Hi everyone, Yvonne here from Love Your Life to Death.
I'm in the Hunters Bay Radio Studio doing my show, and I'm on my
own today. We have been chatting with many, many people and
having lots of conversations about grief and COVID-19 and this pandemic, I thought that I would share my 10 Tips on Navigating Life and Grief.
We, as a society, are done with this pandemic and COVID-19.
The problem is that it's not done with us.

We are still in the midst of all of this. And the hard cold fact is that
we are not even close to being done with all of this. I'm sorry. I know. Nobody wants to hear this. But, if we talk about plan and prepare,
as we move into the winter (it is coming!) and the uncertainty,
we can prepare as much as possible.

I shared my 10 Tips on Navigating Life and Grief  and I'm going to
do a monthly blog and talk about one of the tips once a month
because again, this will be going on for a while. We are in this together. Together, we are stronger, we need to bring heart, humor, love, gratitude and kindness, all of that stuff along the way so we can learn from, and support one another, we will get through this!

But remember, along the way, we have to be very intentional about checking in mentally, physically, emotionally, filling our happiness buckets and really supporting one another by showing up for ourselves and each other. So listen to the tips and feel free to connect at any time.

 If you go to our website, www.loveyourlifetodeath.com and follow us you will get the tips. If you already follow us and you want them (click here) and you can download them. We can do this together. Just Show Up for one another and we will be stronger and happier along the way.

Thanks everyone. Bye for now.

Click here to listen
to this week's show



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Get Ready for Grief
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Hi everyone, Yvonne here with Love Your Life to Death.
I am just so excited about this week's message because as much as I am passionate about creating social change and having people talk about plan and prepare for grief and life's challenges before they arrive (and helping them navigate through) is often emotional and challenging. 

This week, we are talking about something just positive, wonderful
and truly life changing. I am sharing with you the GenWell Project.
I had Pete Bombaci, the founder and chief connection officer
of the GenWell project on my RogersTV show, and I'm sharing
the link today below.

I encourage everybody to listen to the show, and then go to the
website, www.genwellproject.org. It is about is human connection.
It is a human connection movement, whose mission it is to make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people about the importance of face to face human connection, and inspiring them to
take action. This has never been so needed in the midst of this pandemic.

There is a lot of chaos in the world right now. And so of course,
we can't meet face to face the way we would want to. And yet there's
so many ways that we can connect virtually and and make things
happen and take action. There's just so many incredible messages
that are shared on their website. There are short videos, you can
watch, and they talk about reaching out to just one more person in
a meaningful way. They are about having connected conversations
now that we can't meet face to face we the way we would like to.
They would inspire people to have a weekend, twice a year to
intentionally create some connection, whether it was a pizza party at
your office, or kids getting together in the park with dads. We can still
do all of these things with the right safety factors in place.

So I say from the bottom of my heart and soul thank you to
Pete Bombaci, and the thought leaders and everyone who is involved
in the GenWell Project for making such a difference.

I encourage everyone everyone to listen to the show.
You will be so inspired by adorable Pete. he is just all heart. Go to
the Genwellproject.org find out how you can be involved even donate.

They don't ask for funding and yet they to continue to create this. Everyone needs funding or donations. Be a thought leader.
Be an ambassador, I'm going to be all of it. Thank you Pete.
Let's all remember how important human connection is and take action.
Thanks everyone. Bye for now.

My RogersTV interview with Pete:

​HERE
​

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Get Ready for Grief
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    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk

​

Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
It is just before the Canadian Thanksgiving.
We are going for a walk in the forest because this is where we ground ourselves, rejuvenate and we grieve...

Watch this short video to hear Yvonne's Thanksgiving message!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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⁣⁣Hi everyone Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
In my presentations and in my TEDx Talk I share a story from five years ago when a lovely couple (Scott and Else) had a little bit of a health challenge, were not doing great. Scott was having some health concerns and they had their wood delivered and were unable to pile it. Our neighbour Holly, husband Jon and Brownyn sent out one text...

Watch the short video to see the update this week!

 
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Hi everyone. It's Yvonne Heath from Love Your Life to Death.
I am back in the Hunter's Bay Radio Studio with my friend stuck behind the plexiglass. Do you see him back there? Nico Byl. We are being very safe. He even walked in with his very cool mask.

