I am thankful to the amazing people who have chosen to spend time with me, some new friends, some old and some business colleagues that have given great advice about finding new places to put my own efforts.
I have been thinking about how our personal energy and energy exchange between people impacts us. Some energy is wonderful and other energy can be difficult. I look at how children make friends, or how even my dog interacts with people or other canines, and started wondering when we stop being that open as adults. I’ve pondered the fact that some friendships cultivate due to timing, or proximity, yet other relationships don’t develop into a deeper bond, simply due to circumstance.
Several things diminished my capacity to share my energy. My divorce was very hard on me. It took years to recover from that abusive situation. My chronic pain is crippling and takes more energy than I'd like to admit. Admitting it seems like I'm letting it win. The death of my uncle, a friend and my aunt impacted me greatly this past year. I relied heavily on my aunt for professional guidance and personal support. She was my spirit guide and I feel she still is because I hear her voice in my head telling me to question, challenge and motivate myself. I feel a void that will likely not ever be filled, but I also started evaluating how I can give and also receive by being more open again.
I am thankful to the amazing people who have chosen to spend time with me, some new friends, some old and some business colleagues that have given great advice about finding new places to put my own efforts. I am thankful to have joined the Edmonton Broadcasters Club committee and the In The Weeds YEG group. These two volunteer opportunities have been wonderful. The broadcaster community is like family to me. I have always said I was raised and nurtured within this incredibly supportive family and wanted to give back to try to repay even a tiny bit of what it gave to me. What a wonderful experience it has been to reconnect with so many former colleagues.
In The Weeds is a passionate group comprised primarily of chefs and restaurant owners who want to bring mental wellness support to the hospitality industry. I feel this sort of movement is required in all business sectors and in life as more than ‘lets talk’ lip service. I commend this group for their passion and compassion and for allowing me to be a part of this change. It is very close to my heart. It is a pleasure to be getting to know these wonderful people.
To everyone who has made time for a coffee or a lunch; to anyone that I have seen, or will see soon, thank you to you too. Our experiences form our legacy and I value you. I believe we are not meant to walk the path alone and even when it is hard to come out of the shadows, there will eventually be light, and from my experience, hands to hold and outstretched arms to embrace.
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