We had the privilege of presenting our Dare to Be the Change workshop to two beautiful (inside and out) young women, Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake Erika Ingram and Kelowna’s Princess Breanne Cadham.

There was one point in the conversation where Breanne expressed her desire to go to medical school and then to volunteer through Doctors Without Borders in a third world country.  I sighed, thinking of the many times I wished I had such a skill that could be utilized to save lives.  Then Erika brought to my attention a very important point, she said, “You don’t have to be a doctor to help, my father organized a trip and took with him doctors and surgeons to perform corrective surgery for those born with a cleft palette.  He wasn’t a doctor but he was able to carry patients, and assist the doctors in numerous ways to make this endeavor a success.  So don’t give up on that dream.”

I appreciate this comment because it really did awaken that dream again, and I realized that I can’t discount myself because I don’t have a certain skill, but rather I need to accept and utilize the skills I do have to then make it happen.  I am sure that all of you have felt this way about something in your life, you tell yourself you can’t do it just because you may not have the formal training, the perfect talent or the money needed.  But I know you need to believe in the power of your dreams, no matter what.  Where there’s a will there’s a way, it may just take looking at your dream from a different angle to find a way to make it a reality.

This week I dare you to:

• Think about a dream you have dismissed.  Now take away all the excuses and reasons why you think you can’t do it and just write it down on your list.  If you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen.  There is also something magical about writing your dreams down, it seems things tend to fall into place when we least expect it and in a way we never would have thought possible.
• Make your “Dream List.”  Just start writing don’t ask how, when or with what money.  If you could do anything, anywhere, anytime what would it be.  What are some of your biggest dreams, and write down those simple dreams as well.  Your list could include things from watching a sunset with loved ones to building an orphanage in Peru.  Just write, and don’t stop.  Let yourself be completely in the moment, and when you hear that little voice start to convince you not to write something, push those thoughts out of your mind and just write!
• Choose one Dream from your list and take 5 minutes each morning to think about, visualize and enjoy “daydreaming” about your chosen dream.  When you hold your dreams close to your hearts and minds you will find that little ideas and thoughts will begin to form and will eventually take you in the right direction to living those dreams.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Today brought many tears as we said farewell to our puppy, Jyro, a loyal friend and protector of our family.  He was hit by a motorbike at a high rate of speed and had irreparable damage to his spine.  This tragedy brought life’s fragility to the forefronts of my mind.  It also helped me understand on a very small scale how many feel at the loss of loved ones.  It made me think deeply and I knew I had to share these thoughts with each of you.

How many of you know 100% that you are going to be alive and well at this time tomorrow, do any of us have that guarantee?  I know that is an awful way to put it, but it makes you think doesn’t it, about how fleeting life is.  None of us know exactly how many days, weeks, months, years we have to be here.  Today I found myself pondering how quickly life can change, how fast we can come to the end of our journey.  I want you each to think for a moment about your life as it is right now.  If this were your last night would you have any regrets?  Would you change anything; how you lived each day?  Did you embrace the moments?  Have you mended the pains of the past?  Do you express your love to those in your life daily?  I plead for you to think of a time when life seemed so fragile and remember the urgency you felt to live your life each day to the fullest.  Love more completely, mend old grievances, be slow to anger and quick to forgive, relish the simple pleasures and triumphs, be grateful for each act of kindness another shows, see the good in those around you, dream big but love even bigger and find joy in your journey.

This week I dare you to:

• Think about what you would do if you knew this was your last day.

• Put the BIG things first in your life this week and see how the little things either fall into place or fall out of your life.

• Let your loved ones know how you feel: write a love note, make a phone call or 10, have a heart to heart, or spend that quality time they have been yearning for.

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. ~ Edward Everett Hale

A simple act of kindness done by my 7 year old son reminded me it is those simple day to day occurrences that truly shape someone’s character. It is often the little things that make life big.

