what if God was one of us

God, does he exist? Jesus, was he real? I just want some answers - I want to believe. I'm like a 5-year old child when it comes to this topic.

I grew up Catholic, but don't necessarily practice my religion anymore. In fact, I find it interesting that many people my age no longer go to church until they have children. Why is so important to go to church then, but it's not as relevant when you're single and typically have more time.

I had a conversation last week with friends about faith and our beliefs. Someone in the group said, "I have to say, when I die if there is no Jesus then I'm going to be pissed". My thought? That has got to be on a T-shirt!

In all seriousness, I believe in a higher power. What that means, I'm not so sure. My biggest issue with "God" was further elevated this week when I watched this news clip. If someone can logically answer for me why God has worked so hard to find this missing 11-year old, but he somehow misses so many more? Why does God save some good people, but seems to forget a whole bunch of great people?

Some days, I can't help but wonder if He and Santa Clause are not-so-distant cousins.

(please God, don't hit me by a car for saying this).

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close your eyes

Today.

Technically, it's all we have.

This one moment right now.

But if you had one wish that could expand beyond this one moment and last a lifetime - what would it be? An exciting yet overwhelming thought, huh?

This past week I talked to two important people in my life (one of which was my GF, Nancy). The two separate conversations were about other people that were and are in their life. We talked about these two separate people (one young and one old) and how the two of these individuals felt about the last days of life. Both had a fear of being alone in the end.

Today, I'm surrounded by so much love. I'm very lucky that way. And, at the risk of sounding a bit morbid, if it were to end today - thankfully, I'd hardly be alone in the process. But if I live to be 102, my wish is that my friends, their families and my own family is always there by my side. More importantly, I hope my lovelies think exactly the same way my friend Nancy does about her nan. She is in the process of moving her nan into a old-folks home and when I told her she was a good woman for doing so, she replied, "That woman has done so much for my life, that I plan on making sure hers ends with the same love, joy and dignity that she's given me".

May I be as lucky in the end as both Nancy and her nan.

For you? I'd say, just close your eyes and make a wish...

heaven on earth

“Dead Woman’s Pass” is the highest point on the Inca Trail. It's peak is just hovering above 14,000 feet. As you might be able to see in this picture, the pass is named for the shape of the mountain, which looks like the silhouette of a reclining woman. C'mon, see the nipple? I sat on that nipple!

The peak of Mount Everest is 29,000 feet. So the highest point that I've reached on this planet, was half that of what George Mallory and Andy Irvine reached (by all accounts) in 1924.

Did you hear me? 1924. They did this 86 years ago, so you can imagine that they didn't have gortex, dry-fit or MEC. They did have one key piece of apparel - an oxygen tank. And as someone that has experienced 14,000 feet above sea level - it took many baby steps, several breaks leaning on a walking stick and many, many coca leaves. So an oxygen tank was key to their success.

Last night, I finished reading Paths of Glory by Jeffery Archer. Dad bought me the book for Christmas. It's a tale about the life of George Mallory and his passion to be the first person to reach the top of Mount Everest. I will say this, the first 75% of the book was a bit of a bore. The 25% that I was interested in was at the end, and I'm sure it was the reason dad bought me the book in the first place - the part where you hear the tales about Mallory's attempts to reach the peak of the tallest mountain in the world. Simply humbling.

The thing about a place in time is that at the core, we're all the same. Over time not much changes when it comes to personal passion, wants, desires, needs and dreams. The one thing that does change over time are the tools and technology to enhance our path to glory (if we so choose glory as our destination). And while climbers of Everest today still have the same incredible challenge as Mallory did in 1924. It's leaders like Mallory that are most admirable - they achieve what we can today with so much less to aid them along the way. I realized when closing the book for the final time last night that when it comes to pushing our mental and physical boundaries (hiking, running, climbing, biking, etc) no amount of technology or new-age thinking changes our path. We still have to climb on our own.

judge judy

I had to take the subway about 5 days ago. Something I haven't done in a long time. And while I appreciate all that public transit brings to a big city, I don't miss it. The crowded standing-room-only space, grasping on to germ-infested handles that dangle from the ceiling. We sway back and forth to the motion of rocket on the tracks and we have no choice but to all stare directly at each other. We assume each others life story and we judge.

