A Journey into the Unknown
In a quiet (not for long) corner of Airdrie, AB, our haunted house stands out, not just for its fun, "Not-so-spooky" reputation but for the life lessons it unveils. What started as a thrill-seeking adventure continues to surprise me with unexpected lessons on gratitude, relationships, and reminders of the value of giving.
The house's exterior hints at the story and our enjoyment of Halloween. Standing at its imposing portal, I prepared for another walkthrough to focus on what remains to be completed for what lay ahead, unaware of the profound experiences waiting inside. Last night, I found a space for contemplation and a change in spirit.
The Fascination of Fear
Haunted houses captivate people for many reasons, often stirring a mix of fear and fascination. Statistics show that approximately 45% of Canadians enjoy visiting haunted attractions during the Halloween season in comparison to 70% of Americans for the thrill of the unknown.
As I ventured into the dimly lit portal after the inky dark swept away the sun, a chilling breeze engulfed me last night. Shadows danced along the walls, creating a vivid atmosphere, that for the past two weeks had heightened my sense of panic at what remains to be done. Rather than fear last night, I found myself reflecting deeply on the gratitude and gifts contained within these walls.
Discovering the inner spirit
As I wound my way through the largest prop, which, to be honest, has been one of the highest sources of my anxiety, I stumbled my way through the frustrations of the details of preparation. Each was a portal, inviting me to acknowledge the stories behind them.
At that moment, I realized how easy it was to overlook life's simple pleasures and forget to hold space for abundance and find joy in the little things. I had temporarily lost sight of the fundamental reasons behind our actions due to the encroaching sense of impending doom and stress.
Instead of a chill of dread and panic, last night I felt a surge of gratitude for the experiences. These highlighted the little moments that shape lives, urging me to appreciate the humour in them and trust that together we will finish before our impending doom.. I mean deadline! LOL
Grateful for Kind Souls
Closing down the house with this reminder allowed me to see props set up, the bins nearly empty - evidence of progress and gifts from the past. As I continued to shut down, an unusual warmth filled the air, encouraging me to think about generosity. In one room, the unexpected blessings from a neighbour, whose childhood treasure adds to the display. Larger props, given generously by others, have a new life and will fill our space with laughter.
My mind and heart traveled to our helpers to make it this far because both Clifford and I were soooo sick for three weeks.
And of course, the generosity of sponsors this year, which had a few surprise twists and turns, but has turned out SP AMAZING! We want to give a HUGE shout-out to the Brick Bin, Genesis Builders, Orca Rebar, Airdrie Chrysler, Solis Energy, TPH, and Tahinis for your belief in the gift of giving and support for our crazy, audacious efforts this year!
A Reminder and request
I find that life's greatest teachings come from the most unexpected sources. The haunted house has been a creepy little tour that illuminated the significance of gratitude and kindness. (Sometimes we need to apply that to ourselves too). Even in unsettling spaces, one can find light, joy, and wisdom. LOL
The spirit of generosity can serve as a healing force in our community and our lives. Giving is receiving. A study revealed that those who engage in acts of kindness report a 30% increase in feelings of happiness.
Small deeds can have powerful impacts, and this Haunted House, with your help, does just that. Two of our dedicated helpers for this BOOOTIFUL event are unable to assist. That means we are shorthanded for the majority of the event, especially on Halloween. AHHH! If you have a few hours and want to hang out with some weirdos who dress up, have fun, doing small things that have a big impact, please call, message, or text us.
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