Food for thought....

Today I woke up and realized that it’s almost my 50th day in Canada… and I have to admit that it still feels like waking up out of a dream. Although I haven’t seen a lot of places the world has to offer, to me Panorama is one of the most beautiful spots in the world right now! Just image a combination of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet and the beauty of the raw mountains British Columbia offers. Sometimes I feel like being here is upsetting my emotional balance, because I’ll find myself smiling while walking around and absorbing everything…but on the other hand, I could even find myself crying with all these beautiful things. It’s breathtaking, that’s for sure!  

Bow Valley Bridge

Bow Valley Trail

I do am aware of the fact that it might sound a little corny to those of you who never got out of their little personal bubble that protected them from the world. But how can you ever be happy with everything you possess if you haven’t seen what’s out there? 

To those people I can only say the following: go abroad, meet people from all over the world, discover some of the most beautiful places, face your own fears and just go for it. That’s the only thing that will make you feel richer!

Pano Village

  

It’s not about working hard and gaining a lot of money that will make you a happy person, but it’s what you feel in your heart! After all, memories will last a lifetime where money doesn’t. This doesn’t mean at all that I won’t be happy to be home again, because there is no place like home! But I do know that I’ll be happier with everything my family and friends give me, because I’m slowly starting to appreciate the little things in life. When I was still at home, I took everything for granted. But I guess that’s just how life goes when you live in a well developed country as Belgium. It seems that the only thing what we want, is possess more and more and more…instead of enjoying the little things of life. Food for thought for everyone I guess!  

I think I made it pretty clear that being here has changed me as a person. Being alone offers you the possibility to spend time by yourself, pondering about life and the things that have or haven’t happened yet. It even feels like a little escape out of life right now. I’m only doing what I like to do and I’m doing it with devotion and pleasure. Back home, I would find myself eating a lot of candy, chocolate and fried things in combination with soft drinks or alcohol. Because that’s what advertisement does… it creates the idea that those things will comfort you. Guess what, it’s just another way to get customers to consume more.

Pine Inn Gym

For 4 weeks now, I’ve changed my mind about eating healthy and getting a lot of exercise. I’m even at that point that it starts freaking me out! :-) I get up in the morning at about 6:30 AM just to go to the gym before work. If someone in Belgium would ask me to get up that early to go to the gym, I would probably reply: “Sure, have fun. Knock yourself out. I’m not coming!”. But over here it’s not even a sacrifice. I made myself a schedule and I’m sticking to it. 

 

The gym at the Pine Inn Hotel already feels like a second home to me, because I’m spending about 7 hours a week working out. It’s amazing how quickly your body will adapt to all the movement it gets and I have to admit that I feel a lot more vital than some weeks ago. My knee is doing so good, that I can even work out without wearing my brace!

In order to completely get ready for the upcoming winter season, I also changed my nourishment. It might sound a little insane, but I’m writing down everything I’m eating during the day. You would be surprised how quickly the calories can add up, believe me! For everyone who always thought that Canadian people are always eating burgers and fried things, I can definitely tell that it’s absolutely not true! Or maybe I’m just blessed with colleagues who are eating very healthy and who are supporting me every day. Thanks again Office Girls!

To everyone who reads this, I want you to keep the following in mind:
Life is too short to be a workaholic – just go out, create some memories and live your life to the fullest. Dreams are made to be realized, not to be stowed away somewhere in the back of your minds until eternity!