Category Archives: Family

Day 3 – #SoloRoadTrip: Gut Instincts, Gravel Roads & Gaining Time

28 Thursday Aug 2025

Posted by in Business, Family, Inspiration, Life's Lessons, LifePlanning, SoloRoad

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Last night brought a little rain, but Trooper handled it like a champ! I woke up to the soft sounds of the alpaca farm and since the “General Store” wasn’t opened yet 🤣, I said goodbye to my fuzzy four-legged hosts before rolling out and heading south.

🛣️ Mountains, Desert, and a Whole Lot of Driving

Today’s route took me from Montana, through Idaho, and into Nevada — where I officially gained back an hour of time. There was even a road sign to mark the moment that you are “Entering Pacific Time Zone.” I didn’t get the shot (safety first), but I found one online because—those who know me, know how much I love a good road sign.

My planned stop was just north of Elko, but the gravel road leading there was … rough. As in Trooper-is-rattling-and-objects-are-falling-out-of-cupboards rough. As I navigated deeper, everything in me was saying this isn’t the best. The desert landscape, abandoned-looking vehicles, closed-down gas stations … it all made me feel a little uneasy.

💡 Trust the Feeling. Take the Detour.

So I turned Trooper around. 🚐

I rerouted and drove a few more hours south to Winnemucca, Nevada — a town I’ve stayed in on a past #soloroadtrip. There’s something reassuring about familiar ground. I pulled into the same hotel lot, parked Trooper, and walked next door for some wings. Comfort food meets peace of mind. Plus a little wine. 🍷

🫶 Short Calls, Big Impact

As I drove through light rain … downpour rain … lightning … and blazing sunshine, I took a couple of phone calls that turned out to be surprisingly productive, which was a gift. ☎️ And I actually think the hearing is better from Trooper going 80 mph through rain, then my Audi at 65 mph in the sunshine! LOL

I have to give a big thanks to Scott, my steady and supportive rock. As soon as I mentioned my new destination, he was already online scouting out hotels and places to park. I’m so grateful for his quiet but powerful support on these trips (and of me always). I love you, babe.

📚 Books, Podcasts & Backseat Therapists

Today, I finished listening to Careless People. The finale was exactly as the rest of the book — absolutely fascinating and disturbing. I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone who hasn’t read it yet.

After that heavy listen, I needed a little energy shift. I caught a quick hit of Gabby Bernstein on “How to Release Anxiety,” which included a few new techniques in there.

I also started in on The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende for my September book club pick. So far, I’m into it, but tonight I’ll need to dig into the characters and timelines a bit more. The author weaves between people and time periods, so between that, the changing weather, and going 80 mph … sometimes it was hard to catch it all!

🌙 Closer to Home

The silver lining of today’s detour? I’m now two hours closer to home. 🏡 Tomorrow will be a shorter drive, and after today’s 12-hour journey, I’ll take it.

Here’s to trusting your instincts, leaning into support, and finding cozy rest stops where you least expect them.

Day 1 – #SoloRoadTrip: Tough Goodbyes, Birthday Celebration and a Manifestation Pit Stop

26 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Family, Life's Lessons, SoloRoad

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Today marked the official beginning of my drive back to California … but emotionally, the road trip started long before Trooper rolled out of Edmonton.

Leaving my parents is always hard, but today hit differently. Those with aging parents know — the moments saying goodbye don’t get easier. My mom’s dementia means she often doesn’t quite realize when I’m leaving, which can feel like a small gift because when I say “not for a week” – the joy on her face is beyond ecstatic. ♥️ Today, just before I left, she looked me straight in the eye and said with such beautiful seriousness: “I think you should just turn that van around and move back to Canada.” 🇨🇦

Cue the smile … and the tears.

My Uncle Dennis might be onto something with his 4am exits and slow roll down the street. 🚙

I had a tremendous few weeks in Edmonton. My sister had a successful surgery and is already on the road to recovery. Watching her lean into the practice of asking for help — something no Fedeyko excels at — was a gift in itself. She even let me do dishes and laundry (!), and while I know she’s in excellent hands with her husband, a big part of me wished I had one more week just to be near. To help. To love. To make sure she really, truly rests. Be kind to yourself, Sis.

With my heart full and a little heavy, I pointed Trooper south down Highway 2 towards Calgary. It’s a straight, uneventful drive — just open skies, prairie fields, and the room to breathe. The simplicity of that stretch let my mind wander, as it always does.

