It is the first week of September, 2019, and we’ve just said
goodbye to summer. This is a sad time for those who love the beach,
sun and being off of school and vacation.

Now it’s a transformational time with new beginnings, going back to
school or starting high school, university or college.  There is happiness,
sadness and some challenges. BUT it is an exciting time.
 
For our team at Love Your Life to Death it is a wonderful and exciting time too. It’s been a five year journey and this month we have something very special that we are going to be sharing with you. You’re going to be hearing from us a lot.
We encourage you to be a part of our journey—follow us and share.

When we learn from and support each other, we can create social change.
Our goal is to inspire, empower and create resilience. We can do this together.

We will be celebrating many milestones this month and commemorating significant days. Again, I encourage you to be a part of our journey.
 
We have been grateful to meet so many wonderful people. And we invite many more to  join us. We want to create a huge impact and social change in a very
positive way and that takes many voices.

So stay tuned, stay in touch, feel free to reach out anytime
and be a part of our journey. We are so grateful.  


Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 

I am in the Hunter’s Bay Radio Studio with an amazing woman, Patti Hanrath.
We had a hard (but good!) conversation as Patti is going through a
very challenging journey. I asked her to share her greatest advice for anyone
going through adversity:

The journey I am currently going through is my husband Joe, at the age of 57,
is well into Alzheimer’s. I never thought we’d be facing this at this time of our life.

The critical message for anybody going through any kind of adversity is
do NOT try to do it alone. Intentionally build your village. Don’t necessarily
think that everybody that’s in your village now is going to continue to show
up for you. Intentionally find the people who are willing to take this
journey with you. And lean on them. Lean on them for everything.
We don’t have to do it alone. And we can’t do it alone.

And come out healthy! Caregiver burnout is so high!

If you are a caregiver or facing adversity, it’s 24/7. Sometimes, so you
can’t do it alone. Build your village. And if the people you thought would
Just Show Up are not, then find different people who can and who will.

Absolutely. It’s critical to have those people there, those who are OK taking
this journey with you. Because not everybody can do that and I understand.
I don’t hold any grudges.

Remember: It might be messy, it’s hard, and it’s not your job to fix it.
Sometimes Just Showing Up is being there and saying, “This is hard.”
Or the great words that I often say, “This really sucks!”
But when it’s difficult and challenging… Just Show Up!

Thank you, Patti, for your words of wisdom and for sharing.
The message is:

Build your Village intentionally.
 Find people who can walk this journey with you.

Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​​

Here is a video my friend Sarah Kerr recorded a while ago but did not
share until recently. It's about how grief changes, but doesn’t end.

If you’ve ever wondered about whether you’re stuck in your grief, or just
moving at your own timing, this short teaching offers some ideas to help
you figure that out.

To learn more about Sarah and the wonderful work she does,
you can click here


Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​​

Imagine what we could accomplish if we loved and respected each other.
Imagine if there was no comparison and everyone was cheering for each other.

We can start with ourselves. We CAN Just Show Up. Choose to lift others up
and choose to set the example. Kindness, integrity and and compassion can change
the world. Who you are is far more important than what you have. This short video shows us how easy it can be to make a difference in someone else's life by
Just Showing Up.


Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​


 (video credit: Fearless Soul)

Here we are in the ROGERStv Studio in Ottawa, ON,
and I overheard a conversation (one of the other guests) and I read one of
their shirts that said, “I’d Rather be Boxing!” so I had to find out more. I spoke with Ray, who is amazing, and I asked, “Why would you rather be boxing?”

Ray: Because it’s a good, healthy lifestyle. It’s made a lot of changes to my life. I’ve been doing this for 2 and ½ years now and I’m 72 years old. You’re never
too old to do this stuff. I used to be a Type 2 diabetic and now, I am not.

