Hi everybody, Yvonne Heath here with Love Your Life to Death.
I've been so excited to share the life lessons I've learned along the way
on a regular basis because I have just had the privilege of hearing so many wonderful stories along this new journey and in my nursing career, and I just wanted to share them with you.

Last month, they talked about how we need to unapologetically
share our stories because we all have a story, we all have value and
we matter and whatever we've been through. Forget the shame,
forget feeling embarrassed about your story. We've all been
through things. Now, here's the other side, when someone tells you
your story, I don't know why we are so compelled or we feel like
answering their story with our story.

So when somebody tells you their story, they just need and want
you to listen to validate it. Do some head nodding, okay, Wow, that
sounds difficult. Please stop answering their story with your story.
If you hear that someone has cancer, or they've gone through
addictions perhaps you can share your story at another time.
Not right then and there. I remember when I worked in the
chemotherapy clinic, I would tell patients, please tell people
not to share their story. Unless it's a positive one. Someone would
say, you have bladder cancer... my dad did too.... And it was awful and
all these terrible things happened.

This is something we need to change in our society, answering
someone's story with your story, and telling our terrible stories.
Let's please stop sharing other people's terrible stories when someone
is sharing theirs. Let us just validate it, acknowledge, allow, and if
we need if we have a story to tell, we can tell it at another time.
​Of course, we should all listen to each other. But let's not share awful stories when someone is trying to be a bear what needs to be supported? Something to think about.

​
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk

Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here with love your life to death.
It's the middle of May and I am having a pity party.

We have been going through this pandemic for weeks and weeks,
we've been supporting each other, fueling the positive when we're struggling and knowing that everyone is is having a different
experience in this. And there was one thing that I know thousands
and thousands of people were holding on to, they were holding on to
the hope that summer camp would still be going on. We have just learned, we were just crossing our fingers, and we have learned that summer overnight summer camp is not going to happen.

 I am grieving and so are my kids and my husband. For those who have never gone to summer camp, you might not know why it's such a big deal. My husband went to camp for over 10 years at Camp Can-Aqua and his sister did but I didn't understand it until I became the camp nurse for
five years in session at Can-Aqua.

I fell in love with camp. I carved a little eagle. I was the fun
"Patch Adams" camp nurse and I had kids sign a T shirt. These kids
just loved me and I love them back. I learned what camp really is to
so many people. For kids in the city, it might be the, the only time
that they really truly connect with nature for others who are bullied at school it's their safe haven or those who feel so much pressure from school or even their home life might not be great, or even just that opportunity to forget about makeup to wear socks and sandals to
connect with kids around the world and just to have good clean fun.

These kids are learning leadership skills as they go along and as they become campers then counselors and and head staff. It is the greatest learning for life, and knowing how fun it really can be just just having
a great time together. They all just connect. In Ontario alone over
35,000 kids who will not be able to work at Camp. That's what they
were counting on this summer for a job.

And let's be honest for parents. Oh my gosh, my kids home all summer when they were going to be going to camp. What are we going to do? I think that we need to take this pause to acknowledge and allow our feelings have a little bit of a pity party!

Just sit with this for right now. If you didn't understand about camp
and somebody's really upset, ask why did why did camp mean so
much to you and just listen without judgment, allow their feelings.
Camp is a magical place for so many people. I am sending so much
love to every kid who wanted to go to camp everyone who was going
to go to camp and just is so deeply disappointed the staff the
directors and all parents, we will get through this.

It is really disappointing right now so let's acknowledge and allow
those feelings, stay connected with people you were going to go to
camp with. Stay connected through the year and let's all look forward
to Camp 2021. I am sending love to everybody. We can do this together. Let's keep supporting one another. 


 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk
​

Hi everyone! It is time to have some fun at home!
This pandemic is still here. It snowed yesterday, and we are not sure
when we can see our close family and friends. Many of us are grieving something and we need to keep things fun and exciting!

As you all know, our family has a long history of summer camp.
(I know you have a favourite summer camp... but Camp Can-Aqua
really is the best!!) Every evening the camp has an "evening program"
to celebrate the end of an amazing day. One of the most popular
"EP's" is AirBands. 

Camp Can-Aqua has been doing a great job keeping the camp
community connected. As we are waiting to see how the summer activities evolve, a few weeks ago there was a challenge shared on
social media. The challenge was for campers (past and present) to
 submit their own AirBand to be showcased- Challenge accepted!!

