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 

​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!

This is a great story about a grandmother's love for her family.
She has left a personal gift for everyone. A memory that will continue to
live on for generations. This is her legacy.

What is your legacy?

Click here to read
the full article
​

​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!

One of the greatest opportunities in my new career, is meeting
incredible people, like Steve Beatty.

Steve discovered that he was positive for the Huntington Gene;
a rare disease that affects people mentally, physically, emotionally.
So not only does he live with knowing this, but he is aware that his children
have a 50% chance of inheriting this gene.

But instead of staying in anger or self-pity, Steve and his wife Michelle
chose to educate themselves, be a part of studies, and start a chapter in their
area so they could connect with and support others. Steve has even written
a book about his journey, called “The In-Between Years” and donates
100% back to the Huntington Society Canada. I would encourage everyone
to purchases this wonderful book on Amazon!

They say that “Not all heroes wear capes.” And I have met many.
And one of them is Steve Beatty. 

Here is a link to purchase
The In-Between Years

Here is a link to watch Steve's Interview on
my #RealLifeTalks television Show


​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!

I am back in the Hunters Bay Radio studio with Lynda Cranney,
talking about life as a female police officer.  We chatted about what’s important--
Just Showing Up Yourself and each other.

Lynda shares:  “It’making sure you are showing up for yourself, physically
and mentally— and staying healthy. And checking in with your partners after a
bad call, or even after a good call. Always good to check in on every call and ask,
“Hey, how did that make you feel?””
 
I added, “It is so important, isn’t it? And to check in afterwards as well.
And to keep checking in.”

Lynda: “Doesn’t have to be the next day. It can be the next week.
And when you see that they’re having a bad day—it could be a month later.

Yes, because a grief attack can happen anytime.
This is good advice for everyone—even when you’re not a police officer.
Take care of yourself and check in with others!

Lynda has been a police officer for 28 years. If a young female asks you,
would you say this is a good career to pursue?

“Absolutely. It’s a great career. It can take you in a lot of different directions.
It’s never the same and it’s rewarding. It’s sad, it’s good, it’s bad, it’s
everything—the whole gamut.”

Thank you, Lynda, for everything that you do. And thank you to every
police officer and first responder, for choosing careers to help and keep us safe!

Please don’t ever forget to:
Just Show Up for Yourself First and
Just Show Up for Each Other!

​
​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!

A couple of years ago I received a wonderful package from Russia
from a wonderful woman named Tatyana Grigoreva . She was someone who
came across the Howell family when Dara Howell she was competing at Sochi Olympics in 2014, and came home with a gold medal for slope style skiing.

She was so taken with the Canadians and somehow she stumbled across me
and the work that I do with Love Your Life to Death and she so kindly sent me a package  a few years ago with all kinds of gifts from Russia. This reminds me
that friendship knows no borders. We should never judge people for where they live, the color of their skin or the language they speak. Love is love.
You can love people and have friendships from all over the world.

I have just recently received another package from Tatyana. Christmas presents!
Handmade gifts! Colorful doilies and pillows and gorgeous socks, there’s
cards and pictures and a letter written in Russian and translated into English.

I just so appreciate this Tatyana, thank you. I love having a friend in Russia and
I think that someday we should meet in person! Thank you for reaching out all
the way to Canada and for opening your heart. All of these gifts mean so much,
and this is a great reminder to everyone else that love and friendship knows
no borders. Something to always remember.

​
​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!

In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada
will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced
a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20 percent of these
people go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

PTSD can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic
or terrifying event. PTSD is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that
cause intense fear, helplessness or horror.

The hard truth is that this can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The good news is that there is hope for finding joy again, new purpose and
post-traumatic growth.

As we learn to Just Show Up for ourselves and others, without judgement
and trying to fix it, we can create change. We can live in a society that lets
us know we are not alone, that listens and hears our story. Because it is in that support, validation and sharing our stories that we heal ourselves and others.

Natalie Harris, unapologetically shares her story of PTSD, addiction, recovery
and creating a new life she loves. She is passionately helping others through
her books, speaking and changing the world.

“Thank you, Natalie, for being a light for those who are in darkness and
cannot see. Thank you for helping them to see that life can be good again.”

​
​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!

It’s not hard to do.
Random acts of kindness can happen anywhere, anytime, anyplace…to anyone.
When you give a compliment or help someone in need,
no matter how big or small it is, they feel better and so do you.

This video is a great example of how one random act of kindness
changed so many lives. I challenge all of you, to reach out and do one small
thing. The ripple effect of your actions will change more than you will ever know. It’s OK to help. Everyone wins!

Share your random act of kindness below.
Did you give or receive?
​
#ijustshowedup


​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!

 I am in the Hunters Bay studio with my good
friend Deb Knobelsdorf. We just had a wonderful conversation that could have been so much longer. Deb is one of the first people I interviewed for my book.
I wanted to learn more about her story after her son Kyle was killed in a plane crash in May 2007. Our show will air on Feb 9th at 8 am and then be available
on the podcast (here).

"Deb, tell everyone what else you are up to?"

Last year I did the Muskoka Novel Marathon (link) and I just wanted to get
Kyle’s story out there, so wrote a book and I called it Finding Life after Death.
It’s still in draft form, it has received good reviews, but did not win because it
is nonfiction, but I wanted to write it. (And everyone has told me too also!)
It needs to be four times as long to be a REAL book but I needed to write it.

This year I am participating in the Muskoka Novel Marathon again but I will be writing a fiction book, I will make up a story but still dealing around grief.

"After Kyle died, not only did you take the grief course at hospice in Huntsville you have also been a grief facilitator for over 10 years." Deb has helped more people then she knows and she is happy to have people reach out to her
if  they are struggling.
 
People know where to find me (Down at West Side Fish and Chips) You can always call West Side and ask to speak to Deb and I am happy to have a coffee with you-

"Be careful… you might be flooded with calls!"

You humble me, I don’t think I am that popular.
I am happy to sit and chat with anyone if they feel they need to.

That's wonderful, in our conversation we also shared that just recently in our community a lovely young man named Drew Jones,
who went to high school here, died out west.

I know that you "Cheers to Kyle" every year with Jägermeister, but this is
Elderberry juice. Lets have a toast to Peter’s son Jamie, to Drew and Kyle and to everyone who has had a loss. Here is to all of them and to
​Being the Evidence that their lives made a Difference!

Elderberry! So much better than Jägermeister!
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. 

     Stay tuned for Yvonne's TEDx talk in 2019!