WE Day Toronto 2012

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”     

    ~ Mahatma Gandhi       

          

I had the absolute privilege of volunteering at We Day here in Toronto on Friday September 28^th.  I am someone who volunteers quite often and I have to say, this event has got to be one of the best things I have done in my entire life.  I’m still talking about it, telling friends and fellow co-workers how grand a day it really was.  To be a part of such an extraordinary day, filled with youth of all ages, all their for the same purpose.  It was truly a sight to see! And something I encourage everyone to experience!

I was brought to tears on more than one occasion, taking in the over 18,000+ kids who were there in attendance, raising their voices up with one goal in mind.  Be The Change! We have the POWER! Goosebumps are multiplying on my arms once again just remembering and still feeling the vibrating buzz of the energy that filled the entire Air Canada Centre!! It was a powerful and impactful moment for me. 

We Day allows youth to come together as one, to celebrate the power of each individual to create change both locally in their community and globally around the world.

Free the Children is an International Charity and Educational Partner, that believes in a world where each person, boy or girl at any age can become agents of change and make that difference! Free the Children assists in giving young people a voice, freeing them from the notion that they are powerless to affect positive change in the world. 

http://www.muchmusic.com/events/weday/video/cid/771833/pid/124276/we-day-2012-preshow-we-day-is

From what I saw last Friday, these kids can do anything they put their minds too. 

http://www.freethechildren.com/

There were so many fabulous speakers and entertainers to fill the day with insight, laughter and fun! Al Gore and Martin Sheen to name but a few were phenomenal speakers.  Nelly Furtado and Jennifer Hudson brought down the roof with their fantastic voices! Hedley and  K’Naan were there as well to entertain us all.

There was a moment, when J Hud was singing Hallelujah, one of my all time favorite songs of all time by the way, when she asked the kids to sing it back to her.  All of a sudden, 18,000+  kids in unison began to sing the words of Hallelujah back to her in a harmonic beauty and it literally took my breath away. (yup, goosebumps again) Tears flowing in hot streaks down my face as I looked around the massive crowd to realize that tears were flowing down their cheeks as well.  We were all connected together by love and mutual understanding of one another.

Little 9 year old Sydney gave her ‘PM in 40 years’ speech.  Utterly amazing!!! You have to see the clip below of her speech at We Day!! I promise you will be moved beyond words like I was!

http://www.muchmusic.com/events/weday/video/cid/771903/pid/124276/we-day-2012-sydneys-speech-pm-in-40-years

If these youth can come together with one goal in mind, there is absolutely no reason why us as adults can’t do the same.  If I learned anything from We Day, it was that no matter your age, race, gender or the obstacles you face is not a hinderance or reason to disallow yourself to be part of any movement that can change the world to make this world a world where we can all live in peace and at peace.  It can be done.  These children taught me that at We Day!

The link below are more clips from We Day.  Check them out.  You will be blown away at the magnitude of what a day like this can unleash.  Stating the word POWERFUL doesn’t even begin to cover it!

http://www.muchmusic.com/events/weday/video

Be the Change!!

Misty

xo

Lean On Me

Hi friends!  I know it’s been awhile but as many of you out there, summer was crazy for me too.  But, the Fall is upon us, with the leaves already changing colors and dropping to the ground.  I know I’m not alone in being happy that the hot is gone.  Bring on the sweater weather!!

I’ve been wanting to write  a post for a few weeks now.  There is so much to talk about, I was at a loss as to where to start. But then last night happened and I then knew exactly what I wanted to say. 

First, give this a listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZR4cVE0Htw&noredirect=1

This song says it all doesn’t it? No matter the trials and tribulations we face I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I have people in my life who will stand beside me offering their strength and love to help me make it through the dark and into the light again.  I have placed these people in my life for reasons that I may not even fully understand yet.  Man am I smart or what?

And just as I have placed these amazing spirits where I need them, they have done the same with me.  They have me just where they need me. Whenever and wherever, I am there!!

No judgments. No snide remarks. No phoniness. Real life. Real friends. Real hearts.