I work really hard not to judge people, it's been a conscious effort ever since I read one of Deepak Chopra's books about 8 years ago (before he ever became the zen-guru that he is today). We all do it. We look and in an instant, we judge.

When I got off at my stop, just outside the turn stalls, standing in the narrow, tiled hallway there was a young man. He was (I assumed) homeless, playing his harmonica for big bucks. And next to him: his dog. In an instant it pissed me off. I felt angry at him; empathic for the dog. I thought, Christ if you struggle to feed yourself how the hell are you going to feed that poor dog. I was pissed and it effected me in a very real way. As I made my way out on to the street I realized that I judged his situation in a instant. But something made me think about what Dawson brings to my life. And I was sure it was the exact same thing that dog brings to his owner. And I can only hope that the young man gives the same thing back to his dog. Real, pure love and companionship. Then I thought, while it may not be fair to Daws, if I lost everything in my life - I know one thing for sure, I would want her by my side.

Unconditional love is priceless. It beats all things material.

I'd like to thank that broken man and his shaggy best friend for reminding me of that this week.

making my way to revolutionary road

I have a lot of amazing women in my life. And I'm convinced that you do too.

They've given birth, some of them even multiple times, and this alone deserves applause in my mind. In addition to that, they're working hard at a career, being fit, youthful and beautiful. They try so hard to be a good wife and more importantly, a good mother. And if their family is lucky, they're master chefs too.

But do you know what I heard this week in research conducted at my office? There is no proof that women today are happier than those miserable housewives of the 1950s. Jesus Christ - all that effort for self improvement, and for what?

Ladies, the more I think about it, the bitches of the 50s got it right. Afternoon cocktails, cigarillos and lounging around watching the tube with a delightful buzz, while Ward is at the office and the Beav is in school.

I say we start a revolution - let's get back to our roots.

y'all come back now, ya hear?

Yikes, you know it's been a long time since you've blogged when you can't remember your login name. And no, that's not the excuse why I haven't been here in ooohhhhhh... almost 2 weeks. That said, you're not really beating down my blog-door for more riveting snippets about my life. Which leads me to my next point: my blog is reaching the one-year mark and www.cherylmunroe.com has been about ME and my point of view on the simple preciousness of life. It was created as an adventure to learn more about the online space and the topic I chose was one that hopefully would make you all stop and appreciate time and tiny moments (via my lens on life). And luckily for me, you've come a few times (or many) to join in that conversation.

Lately I've been thinking that when I hit the one year mark on here that I call it quits. On the flip side, I've also had some pretty crafty ideas how I turn this experience from ME to WE in a very charitable-pay-it-forward kind of way. I think the Olympics was proof positive of the importance of unity, peace and togetherness. So how can we as mere peons keep that momentum going?

I don't claim this is new thinking on my part. In fact, I just heard this past week that there are only 6 ideas in the world? And, as someone that has spent the majority of their career in advertising, I also am familiar with the ole expression, "no idea is a new idea". But what is important is being an active participant to keep those big ideas moving along. That's where we come in.

I'm sure Facebook (since it's inception) has proven to you that your own friend network can expand globally in minutes. And, if you're like me, you've also had moments thinking, "heeeey, I didn't know she knew him and he knew her!" So, I think it's time I use my little selfish experiment for something good. Taking my desire to learn about the online space as a self-promoting tool and combining it with my long desire to find a charity very close to my heart.

Tonight, I did a little old school networking - meeting a friend of a friend live and in person. This persons positive and passionate energy re-ignited this fire within me. Our conversation lead us to re-enacting a quick history and timeline of our careers, which only makes you realize just how fast it goes by when you can explain 13 years in 13 minutes. It made me realize that there is no reason the next 13 years can't be just as exciting, fun and full of ideas. The hard part is making them come to life.

