I am so excited and honoured to be sitting here with Elyse Saunders who has
written the most beautiful song entitled, RISE. I am in LOVE with this song.
My throat was sore from singing it at the top of my lungs so many times.

Elyse shares the inspirational story behind the song:
I had heard about Jessica Phoenix and her story. So I got together with a couple of
writers (Daryl Scott and Kyle Renton) and we wanted to share her message. It’s unique;
not a lot of songs are written about real-life people. We heard how she was a two-time Olympian (Canadian Equestrian Team) and a 4 time Pan-Am medalist. Then she had a
bad accident and doctors said she was not going to be able to compete. But Jessica said,
“NO! I’m making it happen!” And she came back to defend her title and won the silver for Team Canada. How amazing is that! 

Being an independent, rising country artist, I can totally relate to her message.  The lyrics came from the heart for me as well. Jessica heard the song, fell in love with it and is so excited about it too! It has been released on radio across Canada.
So please REQUEST and SHARE!!

This is a very inspiring and powerful song. It should be in everyone’s self-care toolbox
(from my book, pg. 95. A self-care toolbox is full of items that can help move you through
grief or hard times and inspire you!). You can listen to this song and it can be helpful no matter what you are facing in life. 

This song is "For anyone who has been faced with an overwhelming challenge and has
​ found it within themselves to RISE above!" Sometimes we need reminders and boosts
of inspiration and this song gives it to you! I think it should be the theme song for
Olympians, for kids in school… for everyone! It’s our new theme song.
I want Elyse to come on the road with us!

Thank you, Elyse Saunders for writing this beautiful song and thank you Jessica Phoenix for the will to overcome adversity and inspire the creation of this song.

Like a powerful phoenix, it’s your time to RISE!

www.elysesaunders.com         www.jessicaphoenix.ca 

RISE Lyrics Here

I am so in love with everything I am doing; living my purpose and my passion
with Love Your Life to Death and the I Just Showed Up campaign (more on that another time!). But what I’ve realized—as many of us do—with children (and even without), laundry, dusting, meals, it’s never-ending. And being an author, speaker, TV host…
doing all of these things, sometimes my brain feels like it’s going to short-circuit.

Sometimes I’m up late at night and always up early in the morning with never-ending ideas.
My mind spins like a top (I know those who know me are not surprised!).
So today, I’ve decided to forget about the laundry, forget about everything I have to do,
ignore the long list. Today, I’m going to play hooky from my life, just for a couple of hours.
​I’m so excited and feel like a little kid who is doing something they shouldn’t be doing
and nervous about getting caught.

It’s the middle of the day, in the middle of the week and yep…lots to do… but I need a break.
So I am going to sit her and watch a movie. That’s right! I have an array to choose from.
 I might watch something funny like Mrs. Doubtfire or Dan in Real Life or of course my all-time favorite Patch. I may watch others that make me laugh and cry like The Bucket List 
or P.S. I Love You. I haven’t quite decided.  But I have snacks, drinks and comfies. I am ready.
Two hours for me, before the kids come home from school. I’ve decided that every now
and again I’m going to play hooky from my life. I will be here watching my movie and
having some snacks. I would love to hear what you would do, and encourage you to do it
​every now and again. You deserve a break too. So tell me…

When Was The Last Time You Played Hooky?

Today is a very special day for me; this will be my 50th blog and vlog. We started one year ago in May 2016. I feel really proud that we’ve shared our authentic, unedited stories and sometimes our messy selves as we navigate through life, grief and end of life.

It has helped me a great deal, to share with you and receive your emails and comments.
I hope it’s helped you too. I am so grateful as most of this stuff is easier said than done, isn’t it?  But if we can learn from and support each other, we can heal and even find joy again.
I have to confess there’s been so many times when we were filming and there’s noise, bugs
and malfunctions; hilarious when I look back. But I have truly enjoyed sharing with you.

I would love to hear about any vlogs that were helpful or anything else you’d like me
to talk about. I’m learning as I go along too!

Thank you for being a part of the Love Your Life to Death community.
And may you always find a way to love your life! 
​Yvonne xo

More than you can imagine! I attended two events where our local Community Living
shared their vision and mission. Over 250 people attended the first event and we heard
an autistic boy play the guitar with a very special man singing. He took the time to care
and teach. The second event was a “Celebrating Inclusion Tour.” It was a chance to hear
from the staff, volunteers and stories of people’s lives being changed with the right medical help, being accepted as part of their community, working, contributing and having purpose.

It was hard to not cry out loud as I heard Brenda’s story of being segregated for years
and not being able to see, hear or walk because her medical needs were ignored. Her life changed when she received the right help. Brenda is in this video! She is now walking,
hearing, talking and loving her life as a contributing member or our community.

Sheldon spent years in isolation, loneliness and despair. He now has friends,
an apartment, a job and happiness—all because of the help he receives.

Community Living is a social justice movement. People are seen as people first
and are accepted for who they are and appreciated for the unique gifts, abilities
and talents that each bring. Community Living Huntsville is opening doors for all people
to live, work and play in our community.  Attend a tour and be a part of something special.
You can make a difference. www.clhuntsville.ca
 
It’s not okay for anyone to fall through the cracks! Do they have inclusion tours in your area?  Stop by to say hello! From the bottom of my heart, I thank every staff member, volunteer, those who donate (yep… $$ helps change lives too!) and care. Thank you Cathy, Michelle, Brenda, Sheldon and Tish... for being the change you want to see in the world!

We all have value. We all matter.

I just love when people say, “Oh you’re so thin, you’re lucky, you must have good genes!” REALLY?? Maybe I have some good genes, but I also have the cellulite gene.
Cellulite loves to live on my thighs and saddlebags (you know, like triangle hips!).
Luck has nothing to do with it!

I made a commitment to myself. As I encourage everyone to live life to the fullest,
an important part of that is great self-care. I get up 4-6 mornings a week, around
5:00 or 5:30, and work out. When I’m really kooky it’s 4:30! Do you think I always
want to get up? No! But it’s non-negotiable! I tell myself that I want to want to work out,
then I just do it. It is not an option, because I want to be strong and fit and I want to feel
well and it’s the only way. Why do we think our bodies should work well even if we do
not take good care of them? There are no returns. Some bodies work better than others.
But they all need exercise!

If you have no time to get moving for 30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week, then I suggest you
re-evaluate. You have value and you matter. You deserve even more time for good self-care, but certainly at least that.  Can you get up earlier? Go to bed earlier or watch less TV?
Can you watch your kids at their events for a short time, then go for a walk instead
of sitting for an hour? Easier said than done? Yep, most of this is. But you’re worth it!
Can’t afford to work out? Well, all of our equipment was purchased second hand or on sale. And walking is free! So we can’t use that excuse!
I do what I need to do to be healthy and active. Of course, I am not perfect,
but I keep working at it because…

 I have value, I matter and I deserve good self-care. And so do you!

 So don’t just think about it, get movin’!