🎧 Audiobook + Podcast Companion

I started Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams — a fascinating, eye-opening, and honestly quite disturbing listen. And everyone that has read it says the same. I had to shift gears to something lighter just after Red Deer, eventually landing on Dear Gabby. “The Universe Has My Back” is one of my fav’s! Within minutes she had me manifesting my future (always on brand, right?). The only downside of this kind of inspired listening is that I couldn’t jot down any notes or action steps. And if I don’t write something down – there is almost zero chance I’ll remember it! ✍️ So I’ll be circling back to her Show Notes to grab the juicy links and manifestation mantras that I couldn’t capture while driving. 🙏

🌙 Being welcomed by a different family

I arrived at the home of my friend and fellow CELS board member, Mirna, just in time for a family birthday dinner for her mother-in-law. It was such a warm, welcoming, joy-filled evening. It was such a privilege to be welcomed into their home, share stories and laughs (so many laughs!), and get a little glimpse into Mirna and her husband, Sepand’s, world. But let me be clear … the real celebrity of the evening was Bizu, Cash & Mina’s dog, who definitely stole the show and most of the attention. 🐾

☕ Up Next: Calgary Coffee Chat

Tomorrow morning Mirna and I will host a CELS Coffee Chat right here in Calgary — a gathering of life science founders, investors, and ecosystem partners for a chance to catch up and share more about our Valley Ready program for Canadian companies scaling into the U.S. I’m so excited for the conversations that will unfold — the chance to reconnect with old friends — and meeting founders building ground-breaking innovation.

Until then, I’m reflecting with gratitude — for family, for friendship, and for the road that always finds a way to lead me exactly where I need to be.

Day 5 – #SoloRoadTrip+1: From the Mountains to Mom and Dad

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Family, Inspiration, Love, SoloRoad, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

We arrived! 🏡🏡

…. But, I jump ahead. Let’s start in the beginning.

We woke up early at our RV campsite this morning … finally able to see what the place looked like since we had pulled in so late the night before. The field was quiet, the air crisp … and we rolled out with a little sadness knowing this was our last day on the road.

First stop was McBride, BC to gas up. The guy at the RV site had warned us that gas stations between McBride and Jasper were few and far between … and he wasn’t sure if any gas stations in Jasper could accommodate a camper van like ours due to the fires last year. We thought that was odd but didn’t want to chance it.

This stretch of road was completely new to me … and it was glorious.

We passed Mount Robson and we pulled over for a few quick photos before a Momma Bear and her cub happened to cross the road about 10 car lengths ahead of us. 🐻 We had no one ahead of us so we had a clear view of their little journey.

Once we got into Jasper, we decided to skip the town and head straight for Athabasca Falls. Totally worth it. The power and force of the falls were incredible … such a great way to cap off our mountain portion of the drive.

After that, we made our way to Jasper Park Lodge — which, we’re happy to report, was spared during last year’s wildfires. We sat down for a delicious lunch … I had a glass of wine, Scott had a beer… and we soaked up the view. Absolutely breathtaking.

And then … it was time for the final stretch.

We arrived into St. Albert just before 8 p.m., where my Mom and Dad were waiting for us with a big smile and the warmest embrace one can only receive from a parent. We gave them the full Trooper tour and caught up on everything we’d seen, done, and experienced along the way.

We snapped a quick photo to mark the moment … and just like that, the road trip from California to Canada came to an end. 🎉

🚐 Total Distance – 1,938 miles

Grateful for the journey, the scenery, the stories … and the person beside me the whole way.

Thank you for following along.

Until the next adventure …

— Joanne (and Scott)

Day 4 – #SoloRoadTrip+1: Border Crossings, Backroads, and a Starlink Save

04 Monday Aug 2025

Posted by in Family, Inspiration, LifePlanning, Love, SoloRoad, Travel, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

We woke up this morning in the big field behind Birdsview Brewing, still feeling inspired from yesterday’s North Cascades views. Scott had a work call scheduled for the morning, so we were planning a Starbucks stop for Wi-Fi … but the universe had other plans. The call was canceled. 🙌🏼

That gave us a slow, lovely start to the day. I made Joanne’s Famous breakfast again (naturally), and we eventually hit the road northbound … headed “home”. 🏡

Of course, we did find a Starbucks along the way. Would it even be a road trip without one?

