Life is short – Let’s make the best of our moments!

I find that too often we all get trapped into our own world, challenges, problems, and at times things that can absolutely seem overwhelming.  Sometimes when we end up in that inward reflection, we don’t see the impact we may be having on others around us, or how much they may need to be able to talk with us.  I have to remind myself of this as much as the next person, with my current role, there is no escaping work, it tends to follow you home, on social media, etc.  It has not been fair to my family or some of my friends, because work had been coming first nonstop.  I’ve had to stop, and take the time to think about that, what if someone close to me needed me and I wasn’t there?  Quite Sobering, and also humbling to know that they had been there before for me when I just needed someone to listen, a different perspective. 

I was very sad to hear the passing of Councilor Steve Hoyda, it seemed to happen so fast, and far too soon.  Someone who had been a fixture in the community for so many years, and who always seemed to me to be so positive about the future for our area was just gone overnight. My heart goes out to his friends and family, if he had left that kind of impression on me in a short time, I know there will be a huge loss for them.  I was also very saddened to hear about a few house fires along the lake, and that there too was loss of life, my condolences go out the friends and families who lost loved ones.

I am happy to see how the community pulls together in times of need and is there for each other when needed the most.  I am hoping that we can also pull together, and open our hearts, and take the time to watch out for each other when there isn’t a crisis.  I am hoping that we can share some of the good things that we have to look forward to or have accomplished as well.  I am very excited and happy to see many local events being planned and announced again.  I’m hoping that folks can make the time to partake in these local events, get out and meet folks in the community, heck even head over to a community down the road and see what they have going on.  Words of Wisdom from my Grandma started playing over in my mind about just that.

There was a point in time a number of years ago now as a new Dad, when family was busy, work was busy, I was on the road lots, and how I could not seem to keep my head above water trying to find a balance.  The harder I worked, the less time that I had, and it seemed that no matter what I did I just could not be there as I felt I should for friends and family.  I had asked my Grandma how she and Grandpa did it?  They had 5 kids, the farm, several businesses on the go.  She just told me they made the time.  Sunday was that day of rest, and it was more important to make the time to catch church, go for a picnic, and to visit with friends.  If you don’t make the time, you won’t have the time.

As hard as it may seem, lets all try and make the time to have that break, it will do a ton of good for our mental health, allow us to enjoy the little things, and quite frankly unplug.  I’ll be doing my best to remember what is real, what is important, and that we only have so much time on this good earth, and that being there for the ones that matter the most, isn’t a bad thing, it may just be the only reason why we are here in the first place. 

We have added a new staff member to help coordinate, and promote local events in our constituency, I am very excited to have her join the team. I believe that she will be able to not only help me make the time to be there more often but will also help facilitate others as well.  So, if you have an event that you would like to promote, or have one of our team join you at, please reach out to our office.  Please take care of yourself, each other, and I hope to be able to catch up hear what matters to you and have some laughs at one of the many local events that are happening out in the communities.

Sincerely,

Shane Getson