Wait! We're Just Getting Started!

Euphoric is the word I would describe the state of our city a week ago. I was downtown the day after elections and I couldn't help but notice the glowing faces and upbeat mood I encountered from others everywhere I went. The air was electric and my steps couldn't have been lighter.

One week later, we are all coming down from the high that notable victories are known for, but one thing we must not do is return to business as usual– of course, old habits die hard.

For the majority of us, it's important to remember we've been conditioned to stand back and let the politicians do their job, while we take our spot on the sidelines to kick up our feet and complain. It's easy, it's comfortable and it's what everyone else does, but this time around it won't work.

We've asked for council members that will open their doors to us and now we've got them... a lot of them. We need to show up. Just as our new council will be seeking to answer the question "How can we work together to make our city and her citizens thrive?" we, as citizens, need to collectively seek to answer "How can we work together to make our city, each other and her council thrive?" In enters the art of respectful and supportive language, the wisdom of seeking to understand opposing views and the knowledge from asking questions and doing our homework. It's important to know what is going on in our city, the issues we face as a community and the impactful decisions that need to be made. Let our council to know we're in this together.

If we all make a commitment to be even a little bit more engaged with City Hall, I have a feeling it will transform our city. It could very well make London a model community for other cities to follow. Isn't that an experiment worth conducting?

Here's your first opportunity to engage with your new City Council in a casual and fun setting: http://bit.ly/1tXFlMV I hope to see you there!

When It's Important, You Step Up.

Last weekend was a weekend I will never forget. I will always think of October 3rd & 4th, 2014 as the weekend my grade 10 Canadian history teacher, Mrs. Tremblay, would have been proud of me for the citizenship I displayed. I have to admit, I even surprised myself.

It started on Friday, when I hosted a "Chili & Politics" party and invited neighbours and friends who live in my ward to meet mayoral candiate, Matt Brown and ward councillor candidate, Virginia Ridley.  I've never done anything like this before and quite frankly, I wasn't sure who would come out or what their response would be. A couple of weeks earlier, I had a dream that my neighbour was deeply offended that I invited her and was crying and yelling at me. Yup. I was way out of my comfort zone, but I believe change can really happen with these two, so the risk of offending someone was worth it.

Overwhelmingly, the response was nothing short of amazing. While we had a few late comers from work, I managed to corral 18 people together in the name of politics. The evening was electric. Great questions were asked, faces were lit up and I have to say my mission was accomplished: a room full of believers. The quality of the dialogue that occurred after the candidates left still gives me goosebumps. Of course, we briefly discussed our experiences (or lack there of) with our current ward councillor, Paul Van Meer Bergen, but the real magic came when we began to dream together the ways we'd like to see our neighbourhood evolve. The talk of a ward council came up and it seemed like the most natural and right thing to do. The best part was the way we all looked at each other, like we finally woke up from a very long sleep and saw each other for the first time as neighbours who can work together to shape our community and influence our local government. Imagine that!

Then with Saturday night came another first: speaking at a large campaign event in support of a mayoral candidate. I have never been so political in my life. But... if I can do anything to influence others to support and endorse this opportunity for the positive change our city so desperately needs, then forget about comfort zones– I'm all in. And so I did it. Along with Glean Pearson and Mike Moffat, I took my turn to stand in front of over 600 Londoners in the former Kingsmill's building at Change Fest London and delivered these remarks:

I'm not a politician or an economist. I didn't major in political science.

I was an educator for over a decade. I've worked in the tech industry as a client relations manager. And now, I've joined the ranks as a local social entrepreneur and small business owner. I'm the wife of a police officer and the mother of two lovely daughters. It's because of my daughters that I am here tonight, which I will explain shortly.

I would like to begin with last night, when Matt and his wife, Andrea, were at my house for a "Chili & Politics" party I organized so Matt and the ward councillor I'm supporting could meet my neighbours. There was one particular neighbour that I was concerned about because he enjoys stirring the pot a little– a lot– and is very open about not voting in elections. When Matt arrived, I quickly introduced the two of them and warned Matt, saying "His bark is worse than his bite. Then I ran off because I didn't want to see or hear what would happen next.

I'm happy to say that by the end of our time with Matt, this neighbour not only committed to having a lawn sign on his front yard; he loudly declared "I'm voting for Matt!" He went on to say he was impressed with how approachable and genuine Matt is and that he could tell that he really cares.