Enjoy this short video of the Heath's dressed up, having some fun
in the basement and forgetting about what is happening in the
world for a little while.

A huge shout out to Derek and the crew at Can-Aqua or some amazing edits and special effects. We could not look this good without you!



 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk

Hi everyone, I am back in the Hunters Bay Studio with my friend
Sue Higgs. Sue and I have had a great conversation that went by too quickly about her amazing and incredible journey with her father
Homer, and that story also became the first chapter of my book.
It was entitled “It Was a Good Death”. Homer lived an incredible death didn’t he? “Yes he did”. Can you just tell us a little bit about Homer
so everyone knows they have to listen to this story.

He was a wonderful man who was totally blinded from an industrial accident at the age of 18, and went on to have a very full and rich life
with 5 children. He participated in many sports, he golfed, he bowled,
he was part of the Paralympics, was very rarely un-employed and did a
lot of jobs that were menial but supported our family and in his passing, created a wonderful legacy for us and helped us along on our journey.
He was the one that made it so much easier for all of us.
He lived his life fully, he lived well and he died well? “Absolutely”.

I shared with Sue that hearing Homer’s story changed my life and
put me on this trajectory of sharing incredible stories because I bring Homer wherever I go (there he is –with Maverick his guide dog)

I encourage you to read about it in my book “It Was a Good Death”,
listen to the show and if there is anyone that you know that is
struggling with what they are going through, challenges, ability,
disability whatever they may be going through, they can listen to
the story of Homer because it gives you hope and it is inspiring!

I am delighted to honour Homer and thank you Sue for sharing
your dad with me (and the world!) Tune in, you won’t be disappointed. Thanks! Bye for Now!

Radio Interview
with Sue

 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk

Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
I have been sharing monthly (or however often…) life lessons I have learned along the way. In my 27 year nursing career and in the last five years of interviewing so many people and having amazing conversations,
I have learned so much.

This lesson is truly what I learned when I wanted to write my book
and I sent out one email. I said I wanted people’s stories. I wanted to
hear about people in the deep trenches of grief, getting through,
what helped them through and finding joy in their lives again.
What I realized in that moment ( I didn’t know If people would
respond to my request) and here we are years later and the stories
have not stopped coming in!

In my book I was so honoured to share peoples stories ages 11 to 101,
I have my #IJustShowedUp radio show, my #RealLifeTalks television
show and I have been on many podcasts. What I have realized is that
we all have a story we want to tell. In sharing our stories
un-apologetically, knowing that some of these stories are really
hard and challenging is what helps us heal. We can make a difference
for others on their journey. For someone to say, I am not alone, I am
not the only person who has gone through this, and if they can do
this and find joy again, so can I.

I have un-apologetically shared my messy story, I have been through
all kinds of things and I am OK with that. I want to hear people’s
stories with no judgement and forget the stigma. We all of our stories.
It does not matter if we are rich or poor or everyone in between.
We all have value, we all matter and we need to be validated.

If you have a story that you have been keeping to yourself because
you feel ashamed or embarrassed, put that aside and share your story. This is how we heal ourselves and each other. And know that if you
need a safe place to share your story, know that I am always a
listening ear and I hope others can be too! Thanks!


 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk

In dreams we remember what was, we think about what is,
we imagine what might be, what can be, what will be.”

Eva-Jane Gaffney speaks Sarah Coffey's words in 'The Phoenix',
a Covid-19-inspired video about love and loss, hope and strength.
The production, from Dublin-based creative agency The Tenth Man, asks, "Do you think when this will all end, will we love more?"

Over a montage of Irish and international footage, professional and candid, the narrator looks back, grounds us in the present and asks
to imagine the future, with reality-soaked optimism: “We’ll see entire nations come together to honour the bravery of those who showed up, day after day, night after night, to serve them.”

Sarah would like to thank everyone whose footage features for sharing their reality every day. “And thanks to everyone that has commented, shared and liked. When you see it all together, you see the hope, joy, heartbreak and resilience of us all. Thank you and keep sharing!”
​
The Phoenix from The Tenth Man, #WeRiseTogether  #Covid19


 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 
​
And don't forget your
 IJustShowedUp bracelet!

