I wrote this en route home from Atlanta, after another inspiring three-day retreat with my business coach Christine Kane, and hundreds of women (and a few men) entrepreneurs. With a blend of holistic wellness meets new ways of marketing, we were takin’ care of business with soul and strategy. By ... Views: 2241
Happy December! With winter and the holidays upon us, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book, hunt for the next bestseller (or something more obscure) or find the perfect literary gift. Lately, one of my favourite distractions has been surfing the Internet for fun and unusual websites ... Views: 1305
This week while Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, we in Canada are also gearing up for the season of giving. Signs (and advertising) about the holidays are inescapable, and in this season of gift giving (and over-giving) it’s easy to get swept up into the mood of consuming and the “joy of ... Views: 1930
I do a lot of writing for CancerCare Manitoba, an organization doing life-saving work, research and health care in our community, and the writing includes many stories about people who are dealing with cancer every day. Recently, I wrote a piece about an inspiring two year old, diagnosed with ... Views: 1707
This week has been an eventful and insightful one. My dad passed away last week, after a long life (85 years) and a relatively short stay in hospital. Now, with Dad at peace, the funeral and celebration of his life over, and my family having returned to their homes far and wide, there’s time ... Views: 2450
Earlier this week while Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving, I’m was in North Carolina with my mastermind group of 11 other women entrepreneurs celebrating victories such as a new book being published, six-figure incomes and brilliant ideas for new business programs. And while the air of success ... Views: 2086
I recently stumbled upon this quote in my local bookstore.
The value of reading:
With all the bad economic news, it is easy to forget the old blessing. Books are a great bargain in hard times, and a new flat screen never changed anyone’s life.
It got me thinking about books, and book ... Views: 914
New York City may be the city that never sleeps, but Winnipeg is pulling its own all-nighter on Saturday, October 1, in a FREE celebration of arts and culture.
Our “Nuit Blanche” (“White Night” in French, which means a sleepless night) will be 12 hours (6 pm to 6 am) of arts and multi-media ... Views: 1114
If fall has a theme, it’s all about change—in the air, the temperatures and even our schedules. Yes, summer’s out, autumn’s in. The days are crisper, the nights are chilly (sometimes frosty) and our calendars seem to fill quickly after the slower pace of summer.
Personally, I love this time ... Views: 1053
This past week I’ve received a few important messages – not by email, phone or letter – but by the passing, or changes in the lives, of some noteworthy leaders, and who reminded me of a favourite story about Mahatma Gandhi.
Once while Mahatma Gandhi’s train was pulling slowly out of the ... Views: 899
Every life has a story; and every story can change a life.
This week I helped a client write her signature story, something I think is important for every leader, businessperson or organization to do.
Your “signature story” reveals WHY you do what you do. And as Simon Sinek succinctly ... Views: 2924
This week I’ve been drinking champagne, eating far too much cake, and planning intimate celebrations in subdued locations like New York City. Oh, and in between I’ve been creating some new work. Why? Because I’m a Leo, living in a Leo’s world, surrounded by several friends (and fellow ‘lions’) ... Views: 833
Just back from the “Uplevel Your Purpose” retreat with my business coach and mentor Christine Kane, here are 10 things I learned about creating a purpose-based business.
1) People remember stories more than concepts. We writers know this… a good story sticks with people. They’re fascinated ... Views: 1996
I believe in the power of beauty. And look for it in every possible moment or location.
Beauty can dissolve conflicts, inspire people, and create an immediate sense of calm, happiness and serenity.
Recently, two small things of beauty found their way into my home and instantly brought a ... Views: 1025
Today Oprah Winfrey bids us farewell on the last show of her epic 25 seasons. And while she has inspired and influenced millions around the globe to “live their best life,” her love of the written word and her legendary book club has ignited careers, launched bestsellers and encouraged a more ... Views: 838
Ever wonder why people say “touch wood,” or knock on wood for good luck?
When travelling in Australia last year, I came upon the “wishing tree” in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. According to the legend, in earlier times people believed certain trees contained spirits and that you could make ... Views: 1194
Last month, Manitoba held its own version of the TED talks, and Winnipeg architect Scott Stirton explored this question: “Why do we continue to live in and build “dumb” architecture?” Meaning buildings that adversely affect our health, inhibit human interaction or deplete non-renewable ... Views: 1160
This week I made the “Top 100 list”… of river properties in Winnipeg at the highest risk for flooding. It’s a rather dubious honour, but one that does get people to rally around in support and community spirit.
Flooded backyard pre-sandbags
There’s nothing like a natural disaster to bring ... Views: 800
This week we’re finally hit double-digit temperatures (15C, 13C) here in Winnipeg, with longer days and the sun sitting high in the sky, all of which are sure signs of spring.