Nico is the guidance counselor at the Huntsville High School
(and the the everything guy). You're the helping the students in
many ways. Guidance counselor is a part of it and then there's lots
more stuff too. Yes, there is. So we've been talking about this
challenging time. Let's just talk about the fact that the kids are going back to school This is challenging for parents, teachers, students, everyone. We're in this together and we need to support each other
as much as possible. So Nico, and I had a great chat, and we're going
to chat again. So Nico, what do you feel is (in a minute or less)
something we can share with everyone how to best
support each other through this?

I think to be honest about what's happening, look for opportunities in both the positives and negatives and ask yourself as we were chatting about, how can you use that? If today wasn't great, be honest about it, talk about it, look it in the eye and and use it for something tomorrow.

Absolutely. And you know, as I always say we always have a choice.
We don't always have the choice we wish we had. It's okay. Nobody
would choose this right now. We would not choose this right now. And if we can acknowledge and allow that it is challenging, allow our feelings and now what.  Now how can we make this better we are in this together! 

I just want to say to every staff person at any school anywhere I am sending you so much love. Please be very intentional with your self care. Parents support one another through this and students too.

We will get through this. We appreciate that. Thank you.
Thanks everyone. Listen to the show below:

Listen Here
​ to
Nico's Show

 


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​

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the release of
𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙏𝙤 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝. ⁣⁣ ⁣
​
⁣I wanted to share this short video with you to say THANK YOU
for sharing this moment with us! We love you all!

To celebrate, we have two very special offers...⁣⁣ ⁣⁣

1. Purchase a copy of 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙏𝙤 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 and receive a second
GIFT copy to share with your family, friend, employer, or even your
local library! Order Today! 

2. Purchase Yvonne's 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 or 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙨 online program and we will include TWO copies the book
𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙏𝙤 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 for you to keep or share!
​Order Today!


Shop early because these promotions come to an end at 11:59PM on Saturday, September 19, 2020.

⁣⁣
 
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​Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death.
As I think about the best laid plans and weathering life's storms
and preparing for life's storms, I am so reminded again that life is unpredictable, prepare for anything and change is the only constant.

In the last few weeks we had (amidst the rest of the uncertainty and everything else we're navigating) some really wonderful events in our life and celebrate people who have been in our lives.

We went to Camp Can-Aqua, our favorite place in the world. We were celebrating the life of Louis Gyori, who was the founder of Camp Can-Aqua who died 10 years ago. People gathered and suddenly we were in the middle of a torrential downpour. It was raining so hard, we couldn't do a lot of the things we wanted to do as far as walking around camp and enjoying the waterfront. We weren't able to do any of that. So of course, there's some disappointment and frustration in that. And what did we do? We gathered in in places we could, we had meaningful connections with physical distancing, and when the rain broke for long enough, we had wonderful people sharing wonderful memories, and that's what I'm going to hold on to.

And then just this past weekend, we celebrated Geordie's birthday. We wanted to have a full boating day and it was going to be so amazing! And it was, except for yet again, another torrential downpour! We were in the middle of the lake and it was raining so hard, we couldn't see. So we huddled in and we were laughing so hard and covering ourselves with towels and we just made the best of it. I was reminded again, we're going to have to navigate life's storms, especially at these uncertain times, and we can still create good moments within the madness, within the downpour with whatever life is throwing at us.

So, you know, the whole saying about life- Joy is about learning how to dance in the storms, dance in the rain and we always have that choice, right?
So I encourage you to prepare as best you can for life storms and navigate through. And if it's pouring, grab your umbrella, grab your galoshes create fun, special moments within it, and then when the sun is shining, we're able to to go outside and bask in the sun and enjoy that, enjoy that too! But just know, life storms are coming, and that doesn't mean we can't still create joyful moments within that.

So here's to dancing in the rain!
Thanks, everyone. Bye for now.


 
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Get Ready for Grief
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Hello everyone.
As the seasons begin to change, it is important to take a moment
to reflect and be thankful. Even if you are not sure why at this
particular moment, be thankful for who you have in your life and
what you have in your life. 

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey navigating
​life's challenges. And thank you for joining ours.

This short video shares the importance of Gratitude.

Please subscribe to @FearlessSoul if you would like to watch more inspiring videos like this.