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk ​

Hi everyone, this week I am so excited to be bringing you the
second show that Melissa Perry and I recorded on Hunter Bay Radio.

I just love Melissa so much and we were chatting about her wonderful family and her son Nathan who has Cerebral Palsy and that does
not stop him at all from living his life fully and being one of the
happiest and nicest people I know!
​
Melissa and I were talking about “Person First”. Talking about saying someone “with a disability” not “the disabled person” and talking
about how caregivers really need to make self care a priority.
It was such a wonderful show.

Thank you Melissa for all that you do, thank you Nathan, who inspires
​me all the time and I encourage everyone to listen to the show. I have included the link below. You will not be disappointed!

Don't Let a Disability Define You
Part Two


 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 
​
And don't forget your
 IJustShowedUp bracelet!

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk 

This week I wanted to share a short video from David Flood.
He really knows how to Just Show Up for family and community.

David is a youth motivational speaker and has been speaking with and helping teens and young adults for over 20 years. He teaches teens through the telling of his own very personal stories about his family
in the past and present. 

At David’s student assembly programs he uses simple examples that students can relate to in order to show them how to improve their lives and how to have a profound impact on those around them.  
He’s been a featured speaker at middle school, high school, colleges, and conferences throughout the United States and Canada and established himself as a national youth motivational speaker that students connect with on an emotional level.  David is one of the best youth motivational speakers in the country today.

​He really knows how to Just Show Up!
Thank you for being part of our community. 

 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy (paperback)
of Love Your Life to Death,
   
​ or audiobook here. 
​
And don't forget your
 IJustShowedUp bracelet!

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk 

Hello everyone, this last week has been very challenging for many families. There is a lot of information to take in, process and navigate.

Information is changing everyday. We want to help you as much as
we can. We have lots of great resources listed on the website and
we are always able to connect with you.

This week Yvonne has been hosting a Facebook Live daily
at 430 EDT.  Here is the link. Next week the Facebook Live will
switch toMonday, Wednesday and Friday. This is a time to virtually
meet, connect and  chat about whatever you would like and
Yvonne will offer tips and suggestions to help you navigate
this new temporary lifestyle.


We also wanted to share that with the help of Michelle Emson from Sanctuary studios, Yvonne's book Love Your Life to Death
is now available as an AUDIOBOOK!! 

We would encourage all of you purchase your copy today and if you feel it has value, please share with someone that you think could benefit.

​Purchase Audio-book here



Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death,
    or audiobook here. 
​
And don't forget your
 IJustShowedUp bracelet!

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk 

 
It is March 18th, 2020 and we are in the midst of a global pandemic.
The corona virus, (COVID-19) has become an international crisis.
We are in a state of emergency and experiencing global grief, on so
many levels.  There is uncertainty with health, social isolation and
many are not working as restaurants and industries close their doors.

These are very challenging times. And as always I encourage
everyone to acknowledge and allow their grief, their feelings and fears. We need to talk about it and know that it’s understandable, having
all of these feelings. We don’t have to strong for everybody and
pretend that everything is OK. It’s OK to say we’re struggling…
and then we have a choice.

 We have the choice to fuel the positive and focus on what we
CAN do and move forward together. Because connection and
Just Showing Up for ourselves and each other is key at this time.

So I’ve chosen to reach out to people; text, email, call and hosting a Facebook Live every day at 4:30 EST to connect people and also to
share and hear ideas from others; children are at home because
schools are closed. What can we do with our children? People are struggling even to get groceries. So let’s share ideas and support
each other in any way we can.

I share this with you today to encourage you and asking you to
share positive thoughts and ideas, anything you’ve tried and can
suggest to help people move through this time of uncertainty.

And if anyone would like a #IJustShowedUp bracelet and card,
just reach out at info@loveyourlifetodeath.com and we will send
you one: I Just Showed Up teaches people of all ages how to
Just Show Up for themselves and others, so they are empowered and resilient when grief arrives.
And grief is here—globally. And so is choice!

We will get through this. You never know what awaits on the other
side of grief. I believe we have tremendous opportunity to be strong together, to support one another through all of this and to create positivity as we get to the other side.

We can do this, together. Please share your ideas and join us on
Facebook Live daily (How long? For however long it takes!).
Take good care of yourself and each other.
Better times are ahead.
 

Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death,
    or your #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk 

Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here. I am back in the studio
at Hunters Bay Radio. I am in the studio with Melissa Perry.
Melissa had some many amazing things to say on her show that we decided to do TWO shows. (It was really fun!) We were talking about
your journey with Nathan, raising three boys and Nathan who has Cerebral Palsy and special needs. Let’s touch on a few things that
we said were the most important for community to know
as you travel this journey.

We talked about Nathan, his personality and how funny he is.
We also talked about being genuine and kind towards people with disabilities, what questions to ask and how to not frame a question. (Using kind and respectful curiosity). We talked about balance.
We talked about self-care for the caregiver.
Let’s be honest, balance does not exist! (At times).

We did a two part series, and in the first we spoke about
“person first”, what that means is to not label a person by their
disability. For example, instead of using the words autistic child,
we use child with autism. Not labeling them or defining them by
their disability. The disability does not define them. It is a small
part of a whole person. I think it is important to recognize that and
to talk about that. We also spoke about being a caregiver, we have to
fire the martyr, and be OK to ask for help, and also as community, if
we see that someone appears to be doing OK, Just Show Up for them.

Be a part of their community. It takes a community to raise a child,
it takes a community to raise a child with special needs ten fold.

Tune in our show.
We will share part one this month and part two next month.

Melissa Perry Part One

Thank you Melissa for being awesome.
Thank you Nathan for being a shining star.
​I just love you! I am not even afraid to say it.
Thanks bye for now!


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

Purchase your copy of Love Your Life to Death,
    or your #IJustShowedUp bracelet. 

    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk 

It is March 2020 and I’m in Muskoka and as you can see there is
still a little bit of snow here. It is exciting because we know that spring
is on the way, but we also know that there still might be some winter storms coming. So I want to encourage everybody—today is a beautiful day—and we really need to remind ourselves that the weather
is going to be the weather, no matter what it is, we need to go out and PLAY!!  No matter what age we are, no matter where we live--
hot weather, cold weather, whatever.

Today has been a phenomenally beautiful day so I went for a nice
long walk and now I’m going to sit outside in a lawn chair in the sun
and enjoy this weather. Some people would just see all this snow
and think… “Ugh!! I wish all the snow would go away.” And it will.

​If that’s your attitude you’re missing all of the wonderfulness
in the moment. I can hear birds singing, there are squirrels running around. There’s so much to enjoy. So don’t forget the good stuff.

Go outside and play today.
I’d love to hear what you’re doing!!
Have fun! 


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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 you could stand in someone else's shoes...
Hear what they hear.. See what they see .. Feel what they feel..
Would you treat them differently???

Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Thank you for being you!


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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 ​

In the studio at The Bay with amazing Marcy Hill and we talked about all the years she’s been Just Showing Up for teens at the YWCA (and even before) and now at The Door Youth Centre in Huntsville where:
“Building Relationships in at the heart of everything we do!”
Tell us about it:
​
Yes, I have a great opportunity to create new programming for kids.
A lot of kids feel connected to sports but we have a whole group
of kids who don’t fit in that dynamic. So we’re trying to create spaces
for kids who maybe fall through the cracks; don’t have a spot to hang out.

Our lunch programs are happening. They can come and have
lunch instead of hanging out in the school cafeteria where they
don’t feel connected or then hanging out downtown or on the streets.
If you have a look at the website you can see many new programs—something for everyone! And the The Door is a safe space for all; regardless of faith, although it is Christian run.

Everyone is welcome. It’s important that people realize that.
No one is turned away. It’s about love, support and relationships.
We have a space for junior high and high school and we are working
to branch out and  make sure there is something for all the kids.

A lot of new things happening. There are movie nights, a pool table,
ping pong, tree hugging and FREE meals for all—regardless of
your finances. And so much more!  It’s about connecting. And that’s
what our teens need. A place to go, a place to be heard. A place to have fun! Find out more about The Door on their website and how you can help them make a difference or stop by to see what it’s all about. I did!
And please listen to our great conversation here:

Marcy's Radio Interview

*And if there isn’t a safe space in your community for teens
to connect and have fun—what could you do to change that? Something to think about. 


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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’ve been sharing every month, some of the life lessons I’ve learned
along the way as well as the #IJustShowedUp Movement:  

Teaching people of all ages how to Just Show Up
for themselves and others,
so they are empowered when grief and life’s challenges arrive.