So healthier eating, exercise, lifestyle change… Amazing!!
Then I asked the ladies, who started “Boxing4Health 
Becky said it was Christine. I wanted to know how and why:

Christine: I started in May, 2016. Our focus was people with Parkinsons
to start, and then it just grew. Seniors have jumped in too!! It’s the high
intensity of the exercise and it’s so much fun at the same time.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can be amazing, be the best
version of yourself. Try boxing! I’d Rather be Boxing, like Ray!!
 
Boxing4 Health—Fitness inspired boxing classes for Seniors
and people with Parkinson’s disease.
A Great way to Just Show Up and help others!

https://www.boxing4health.com
 

Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​

I am back in the Hunter’s Bay Radio Studio, joined by the lovely Brittney Hillier.
​We’ve had an important and hard conversation about the opioid crisis.
We talk about those suffering from addictions to get help, their supporters and healthcare professionals. They all need to have support.
We all need help in this crisis.

This is an emergency, a crisis in our communities and it’s time
for change. I asked Brittney what she’d like to share,
something that can help make a difference:

Being aware that this can affect anyone- from someone who has been using substances for a really long time to someone who is trying a drug for the
very first time. It affects all walks of life. The other piece I would like to
highlight is to be kind. The words that we use matter. We want to put
people first. We want to eliminate any stigma that exists.

Those are the most important words. And being kind, if you have an addiction,
if you are battling an addiction… be kind to yourself. Reach out for help, this can affect anyone. I’ve shared many times that we went through it with our son Tyler.

I now carry my Naloxone (narcan) kit with me everywhere I go because I
believe that every life is worth saving. Everyone has value, everyone matters,
not matter what they are struggling with.

Absolutely. And if you don’t have a naloxone kit yet, if you are using
substances or a friend/family member is using substances, please go out and
get trained and get a kit from a health unit or pharmacy and encourages others to do so as well. (Naloxone is a drug administered to counter the effects of an opioid overdose and saves lives)

It’s time for change and every community member can be a part of that change.
We can all make a difference by learning to Just Show Up for ourselves and
Just Show Up for each other. Be a part of the change in this crisis.
Let’s do this, together!

 Listen to my radio interview with Brittney here 


Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​

People really want to Just Show Up for others. A great example of this is to
bring food to someone. A new friend of ours Joy Loverde recently shared this blog with us and I encourage you to read and watch the video below.

Nothing binds us better than sharing a meal. Young and old. Rich and poor. Everyone can participate. Join the "Let's Eat Together" movement and together we can change our lonely isolated world one meal at a time...
To read the blog in full and video

 click here
​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​

Hi everyone, ​I talk a lot about the fact that each and everyday there are
so many people grieving and other people are having the best day of their lives.

Grief and joy, never one or the other, it's a roller coaster. We all have to hang
on through the dips and curves. Lately it seems there is a lot of people grieving in my circle; summertime accidents, sudden losses and supporting loved ones in their dying process are just a few things I have experienced this week.

A lot of sadness. So I am taking today to spend some time in nature,
to reboot and reground so I can Just Show Up for my community.

Please take a moment and watch this short video so you can
Just Show Up for others too!

​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​

If today was your last day, are you ready?
Are you living each day fully on purpose and with purpose?

If not, why not? What are you waiting for? If today was your last day, would you leave this earth with regrets? If so, what can you do – now – to redress that? 

This week I would like to share with you an insightful blog from Cindy Watson.
She is the Founder of Woman on Purpose. To read the complete blog follow the link below:
 
​https://www.womenonpurpose.ca/live-your-life-by-negotiating-your-death/
​
​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 

and thriving surrounded by mental illness
-Sarah Downes-

I am back in the HBR Studio with my dear friend, Sarah Downes.
We had a great conversation about Sarah being a culinary nutrition expert.
She has helped me tremendously on my journey…I’m not a terrible eater,
I just want to be better, healthier, cook more and incorporate that into our lives.
As a society we’ve stopped doing that. We need to get back to embracing it.