And that, my friends, is the power of Matt Brown.

Now back to my daughters and how they are the reason I'm up here. I've set foot in council chambers on more than one occasion and have been appalled at some of the behaviour I witnessed around the horseshoe. As a mother, I've thought, here I am trying to teach my children to be leaders, yet this type of behaviour, which I would never tolerate in my home, is acceptable here??? I want to see civic leaders so good at leading that I feel inspired to bring my children to council chambers so they can observe a humanistic approach to problem solving. I want them to see adults with integrity, transparency and an outstanding capacity for listening and collaboration.

I support Matt Brown because he is one of those leaders.

As someone vested not only in my children, but all of tomorrow's generation–because I will always be a teacher at heart– I need to know our mayor has his eyes beyond his own lifespan and is not afraid to make bold and often difficult moves to help our city evolve in a way that is attractive and functional, yet socially and environmentally conscious.

Also, as the daughter of an aging mother, I need to know she will be able to live in a city that is accessible and age-friendly.

I support Matt Brown because he has that vision.

As a social entrepreneur, I need to have a leader that leaves space for emerging businesses and industries that will undoubtedly change the landscape of our community. I'm talking Gen X- and millennial-run companies that not only want to make a profit, but want to make positive changes in our community and need to be engaged in collaboration, constructively disruptive activities and divergent thinking because we care. And as someone who is a classic Gen X–by the age of 40 already having 3 distinct careers– ours and future generations need an environment and job strategy that supports a demographic that will no longer spend their entire life at one specific job or career and who is just as concerned with quality of living as they are with having an income.

Lastly, we need a leader who sees our city as a reflection of a global community where diversity is not only celebrated, but given an active voice regardless of income level or what side of Adelaide one lives on.

I believe Matt Brown can deliver on all of this and more. And now, so does my neighbour.

Chaos and Calm Go Hand in Hand.

A death in the family. Crazy activity schedule for kids. Immediate and extended family demands that can't always be met. A new business to tend to... this, in a nutshell, is what's been happening in the last month.

Right now, everything is a blur.

Life just keeps happening no matter who you are. And yes, even being the yogi that I am, I still experience moments when I am reduced to a time-starved, high stressed, carb-eating human doing (not being). The truth is, this is the unsustainable part of the human experience in a privileged country.

Once in a while, things get super busy and chaotic. Depending on the nature of it all, it could last a few weeks, a month or a whole year, especially if there has been a major life crisis. The tough part is recognizing when the tornado of activity is over and it's time to readjust how we move through our day.  I see this quite often with people who are unable to lie still in relaxation at the end of a yoga class; they have the time and space to do nothing, but their bodies and minds just keep going.

Currently, slowing down isn't my struggle. Okay, I lie... it is. Only I have a strong desire to slow down, but the timing isn't quite right. I don't enjoy being this busy, but I do recognize this is the particular season of my life at the moment AND... it's a recently new season, so I have to allow myself time to adapt and adjust. Quite frequently throughout the day, I am checking in with my breathing, the amount of tension in my body and my state of mind.  I find minutes of refuge that feel like hours of recharge when I stop to take in a hug from one of my children, when I pause for a minute to sit silently in my backyard, when I sneak in a handstand before returning to my computer after a bathroom break, when my head hits my pillow at a decent bed time at night... No, these aren't prolonged moments of deep contemplation or silence. Nor are they long hikes in the forest or an evening out with girlfriends. These moments are fleeting, but as long as I can pause to appreciate them they still count and they still refuel my tank.  I know eventually they will grow in length and these hurried days will calm down... and then... start up again... and calm down again... This is life.

What I am struggling with is disappointing extended family members at my current lack of availability. There was a time when I was going to university full-time and working three jobs. There just wasn't enough time in the day to spend time with family. That time in my life is over, but this "season" is quite reminiscent of those old days. It's also reminiscent of a few years ago, when our daughters were 3- and 6-years-old and I returned to school full time to study corporate communications and public relations. It was extremely busy, but that time is over... And so too, this time will eventually come to an end. Chaos. Calm. Chaos. Calm.  Life is ever fluctuating and nothing stays the same. To my family... this won't last forever and I have to give myself permission to disappoint you. I know you still love me ;)

I thank the past version of my husband and myself for planning our annual back country canoe & camping trip to Algonquin Park back in May. I can't wait to embed and insulate myself with my family into the refuge of the wilderness. To wash off this last year of city dwelling and get back to being instead of doing– even if it's only for five days I will soak up every moment like it's a year long retreat. You can bet nobody will hear from me at all.