I've been humbled by your comments and flattered by your words. One year in and it's time for a change. One that I hope you'll take part in. Stay tuned.

the 500-metre workout

I was once told that it's easy to love someone when they're at their best but the true test of love is when you love someone at their worst.

On a similar note, when you're in love - you LOVE love. When you're not in love - people in love are annoying.

Well, in love or not, this clip will undeniably make you smile and feel so incredibly warm all over. This was not only my favourite moment in the Olympics (yes, even the giant beavers and mounties came behind this), but it's one of my favourite moments of TV; of sport; in life.

when you're this big, they'll call you Mister.

I was thinking about sending a note to my friend’s dad tonight. Although she’s one of my close friends, I’ve met her later in life and as a result, never met her dad. The reason for sending the note? Well, that part doesn't really matter. What does matter is what went through my mind as I started to draft the note, I wondered: do I address him by his first name or do I call him Mister?

I was raised to be polite, courteous, appreciative and respectful. It's still ingrained in me today. But now that I too am an adult (and also a peer of my friends' parents), do I still address 'them' with a title versus their name? Weird. So, I tried to imagine that I was the recipient of such an email. If someone called me Ms., Miss., or hell, even Mrs. - I think I'd vomit. There's no doubt that it would make me feel ancient.

I'm not sure if it is because life zips by for all of us and none of us can truly face our actual age, but all of a sudden it seems like we time warp from the two hoods - child to adult. I'm personally convinced that I'm a child locked inside an adult body (ugh, and an adult face). Most days, it is definitely difficult to play the part of a full-blown adult. That's why I relish (yes, I said relish) in all the simple pleasures of being an adult. I waited 20 years of my life to reach this point, so goddammit I'm going to enjoy it.

I get excited about staying in hotels and breaking into the mini-bar without parental permission. I love standing in front of the fridge with the door open, for more than a minute if I like - simply because I can. I'll drink out of the carton of milk - yup, no cups. I love long road trips alone in the car with my dog because I can play the music loud and it's my playlist. I love having a drink "on the rocks". I adore booking a flight and going somewhere far because I can do it all by myself or with my lovely friends. In my mind, all of these things are the small rewards for being 'grown-up'. They bring giddy-fun to my life (and believe me this is just 20% of the complete list).

So, while I am happy being this big now, just keep in mind that if you're thinking about sending me a note, please address me by my first name.

10:30am

Recess. Do you remember it? Honestly, do you remember anything else that made you feel so good as a kid? Fifteen minutes of freedom in the middle of the morning - to skip, run, swing, tobbaggan. A moment to break free and go crazy before being civil again.

My old boss (and friend) Paul, owner of Extreme Group told me that his interactive agency brought recess back to adult life. A few minutes of unbridled insanity. A break from clients, work, stress. I loved the idea - pure, fresh and fun. I miss recess.

So, when I tried to think of the last time I felt like it was recess in my adult-life was when I captured this moment in a mere photograph.

Summer. Outdoors. Sunshine. Def Leppard. Poison. A BFF. Beer. Smiles. Stupidness.

Let's all bring back recess. Get your petition started today.

defending the net of a nation

It's Olympic fever in Canada and I have to say it does feel completely different when they are hosted in your country. Although Vancouver is a 5 hour plan ride away from here, during this past week it just feels a heart beat away.

I've always loved hockey and as a Canadian, although a bit cliche, it is embedded in our veins. Especially coming from a small town - we play on streets, ponds, rinks and backyards. In my late teens and early twenties, I made the transition from a fan to "punk bunny". During those years, I never discriminated against what position a guy played, but I've always had a greater appreciation for the goalie. My dad was a goalie. My brother was a goalie. Simply put, goalie's are crazy. And who doesn't love a little crazy in their life? Last night in the game between Switzerland and Canada, Jonis Hiller and Marty Brodeur reminded me just how insane it is to be in that position. After an intense game and 5-minute overtime, Canadians sat down (or stood up) to watch 10 hockey players move aggressively from centre ice to fire a puck directly at Hiller, then Brodeur. It was one player, one goalie, one puck and entire nation watching...every move. All for one small moment in time that could change many things in the history books. All I could think of during the shoot-out was what is going through the mind of the goalies. How they must have tremendous focus to block out all the noise and pressure around them. All in the name of making their country proud. Just another reminder that one second in time can change everything. A bit dramatic in this case? Maybe. But I'm a Canadian Cliche after all.