Yes, it’s more of a chore now,
rather than something we do in our day.
.
Sarah, also talked about her past and her family so that people understand--
we all have our stories. Sarah shared:

My mom and my brother have schizophrenia. I lost my dad five years
ago when he died from hepatitis C; contracted from a tainted blood
transfusion, which was pretty heartbreaking to go through. And just
talking about the current grief I experience on a day to day basis, living
and having family members who have severe mental illness; the issues
with housing (that could be a whole other show), access to counselling
and all of that. There’s a lot to it., a lot to unpack.

There is, but you’ve also made a choice of healthy coping strategies…

yes, I’ve created my own wonderful world…

Yes you have made that choice and helping others to navigate eating healthier,
and healthier lives through wholeness of wellness. If you happen to live in Huntsville, stop by the Great Vine where Sarah works, and say hello!
​
You will want to our Radio Interview HERE 

I encourage you to follow up with Sarah on line.

WEBSITE       FACEBOOK


Sarah, thank you for all that you do.
You’ve changed my life and I am forever grateful!

​
​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 

Hi everyone, I am at the beach in beautiful Port Sydney Ontario.
Yesterday we were here taking pictures of our twins Jadyn and Tanner
as they graduated grade 8.

We are starting this whole new chapter in our lives. In any transition there
is grief and joy. I am over the moon excited for my children to be starting
high school and this new chapter in their lives, but I am also sad to be leaving
this small little country school we have been at for so many years.

Grief and joy happens in all transitions. I also know that it is time to
think about life after high school, we will have an empty nest. We will be
empty-nesters for the first time in 30 years! It is time now for us to
prepare for that part of our journey as well.

So to all the parents who have graduating children and are moving into
a new phase of your life, know that there is grief and joy and celebration.
Let’s get ready for the next phase of your life!
​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 

Imagine what we could accomplish if we all loved and respected each other?

Imagine if we didn't compare each other, but worked together to reach a common goal. Start with yourself. Choose to lift others up. Choose to set the example. Choose to Just Show Up.

Be kind and set a wonderful example for others.
Be compassionate and understanding. Integrity is everything.
By Just Showing Up you can make a difference in someone's life.

Please take a moment and watch this short video and
together we can create the change we wish to see in the world.
​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk ​

​It was June 2014. I was writing my book, and was told that if I wanted
people to know about it, I’d have to become a speaker. But I took a zero
instead of public speaking. I was terrified. What was I going to do?

I gathered my courage and, with Derek Shelly by my side, I was as ready as
I could be, to do my first presentation in front of 50 people. I was anxious,
​but felt much better knowing I wasn’t going to be alone. (Don't judge my hair...)

Five minutes before we were starting, Derek poked his head in and said,
“So sorry, I have to deal with something. You’ll be great”, and he left. I fought
the tears, shook the whole time I flipped the pages of my large flip chart
(what did I know about a power point presentation??) and I did it!

It was in that moment that I realized, I didn’t need to be perfect. It was OK
to be nervous. The terror I felt was in my head. I mean, really, what’s the
worst thing that could happen? People don’t like what you have to say?
I think we can get over that!

Fast forward to March 30th, 2019, I shared my message on the TEDx
stage in Orillia. It was exhilarating and terrifying. But I knew I had an
Idea Worth Sharing—as is the TED Talk mandate. Besides, what’s the worst
that could happen? I suppose I could have fainted, but I didn’t.
I could forget everything, but I didn’t. I was nervous and I did it anyway.
And the feedback has been humbling and wonderful.
​(In case you missed it...)

Five years ago, if you would have told me that I would leave my nursing career, become an author, speaker, change maker, television and radio host who was sharing her message with the world… I would have laughed and laughed then let you know you had mistaken me for someone else!

The moral of the story is: You never know how far you can get and how
much you can grow, until you leap out of your comfort zone.
Let passion and purpose lead the way.
(You can see that I am much more comfortable on stage now...)

