Eager to share stories of the people and opportunities that unknowingly helped me stand back up (figuratively and literally!)
Looking back, I noticed these stories fit in 1 of 3 categories: Musical Muses, Public Speaking & Inspired Echoes.
Musical Muses
The power of music astounds me to this day. It’s so universal, yet so personal.
Merely weeks out of hospital, living back at Moms, I sent the Doug and the Slugs band a message on their website …read more
Music has always been a passion of mine. I have fond memories of playing my acoustic guitar at the drunken basement jam nights. After ‘the’ surgery I was unable to play. just like that. So, I got rid of it. But then, something incredible happened…
Back when was working full time, on a quiet friday afternoon I remember having chuckles with a co-worker while we looked up goofy Guinness World Record holders like ‘hairiest person’ and ‘longest nails’. In no way did I think I’d be helping break one. …read more
Public Speaking
Public speaking was brutal when I was a kid! Remember being told a lengthy list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ followed by being fed to the wolves of judgement at the front of the class? *shivers*. Apparently Public Speaking is the #1 fear! (yes, death is #2!).
Oh, that rush of standing at the front of the room, all eyes on you, silence is ironically deafening as you break the silence with your first words spoken! What if I told you there’s a trick that makes it exciting? No, it’s not picturing everyone in their undies! …read more
I’m an odd bird; I knew my passion at a very young age. After getting my diploma and degree in Gerontology, I had a lengthy career working in Long Term Care in the Programs department for over 10 YEARS, then Documentation and Quality Improvement Management later.
A few years after the BT of 2011, I was asked to present the KEYNOTE SPEECH for my ultimate passion: the Activity Professions of Ontario!! …read more
Within the same month as the APO Keynote, I spoke at a book launch about ‘my story’ and in a photo-art book, (“Life Messages” by Laurie Goodman). Little did I know, this would be the start of some incredible inspired echos....read more
Inspired Echoes
It’s amazing how one person or experience can have a domino effect on ever more things to happen, isn’t it? The following are only a few examples of the ‘domino effect’. We might not be able to change the big issues in the world, but we CAN help make other people’s lives better.
As I sit here ‘speechless’ trying to find the words to explain the 3 year long ‘Hats For Hope’ initiative, perhaps I’ll start by saying it was inspired by an act of kindness …read more
Probably like you, I am tired of hearing about the COVID pandemic. Truly. I was even fed up while it was happening. It was exhausting listening time and time again what people were and weren’t doing and divisive statements. I wanted to do something to make things better for everyone, but what?!? …read more
Like a true echo, the “Still Melissa” video made a few years ago echoed all the way from Toronto Ontario Canada Allll the way to Zakinthos Greece! … read more…
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