 
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Get Ready for Grief
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Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here from Love Your Life to Death
and I am back in the Hunters Bay radio studio. I'm on the other side
of the Plexiglas and I'm here with my dear friend and guest
Suzanne Witt Foley. Hello, Susan!

We had a wonderful conversation about mental health.
And Suzanne, if you want to just share a little bit and we'll
encourage everyone to listen to our show.

Absolutely. Yes. We talked a bit about what I do, which is teach a
course called Mental Health First Aid. It's a two day Certificate course
that is a global phenomenon taught all around the world. (I took it)
Yes, you took it so you can vote for it. Throughout COVID of course I
have not been working. But I'm gearing up for September with
distancing practices in place. I've got some course booked.
I'm really excited after having six months, six glorious months off.
Looking forward to getting back into it again!

We are talking about mental health because it is a really important
topic and just having an honest conversation and you shared an incredible story of how we can just show up for each other despite
not being able to do it in person, right?

I am wearing my “Wilson” shirt today. For all of you who don't know
who “Wilson” is you must watch the movie Castaway. Because connection is key. Absolutely connection is key. So I encourage you to listen to the show and certainly reach out to Suzanne with Foley anytime.

When people ask me what is Mental Health First Aid and if I could describe it in one word, it's about connection. I can't think of a time
when other than now, when connection (as you say) was it's so
important. The most important thing with Mental Health First Aid
are skills that if you don't have them yet, now is the time.

So listen to the show and reach out.
Thank you everyone. Thank you Suzanne. 

Suzanne's Show

​ 
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​Hi everyone, Geordie here at Love Your Life to Death.
I am just saying hi and checking in to see how everyone is doing.
It has been a pretty crazy year here…(just going to face the sun so a
bit more so I can actually see what I am doing!!) I wanted to touch
base with you. For some people it has been a difficult year because
you have spent a lot of time at home, for others, you have not been
home very much because you are out helping other people and
Just Showing Up.

We want to say THANK YOU to everyone for hanging in there and
doing the best you can. If you have done something for someone
(You have Just Showed Up for them) we would love to have your comments below of what you have done.

If someone has Just Showed Up for you, and you would like to share
how that affected you, please leave your comments below as well.
Take care everyone, stay in touch, and we will talk to you soon!

​ 
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Get Ready for Grief
online program
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    Click here to see Yvonne's TEDx Talk

Hi Everyone, Yvonne Heath here.
I am sitting in a beautiful park in downtown Huntsville.
Just having a moment. It is absolutely gorgeous; look at this background. Look at the beautiful trees, the grass, the water in the background.
We are fortunate to live here. I’m going to make my exciting announcement. Many have gone before me and I  admired them.
I wasn’t ready to do it myself. And recently in this “Covidness” I decided
to take the plunge.  And…I’m going gray. All-the-way!

No more blonde dye. I don’t know, it just hadn’t occurred to me to
stop dying my hair. I had done it for so long, that it was just a part
of who I was. In this “Covidness”, I decided to kind of be brave. “ I wonder what it will be like?” I got the clippers out, chose number 7 and went low. (laughing). And you know what? I am just going to embrace my gray!
 
Don’t panic, everyone. I am not telling you (that) you need to embrace your gray. I have had a few people say (sharp inhale) “I’m not ready
to do this!” And that is okay. Everybody has their own journey. I can tell you, for me, it’s been very liberating. Of course, my hair is only half
an inch long, so it isn’t that drastic a change. And there will be people who like it, some people that don’t. Some people that love it. And you know, that’s okay. Because whatever they think is none of my business.

~~So, if you love it, feel free to tell me. If you don’t, you can just
mumble under your breath and just smile. I am so excited and
celebrating that I am going gray all the way. Like I said, it is very liberating. I am going to go enjoy this wonderful day. I know that my children haven’t seen it yet. I know that I might get some looks.
And that’s okay. I am going to embrace the gray. Thanks everyone.
Have a great day!
​ 
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Hi everyone. I am in the Hunter’s Bay Radio Studio with Shari Dubois;
my first show with a guest behind the plexi-glass for Covid safety!

We had a good conversation, a hard conversation. Shari is opening
her heart and sharing her story. We are honouring her son Conrad
who had a long journey with mental health issues and addictions.
Conrad died on July 13th, 2019.

