I took a cruise recently and, as I like to do on any vacation, I took the opportunity to visit the spa. As I was lying there, soft spa music playing, sun streaming in in the middle of the ocean, I was very mindful of this moment of bliss. I just breathed and took the chance to really be appreciative. Afterwards, I thought about all the other moments of bliss I was experiencing on this trip. Being on my first cruise with my family, being able to swim with my daughter and see how excited she was to meet Funship Freddy (the ship mascot), having a drink with my husband in the bar and enjoying the onboard entertainment, marveling at the scenery as we pulled into the ports of call…ahhh pure bliss - all of it.

Moments of bliss exist for all of us; sometimes we just fail to recognize them because they disguise themselves as ordinary or everyday. Love, friends, family or little things that just sort of happen. These moments of bliss are really what is all about.

When I set out to write my January post, I wanted to wish everyone good things for 2010 but it started to sound a bit more like the Rascal Flatts songs "my wish for you" (a fantastic song by the way). The pressure to create the perfect wish for all of you meant I couldn't write anything. Then, it came to me: I wish you moments of bliss and the appreciation for those ordinary things in life!

I can recall, with great affection, all of my public school teachers. However, I particularly remember Mrs. Cynthia Johnasson who seemed extraordinarily kind, who let me help out with class preparation long past the 3rd grade and who always seemed to pay extra attention to me. I used to visit Mrs. Johnasson well into my high school years until the school she was teaching at closed and we lost contact. In high school, Mrs. Jennifer Matsushita stands above the rest for me. She was a good listener and never tired of helping me through the rough spots in my life. The dedication of these two teachers was unmatched until my MEd. Program where I met Milree Latimer. She and I connected during the Reflective Practitioner course and our shared personal journeys that seemed to parallel one another. Milree became my thesis advisor and my friend. We continue to connect with one another from time to time. These teachers had a passion for teaching and when I am working with people I remember their passion and am inspired to make it mine.

The concept of inspiration here is not only to explain my inspiration but, to state that when we interact with others, we have the potential to inspire them. You will often never know the impact you had on another person. The flip side is also true, when you meet that inspiration, the quickest way to achieve the success you desire is to emulate what that person who inspires you is doing. There are countless books in the self -help section that will re-iterate this secret of success.

I was recently compelled to pick up a book titled. "Today, I made a Difference". It was a collection of stories from teachers, all honourees of the Disney Teacher Awards, recognizing "magical moments in the classroom". Maybe it was this book or maybe it comes from watching the Olympics and hearing the athletes speak of their inspiration, either way, I believe that is a great attitude. Even the CIBC commercial has captured this attitude in their Doing What Matters campaign. All of this got me thinking…What if we all thought of how we made a difference today? Would that not lead to great things? Sometimes, jobs become mundane, we work on autopilot, we forget our value, or we long for success that someone else has. Shifting that attitude to see the difference we made, just for today, well, that is the stuff that propels us to new heights.