Inspiring To Aspire
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Hey, thanks for your interest to check out this website! Be sure to reach out for any QUESTIONS, FEEDBACK or SHARE YOUR TIPS!
This is a place where I have poured out all significant events since the emergency brain tumour surgery of 2011. I started writing “Day By Day”(2014) from my hospital bed with intentions to keep note of all the surreal things happing from once a provider, then to patient. I shake my head in disbelief that 5 hours of emergency changed my life ‘just like that’. Well… I’m Still Melissa though!
The goal of this website is to inspire both of us. It’s filling to help others who need/want it, which gives me purpose and keeps me accountable.
In the menu: Here are links to MY BT STORY, how Music, Public Speaking and Inspired Echoes have helped me with STANDING BACK UP and, with your help, the ever growing TIPS to navigate this precious new life we have.
The following video ‘Still Melissa’ (2020) made with the Brain Tumour of Canada was screened at the 1st International Digital Story Festival in Zakynthos Greece Oct 2024! Whaaaat?! I know!!! (full story under My Story> Standing Back Up>Inspired Echoes>Inspiring To Aspire.
Video credit: Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Todd Goold, Michael Lang, PhD & Melissa MacKenzie. Note: The character “Edna” is based on true events
Image creation -These 3 categories in yellow (Musical Muses, Public Speaking & Inspired Echoes) shows all 9 stories in ‘Standing Back Up’.
For me, life has been like climbing a mountain- it has periodic places to rest, but not for long because it’s constantly crumbling. The beauty of it is the multiple times a day I just smile to myself and soak up the moment- fully immersed without a care in the world. The bitter sweet reality are those of constant loss, struggle and for me- burning out every few months due to naturally jumping at opportunity fearlessly regardless of repercussions. This surely explains my highly positive, jokey and sarcastic nature.
If you don’t be your true self and constantly learn & grow- what’s the point of living? I refuse to just pay bills, get angry at things I can’t/ won’t try to change. I’m going to live as fearless, free, help others & be as independent as best as I can, until I can’t.
I know, I know, I’m ‘talking’ too much. But this is ME, Melissa: an energetic, creative and determined (stubborn) soul that is driven to make lives better. Sometimes I struggle with depression- so I take a break, re-calibrate and then get back up again. No, it’s not that easy- sometimes, life just isn’t fair- but hey, sometimes, life is amazing! Never give up. Know that everyone copes differently; learn the new YOU & manage expectations.
Don’t forget to put adult bullies back in their place- only if needed.
Basically, peace, love, and piss off.
TBA