(Canada 3, Switzerland 2).

bottle it + sell it = gagillionaire

We just spent the last week in Mexico.

My gawd reality can suck in comparison.

Mexico was like a magic eraser of time, hangovers and sleep deprivation. Those things are simply non-existent there. You couldn't sleep in past 8:30am, you couldn't get a hangover no matter how hard you tried, your skin felt oh so good and time stood still. I need to figure out why this shit can't happen here.

My favourite day above all was spent in Playa del Carmen. I think the "time lapse" photography says it all.

stop, look and listen

In the last few weeks, some startling things have happened around me. Things that make you stop and ask the ever popular question, "why?". Three instances in particular that happened around me that occurred out of the blue and in one simple second. A sudden death, an unexpected heart attack and a sports injury that resulted in a wheel chair for life.

These things hit you hard. Your first reaction is to feel sad, even a little depressed. But, I'm not sure if it's selfish, but they also make you more appreciative. Appreciative of your short time here on earth, of your loved ones and for all the little tiny life moments (and seconds) that accumulate to one big incredible experience.

This past week, I saw a status on Facebook that said, "....is amazed at how quickly happy thoughts fade. Man it takes work to be happy, I mean really happy." That one comment didn't just make me sad for that person, it actually kind of pissed me off. I couldn't disagree more. What I do think takes a lot of work is being miserable. Being happy is the easiest thing any of us can be - simply look around at the beauty. Plain, simple beauty.

It's these big, heart-hitting moments that make me stop and make me thankful for life.

sit. stay.

I've always felt that commitment is not for the faint of heart.

On my morning walk with Daws (my dog, in case you haven't been following), I stopped into my local coffee shop. In doing so, I had to tie up the old girl to the fence outside. Now, depending on her mood, she sometimes waits patiently - other times not so much. When I came out she was waiting and watching me. I was holding my steamy, giant coffee in one hand, so I had to untie her leash with my lone right hand. I looked at her and told her to stay put while she was free of her leash. She sat there looking pretty all the while working on her jedi-mind trick - staring over her left shoulder at the crusty, dry pizza crust left on the curb. I realized in that moment that the younger-version of Dawson would have never, ever stayed still for me, waiting so well behaved. Especially while being taunted by her favourite thing in the whole wide world: food.

Some people think it's a bit morbid that I spend more time lately thinking about the limited time we have left together. She's definitely on the downward slope in life (but she still can keep up on a run like she is a pup). But, in that cold, crisp moment this morning it was then that I realized what Dawson has taught me about commitment.

Patience and mutual respect.

Because the two of us have shared these feeling with and between each other for twelve long years, I can honestly say she's a better dog now than she ever was before. I mean this dog was nothing short of insane and disobedient for 50% of her life. But in many moments lately, like the time together this morning, I realized it took a dog to prove to me that it ain't such a bad thing to sit and stay.

I was born in a small town.

Ever have one of those days where you're going about your usual routine and you stop and kind of realize where you're at in life? I mean, not so much literally, but more like wondering how you arrived to this particular place in your life. To me, those moments are like little grateful awakenings - having the ability to be very present and alive.

The Wentworth Park Gazebo, Sydney NS

It happened to me on Saturday morning. I was driving to a hair appointment, coffee in hand and it was a beautiful sunshiny January day. And for some reason it hit me. "I live in Toronto". "I've lived in Toronto for 7.5 years". These moments may appear pretty meaningless and cheesy to you, but for me they make me take notice of life. Then, I enjoy it more. Living in a city the size of Toronto makes me realize how far I've come from a life that doesn't seem so long ago. Growing up in a town of 20,000 people and living in a city of 2.5 million makes you appreciate what great qualities both have to offer and how it's best left that the two never merge. I like them even more for their own unique packages.

