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Joyful Change With Yvonne

Thank you Yvonne, author of Joyful Change With Yvonne, for nominating me as a candidate for the Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award! I’m so grateful for your nomination and that we’ve “Joyfully” connected here on WordPress!

Yvonne introduced herself to me, in response to a comment I posted on a blog published by Dr. Eric Perry – Dr. Eric Perry | Psychology to Motivate | Inspire | Uplift. Yvonne was thrilled to connect as we both use the word “Joyful” to describe our blog.

CBD is our second connection. Yvonne ‘s family sells CBD products. After reading my recent blog talking about my newest struggles with anxiety, and not wanting to take the highly addictive benzodiazepine, lorazepam to help manage it, Yvonne recommended CBD. It was this suggestion that started my successful use of CBD as part of my anxiety management tool box.

Yvonne is a genuinely joyful person, who connects, supports and uplifts fellow bloggers. She is a bright light of hope and models positivity, overcoming her own personal struggles, including breast cancer.

To read more about Yvonne, and her joyful messages of positive change, click the link below:

Joyful Change With Yvonne

Rules of Participation

I like these awards. They are peer recognition, in a feel good, pay-it-forward way. It always feels good to be positively recognized and it feels good to pass it on!

The Rules for Participation are:

1. Thank the person who have nominated you and provide a link back to his/her blog.
2. Answer their questions.
3. Nominate up to 9 other bloggers and ask them 6 new questions.
4. Notify the nominees through their blog by visiting and commenting on their blog.
5. List the rules and display the “Ideal Inspiration Blogger Award” logo.

The Six Questions

1. Would you consider yourself more as an introvert or an extrovert, or both? Explain why.
2. Which quote do you live by the most?
3. What is your biggest accomplishment in your life thus far? And if you haven’t accomplished it yet, talk about what you would like to accomplish.
4. If you were able to travel back in time to tell your younger self something, what would you say?
5. How would you describe your life purpose?
6. What are three things you value most about a person?

My Answers

1. Would you consider yourself more as an introvert or an extrovert, or both? Explain why.

Without question I am an introvert. However, I can appear to be an extrovert at work or participating in an activity I enjoy, such as kayaking or travel. My husband, Michael calls me a beautiful contradiction. He says I appear as an extrovert, a confident wild and crazy gal. But, I’m really quite shy and keep to myself.

2. Which quote do you live by the most?

A quote that I live by? I don’t so much live by a quote, as I do by trying to connect with the spiritual, authentic Self deep within me – that place of quiet knowing – to navigate my days.

However, a quote that has been a longtime favorite of mine, one I truly resonate with is by Anaïs Nin:

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3. What is your biggest accomplishment in your life thus far? And if you haven’t accomplished it yet, talk about what you would like to accomplish.

I’ve a variety of accomplishments in my life, as I’ve recreated myself many times over the years. Life is messy. Life is beautiful. I’ve hit rock bottoms. I’ve climbed back up from the bottom of despair to take steps each day towards an authentic life. I manage debilitating anxiety and have a history of alcohol addiction. This time around I am 178 days – alcohol free. During my life, I’ve cried with tears of heartbreak and laughed with absolute joy. I’ve risked everything and gained everything.

I’m happily married to the man of my dreams; our marriage is two imperfect people who are perfect for each other! I’ve lived and worked internationally. I’ve traveled the world, and thrived as an educator. I’ve asked Canadian actor Jason Priestley out on a date (he politely declined!) and kayaked with American singer-songwriter James Taylor. I’ve stood at the base of The Great Pyramid, I’ve climbed the iron stairs of the Eiffel Tower and swam with nurse sharks in the Indian Ocean. I’ve grown from struggling through 8 minutes on the elliptical to running up to 18kms along a rugged trail as I train for a half marathon.

At 51 years old, I’m at a place of recreating myself again. I’m reevaluating what matters to me, thinking about how I want this second half of my life to unfold.

At the forefront, is my husband and I’s near future plans of developing our newly purchased lakefront property in Nova Scotia. Our plans include building a geodesic dome home, horses and a barn with a second floor Reiki studio/loft. I will start a small Reiki practice, with our horses and lakefront property a welcoming part of the healing energy that will greet clients when they arrive for treatment.

Next is revisiting an unfinished book I wrote 23 years ago. The story, the characters are a part of me, a part that needs to be finished. I have decided to start publishing it on my blog – a chapter at a time. It will be a slow process, moving one foot in front of the other, as editing is my biggest challenge right now. Who I am as a writer has evolved, matured over the years. How do I maintain the innocence of the voice who wrote the story all those years ago…while weaving in my matured edits?

A childhood career dream was to study dolphins. To live and work with them. My current career as an educator was not a career I sought after, but an opportunity that presented itself to thrive with skills I have.

The ocean is my heart’s calling. How can I manifest my childhood dreams of studying, living and working with dolphins, now?

Lots to think about….

4. If you were able to travel back in time to tell your younger self something, what would you say?

Wow. Big question. I would tell my younger self to learn to love herself, 100%. Love is an inward journey that begins with self, then flows outward. Not the other way around.

5. How would you describe your life purpose?

At this time in my life, my purpose is a humble path of a healer who wants to bring love, joy, peace and kindness to others. My above mentioned Reiki practice will be a manifestation of this. To be a healer, I must continue working on myself – healing the wounded parts within that still carry pain from my formative years. The more pain I heal, and replace with self-love, the more I will be fully present and able to attend to others. I will have an abundance of compassionate space to hold for those who include Reiki as part of their healing journey. Healing is about making something broken, whole again; to help hold a bandaid on a healing, grieving heart.

I’m not sure how my life purpose as a healer will unfold in my desire to study dolphins…

Lots of exciting possibilities to think about!

6. What are three things you value most about a person?

I value many traits, however loyalty and honesty top the list. Courage, optimism, integrity, compassion, playfulness, gentleness, kindness, and a sense of adventure and humor are just as important too! There are lots of great values. It is difficult to choose!

However, I think honesty, transparency and loyalty top my list.

My Nominees Are

I’ve nominated four bloggers who are inspiring in their own unique ways. I hope they enjoy answering these questions as I have:

• dtreez
• BionicOldGuy
• Roser
• M’bolla

The Six Questions From Me: 

I really liked the questions I was asked, so I am asking the same:
1. Would you consider yourself more as an introvert or an extrovert, or both? Explain why.
2. Which quote do you live by the most?
3. What is your biggest accomplishment in your life thus far? And if you haven’t accomplished it yet, talk about what you would like to accomplish.
4. If you were able to travel back in time to tell your younger self something, what would you say?
5. How would you describe your life purpose?
6. What are three things you value most about a person?

Within the vast realm of social media, blogging is a wonderful way to have my own unique voice, my own little corner of the Internet. I enjoy the uplifting spirit of fellow bloggers who support and build each other up. Perhaps, in some way, this collective spirit of positivity, kindness, and joy will spread out and bring more light to the world; to shine a glorious beam of light on some of its darker places…

S, 🐬