As adults, when someone we know is grieving, facing a crisis or having a hard time, we usually know how we should comfort our friends, families and communities.
Sometimes this is difficult to do- Even for us. We all have sad days.

As Love Your Life to Death continues to grow, and with our #IJustShowedUp movement, other people are constantly sharing amazing stories with us! This is
the power in Just Showing Up. We try hard and share many of the heart warming stories and knowledge with you along the way. Here is a great video for you!

This short clip was shared with us, about a veterinarian- Dr. Ross Henderson who takes time to sing and play music for the animals in his care. He spends time with each animal when they are scared, alone, healing or at end of life.

Sometimes we all need to remember that even animals (big and small) have feelings,and can be sad, or happy.
Every creature big and small needs to feel loved.

I encourage you to watch this 2 minute video and afterwards, please
comment below how you (or someone you know)
have JustShowedUp for a furry friend or pet!

If you have a video...
we would LOVE to see that too!
​
Take care, Geordie :)
​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 
​

I am back in the Hunters Bay Radio Studio with my new wonderful friend,
Eva Olsson. We recorded our radio interview on a very significant date;
May 15th, 2019. We talked about her journey, which started 75 years ago on
May 15th, 1944;

I was born in Hungary, and that was the day they (the Nazis) liquidated all
the Jewish people—24 000—and we arrived in Auschwitz 4 days later.

Eva is a Holocaust Survivor, most of her family and people she knew did not survive. After 50 years of silence, Eva chose to be the change, be a light,
and share her story for over 20 years.

Silence did not heal me. So for 23 years, I’ve shared. And hopefully, when I
come in, whether it’s a church, the military, an air force base, schools, the
United Nations twice; if I touch one person, then I am a successful human being.

Well I have no doubt that your message has changed many lives, because it
is one of Hope, Healing and Acceptance for Everyone. Because hate does not
heal-it is a sickness- And if you can survive the Holocaust and find peace…

That’s what I say to my young audiences when they ask, “
How come you don’t hate?” I say, “Because hate is a sickness.
And no amount of hate will ever bring back my family. Never.”

But you can be a light in the world, you have that choice. It is a choice.
I encourage you to visit Eva’s website, she has books, an audio book
(I listened to…incredible) and more. Listen to our radio show and reach out
to Eva. If you have the opportunity to hear Eva speak or have her speak to
your school, group or organization, that would be a gift for anyone.

Eva, than you for everything that you do. I look forward to seeing your
journey in the next several years, because Eva is only 94 years young!

An Attitude of Gratitude.  
If Eva can do it, the rest of us certainly can!

From Wikipedia:
*The Holocaust was a genocide in German-occupied Europe between
1941 and 1945 during World War II, in which Nazi Germany, aided by local collaborators, systematically murdered some six million Jews, around two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population.

*The Auschwitz concentration camp was a complex of over 40 concentration
and extermination camps built and operated by Nazi Germany in occupied
Poland during World War II and the Holocaust. Taking into account all the victims
of Nazi persecution, the death toll rises to 17 million.

Listen to Eva's 
Radio Show Here

Learn more about
Eva Olsson
​ Click here

​
Thank you for being part of our community.
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 

Over the years you may have heard me talk about a magical place called
Camp Can-Aqua in Cardiff Ontario. It is where Geordie and his sister
Lindsey attended camp for many years as camper and staff, and
Geordie talked about it SO many times and I thought to myself…
what is so special about this camp??

I became the camp nurse, I fell in love with the culture, the leadership,
the friendship, the inclusion and decided to stay as the camp nurse for 5 years.

This summer (2019) will be Jadyn and Tanner’s 9th year of attending camp.
This May weekend we had the honour of being here for the alumni weekend. Yesterday it poured rain the entire time and we just did not care. Why?  
Because we were here. It is a magical place for me, I can reground, reboot and reconnect with nature while I am here. I am so grateful for this.

