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!