Show Up

By definition to "show up" in life is to be fully present and engaged. Presenting your whole self to tasks, having self-awareness, and making yourself available to the moment and to life itself. My personal definition of showing up is: if you said you were going to do something, you do it. Do it better than you ever thought you could. Be on time and don't ever complain about it. 

Twenty years ago, I made the decision that if I was going to get anywhere in life I was going to have to live by the mantra, "Get Up, Dress Up and Show Up". There were so many days, I hated that decision, but I did it and I am so thankful that I did. I didn't realize at the time that my mantra was helping me to show up for myself.  

My favorite story of showing up happened several years ago now. I was on a plane just after Katrina happened in New Orleans. My seat partner was a member of the US military. He told me that it was the Canadian Mennonites that saved the people of New Orleans. He shared that the American's were waiting for political direction to get started and the Canadians hit the ground running. They said, "let's get the people off of the roofs" and did just that. They showed up. 

Canada is part of the effort in Los Angeles to control and extinguish the forest fires. A private businessman in BC responded quickly and sent his firefighting aerial equipment. Firefighters and the military's "Super Scoopers" have arrived in California. These aircrafts are designed for aerial firefighting and water bombing. I did not know until this recent fire, that these Scoopers are part of a 31-year-old agreement between Quebec and California governments. They have opposite fire seasons, and the aircrafts are sent to California every year in September for 90-180 days. They are now back in January. The pilots are sharing stories of strong winds and difficult flying conditions. It makes me proud that Canada was able to show up and do what they could to help in such devastation. Canada was among four countries that has sent help to the US. Firefighters have also arrived from Mexico, Ukraine and Iran.   

The political unrest in both Canada and United States is concerning. I read an article written by David Suzuki who is a third generation Japanese Canadian, born in Canada as were his parents. He never learned Japanese because his father said he was Canadian and if he wanted to learn another language it would be French. David will be 90 next year and is notably one of the smartest people on television. He got his education through scholarships in the United States. Even though employment opportunities were abundant in the US at that time, David made the decision to return to Canada. He chose to return to Canada because he felt Canada is different, and the differences reflected values. He appreciated that Canada has a health care system available regardless of economic status. He was also proud of the equalization policy whereby provinces that are better off economically share their wealth with those that are not doing as well. His words were profound to me. I thought that he described Canada perfectly, as "different" than the United States. His post was to encourage all Canadians to reflect on our country and why we fight to preserve our differences from the United States. 

I think David is right, we need to show up for our own country. More now than we ever have. The word "value" is one of the front runners of words that describes Canada. I am a proud Canadian, for many reasons. First and foremost is the freedom we have because we are Canadians. The RCMP, and the Snowbirds are unique to Canada and known around the world. We just have a "different" attitude than most countries.    

My home community has done it again. I describe this community as one that is incredibly generous, especially financially when the need arises. Sadly, a young 16-year-old in the community has been diagnosis with cancer. A "Go Fund Me" has been set up with a goal of 45,000. In four days, that goal was met. That is not including the private donations that are literally pouring in. This happens all the time in this community, they show up.  

I believe that people show up and they don't even realize they have. That is just the way they live; it comes naturally to them. What a difference the world would be if everyone made a point to "show up". Whether it is a conscious or subconscious effort, showing up is so important. It is a simple commitment that says, "you matter", be it to yourself or others.