Chantal

I could feel them. They were rising up quickly ready to spill down my cheeks. Tears. Vulnerably showing my deep seeded emotions. My lips were quivering. I was trying to hold my breath for fear of being embarrassed, yet somehow shallow gasps escaped. I finally allowed my body to be free to express myself. I knew I was safe, I was free in that space with Chantal Kreviazuk. I was reacting honestly to the song, "In this Life," she was belting out in this awe-inspiring, empowering way. Chantal is raw, honest and one of the most wisest woman I have ever met. She is a gifted songwriter who gets to the core of our humanness.

Chantal was the guest artist for the Imagine Film Festival at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. She is an advocate for CMHA raising awareness for mental illness, trying to stamp out the stigma that surrounds mental health and sharing that knowledge through the arts. She says, "I want people to realize that we're all born with unique challenges. When we isolate people because of their differences, the fabric of our society is compromised." You can read more here. Chantal has a close family member who wrestles with mental illness so her perspective is a unique one and one I can relate to, which is the reason I reacted so strongly to this song.

I experienced a God-moment with Chantal that night. I will forever cherish the moment. For me, it was "church"-well how church should be. "Broken people NOT pretending to be broken." (Remember this post?) There was an aura of raw honesty, respectability, love and freedom. Connection. She gets my perspective and I can't tell you the relief I experienced in my soul. Also, she gave me hope, in the form of art, to express my outlook of mental illness because as she said, "it is complicated."

My friends and I had the privilege of meeting Chantal after the concert. She is SO down-to-earth and real. A people person for sure who LOVES connecting with her audience. She took time with everyone to chat, sign autographs and take pictures. She appeared to be in NO hurry. A beautiful evening that has since spurred many ideas in my head on how I can advocate. She is my kind of girl that Chantal!

Chantal Kreviazuk and I at the Imagine Film Festival, Whitby, ON, Oct. 20, 2010

Chantal Kreviazuk - In This Life [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

10 Day Challenge - Day Eight

Kingston, ON, July 2009-Artists' tools

Today Feathers of Inspiration want us to share our:

Three turn ons

Here are mine:

1) A sense of humour, including the ability for the person to laugh at my jokes as well.

2) A good cook who also does dishes and vacuuming and heck, all household chores!

3) A creative soul.

What are your three turn ons?

10 Day Challenge

My friends over at Feathers of Inspiration are taking us on an unique 10 day challenge. I am just joining in on the fun. Why don't you!

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

1) Bad breath.

2) Extremely tight jeans on guys.

(I found this pic on google images!)

3) Guys that don't pay for coffee on the first date.



4) Conceited people.

questions

I love asking unique questions. I'm not sure why but suspect it has to do with my interest in finding out more about the people in my life. Over at this Feathers of Inspiration blog post you will discover they like asking unique questions too! What are your answers? Here are mine:

Six things I wish I'd never done:

1) Taken grade 11 and 12 math in one year.

2) Not standing up for that "misfit" in my high school who was teased frequently. Her locker was beside mine. I wish I would have had more guts back then.

3) Transferred to YFC Brockville. Although the difficult time I encountered there made me stronger, introduced me to some beautiful people and led me to a healing place at GCC, which in turn allowed me to meet more beautiful people.

4) Walked away from that moment where I should have kissed Freddie the farmer(my ex boyfriend) on the corner of Calgary Trail and Whyte Ave., Edmonton, Alberta many years ago!

5) Crashed my dad's brand new 1983 Cutlass Supreme into the side of the hospital parking garage where he was being treated for an ulcer! I made it worse that day. I was 16 years old and had recently gotten my driver's licence. But, I received the best advice from the police officer that day...he told me to get back into that car and drive it home or I would never want to drive a car again! I must also add that as the accident was occuring, our close family friends were parking their car in this same garage, as they were on their way up to see my dad in the hospital! It was a God-thing for sure. They were a great help to me and still are to this day!

6) Permed my hair! For years I never realized I had naturally wavy hair and didn't need a perm because I always permed my hair!

Inside the mind of two children with autism!