More Than A Dance

This past weekend both of my daughters performed in their end-of-year dance recital at The Grand Theatre. Of course, like all parents, my husband and I were bubbling over with pride as we watched our girls dance on stage, admiring how confident they are becoming. What's interesting is every year I have this overwhelming feeling of my heart opening up and spilling everywhere as I watch dance act, after dance act hit the stage. What is it about watching these young people dance on stage that makes me want to sob? I asked myself as I watched the sequins and ruffles twirl across the stage. My Truth answered.

On that stage is innocence wrapped in joy, the way the human spirit is meant to show up in the world.  These beautiful children on stage are knocking on a door to something that is locked deep within us: cooperation, collaboration, shared vision. With every synchronized movement they remind us of how much we human beings thrive in harmony. Even the dancer who struggles to keep up is still working in collaboration with the rest of the group and that's why the performance never falls apart. In harmony there is bravery, beauty and focus. When I see this in action on the stage, it makes me long for humanity to "just get along". It gives me hope that we can get it right. It's a complicated dance, but with practice, anything is possible.

It seems when we lost our tribes and clans, we also lost our harmony. Materialism has inhibited our ability to create visions for the higher and greater good, which makes hearing one song difficult, let alone attempting to dance together. Without a big, single vision and without taking the time to learn how to dance together, we end up looking like a bunch of drunken college kids dancing at a bar. It seems like fun in the moment, but its not taking us any where constructive and the morning after always hurts. All we can do is start from where we are: find a song to dance to that elevates our lives and the lives of others and never take our attention off of that tune. Make up our dance, practice and persevere, but whatever we do, we mustn't stop dancing. We need to build our strength, endurance and confidence so when our dance is complete, we can show our families, our friends, our neighbours, our community; bringing harmony where ever we go through love, compassion, patience and understanding.

I guess a dance isn't just a dance. Hopefully I won't embarrass my children by sobbing at next year's recital.

Reflection on Year One of Entrepreneurship (Part 2)

What was I talking about??? What was I about to do??? Where did I put my keys???

Yes... Part 2 of Year One of Entrepreneurship is about the side effects of becoming an entrepreneur.

Mommy Brain is Back.

For the women out there who have experienced "mommy brain",  you will have some experience with scatterbrainitis that entrepreneurs tend to suffer from. Not only does one have more to think about, but each item to think about carries a greater weight of responsibility, which creates internal pressure not to forget anything, which in fact, results in the exact opposite– you forget everything. No longer can I judge business people who appear to be disorganized. Rather, I now appreciate all of the details that need to be attended to and the inexhaustible to-do list floating around in their mental space. It's easy to feel overwhelmed. Enter my mantra: "It will all get done... It will all get done... It will all get done..." which means, some things may not be done in timely matter as it may have been done in the past (ex. responding to emails, blogging, tweeting, etc.) but it doesn't mean I don't care. There's just not enough of me to go around.

I've come to accept a level of disorganization as part of being a business owner, but I've also learned the art of delegation. I simply cannot do everything. Time to start outsourcing. Enter the housecleaning crew, a part-time assistant, more team members and a little more room to breathe.

Look at my little cutie patootie... Awww... do you want your baba?

It's a strange phenomenon that happens to new parents... the tone of their voice changes and they begin speaking infantese. Ever met a business owner who only talks business?  I've caught myself several times. I think need to start reading tabloids.


Is their a multi-vitamin for time deficiency?

Just like having a new born, I am living for the survival and well-being of my neophyte business. When I'm not being a mother and wife, every available minute is unconditionally offered to my new business and just like when I brought my babies home, taking care of my own needs is hit and miss, but I know better than to let it go completely. I have maintained a sporadic 5:00am yoga practice. I take naps. I go to bed at before 11:00pm (most nights). I've been seeing my massage therapist... but I miss my play time.  I need some silliness and good belly laughs. I need to spend more time with friends and extended family. I need to be soaking up some fresh vitamin D and enjoying the outdoors– lately it's just been too cold for my tropically mixed blood. Hurry up warm weather!!!