This was further reinforced for me this past weekend when I read my friend Gustavo's blog. It was about his recent trip home to Brazil for Christmas and of his awareness of a life left behind. It's true, absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder...even if the absence comes in the form of subconciseness of your everyday surroundings.

Gabarus, Nova Scotia

time keeps on slippin' into the future

Work has been nothing short of insane lately. I don't know when it happened but all of a sudden I find my days zipping by. Meetings start and 8:30am and end at 5pm - no lunch, no breathing room. My agency days weren't even like this!

On my way in to work this morning...or wait, was it yesterday morning?...I was listening to CBC and they were talking about it being the one year anniversary of Barack Obama's inauguration. I felt sick. For real? Has it been a full year and if so, how is that possible? As much as I try to live in the moment, I'm not sure what else I can do to make it slow down. Other than bottle it - I already write about it, enjoy it, live it and have it tattoo'd on my arm for christsake.

Maybe the person driving in front of me tonight said it best with their bumper sticker: Wag More. Bark Less.

act your age, not your shoe size

Anyone ever tell you that when you were a kid? "Act your age, not your shoe size!" And, have you ever heard someone say, "I wish he'd act more like his age?" Well I've heard it, been told it and I ask you this - what the hell does it mean?

Last week, when my friend Todd told me that I'm right on the cusp of not being able to wear my arm warmers (you heard me) or shop at H&M anymore all I could think was, you bastard.

Listen, I get it. There's an entirely massive group of people out there that have no self perception or concept of time. Some people are stuck in a generation, living in a memorable moment. The mullet is living proof.

To be honest, I was pretty happy when the '80s came back in a big way over the last two years - even if I couldn't pull it off anymore. But all that said, do we really have to 'act' our age? And if I do, I'm not sure what that entails. Book clubs? Nights at home watching sitcoms? Reading more? Well, I'm doing it. But that being the case, it looks like I'm acting 75, not 35. So I'm still not acting my gawd-damn age. (So, to you my sweet arm warmers, I love you...even when I know I could just wear a sweater instead)

I guess my age-heros in life are the ones that defy every age-norm. It simply comes down to confidence, loving life in your skin, comprehension of a moment in time and oh, self-awareness (that's the hardest part).

oops, we did it again

thanks to the new holiday uni-bomber, we've gone from hiding our tweezers and facial cream to now going to full body x-rays. Boy, is everyone up in cahoots over this or what? The amusing part to me is people are worried about violation of their personal security? Pah-lease, that's the least of our worries - do you people know about the world wide web? Your personal security has already been bent over and taken for a ride.

If you ask me, what's really devastating is the news that airport security is going to be "trained" to look for "odd, suspicious or unusual behaviour". Are you kidding me? In the run of the day I probably run into more than handful of people than exhibit this behaviour. And I'd like to think they don't have a plan to take us or the entire United States of America down in a single swoop (sweet jesus, at least I hope they don't).

Without a doubt, this is going to go from ugly to down-right nasty. These security agents, in my opinion, are everyday folk with training. Hells, we all get training in our respective careers (if we're lucky). But let's face it, learning a new admin process or software program is a helluva lot different than determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act based on "predictable" manner.

So what I'm having a difficult time dealing with is distinguishing the difference between judging someone and profiling them?

bells will ring; the sun will shine

It was 9 months ago that I wrote this little blog entry. Like I said back then, a shit load of stuff can, would and did happen. Now it's just T-minus 4 weeks and counting until Jennie and Dave's Wedding in MEXICO!!!

I've actually never been to a beach wedding before. Odd, considering that a) I almost took the plunge myself many, many moons ago down in this exact location and b) the destination wedding has, let's face it, become quite the popular gig. So, with one solid month to go...the idea of being in the sun in the sand with 50-60 friends and loved ones celebrating J&D makes me want to lose my mind with happiness. Not to mention, my BFF is the wedding photographer, so I get to booze it up with him and his amazing wife for a whole week in the sun and sand.

