Donald Miller: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

In this book, Miller reflects on his life as he rewrites his life for film, giving his character a captivating story while he questions how his own story has played out. Throughout the novel, the author challenges himself with advice and insight from close friends and random strangers. Miller hopes to change his story into a better one.

"Full of beautiful, heart-wrenching, and hilarious stories, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details one man's opportunity to edit his life as if he were a character in a movie.

Years after writing a best-selling memoir, Donald Miller went into a funk and spent months sleeping in and avoiding his publisher. One story had ended, and Don was unsure how to start another.

But he gets rescued by two movie producers who want to make a movie based on his memoir. When they start fictionalizing Don's life for film--changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative--the real-life Don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. It shows how to get a second chance at life the first time around."


I really wasn't sure what to expect when I read this book. I mean, it sounds interesting right, editing your life? I've pictured my own movie theme plenty of times!

I was not anticipating the roller coaster of emotions I encountered as I peeled through the pages. I laughed and I cried. Some of the stories I felt as though I was experiencing them myself, not because of circumstance but because of the raw emotion felt in those moments. These emotions caused me on various occasions to reflect on my own story a little bit and how far I've come.

There was one phrase in particular that caused me to reflect for hours about human nature and our struggle to feel and keep bliss: 'Joy costs pain'

In the end, after having felt as though I had been broken down completely and then built up again (which, by the way, could very rightfully so be my own empathic torment for liking a good character) I felt inspired, I felt as though... my faith had been renewed. I felt that even though, life may not always be what I am expecting it to be the potential is exists for it to be better. This book is a great read and don't be surprised if it changes you just a little bit.

Music Monday - Quiet Parade

The Quiet Parade is a 5 piece + band hailing from the Halifax, Nova Scotia area.



Band Members include:
Trevor Murphy - Guitar/Vocals;
Jeff Pineau - Bass;
Jason Methot - Guitar;
Richard Lann - Drums;
Kristen Baker - organ/vocals;

Occasionally Megan Hennigar and Megan MacDonald can also be found on stage with the kinds folks.

August 2008 marked the release of their now sold out album "Labour Day"
Trevor was kind enough to send me a digital copy to share with you readers at home.

You can stream the files here or click the "go to folder" just below the music player widget and download the whole album or your favorite songs!

Go to folder - FileFactory.com

If you happen to enjoy Quiet Parade you can show them some love on Facebook and Myspace.

Quiet Parade is currently recording and is due to release their new album in November of this year.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Random Thought Thursday Pt.2

I just had a random thought... Oh come on, I know none of you are really surprized.

Everyone has some sort of animal that they can relate with right? I relate very well with lions and crows in particular and have since I was a little girl. The mythological Phoenix has always held importance. Oh and Dragons for some reason I have been drawn too most of my life.

For those who aren't aware, it is a Native American belief that at certain points in your life specific animals would present themselves to you. Each animal holds a different meaning or message to spiritually guide you. These animals are called Totem Animals or Power Animals.

So the lion, the crow and the dragon were with me from childhood so lets see what they mean.

Lion: Brings us courage to make the right choices. The Lion symbolizes the astrological sign of Leo, which rules the heart. Courage comes from the heart and from one's deep sense of personal authority, which creates the power to act in a way that accords with one's spirit. One who acts truly from the heart is capable of leadership, achievement, and the kind of success that encourages the accomplishments of others. It is also about not being able to speak one's own truth, or to "roar" if you feel threatened in any way.

Yes, I'm a Leo too!

Crow: Symbolizes integrity and doing unto others as we would like them to do to us. The crow teaches us to know ourselves beyond the limitations of one-dimensional thinking and laws. It is about bringing magic into our lives. This animal teaches to appreciate the many dimensions both of reality and ourselves, and to learn to trust our intuition and personal integrity. There is magic wherever crows are. They give us the message that there is magic alive in our world and this magic is ours to use and create a new world for ourselves with.

My husband beeps at crows... does this mean he hates magic? :-P

Dragon: Teaches us about transformation. Though Celtic tradition gives specific qualities for dragons of the elements of earth, fire, water, and air, in general terms, Dragon's power is that of shedding its skin and emerging as a new, transformed being. Dragon is also about magic, using the magic within to transform your life.

He doesn't beep at dragons, mind you we haven't had any around the house...

So over the last month, I've had a new animal present itself to me. I've seen in dreams, I've noticed it more in waking life. I've read countless references and I've even written a song with the animal in the lyrics. I'm talking about the Butterfly.

Butterfly: Is transformation. Butterfly fearlessly leaves the safety of its cocoon to meet a new world in a new form, trusting its untried wings to allow it to fly. It is a powerful symbol for anyone who's contemplating or in the midst of a major change. It is about bringing color and joy to our lives, learning to dance with joy as we make those changes in our lives transforming us and our lives.

Do you have any animals that you feel represent you? Tell me about them!

Random Thought Thursday

I seriously could make more of a book than a weekly topic with the amount of random thoughts that go through my head. For those of you who don't know me on a personal level, I should explain that my head is a treasure trove of random thoughts and cool "What if..." theories. It keeps me entertained and I do like to be entertained. Whatever floats your boat, right?

