. If we truly want something,
to keep going forward as if there was no other
option. Isn't that what commitment is all about?
One of my favourite quotes is Johann Wolfgang
Von Goethe's quote on commitment:
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the
chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative and creation,
there is one elementary truth the ignorance of
which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would
never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen
incidents, meetings and material assistance which
no man could have dreamed would have come his
way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now.
What have you been putting off making a commitment
to? My challenge to you is to make the commitment
and take the first step. Begin it now! Enjoy the
journey!
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I am Norma Reid, a Certified Executive Coach,
and owner of From Dreams to Reality Success Coaching.
My dream is to help you fulfill your professional
and personal goals and live the rich, full life
you are meant to! Reawaken to your magnificence!
If you aren't where you want to be in your life,
call me!
Thank you once again for letting me share part
of your journey with you. Until next time, enjoy
the incredible wonder and beauty this time of
year blesses us with! If you haven't taken the
time to play lately, add some playtime to your
daytimer and your life! Let your spirit soar and
make it incredible!
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about Norma... »
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