Random acts of compliments

Have you ever noticed someone nicely dressed, coiffed or stylin' and wanted to tell them so but were afraid to be seen as a perv or the compliment as a come on? Well, in my journey of putting out positivity, I did just that.

I saw this lovely, career-put-together, basketball-pregnant-to-there woman on the subway yesterday. And I gulped, excused myself, and told her so. Her response? "Thank you! You just made my day... and probably my weekend too!!!"

The lesson: speak your truth. So I say 'go forth into the world and spread joy.'

Spring for HOPE - April 13, 2010

"It is better to give than receive." And so I did today on behalf of The Greater Toronto Apartment Association (GTAA) and its 10th annual Spring HOPE Food Drive. The drive helps restock depleted food bank shelves with much-needed food items, and it is a great way for neighbours and friends to further build a sense of community while making a difference. It reminded of the time me and my staff took the time out of the busy holiday season to volunteer at the Daily Bread Food Bank... unforgetable.

The Power of Personal Presence

There are times when we all feel out of control. You know what I'm talking about. As spring brings buds and renews, I notice how much Boris stops to smell every single petal or leaf. He is really taking the time to enjoy his presence in it, and he reminded me it was time to pause (paws) from the chaos of my recent life for simplicity, renewal and healing at a yoga retreat long weekend at Grail Springs, near Bancroft, Ontario.

What struck me on this weekend wasn't the labyrinth walk to ask questions and seek a go forward life plan. Nor was it losing 24" of toxic waste from being wrapped like a tootsie roll in minerals or the ion cleanse foot bath. It wasn't even the notion of drinking mud for breakfast, or expressing gratitude, humility, grace and reverance in a 6-minute mantra each morning.

It was bonding with beautiful and strong kindred spirits; women seeking transformation: Jenn, Patricia, Flora, Mary, Brenda, Michelle, Lori and Karen. We didn't know each other's last names. We relinquished interpretation of who each is, what they do for a living, or what they did in the past and interacted without ego, but with attention. What a powerful presence it was sitting around the bonfire or over a meal or in meditation. We were personally alert, still and present in the moments.