 I’ve spoken about Just Showing Up for yourself first, and Just Showing Up—how simple it is and small acts of kindness make all the difference.

And here’s another part of Just Showing Up that people need to understand and accept. If you didn’t Just Show Up in the past for
yourself or for someone else, you need to acknowledge and grieve that.

Forgive yourself and do better next time. That is the best we can do because we cannot change the past. And if we allow the pain of that
to have its grip on us forever, we may be robbing ourselves of joy or
the ability to Just Show Up for people now!

If others did not Just Show Up for you or they still
are not—forgive them, because they don’t know how. Let them
know that you need them. “Joe, I’m really having a hard time here.
I just need you to listen. I’d love if you could walk the dog. I need
some help right now.”

We need to be OK with acknowledging that we need help.
We need people to Just Show Up for us. And if you don’t have anybody, find someone. There are people out there who care. I promise you.
Reach out to a counselor, church, somebody. We all acknowledge
deserve to be supported. Something to think about.

If you know people who need to hear this message,
feel free to share and have them reach out to us.
We’re always happy to Just Show Up!


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne Heath here with Love Your Life to Death.
I am at the Huntsville High school in the cafeteria, sitting with Angee
and as you can see we have several other students and GOATS!
Angee and her team have brought these goats here for Goat Therapy.

The students have just finished their exams and this is a wonderful
stress reliever. Angee is wonderful. She shared a little bit about heart centered breathing, and the fact that she has been down a journey of anxiety and PTSD and how much this has helped. Angee, thank
you so much. Why goat therapy? What is this doing?
What are we doing (besides having fun!)

Fun is a big part of it. Goats are the rock stars of the animal kingdom. Their unique medicine is to tell us that we if do not play every day we
will get old. I think that is  why they spark so much joy in people.
(You have to play… You have to play…) Our society says that once you
get to a certain age and you need to stop playing, and the goats say…
Nope you need to play every day!

Goats are incredibly powerful and personable too. This breed
(Nigerian Dwarf Goats) are incredibly affectionate. All of these guys
have been hand raised from the moment of birth. They know no fear,
they have no distrust of humans because I do not allow disrespect.
This allows for an interesting connective experience. This is what connecting with animals is supposed to be like.

We can chat for a long time but I want to share with my friends
where people can connect and learn more from you? My website is www.skyrivermeadows.com and we are on Facebook and Instagram
as well. I think that everybody should snuggle a goat.
This has been amazing! Hug a goat today!

Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
This week (on Jan 27th, 2020) marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation
of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. If you know about the holocaust, millions and millions of people were murdered by the Nazis and it was a horrific time in our history and I wanted to take the time to honour everyone who was the ripple effect (and continues to be today). Many people lost their lives. There were so many others that carried on and had to live through that horror and trauma.

I want to send love to everyone who was affected by this tragedy and lost their lives, and at this time I want to honour my dear friend Eva Olsson who is a holocaust survivor, an incredible women who is 95 years old, continues to share her message with the world of HOPE, eradicating hate and eradicating intolerance. I have the links to her latest CBC interview and article here:

Radio Interview

CBC News Article


To all of you who are continuing to share a message of HOPE and LOVE
instead of hate and intolerance- THANK YOU for what you are doing to make
this world a better place. I honour everyone for doing this important work.
Take good care. 

​
Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
I am sitting here in my sacred space surround by 6-7 feet of snow all around
me in Muskoka Ontario. Geordie and I have just returned from spending a few days in San Antonio Texas with some of the most amazing people on this planet.

We attended a wonderful retreat with the Evolutionary Business Council
the (EBC). This is a gathering of thought leaders and change makers,
walking their talk and taking action to support one another, connect and
be the change they want to see in the world. It was such an educational,
moving and wonderful experience! I wanted to take the time to thank each
and every person who is willing to do what needs to be done. We don’t sit
around and complain. We say what can we do to change this?
What can we do to make this planet better?

I feel like I have met my tribe and Geordie feels the same way.
It was truly incredible. Part of my message is say, I encourage everyone out
there to find your tribe. Find people who want to support what you want to do. Find your passion and find your purpose. People are out there that will support you in everything you want to do. And if you are a change maker or thought leader and are looking for people to support you and connect you with other influencers, The EBC (Evolutionary Business Council) might be something to look into.