I have the privilege of working with some amazing students with special needs. Sometimes I think they teach us more about ourselves than from what we teach them. One boy ("Q") in grade 5 who has autism, wrote a "get well" letter to his classmate (Tristan) who broke his femur while racing his dirt bike. Tristan came to visit the class last week during his recuperation. "Q" asked if he could read his letter to Tristan. "Q" stood up, adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and in a strong, enunciated voice read the following:Priceless!

A few weeks ago, I walked past our teachers resource room and the following is what captured my attention:

I knew EXACTLY who the culprit was and let out a laugh! It is not graffiti. It is the handiwork of another student with autism. This girl is not as high functioning as "Q," but she is smart and very special nonetheless! She has given us an opportunity to "climb into her skin." Except I have no idea how to interpret her missive! Priceless!

home

best friends together again offering free love

HOME: "a place of refuge, 'in the bosom,' warm closeness, a state of enclosing intimacy."

Have you ever been enjoying a moment where everything is fitting together perfectly and you suspect you are part of something bigger than yourself (I call those "God-moments!"), part of an unfolding story where you know beyond a shadow of a doubt you will be a piece of the conclusion, a moment where words are incapable of explaining that which is taking place in your soul and externally around you?

I had the privilege of experiencing a "God-moment" a few weekends ago at my dear friends' home. My other dear friend Shave and I dropped in unexpectedly to the Dallas home on that sunny Saturday afternoon. Shave was in town and wanted a visit with us together.

The Dallas home is beyond welcoming! There is always the smell of fresh baking permeating the air. The kids always greet me with a hug and a kiss and a "I love you Aunt Skin!"("Aunt Skin" is my nickname given by their mom a long time ago! I can't believe it has stuck and been passed down to the next generation!) There is always laughter. The Dallas home is always busy yet intimate. The patriarch and matriarch of the home, Darryl and Lisa, have a gift of hospitality. Immediately, they make you feel comfortable and at home. Free love is all around. The Dallas home is a place where one can totally be themselves. It is home. It is a "place of refuge, in the bosom, warm closeness, a state of enclosing intimacy."

What Shave and I didn't know was the Dallas' were expecting company later that afternoon. But they didn't care we were there. In fact, they wanted us to stay. So, we stayed! It was definitely meant to be. We helped with the food preparation and the setting of the table. My soul was filled and happy even in doing these mundane chores!

Instantly, when the guests arrived, Shave and I felt a connection with these strangers. The kitchen of the Dallas home is the heart of their home so as we, strangers and friends, stood together in this space, something special began to form. It is difficult for me to put into words, yet I somehow want to capture this moment so I won't forget.

...healing...forgiveness...no filter...laughter...tears...peace....singing...harmonies...dancing to Wii...amazing food...listening...honesty...coming alongside and helping one of the strangers on their journey of faith...silly talk...comfort...comfortable...sounds of children everywhere...love...love...and more love...free love...Jesus...free love...

I am incredibly grateful to be part of this stranger's story. I am incredibly grateful for the gift of friendship. My soul is once again energized. I am at home.

home: "a place of refuge, 'in the bosom,' warm closeness, a state of enclosing intimacy."

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. I have had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend, especially savouring my dad's tantilizing turkey and my mom's palatable pumpkin pie. (I do think she makes the best pumpkin pie!) Tonight I am off to friends for our annual soccer game and pizza feast! Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give thanks for all the good things in our lives, the hard times in our lives that have made us stronger, the freedoms we abundantly enjoy and the opportunity to gather with family and friends celebrating each other.

However, for me Thanksgiving means more than these things. My parents have always extended pure, unconditional hospitality to those without family close by or those who are less fortunate each year. I am grateful for their unselfish spirit of generosity. It is a beautiful gift. I have to confess I am a wee bit more selfish than they. I'm not sure how that happened along the path of my life's journey! Don't get me wrong, I love entertaining, I love people but am a bit more protective of my time.

This year, we enjoyed two different sets of people at our dinner table throughout the weekend, one planned and one unexpected- late last night actually. Weary was I when I climbed into bed, yet somehow I felt refreshed and rejuevenated! I care about people, I love helping people and I love hearing their life story. Thanksgiving has taught me to go back to that place where I know the core of my being is unselfish and open to the lives surrounding me. When we give in this way, we are blessed beyond our expectations. Thankful am I.