Jennie and Dave, like I said to you almost a year ago...don't wish these 4 weeks away, have fun and enjoy the build-up. It's the second best part, after the big event of course. So have many giddy moments until I see your ass in Mexico on Feb 6! xo

the writing is on the wall

Well, here we are...the year two thousand and ten. Crrrrrazy. Especially when I used to think the song "Party like it's 1999" by Prince was a futurist, Jetsons-like, imaginary place in time. It seemed as though 1999 was light years away.

For the last number of years, I have never started off the year with a single resolution. Instead, I set goals. I pick 5 goals in the areas of Love, Friendships, Education, Finance and Fitness. I set difficult, but achievable goals for each area and I re-evaluate them mid-year. This is something I look forward to each January. Because it's good to look back on the previous year and see how you've improved as a person. You then have something to show for how you got yourself to the next level.

This year, I feel like I need to completely re-assess these five areas and this time set all of them with a theme. The theme being "time". And the reason? Well I hate to sound superstitious, cheesy, fateful or that I'm practicing the Secret but there are a few too many signs pointing to the importance of time. Obviously, my tattoo and this blog were the beginning of this journey in 2009, but once I decided to consciously live each day and week in the moment many great things happened to me in the areas of love, friendship, fitness, finance and education.

1) For Christmas, my mom got me this book. Seeing a book with the subtitle "turning back your biological clock" at the age of 35 kinda takes your breath away, but I'm pretty excited to hammer through it. After reading the first chapter, I'm going to re-look at my goals with the lens of turning back the clock in the area of Health and Fitness.

2) Ten years ago, I rang in Y2K with many friends and one "special friend". That night ten years ago was nothing short of a gong show, many people were there - it was our version of sex, drugs and rock'n roll. My "special friend" and I parted ways later that year after sharing many life-changing experiences. As a parting gift he left me with a coffee table quote book...and highlighted a specific quote for both of us, "there is always time to start over again" and here we are exactly 10 years later starting over again. I have to say (speaking from experience) in pioneering this quote, starting over again can be even better than starting, period.

The essence of that quote will be applied this year in the areas of Love, Education and Finance.

3) I don't have Much Music or MTV, so I hardly see music videos anymore. Come to think of it, I really miss the days of visually great stories via music videos.

I ended up having a small quiet moment over the holidays, and as I was flipping through channels I came across the Top 100 Videos of the Decade. And I happened to catch Gwen Stefani's video "What you waiting for?" Her lyrics represent everything I've been trying to express this past year, right here in this tiny space. Taking chances and that life is too short. For many reasons, it's worth taking 7 minutes out of your day to watch this - for the art direction, the imagination, the irony and the all-around hotness.

Listen, I'm not trying to be a preacherman here, I'm just saying that while the TV, emails, radio and the www are yelling at you to set a new years resolution, remind yourself that living life is about being in the moment, unselfishly. You don't have to start today or even this month. Do it when you're ready, but ask yourself honestly, what are you waiting for?

here for a good time, not a long time

I defy you (dog lovers or not) to watch this documentary and not bawl your face off. My friend Liam sent it to me last night and in his email, he didn't say a word, he didn't preempt the video, nor did he tell me how it impacted him...mostly because he'd know what it meant to me (and him) to have the privilege of watching this video.

If you thought Marley and Me was moving, you ain't seen nothing yet. You can see in Oden's sweet face just how special he was to all those around him. It's further proof that a dog is way more than a dog. There is good reason that humans bring these furry creatures into our home and why we forgive them when they destroy our valuables. They are like wee angels on earth - they can rehabilitate people in hospitals and they can lead the blind to their destination. When treated with love and respect, they will return the same ten-fold.

One of the things I'm most excited about for the next 10 days off, is not only sharing it with the people I love...but seeing how happy my sweet Daws will be when she is surrounded 24/7 with love and hugs from her family. As I'm packing the car, she's already excited about the fun and love ahead and I'm glad she's my companion on the road and in life.

Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.