Thank you to everyone that loved on us, supported us and gave
us encouragement. I look forward to connecting with you all.
For everyone else… Find your tribe.
Thank you EBC! 


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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 
​

This week we are taking a break from our usual posts to share the first
part of our trip to San Antonio. Thank you for being on this journey with us!

Sometimes our weekly notes/blogs are to share thoughts and ideas to help those we know that are struggling or grieving. Other times we share different parts
of our own journey. Happy times and sad times. We are all in this together!

Yvonne and I arrived in San Antonio today to attend a conference.
We chose to arrive early so we could take some time to see the local sites.

On our first day we visited the Riverwalk. A beautiful walking path along the
river that flows right through the middle of San Antonio. Later we had an
​entire patio to ourselves for dinner overlooking the Riverwalk. It was amazing!

Remember to make the time to enjoy those moments.
Enjoy life, even if it is not the life you thought it might be.
Thank you for sharing this journey with us!


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted to share some life lessons
learned along the way that have totally changed my life and made my life
more fulfilled. I am more empowered and more resilient and it is something
that I want to share with the world.

Last month I talked about the #IJustShowedUp movement which teaches
people of all ages how to Just Show Up for themselves and others so they are empowered and resilient when grief arrives. We need to know what grief is,
and we need to learn how to Just Show Up for ourselves first and we need to understand what Just Showing Up for others means. What I have learned is
that the smallest gestures of kindness, of acknowledging and allowing
someone’s feelings are truly what has made the difference for people in grief,
crisis or when they are having a bad day.

I have said it (and I will say it again!) When you don’t know what to do
and you don’t know what to say, it is awkward and uncomfortable and you
cannot fix it… the three magic words are Just Show Up.

Truly Just Showing Up is the greatest medicine for your own grief.
You feel so so good showing up for others. When you Just Show Up for them,
they feel supported, they feel acknowledged and validated. You do not need to
be a professional! Just Showing Up can be as simple as a hug, text, call and
email, sitting silently, listening or helping with life’s daily tasks.

I will share this message everywhere I can as I did in my TEDx talk and
in each and every one of my presentations. I hope that you will help to spread
this message. We do not talk about this before grief arrives or we are in crisis.
It is uncomfortable, and it is awkward but you can make a difference or you can make THE difference. Just Show Up. I promise you will get much more in return. 


​If you know someone who needs to hear this message, please share this information with them because together we can do better.

Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne Heath here.
Today is January 2, 2020 and I am so excited about what the New Year is
going to bring. Yesterday I spent some time reflecting on the past year,
the past decade and to me this the start of the new decade. I know some
people think that it is 2021, but for me it starts this year in 2020. I am so incredibly honoured that you are a part of my journey and I am a part of
yours and I continue to be inspired by many stories like the story of the
amaryllis which inspires hope for people with Huntingtons Disease.
I thank every one of you for sharing your stories and inspiring me
along the way and I will continue to do the same.

I know that many of you are starting 2020 full of hope and excitement,
while others have had a very challenging year (or years) and just know that
no matter what you have been through and no matter where your journey has brought you, there is always new possibilities ahead. The past is the past and everyday there new possibilities for a new and better life.

I encourage you to connect with supportive people, connect with me anytime,
​ and in 2020 may you create a life you love and always Love Your Life to Death.



Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne here. I am back in the Hunters Bay Radio
studio with my new friend Vanessa Hurley. We have been talking about
household food insecurity in Simcoe County and Muskoka. Vanessa shared
some staggering statistics with me that actually had me choking up on the show.

One in eight (1/8) households in our area struggle to put food on the table every day and about 1500 children go to school hungry every day.

Without knowing anything else, this tells me that we need to do something
because one child going to school hungry is too many, and I love that you
have solutions, resources and people can get information at the health unit
website www.smdhu.org and search for cent$less- no money for food is
cent$less- you can get more information on costs for healthy eating in
our area and more information about household food insecurity and
why it matters and why we should care.

There are so many reasons (besides morally) that no one should be hungry.
When you look for cent$less (very clever) I would encourage everyone
to find out more information. This is our responsibility.
We can make a difference together.