Here is a panoramic view of the waterfront. It is just a place where no matter
what is going on in my life, and no matter how buy things are (they have become incredibly wonderfully busy lately) I become re-centered. I want to thank Camp Can-Aqua; Marty, Mike and Scott for what they provide to so many.

I hear children now… everyone is just waking up, and I know they are
back behind me… my quiet time is about to disappear.

I created this time for myself, and I encourage each and every one of you to
find a place where ever you live, where ever you are to reconnect with nature and just feel like you can breathe and be re-centered because life does get busy and find the connection with a place you love is so important.

Thank you Camp, I am going to do a few more Yoga stretches before
the crew gets up and enjoy the rest of the day. Bye for now! 


Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 

As the end of another school year approaches, many students (and adults)
will be facing grief. And some might not even know it. 

This short video is a great reminder for parents, teachers and
even students to remember to not judge each other but love each other,
whatever grade you receive and ~ no matter what~ always remember:

#IJustShowedUp 

I had the most wonderful morning with my new friend, Eva Olsson.
We recorded my Hunter’s Bay Radio show and
I will share that in another blog.

But today is May 15, 2019, and I wanted to commemorate that
75 years ago today…

It was the final journey with my family. It was the day they took us away to Auschwitz. And this moment today, which I have been given with this beautiful hostess (hostess chokes up!) allows me to keep my family’s spirit alive.
That’s what this day means.

So this day, May 15th, 1944, the Nazis took your family away—a four day
ride to Auschwitz—and your life changed forever. And on April 15th, 1945…

I was reborn. I was given the gift of life. And now I have a responsibility
to give it back, to share. (the day they were liberated by the British and
Canadian Army). Eva, after 50 years of silence has chosen the path of healing,
of helping people to NOT be silent and to accept each other. She is a light
in the world. (she has been speaking for 23 years; she is 94 years young!)

To anyone who has survived anything horrific in their lives—such as the
Holocaust most certainly—I want to send you love and know that there is
always hope for a different life.

And we can make the choice to not give up, not to be defeated.
If you have that choice, don’t allow yourself to be defeated.
Because then they win over you.

Eva, if you can live an attitude of gratitude, hope, healing and acceptance that certainly gives the rest of us the opportunity to do the same.
So I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being a light in this world.

Sending love to anyone who has been through trauma in their lives,
and know there is always hope for a new life.

​There always is.  

https://www.evaolsson.ca/



Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to be the first to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 
as soon as it is released!
​​

Hi everyone! I am back in the Hunters Bay Studio with my good friend Saree
who is sportin’ the fuchsia hair and pony tail- and boots to match!

Saree and I spoke in September 2017 on the radio. Can you believe it was
that long ago? No. We shared your journey with anorexia, and we just had
another show and you shared your updated story. You are amazing.
I have included the link from the first show below.

What would you say to the people who are battling anorexia, or an eating disorder, or know someone who is struggling? What is some quick advice you can share?

It sucks. But it is totally worth it to keep going. It’s not going to be straight,
it’s not going to be easy, but the end goal, the end life, what you see
on the other side…is so worth it.

Never ever ever ever give up on yourself, and never give up on somebody else.
If you see something, say something. If someone is struggling, don’t try and
take it on yourself. It is nobody’s job to fix it but it can be partly your job to
do what you can- whatever that may be.

Even if it is super small- a text message, a phone call. Just check in.
Ask how they are doing, just do it.

Find someone that can help. I encourage you to listen to both shows,
Saree, thank you for your amazing-ness you have accomplished so much
and as you said this will be something you carry with you.
There may be ups and downs and that is OK too. Never give up.

There is always another side. Like coming home to my new puppy and my fiancée!

You have created a wonderful life and I am just so proud of you!
Thanks! (It’s a good life :)

Listen to Saree
​ First Interview Here


Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to be the first to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 
as soon as it is released!
​​

Hey everyone, Geordie here… Not sure I have had a chance to meet
all of you or if any of you know who I am but my official title is
Co-Founder of Love Your Life to Death, however most people know me as
“that guy” that gets the stuff done or really to be truthful it is
“Oh! That’s Yvonne’s husband!”
 
