Power of ‘One choice’

A few days ago I found out that a girl I had known in high school was killed in a car crash. Twenty-five year old Heather Menear was standing with her friends outside of a bar on a regular Friday night when she fell backwards from the curb, to her death.

As my friend retold the story of what happened that night, she explained the varying reactions from her brother and his friends.

We all react differently to tragedy. There is no right or wrong way to respond to horrifying circumstances. However, I believe that there is just ONE choice.

At the time, the choice doesn’t feel simple or easy. In fact, it feels the exact opposite. Our world comes crashing down on us – or mortality stares in the face – and suddenly we don’t know what to feel.

Whether you have been through this before or not, I know you can imagine what is like. We are all connected.

Many of those who are affected by these type of dreadful situations block out the world. They choose pain.

Two years ago I lost my father to lung cancer. I didn’t choose pain.

I didn’t believe the choice was difficult. My only thought was, “Why would I choose pain?”

I decided the day he left me to live out his legacy. I decided to honour his death by choosing to LIVE.

I had ONE choice.

We all do.


***Whether you knew Heather Menear or not, please take a moment to honour her. She was loved by many and will live on in our hearts forever. ***

Power of Dan Griffin

For 12 summers of my life I lived in Algonquin Park; I went to Camp Arowhon. During my time there I made several very special friends - people I will know for the rest of my life.

They inspired me as we grew up together....and they continue to inspire me.

This blog is a shout out to the infamous Dan Griffin, for his many talents.

His band is called the Arkells - check them out at http://www.myspace.com/arkellsmusic

and enjoy this hilarious video they made!



Here is their music video!

Power of AKOSIA

Several months ago I co-created a non profit organization called AKOSIA. We create and organize summer projects for street children. This summer we are going to Accra, Ghana with a four-week programme that will take 80 children on a creative filmmaking journey. This will involve writing, set-design, costume making, acting and shooting, culminating in a mini film festival for the children and their communities at the end of the summer. We aim to let the children produce the films as independently as possible, providing them with tools and technical skills where necessary. In this way, we hope that the children will get the chance to see themselves in a different light and that this will inspire them be become more confident in their creative abilities and in general. During the four weeks we will also be providing the children with two meals a day and organized afternoon sporting and art activities.

We are going to Accra with a COACH approach - I am bringing several of my coaching 'ways of being' to the table.

#1 - ALL CHILDREN ARE NATURALLY CREATIVE, RESOURCEFUL AND WHOLE

#2 - THEY ARE ALWAYS RIGHT AND HOLD ALL THE ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS

It is going to be an amazing summer - please check it out - http://www.akosia.org/