While others look for red-breasted robins, Canadian geese returning home, or tiny prairie plants sprouting through ... Views: 970
This week I made the “Top 100 list”… of river properties in Winnipeg at the highest risk for flooding. It’s a rather dubious honour, but one that does get people to rally around in support and community spirit.
Flooded backyard pre-sandbags
There’s nothing like a natural disaster to bring ... Views: 880
It’s finally spring, and many people are already looking forward to summer holidays, a little sun and maybe even some time at the beach.
Well, if you’re planning a trip across the pond, I can recommend a one-of-a-kind beach house on the English seaside that’s a cool contemporary alternative ... Views: 899
Today Oprah Winfrey bids us farewell on the last show of her epic 25 seasons. And while she has inspired and influenced millions around the globe to “live their best life,” her love of the written word and her legendary book club has ignited careers, launched bestsellers and encouraged a more ... Views: 908
Last fall I was in England exploring some ultra modern holiday homes as part of a press trip for a project called Living Architecture. While happily snapping photographs of these contemporary buildings, one woman said to me: “Make sure there are people in the photos; architecture is about ... Views: 1988
It’s the first week into the new year and many people are already overwhelmed with new projects, goals, business schedules and life in the fast track. How do we get all (or any) of it done in a world of constant demands and distractions? In a word – Focus. That’s also the title of a great new ... Views: 827
Last fall I was in England exploring some ultra modern holiday homes as part of a press trip for a project called Living Architecture. While happily snapping photographs of these contemporary buildings, one woman said to me: “Make sure there are people in the photos; architecture is about ... Views: 1150
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and we’re reminded (everywhere!) to tell the ones we love how much they mean to us. But how about injecting some love into your job, career or business?
When you combine a passion for what you do and with a little love for those you work with or those you ... Views: 1183
Skaters, skiers and winter walkers along Winnipeg’s river trail will now have a few creative and unusual locations to snuggle up, warm up and be inspired.
The five winning designs of the Warming Huts v.2011 “Art and Architecture Competition on Ice,” announced in November, are now taking shape ... Views: 1298
None of us is as strong as all of us.
If two heads are better than one, imagine the collective power of 15 entrepreneurial women committed to their vision, businesses… and changing the world.
A group of womenThis year to accelerate my growth, both personally and professionally, I joined a ... Views: 982
The Christmas holidays are over and we’ve just been through the season that’s all about giving… and how that’s so much better than receiving. (Which many of us believe, deep in our hearts, until we see our credit card statements).
But when it’s all about giving, without receiving in return, ... Views: 797
This past week I attended the CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) Unconventional Convention in Montreal – and it delivered many ‘unconventional’ ideas and approaches that can be applied to business… and to life.
If you or your business is looking to roar in to the new year ... Views: 2470
At some point in life, many of us ask ourselves: What should I do with my life? And usually this question refers to the perfect job or career for us.
I recently read something by Caroline Myss, a medical intuitive and renowned author, who puts this ‘pursuit of happiness’ in the context of a ... Views: 1025
Winnipeg’s extreme winter climate is the perfect setting for an architectural competition involving warming huts. As a follow up to a similar project last winter on the city’s river trail, today five new huts were unveiled as part of the 2011 “Art and Architecture Competition on Ice.”
The ... Views: 1341
Sometimes life throws us opportunities that are way out of our comfort zone, but last week I realized that if you really want to take your business, relationships or life to the next level you’ve got to Step Up and Step In, or Step Out.
I hopped on a plane to Asheville, North Carolina to ... Views: 1047
Imagine waking up in a house, looking out the window, and discovering you are literally hanging over a hillside. No, neither a natural disaster nor massive landslide has removed the earth beneath your feet but rather a group of modern architects with a sense of adventure – and a sense humour – ... Views: 880
Last weekend I finally saw the movie Eat, Pray, Love based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert, and illuminated on screen by a glowing Julia Roberts.
There’s been huge buzz around the book, and the movie, billed as one woman’s (Elizabeth Gilbert) spiritual journey as she travels to Rome, India ... Views: 891
Once while Mahatma Gandhi’s train was pulling slowly out of the station, a reporter ran up to his compartment window. "Do you have a message I can take back to my people?" he asked.
It was Gandhi’s day of silence, respite from his demanding speaking schedule, so he didn’t reply. Instead, he ... Views: 917
Oct. 2, is my late mother’s birthday. She died suddenly in 1998 from complications following a respiratory arrest. She was 65. Ten years earlier, my younger sister died in a car accident at age 23. I dedicate this piece to both of them, two of the people I loved most in this world and who taught ... Views: 1095
A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves. – Marcel Proust
This year my ushering in of spring was a rather rude – and fluid - awakening. While often the season of unpredictable weather, it is generally accompanied by warm, sun-filled days with only occasional ... Views: 702