It will all get done... It will all get done... It will all get done...

Sure it everything takes more effort, but what you end up with is a strong and healthy priority system because your time really is a precious and limited commodity. And just like parenting, being an entrepreneur is the most challenging and rewarding role one can have. I'm also setting out to defy the odds, to create a new model of healthy and well-thy entrepreneurship... please excuse me while I take a moment to "just breathe".

Reflection on Year One of Entrepreneurship (Part 1)

ACHOOOO!!! *SNIFF*  Woah... I guess that's what happens when you blow the dust off a blog you haven't posted to in several months! I can't say I've ever taken this long of a hiatus from writing before. The truth is after I returned from India in January, my relatively new life as an entrepreneur welcomed me back with such vigour that I've had great difficulty finding the time to write... but, I'm back!

I think it would be most fitting for my first post of 2014 be about my first year as an entrepreneur, where the first nine months saw zero income.

So what did I do during that time?

I dreamed, imagined and dreamed some more.
For days I wrote and rewrote my mission and vision statements, scribbled business models on my whiteboard, and dressed and undressed it all in various styles of branding.
I hashed my ideas out with a graphic designer and web developer.
I met with marketing gurus.
I sought the advice of lawyers, accountants, bookkeepers and bankers.
I identified mentors and picked the brains of wise business leaders.
I attended leadership for social change workshops.

For weeks I experimented and played with all of the stress management tools I've experienced success with.
I researched and collected data on the damage stress is creating in our lives and spoke with various professionals trying to do something about it.
I sat in on conversations about stress in the workplace and discovered who the key players are.
I familiarized myself with standards and policies around mental wellness in the workplace.

For months I met people and met people and... met... people.
I listened. I observed. I asked questions and I shared my vision.
I found my supporters and surrounded myself with like minded individuals.

I stretched and kept stretching until I was completely out of my comfort zone.
 
For fleeting moments I doubted and second guessed... and yes, I got scared.
I was reaffirmed by my conviction and the people who believed in me.
I found the courage to continue moving forward.

The vision and mission evolved and branding was nailed.
Passionate and talented yoga teachers appeared. They believed in my vision and wanted to be part of its mission. I was humbled and scared (again) because it was already growing bigger than I had anticipated. I was and still am obsessed, grateful, amazed with this new venture.

By early fall, the big red velvet curtains on the stage were were the only thing separating my dream from becoming reality– I could hear people taking their seats before the show began and it made me nervous. In October, the curtains were drawn open and Prana was launched. Clients showed up and we started doing what we originally set out to do: shift peoples lives.

I can't express the how gratifying it is to watch something go from thoughts in your head to a team of teachers and a growing list of clients. It's unbelievable how much growth I've undergone while going through this entire process.

This past year, I've been able to test and prove the yogic ideals of becoming comfortable with not having all the answers and having faith that all problems have a solution, providing you look for the solution and not become distracted by the problem.

I've experienced the truth of our interconnectedness, that you cannot make a business happen by yourself:
You get business by doing business.
If you care for the success of your community, your community will care for the success of you.
If your vision is big enough, it will attract the right people to bring it to life.

And it seems the more symbiotic relationships a business creates, the more the business organically grows.

I LOVE the quality of life it has given me. As much as my previous employer, rtraction, was flexible and more than accommodating, I always felt I was costing someone else money and inconvenience if I wholeheartedly put my family first. That internal tension is now gone.

If my kids need me, without hesitation, I am there and I can give them my full attention.
More often than not, we eat healthy, home cooked meals.
Our house feels lived in.
I have more to give to myself, which means I have more to give to my husband and children.
I am available for my mother if she gets sick.
I have a decent bed time.
I can control the flow of work, appreciating that there will be high periods of busy-ness, but the rest of the time my workload is reasonable.

My team members tell me they are grateful to be able to have such an in-depth, positive impact on people and they enjoy the sense of community we're creating within our team. They appreciate how they are able determine how many hours they can dedicate to Prana and it's always adjustable to accommodate their ever changing life.

Our clients are sharing their success stories and value the services we offer. In such a short time, it seems we are indeed making a positive shift in the lives of people.

This last year will be unforgettable as I witnessed a dream turn into thoughts on a paper and grow into something real as I watered it with action. To me, being an entrepreneur means being able hear your heart beating so loudly that it moves other people.

Namaste.