valentine's day - Feb. 14, 2022

Every person celebrates Valentine's Day differently. Some people celebrate solo, some with partners, some with friends, and some not at all.   

My friend DJ joined me to Pay it Forward yesterday, February 14th, 2022. Life can be  rushed and it's hard to slow down sometimes. I was asked once why I say hi to strangers, to people I am not obliged. It never once crossed my mind that saying hello to someone was abnormal. I did however, have a teacher tell me that I was strange for talking to people in elevators, that statement stuck in my head. Oh well, to each their own. I love to talk to people as I'd mentioned before. People thrive on human connection. If saying hi to someone could boost their moods, I will do it over and over again. I will not hesitate. 

Endorphins is the happiness hormone. Dopamine is produced when we feel satisfied, resulting in feeling happy, excited and stimulated. If we can help boost these things in ourselves by eating healthy and exercising, why not do it for others too.  As cheesy as it may be, treat others as you would want to be treated is the rule I try to live by. It's not religious, just how I've always felt my whole life.

After tennis, we met at Tim Horton's and bought 20  - $5 gift cards to hand out to people around the mall. We met bus drivers, mechanics, families, all were happy, some taken aback to receive this little gesture from us. It felt really good to give and I'm hoping to invite more friends next year to participate with me. I would love to hear some of your Pay if Forward ideas and stories. Send me a message or tag me in your posts and stories. Maybe one day we can do something together. 

"The happiest people in the world are those who make others happy." - Matshona Dhliwayo

Paying it Forward doesn't have to involve buying something for others, it can simply be an act of kindness, an action that can lift their spirits. I hope I have lifted your spirits with this story. 

Thank you again for dropping into A Path Well Written, A Blog about Life, Travel and Lizisms. Be well. Avec amour - Liz

Yesterday, February 7th, 2022 I was caught off guard by my emotions as I made a donation to The Heart and Stroke Foundation on behalf of Mark Calvert through our neighbourhood grocery store. I learned about his passing through social media last week. I hadn't though anything of it. When you no longer see the familiar faces you've seen around for years, it's a strange feeling. I lost my mom, she was 67 years old, not to a heart condition but to cancer. It rocks your world.  I could feel the pain within his community and I'm thankful I can help, even just a little. 

"Cherish every moment and every person in your life, because you never know when it will be the last time you see someone." - unknown

Learn more about The Heart and Stroke Foundation and how to donate here: www.heartandstroke.ca

Thank you again for dropping into A Path Well Written, A Blog about Life, Travel and Lizisms. Be well. Avec amour - Liz

I am naturally an emotional person and seemed to have transferred this trait to my little one. Especially empathetic, Lia always wants to help, she is observant of the injustices around us. So every year we choose an organization to support. In November, we decided on the SHARE food bank. Food banks are in constant need to be replenished. 

The SHARE FOOD Bank provides direct support to hundreds of individuals and families each week in the Tri-Cities. Every Wednesdays food hampers are distributed at all three of their locations (Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam). When I  approached the Director of Tennis for Life he agreed immediately without hesitation. As soon as he said yes, we worked together and got the ball rolling. We reached out to our tennis community and friends for their support. They were so generous and kind with their donations. Tennis for Life made a huge donation as well. When the food bank weighed the boxes, we had collected over 300 pounds of food! We felt so emotional and super thankful for everyone's contributions. 

Mohammed Ali once said, "Service is to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." 

Not everyone will ask for help, even when they really need it. There is a lot of bad out there but also a ton of good. Let's continue to love and support one another, I truly appreciate you. 

Please reach out to me if there is an organization you'd like to support. Perhaps we can work together and raise awareness for your cause. 

Thank you again for dropping into A Path Well Written, A Blog about Life, Travel and Lizisms. Be well. Avec amour - Liz