I will share just one of the many special moments this week. In Teagan’s class we offer a reward for positive behavior, kindness, helpfulness and so on. The children have to earn 4 “awards” to be able to trade them in for a special prize. There is a young girl who just came recently, and so she only has received two tickets. Yesterday she saw someone else getting a prize and came to get one too. I had to explain to her that she needed to wait until she had four awards; at this she was visibly upset. Her mom further explained to her how the awards work and said maybe she would get one next week. However, she still needed two awards to choose a prize. Awhile later as I was cleaning up Teagan came to me and said, “Mom, I want to give Ashtyn one of my awards so that next week she can get a prize because I know she only has two and that won’t be enough.” I stopped what I was doing and had to hold back the tears, these are the moments in a mother’s life that you cherish. I had not mentioned a word to him; he had just observed what was taking place and then had found a way to help all on his own. So together we went, took an award, crossed his name out and put Ashtyn on it then placed it in her pile. I am so grateful for his example.

How often do we pass by a simple act of kindness not considering the great impact it could have? How many times do we feel like we should call someone, or stop by with some goodies, or just say hello, yet we are too busy to take the time? How often do you push a thought out of your mind with the response, I will do that later and then later never comes? We all want to make a difference and may feel overwhelmed at the many needs around the world, and yet there are many little things we can do to make a change for the better within our own homes, schools and communities. The big things are important, but we must also be aware of the little things that make a big difference.
This week I dare you to:

• Listen to your heart when you feel like you should do something, stop and do it. Don’t let the opportunity to serve pass you by.
• Try doing one simple act of service every day this week.
• Call someone you have been meaning to connect with but haven’t made the time to do it.
• Let someone know just how important they are to you.
• Smile.

Now, here is a 47 year old woman who is currently unemployed, has never been married, lives in a small village, and who has had a dream since the tender age of 12.  When asked what her dream was she replied, “I am trying to be a professional singer.” Simon candidly asks her why it hasn’t worked out yet and Susan’s reply is, “Because I have never been given the chance before, I hope this will change that.”

Many judged this woman as she stood confidently on the stage.  There were sneers and giggles, cat calls and rolled eyes as she stated her dream, but she didn’t falter or allow their disbelief to alter her view of herself and her abilities.

The first words of the song floated so sweetly on the air; the look of shock and pure joy was prevalent on the judge’s faces as well as those in the audience.  Her tender melody and beautiful vocals brought tears to my eyes and many fortunate enough to be in attendance there.  How remarkable it was to see someone who has first been judged critically because of her appearance, age, status and then continues on and shines brighter than ever thought possible.  I am grateful for this opportunity to witness many being taken aback and realizing how they had unfairly judged someone they had never met, purely based on outward appearance.  I am filled with gratitude for this woman I have never met for daring to dream, and believing in herself; enough to feel the fear and do it anyway.  What strength it must have taken to come out onto that stage and be willing to put herself out there, be vulnerable amidst the doubt and critics, and take a chance.  She has inspired me to realize the abilities of others, at whatever age or stage of life they are in; to see the potential in others first, and to support one another in our dreams.

We all have so much to offer, if only we will seize the opportunities that we are given and not be afraid to share ourselves with the world.  I am grateful that Susan didn’t just stay home, allowing herself to believe the first impressions of many; that she is too old, doesn’t have the right look, or isn’t in the right place in her life.  I feel that Susan was now at a point of content with her life, that whether or not she moved on to the finals, wasn’t as important as sharing herself and her talent with the world.  It goes to show that one decision; one opportunity can really change your life.  Don’t sit idly by, get up and sing, dance, write, play; just believe in you and your dreams and see what happens.  Remember you are amazing, beautiful, talented and remarkable now go and dare to be.

This week I dare you to:

• Be content. Every time you feel those thoughts of inadequacy or judgment from yourself or others, repeat the Dare to Be Statement, “I am content to be me and not afraid to show the world.”
• Think of and write down a list about you.  What are the things you are content with, what are your strengths and abilities, talents and dreams.
• If there is something you don’t like about yourself, try to understand why.  We all have underlying factors that change our view or perception of who we are and of our worth.  There may have been a child who teased you about your glasses, the size of your nose, or the way you ran.  You may have not made the cut for the school track team, or you may have entered a contest only to hear the criticism of the judges and take that to heart.  You may have had a dream but been told you were too young, old, not smart, pretty, tall, thin, strong enough.  After you have looked back at these things, I want you to really see why you have these judgments and how they are not true, or just someone’s unfair opinion.  Then I want you to write something you do love about that area or part of you, even if it is just that you are grateful to be able to walk, to smell, to feel or see.  Find one thing that you do love about that part of you and be content with who you are at this moment; let go of the past, dream for tomorrow and live today.