I wanted to let you know that some of the things we are going to be doing
this year. I am going to be slowly taking over and helping out with some 
(don't worry... Yvonne's the favourite...) of our weekly blogs, so you will see a little bit more from me and sharing some stories and messages.

The other thing I wanted to tell you about is we are going to be introducing a couple of our new team members. We have had a couple of awesome people join
us and over the next couple of weeks we will be introducing them to you.

We love for you to know everything. We are an open book so you can see who
is helping us out and if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave
them in the comment section below or leave your thoughts on our
Social Media pages.

We appreciate everything that all of you have done to support us as we
share our message and feel free to reach out anytime!
​
I guess that’s it! Talk to you soon
Geordie


Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to be the first to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 
as soon as it is released!
​​

Hi everyone, I am sitting outside the high school in Bracebridge
with my friends Kianna, Tanner (my son) and Daniel. We are here at
Battle of the Books where these kids have read ten books (well, most of them have…) and they are competing against other schools. The moderator says
quotes from a book and these kids have to figure out which book it came from.

It is absolutely incredible and although winning is not everything, so far our
team has one 3/3 battles (I had to brag a little). This is something that is
amazing and it should be in every school everywhere because whether you
are athletic or not, or maybe you do not want to be on the basketball team
(although these three are also athletic) there is many ways to have fun,
compete, learn and enjoy school. I think there should be Chess, Basketball,
Volleyball and Battle of the Books.

Hey guys- How do you like being in Battle of the Books?
“It’s fun!, It great!” This has been the best day!"

I encourage everyone to start a Battle of the Books at there school.
You are amazing and awesome even if you are not athletic,
you can choose to be an amazing reader.

Will let you know how it goes, Good luck team!

As a follow up to this video, our team of incredible readers made it to the
finals and lost in the semi-final round. But in true VK Greer style,
they showed great sportsmanship and are always Champions to me!


Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to be the first to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk 
as soon as it is released!
​

 I am standing in my yard on April 15th 2019. (Yes April…)
I am standing in front of what we call Mount Tanner. It’s called Mount Tanner because this is the heap of snow in front of Tanner’s window. He actually
cannot see anything but snow outside his bedroom window! I just went into
town and just heard all kinds of people griping about the weather,

oh my goodness, it's April and we still have SNOW!

Here is the thing. We live in Muskoka and often in April there is going to be a ton of snow. When we complain about the weather, if that would actually change the weather… then I say go for it and complain about the weather.

But there really is nothing we can do. The weather is going to be the weather.
​ So I say let’s refuse to complain and let’s embrace it no matter where we live, no matter what the weather. It is our choice. We can say “how nice, the sun is actually shining” or “the snow is going to melt soon” or “it’s a beautiful day”. We can choose not to complain. When I hear people complain I often wonder if they were ill, or something terrible did happen to them in their lives, would they realize how insignificant it is to complain and wish it was something different?
Just think about that for a moment. I refuse to complain about the weather,
I encourage you to do the same. Embrace it (no matter what it is.)

I would love for you to share a comment about how wonderful the weather
is wherever you live - even if this is what your yard looks like on April 15th!
Have a great day everyone!

Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to be the first to see Yvonne's
TEDx Talk
as soon as it is released!

I want to share some information about an amazing organization called PARO. PARO is not an acronym, it is actually a Latin word meaning I am Ready.
This is one of the most incredible organizations ever who empower
entrepreneurial women to start their business and grow their business.
They support women through education and financial assistance
personally and professionally.

Their founder is one of the most incredible women I have ever met.
Her name is Rosalind Lockyer, and I am excited to share with you a radio
interview that we did together and had Rosalind as my guest. You will learn
so much about her and her vision, everything she has brought to women
across Ontario, and I encourage you to listen in. You will learn so much more.
If you are a woman that would love some support either personally or professionally…check out PARO.ca. Listen to the interview, learn more,
you will not be disappointed. Often women do not support each other
very well and it’s time for change.