Listen to the show. Share the show. Get information. Together we can create change, and let’s do something about this so that every single person is able
to put food on the table and has dignity and has the self-esteem to say “I can
do this” and does not have to make the choice of rent…or food. Let’s not make people choose. Or even heat or food. Or even choose to feed themselves
or their children. It’s not OK.Listen, share and educate yourself.
Let’s create change together! 

Listen to our Hunters Bay Radio Show
Here

Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne here from Love Your Life to Death.
I am doing this blog this week to just say THANK YOU to Sudbury!

Geordie and I traveled to #Sudbury earlier this month and we created a
community event and Sudbury truly Just Showed Up for us. We had over 80 people at our event. Community members, healthcare professionals, people from hospice, Huntington’s Society and lots of friends from High School which meant the absolute world to me. Thank you so much!

We were invited to be on CBC Radio for an interview and an article.
I had the best time connecting with incredible people and we plan to be back
in Sudbury. I wanted to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU Sudbury for
Just Showing Up for us. We WILL be back. Bye for now!

CBC Article

CBC Radio 


Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
On November 30th 2019, it was such an honour to attend a celebration of
life for an incredible person in our community. Reverend S. Derek Shelly.

As I heard his incredible grandchildren speak about what a wonderful Papa
they had, even one of his grandchildren sang, it was such a beautiful and moving experience and also reminding me how grateful I am that Derek was a
significant part of my life. He was a Minister that visited the Hospital and
Hospice comforting people in life grief and death many times. He was also
one of the first people I reached out to when I was writing my book
Love Your Life to Death. Derek is in my book sharing his incredible wisdom
on spirituality and living life to the fullest. At the same time as I writing my
book, he was completing his on spirituality called Dying to Live. It is a story
of guiding people on their journey. I would encourage everyone and anyone
to find and read this book.

I also wanted to express my gratitude to Derek because he had a radio show
called Soul Matters. The first time I was on the radio was on his show.
Ironically James Carroll was there who died a few years ago. It was such a wonderful experience for me. Then on my radio show (I Just Showed Up)
Derek was the second person that I interviewed. But the very most significant thing was this speaking journey that I have been on (sharing my message everywhere!) was that I was terrified to public speak. Derek said to me in June 2014 “Let’s do a speaking event together”. There was 45 people gathered at
Trinity United Church in Huntsville in a back room, and I felt that I was going
to be OK because Derek was going to be with me. Then at the last minute
Derek said “I have to go talk to someone…don’t worry, you will be great!”
I held back my tears, and I spoke to the audience and that was the beginning
of my speaking career.

I am forever grateful to Derek, and this also reminds me that at this time
of year and always there are many people celebrating and grieving.
Let’s always remember that, to be grateful for people who are in our lives
and remember those that are missing them.
We can get through all of this together.



Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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, Yvonne here from Love Your Life to Death.
Last month I decided that I wanted to share my “Life Lessons Learned Along
the Way” because in the last 5 years of this journey and with 27 years of nursing,
I have had so many great conversations and learned so much.

Last month I talked about how we do not recognize grief and if we want to
talk about and plan and prepare for grief we will need to know what it is.

This month I would like to talk about the #IJustShowedUp movement!  #IJustShowedUp teaches people of all ages how to Just Show Up for
themselves and others so they are empowered and resilient when grief arrives.
​
So what does that really mean? Let’s start with Just Showing Up for
yourself first. The truth is, we all have value and we all matter and we are
our greatest gift to the world. We also have to remember that we are responsible for our own happiness, coping skills and strategies and the reason we need to
be so diligent about being great self-care givers is because that is the only way
we Just Show Up for others. There are SO many people that are compassionate
and giving, they often put themselves last. Just Showing Up for yourself first
is going to literally change the world.

Imagine if we were all so well prepared to Just Show Up for ourselves
first and be in charge of our own happiness. Ask - Am I happy? If not, what
can I do to change that? The truth is that no one can make you happy. We are
all in charge of our own journey. So when I talk about Just Showing Up for yourself first it, it really means checking in with yourself, every day.
And when you are grieving… every moment.

Just Showing Up for yourself first is the greatest thing you can do, and it is also the greatest way you can lead by example for your families and those you care about. I truly want you to understand what Just Showing Up means at a deep level.

​If you know someone who needs to hear this message, please share this information with them because together we can do better.

Thank you for being part of our community. 
 To learn more about our new
Get Ready for Grief
online program
click here

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