We are talking about normalizing conversations, loving people on
their journey, grief and joy and creating awareness. Shari is sharing
“Coco Bear”, Conrad’s art and I am wearing a Coco Bear t-shirt. Shari
and her family are creating these t-shirts to get these conversations started and continued. Shari says:

We would certainly like to help with mental health and addictions in
any way we can—absolutely being able to communicate and talk
about it! Having conversations about mental health and addiction, normalizing these conversations, prevention and just having “The Talk!”

The proceeds from Coco Bear t-shirts will help fund organizations
that are doing just that! I encourage you to reach out to Shari on Facebook (insert link) and find out how you can get yours, proudly
wear it, start talking and keep talking!

Thank you Shari, to you and your family, for your amazing-ness, for honouring Conrad so beautifully—for being the evidence that his life made a difference and will continue to make a difference.

If you are struggling or know someone who is…reach out, get help,
you don’t have to do this alone! Here is one resource:

http://www.camh.ca/
Get the support you need from professionals, family, friends...
your village!!

Here’s the link to our Hunters Bay Radio Interview
that Shari and I had: 

HERE

 
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​

Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here with Love Your Life to Death.

I have been sharing my life lessons learned along the way;
the wonderful knowledge and wisdom that has been shared with me
over the last many years of interviewing so many people, having great conversations and from my nursing career. I have learned so much
and continue to learn. One thing became clear when I stepped away from my nursing career really started to watch everyone.
Wow. busy-ness is truly an epidemic.

We do not have the capacity to sit still, to be present. We talk about mindfulness and yet I see what many try to jam pack in a day (even in a pandemic!). It is just too much. We don't have time for meaningful conversations. We don't carve out time to just sit and be present. As soon as kids have a moment out come the iPads or cell phones. 

We wonder why we have mental health issues? Our brains are so overloaded and overstimulated. It truly is time for change. When they tell me all the things they're doing, I simply ask, "Oh, are you happy?" They respond, 'What are you talking about? I don't have time to think about that question!" I think that's very sad. If you do not have time to ask,
"Am I happy in my life?" I think it's time to slow down. And now my question to you is, "If not, what can you do to change that?" 

There are so many choices in our world and so many activities our children can do and we can do. How wonderful. But where can we carve out time to just be? We really need to find it if we want to have joy in our lives. We want our children to have joy in their lives and be able to just slow down and ask those questions too. 

"Am I happy?" Something to think about!

 
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This week I wanted to share my recent conversation with
my new friend Laurel Gillespie.

Laurel Gillespie is the Director of Advance Care Planning at the
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Laurel is an advocate for disability rights and accessing quality health care. A true survivor,
Laurel has survived her battle with cancer and is considered by many
as a true social justice warrior -looking to create not just equality or
even equity but justice for all to live the best life possible. We talk about why it's important to have "The Talk" about end of life BEFORE it arrives!

To learn more about how you can #SpeakUp and start that
conversation with your loved ones, visit:

 https://www.advancecareplanning.ca/

​
 
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A few weeks ago, we shared that I reached a “career high."

Well, here it is—a conversation with my hero--Patch Adams!!

In 1998, I watched the movie, “Patch Adams” in which Robin Williams
(who lives in my heart forever), played a real-life doctor who brought clowning and joy to those who were suffering the most. It changed my
life and nursing career and I became sillier and funnier and loved to
make people laugh… especially on hard days.

When I began to write my book, we reached out to the Gesundheit Institute which was founded by Patch in 1971 and wondered if I could
get a quote for my book. (It’s always a “no” if you don’t ask, right!) 

I was given the quote, “If you gotta die, why not make it fun?”
I was beyond thrilled.

Since then, I have been studying Patch and all his incredible work.
He is a clown that is a doctor, an activist for care for all people, nature
and so much more. Ironically, this journey started with Patch being beaten up for standing up against racism in the 60's. He did not want
to live in a world with so much violence and injustice. He was suicidal and decided to start a "Love Revolution" instead. Now I have the
privilege of sharing a wonderful conversation that I had with Patch.
A dream come true.

I encourage you to visit his website and learn about his clown trips, Clownvets, and the free hospital he aspires to build. You can read the entire letter shared in the blog here.  Please support his vision in
any way you can. Learn, share and be inspired to help create a better world with heart and humour. Be like Patch!