This amazing organization that I spoke for in Huntsville honoured me
with this incredible award as Impact Social Entrepreneur. This is what
they do. They support women and everything that they do. You will not be disappointed. Find out more, join this organization.
Thank you for everything that you do. I am SO grateful.

Listen here to
Rosalind's Radio Interview


​Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

     Stay tuned for Yvonne's TEDx launch in 2019!

I just wanted to share my beautiful experience March 30th 2019.
I was on stage, delivering my talk at TEDx Orillia, and it was one of the most amazing, incredible, exhilarating and terrifying experiences of my entire life.

Going from being absolutely petrified to speak publicly, to writing a book, becoming a speaker and then to me, this was my Olympic.
My dream came true, I delivered a TEDx talk.

I had so many people, family and friends that were there to support me,
the speakers were amazing and these daffodils were my one prop. I even
received this postcard from Patch Adams who I mentioned in my talk as my inspiration in my whole nursing career and he sent me the postcard
congratulating me and telling me to have fun at my TEDx talk.

I could not have done this without the help of so many people. First, 
Beth Grixti who said to me “Would you ever consider doing a TED talk?”
And I thought she was joking knowing it was my dream.

She saw the value in my message, she shared it with Rick Talbot,
the organizer who also I cannot thank enough for seeing the value in my
message and feeling like it was an idea worth spreading.
He was the one who invited me to speak.

I also have my dear friend, mentor and coach Joseph Ranseth, who answered
so many of my questions about my TEDx talk and helping me to craft my message.

I want to thank everyone on stage, behind the stage, the speakers,
the volunteers for this incredible experience, it is a dream come true,
and to anyone anywhere, out there that has a dream that thinks maybe
they cannot do it, it cannot come true, even if it takes longer than you thought,
this has been my dream for many years… GO FOR IT!

And you too can be on the TEDx stage, and get the t shirt.


​Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

     Stay tuned for Yvonne's TEDx launch in 2019!

I visited The Elizabeth Hospice, in San Diego, and sat in the Volcano Room,
with my new friend Melissa Lunardini. She gave us a tour and we are learning more about it. Melissa shares:

I am the Children’s Bereavement Manager, and we run support centers for grieving children and teens, ages 3 to 18, who have been impacted by the
death of a loved one. Kids and their families can get support on an ongoing
basis. We run grief camps over the summer and we are also in the schools offering 8 week onsite group support.

This is a community-based program, which means that while children are
in their own group, the adults in their lives who are caring for them, get
support at the same time. And it’s FREE of charge.

Incredible. We have toured the facility and there’s crafts, places kids can
draw on the walls and a tree, where they can write the names of people who
have died that they are missing, and what’s the volcano room?

The volcano room is one of our themed rooms.
We call this the big energy room. It’s where kids can express and
explore heavy and hard emotions such as anger, guilt, regret, confusion,
anxiety or jealousy. It’s giving them permission to have these feelings,
but also teaching them that there are safe ways for them to release those
feelings. We have quite a few themed rooms throughout our centre,
to allow children to tap into whatever works best for them,
in order to process their grief.

You can find information at
www.elizabethhospice.org

And if you are not in the area, you are welcome to reach out (even if you live
in another country!) We are happy to connect you with resources in your hometown. Anyone, anywhere can access support and I encourage you to do so,
if you are grieving. Reach out! You are never alone!

Melissa, thank you for all that you do! This is such a special place and a
hard journey for many people, and I have no doubt that you are helping
them along the way and making a big difference.

Keep Showing Up Everyone! xo


​Thank you for being part of our community!
   Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death here,
    our Audio, From Avoidance to Resilience or your
          #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

     Stay tuned for Yvonne's TEDx talk in 2019!