There is one catch though.  You have to be willing and open to accept the help.  Let that person help you carry on.  Don’t push them away. You need them.  This is a lesson I had to learn.  I felt that if I gave in and admitted I needed help I was a failure.  Failure was and still can be sometimes one of my biggest fears.  I felt like I was claiming defeat, like I had no power.  As a child, I had no power, so naturally,  as I got older I had to have the power always. I had to be the one in control no matter what.  While other areas of my life suffered, I was determined to make it seem like I had it all together.  It thought I was ok with hurting on the inside as long as people thought I was strong and happy on the outside.  Boy was I foolish.  As Iyanla would say, ‘Let’s call a thing a thing people!!’

After I finally admitted to myself what was really going on and finally allowed the true healing to begin, I was able to welcome the love and support from others.  I knew I wasn’t alone.  Being alone can be so completely debilitating.  No one should have to live like that.

Be honest.  Speak the truth.  Be the light.

Once you release all that tension and let go of the barriers you insist on carrying with you, I promise it be so freeing.  You will free your mind, free your soul and free your future.  All of the possibilities can unfold right in front of you just by swallowing some of that pride!!

Have a great day lovies!!

Misty

xo

Deserving of Happiness

The last few months have brought me so many ups and downs it has been hard to catch my breath at times.  Still reeling with the sadness over losing my step dad and seeing my mom in pain has been difficult but knowing that she will survive this, get stronger every day and live her life with fulfillment and purpose makes me feel at ease in my soul.  Yes times will be tough, moments will be hard to accept, memories are sad to make knowing that someone is missing, but never forgotten. Each day is proving to be a lesson and I am striving to learn what each one is trying to tell me.

Amongst the sadness and loss, there was a beam of the brightest light I have ever seen.  First it was Lifeclass here in Toronto and the amazing Tea Party with OWN Canada and of course meeting some of my fantastic Canadian OWN Ambassadors.  And now…..not only were we talking about going to LA in October for the O You event, but to top that already cherry topped sundae, we are now going to have lunch with Oprah herself! How many people can say that? When I say a dream come true, those words somehow don’t even begin to explain the full extent of the overwhelming excitement I feel all the way down to my orange painted toes! I am having lunch with some amazing friends and OPRAH!!! OMG!!! OMG!!! OMG!!! Sometimes I have to say it out loud just so I can hear it!! LOL

This LA trip will allow me to cross 2, count them 2 things, maybe more off my Bucket List.  WOOHOO!!

I realized something this morning when I was on my way to the office.  This place I am in right now, although I am still making changes in my life and still learning, striving to live authentically, aside from all of that, I am the best me I can be right now.  Always a student of life, accepting that I really can’t do it all but I can have all my dreams if I work at it! To have been able to connect with great people, being given the opportunities for Lifeclass and now O You and lunch with Oprah….I am deserving of happiness.  Really and truly.  I already knew this however the meaning really reflected something different in my heart today.  It’s so easy for me to get down on myself, always pointing out my flaws, what I need to change, what I do wrong.  But this morning, I thought…Hmm, I’m really deserving of all of this! When it comes to others, I have no problem in feeling confident in that I love hard and forever.  I take care of my loved ones, doing whatever needs to be done.  I put them first, ensuring they have what they need and I love doing that! Knowing that I helped in making them happy, putting a smile on their face and making my love and presence felt is something I will forever do.  What I lack is focusing that same passion onto myself.  But why?  I obviously have the capability, so why not love me and do whatever it takes for me?  I am deserving, so incredibly deserving!  We all are! We each have setbacks and flaws and things that we aren’t necessarily proud of.  But that doesn’t matter at all!  Good things can still happen and we have to accept it and enjoy it.  Don’t waste your time asking why this is happening or thinking that something will go wrong.  Just let it be.  Let it be something wonderful that you can enjoy because you have earned it!

Have a great day friends!!  More to come soon…I have a feeling my soul has much more to say!!!

Take care

Misty

xoxo