People hunger for love and
clowning is a trick to get love close
~Patch Adams~
-

 
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Happy Canada Day Everyone!
Here's a great song from our Muskoka neighbour, Paul Lagendyk.
Enjoy and celebrate our great country!

#ijustshowedup

​

Hi everyone, Yvonne Heath here with love your life to death.
For those of you who know me know my message, you know that I
am a very passionate advocate for all lives matter, regardless of age,
race, culture, sexual orientation, ability, disability economic situation.

I will be changing my messaging a little bit when I talk about race.
I am going to change to use "skin color", because regardless of skin color, we all matter, because truly there is only one race, the human race.
​
Right now as many of us are I am focusing on black lives matter
because of things that have happened in our world and awakening. Realizing that there is so many things I didn't know about; anti black systemic racism, I am making it a mission to educate myself more
and be a better ally and take action.

 I am so proud that I am sharing the link to my latest Rogers TV show.
I interviewed beautiful soul Marie Schroeder, who is an international speaker, facilitator consultant, helping create healthier workplaces and helping individuals understand the importance of diversity and inclusion.

And we had a wonderful conversation, Annemarie helped me to understand at a deeper level, truly what what anti black racism really means, how we can be better allies, how we can move forward together.

So I encourage everyone to listen to the show, watch it over and over, share it with everyone. I'm excited that this week I am sharing this message with Annemarie and next week I will have another guest on my radio show. I am committed to being an ally forever.

Until Black Lives Matter, no lives can really matter. When should this conversation and when Black Lives Matter? Everywhere. Thanks, everyone. Stay tuned. Bye for now.

#RealLifeTalks with Annemarie Shrouder

Watch Now
​
 
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Hi everyone, I am coming to you live from my backyard. I am sitting here with a few black flies but that's okay. It is an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun is shining and skies are blue. There are dragonflies all around me, birds singing, chipmunks and I am just loving it. And this is a great reminder to me and you that it's June, June 17. School will be done soon.

So for many of us who have children, it will be a very it's it's a very different summer. But certainly if you have children who had activities that they cannot do this summer, we will definitely need to create wonderful, wonderful opportunities and fun together and we also need to create our own space and time. Create our own space and time apart.
Because that is when I refuel. When I have time to myself to regroup.
So like today's perfect example of a very busy day I have a lot going on.
I decided I have 10 minutes I'm going to sit outside.

Let's see... where is my dog. See, we have our cute little dog
who just makes me smile. So I'm taking 10 minutes to be outside after after I do this blog. I will be still and quiet and enjoy this time because even if you have 10 minutes, it can truly change your day. 10 minutes alone in a beautiful, wonderful peaceful environment.

This summer I will continue to get up at 5am so that I can have time to myself. I know our daughter Jadyn stays up late so she can be on her phone and do TickTocks but she needs time to herself more and and we're just we're really being aware of what each other needs and I encourage everyone to do the same. Do what YOU need to do to create wonderful moments and opportunities and times together and create your own space. check in with yourself more than ever.

It is very different summer I know things are changing and where we're now with the COVID-19 things are slowly progressing forward. There are many things we can do and there are still things we cannot do. So it will be a different time, but I encourage you to embrace what you can do and to create your own space even if it is 10 minutes. Sit outside in the beautiful-ness.  Let me see if I can turn this around... (I don't want to touch anything. I usually mess things up...)

This is just like what I need to do. Look at this, I can show you...
Can you even see that I have all of this beauty around me and I get to enjoy this and that's what I'm going to do. And even when I'm busy.
I will just take these moments. So I encourage you to do the same everybody. Yes, things are very different. Take the time to create great moments and create your own space. Something to think about.

 
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This is an amazing video by Tom explaining to a child
what and how we should turn these dark days into something positive.

This should be shared far and wide.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Thank you for Just Showing Up!

#IJustShowedUp
 
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I am an ally and a voice for change.
I have been angry, sad, devastated and discouraged.
I still am and now I am choosing to educate myself further so
I can be an ally and a voice for change. I am taking a knee and
invited you to do the same.

​Here are two TED Talks that can help you to become
more aware. For George Floyd and for all whose lives were taken.
 
Be the Evidence that
Someone's Life Made a Difference. 

#blacklivesmatter

 
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 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