First of all I hope everyone had an incredible International Women’s Day, I felt particularly spoiled this year.  Starting with the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.  What a fabulous night!  I was honoured to be amongst carefully selected nominees who were comprised of a group of women whose life’s work has been to change the world for the better!  The winners radiated like beams of light.  All so humble in their acceptance speeches and crediting all of their fellow nominees proudly holding their awards in their trembling hands. We all felt pretty special and proud of the company we were in!

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I’m sitting here on my couch right now.  It’s gloomy outside and that wind is really picking up.  Boink is all snuggled up beside me and I barely made it out of my PJ’s today.

We sure have been hit hard with winter this year,  haven’t we?  I always find that the most frustrating part is making plans and having to reschedule or even worse, cancel in the last minute because of the weather.  Let’s face it, you have to be an incredibly positive person to stay happy when the weather keeps beating you down.

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Last week my husband asked me to watch a documentary with him about one of his favourite comedians, Tig Notaro.   Her story was touching and filled with events in her life that left her heartbroken.  In 2012 Tig’s Mom died suddenly and shortly after Tig was diagnosed with cancer.  Determined to carry on the life line of her mother Tig tried everything to have a child, despite the risks (more…)

Are you into the horoscope stuff or not?  Some people live by it and some people think it’s a bunch of baloney.

I have always been intrigued.  Any theories that are magical and connected to the moon, the stars, and the big beautiful Universe, I’m IN!

I suppose I love it so much because it gives me hope.  When things aren’t going my way it’s comforting to hear that mercury is in retrograde.  When I might become frustrated with someone in my life I will often refer to the characteristics of their star sign to help me gain compassion for them.  Am I crazy?  Maybe, but so far it’s working for me.

So, in case you haven’t heard, the Year of the Pig is all about (more…)

So . . .

How are you feeling about the new year so far?  Are you working through your goals and all of the things you were convinced that you’d be better at accomplishing this year?

Isn’t it crazy what we do to ourselves?  We know full well that we are creatures of habit yet we really, truly believe that just because the new year is here we can be rid of our old habits and fall into new, productive ones with absolutely no resistance.

Okay, you may or may not agree with me.  Maybe I’m saying “we” to make myself feel better!  Ha ha!  But being 100% truthful with you, these are the expectations I put on myself every year.

For the past four weeks, while on my quest to become a better version of myself, there have been little miracles that are pushing me towards success.  Is this what happens to people when they enter the year they are going to turn 50? If it is, then hallelujah!

It’s an ever so gentle shift I’ve had within myself, something that isn’t a major epiphany, just a little something that’s helped me see myself in a new light.

Are you ready? . . (more…)

So, back in November on my way to the One of A Kind Show my friend Nancy McMillan called me and asked how much sleep I was getting these days.  I laughed as it was half way through the show and I was averaging about six hours a night.  Then she said, “Well Monica, sleep is over rated, I’m nominating you for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award so you’re going to have to work your buns off and get me some info this evening, the deadline is fast approaching and we need to get on this!”

I was so flattered, so appreciative and sooooo warm and fuzzy inside over my friend Nancy’s big heart, wanting to do something so special for ME!!!

We got the work done and Nancy reached out to a bunch of amazing people whom I had helped over the years through various fundraising opportunities.  The letters people submitted and the words they wrote truly humbled me and made me feel so darn special.

I’d like to share a few lines with you from some very wonderful women – (more…)

For many of us, once the Holiday Season is behind us,  we dread the cold days ahead.  Sunny days in May feel like an eternity away!

I remember longing for warm, sunny days as a kid.  There were only so many snowmen and forts that I wanted to build.  I longed for (more…)

Since the new year began I’ve been thinking a lot about how I spend my time and what makes me feel really good energetically.

I did a little experiment over the holidays to announce that I was still resting and it was okay for everyone else to do the same.  For me the “resting” was about getting off my phone and enjoying other activities like walks outside, meeting a friend for breakfast, reading a book and cooking a three course meal just because.   Those few days that I took “off” from my phone changed me.

I realized how addicted (more…)

Are you fearful of change?  If you are not then please, share your secret!

Most of us are afraid of change, we fear that we might fail, we fear the way others will look at us.  Believe it or not usually the biggest fear is that we will succeed.  What an oxymoron that one is.  Or is it?

Whether you’re a Voltaire enthusiast or a Spider Man fan, you’ve heard the quote, “with great power comes great responsibility.”

Responsibilities can often feel overwhelming.  Especially because when we work so hard to get the “thing”, we often don’t know (more…)