Even though I came up with this exact thought on Tuesday (so it's not REALLY a Thursday thought...) it must be said because it is one of those sayings that could be applied to so many different areas in life. Especially on an inward looking level.

Are you ready?
I'm ready to tell you :-)



It is not about right or wrong.
It is about perspective and understanding.



So trying swapping "IT" for random words like "Life", "Arguements are.."
"Happiness", "Love"...

The meaning changes but it's essence and beauty remains.

Feel free to discuss :-)

We've both quit smoking and I'm cranky

Hubby and I quit at the same time.
I had major withdraw the other day.
I mean, neither of us has been exceedingly pleasent in our quest for life without smoking.
But, I really could use a lesson in removing your foot from your mouth with eloquence.
It had been a rough day for both of us.
Oh did I mention the brain fog (I apologize in advance if my post is lacking in structure)
Yea that hit me hard yesterday...

I have been smoking for 18 years. Something I immediately realized on day 1 of this not smoking thing was, that in order for me to be successful in my mission, I need to learn a few things.

(1) It would be helpful (but not necessary) to pinpoint the exact reasoning that I started in the first place.

(2) 18 years of utilizing smoking to aid anxiety, will only pent up 18 years of anxiety. Yes it "relaxes" in a chemical fashion but it doesn't solve any of the circumstances to which you find yourself anxious.

Number 2 means I get to invent different ways for me to achieve mental wellness without the use of cigarettes. Yay! I love creative opportunities. It is very helpful already that I meditate daily. It is very helpful that I practice yoga as well.

One challenge that I have been facing is the overwhelming amount of self pity I have been feeling. It has definitely been a little difficult. Fortunately, I am able to recognize this as a symptom of withdrawl and I won't let this conquer me. I have spent about 2/3rds of my life being a tool to my addictions. It's time I stood up for myself and broke free from the addictive chains that bind me.

"I'm letting go of you, Ciggarette!! There is no amount of emotion that you can throw at me that I am uncapable of dealing with!" She said with conviction as she shook her fist at her arch enemy.

I win.

Wordless Wednesday - Caterpillar and Frog

Going camping for the long weekend!

This week has not been very active for me as far as posting and Entrecard drops. Mostly due to the fact that we are going away for the weekend camping and with the kids starting school yesterday, there have been a lot of loose ends to tie up around the house.

My oldest started grade 5 yesterday. It blows my mind that he will be in Middle School in just 2 more years. Where does the time go? He had a bad day yesterday, a girl on the bus called him and his brother gay. It shook him up a bit, he didn't even know what the word meant but the hatred behind what she said shook him up quite a bit. Kids are cruel and often insult others out of boredom or to make themselves look better in front of their friends. It will be a golden age when we can accept others unconditionally for the unique mixes of each other that we all are and just love our neighbor as we love ourselves. That starts with teaching our children, allowing the next generation to flourish far beyond our own generation. Look at how much has changed over the last 50 years. We live in a completely different world than the generation of our grandparents. 50 years ago, blacks and whites had different washrooms and walked on separate sides of the street and now the US has a black president! That's progress!

The youngest has moved into grade 1. His memory is remarkable, he still has trouble reading independently, which will come. What surprises me is his ability to memorize the books that he is bringing home from school to read. The things this child can remember and recall are beyond me. MY memory isn't that good and I can recall 7 digit numbers with ease, but I'll set my tea down in random places and I will wander around the house endlessly looking for it. I think my memory is find and that I'm just absent minded. My mind is usually somewhere else, thinking about religion or philosophy or what I'm going to make for supper and how to alter the recipe to make it unique.

So, camping this weekend... every year for Labor Day weekend we camp at Mathew's uncles camp. They have a big horseshoe tournament on Saturday and usually either a pig or BBQ chicken. After the horseshoe tournament, Mat and I usually start up a washer's tournament, last year we had a pretty good winning streak going on! It was only after we played for a good many hours and got tired that we ended up losing, by then I was glad to stop playing! They have high bush blueberries at the camp too so I usually end up sneaking off into the woods to go pick some for a couple hours! I think we are bring the four wheeler that we got this week too! It should be a wonderful weekend! I'm hoping to take in some fishing too out on the lake :-)

So this brings me to the point of the post. I might not be back in time for Music Monday. Well... we should be coming home on Monday. But by the time we unpack everything, I am probably going to want to relax for the evening. So my Music Monday post might end up being on Tuesday... maybe. In the meantime, have an awesome long weekend! I'll be back in a few days with a Music Monday feature on the Quiet Parade!

Attention Span Tuesday - Episode 4

It seems like this week went by pretty fast!
It's already time for another episode of attention span :-)

Episode Four - (A New Episode)
Original Air Date: November 23rd, 2007

"B-Roll gets a load off his chest, as usual, while a certain elevator's cousin gets his chance to shine.

The doctors and nurses of Previously On / Next Week discover ulterior motives, and a brand new telephone service is unleashed upon the world."

Disclaimer: The following segment contains material that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. Parental discretion is advised.