Just before hitting the border, we did a final purge of Trooper’s fridge. Out went anything questionable —because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you don’t mess around with fresh food at the border. #PreviousEdmontonExperience.

Crossing at Abbotsford was smooth and friendly. I handed over my Canadian passport (lesson learned years ago when I got scolded for presenting my U.S. one while entering Canada), and the officer simply asked about my U.S. status. I proudly told him I have a U.S. passport too, and he said, “Great, have a nice day.” That was it. No inspection. No questions. Just a kind welcome home.

One thing I love about these crossings are the back roads leading up to them. The small towns, the farmer’s fields, the cows and barns … it all feels so grounding, like a soft welcome mat at the edge of the country.

After we crossed into B.C., we joined Highway 5, also known as the Yellowhead Highway, and needed to find a spot for Scott to take a call. He wasn’t about to risk being on video in the back of a moving van again (lesson learned from Day 1). We pulled into a perfect roadside rest area … seemingly in the middle of nowhere …… and within minutes, I had Starlink up and running with excellent Wi-Fi. The universe provides.

Scott jumped on his call. I finished and posted my Day 3 blog. There was even a roadside restaurant at the stop, so I grabbed us some lunch since we had absolutely no food left after the border purge. It all worked out perfectly.

Back on the road, I popped on Audible – I caved and starting listening to Let Them. I don’t know that I really love Mel Robbins, but I do like the content and intention she has for making us move through life in a better, healthier way. In all honesty and being completely vulnerable here, Scott sometimes prefers to focus on his work and listen to his music over my rambling or future casting … and I’m learning to honor that (plus get something out of my solo time too!). Win-win. 😅

As we approached dusk, we were gifted the most beautiful pink and purple sky! We pulled Trooper and snapped some photos. Now THAT was worth waiting for!

A few other fun signs we saw along the way that made me smile, and proud to be a Canadian farmer’s daughter …

Just before 10pm we rolled into an RV site … Trooper’s (and ours!) very first campground stay. All our previous nights had been Harvest Hosts stops at breweries, orchards, and farm fields. But tonight, Trooper is plugged in like a proper van and we’ve got a few neighbors around.

More tomorrow… for now, we’re just soaking up this stillness, settling into Canada, and figuring out how to slow down a little so we’re ready to spend time with the ‘rents. Who, btw, celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary today! I can’t wait to give my parents a long, big hug! We recorded an anniversary video and picked up the winning lotto ticket for my parents. 💰💰 What will we do with all the lotto winnings?!

🗺️ Day 4 at a glance

  • 2 extra hours given to us (who doesn’t secretly love when work calls get cancelled!)
  • 1 final fridge purge pre-border
  • 1 Starbucks, obviously
  • 1 proud dual passport moment 🇨🇦🇺🇸
  • 1 Starlink hero moment
  • 1 order of french fries AND gravy (one of my favorite food groups 🙂
  • 1 audible, 1 working passenger
  • 1 first-time RV park experience for Trooper

— Joanne (and Scott)

Day 1 – #SoloRoadTrip+1: Pink Jobs, Blue Jobs, and a Whole Lot of Miles

01 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in Family, Inspiration, Love, SoloRoad, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

We started the day early. Our typical 5am. Well, let’s be honest, that’s our goal typical wake-up time. And today, with a long list of things to prep, we actually met it! When you’re about to take a multi-thousand-mile (and Km!) adventure in a camper van named Trooper, there’s no such thing as “too early.”

The morning was full of the usual pre-trip, final prep. I handled my “pink jobs,” (as my sister likes to say) … packing snacks, organizing Trooper, making sure everything was photo-worthy … while Scott tackled the “blue jobs,” like mechanical checks, ensuring we had enough coffee (apparently we didn’t), and watching the video on how to use a dumping station like a pro-in-training. That came in handy around Redding when there was a slight bathroom mishap … lesson learned. 💩🚿

We said a teary goodbye to our sweet senior citizen Havanese, Ms. Torrie, who stayed behind with an amazing couple from TrustedHousesitters. Major shout-out to that community and thank you Stephanie and Liam! We’re feeling totally at ease knowing she’s in loving hands while we’re away.

We officially rolled out of the Bay Area at 10am. Thankfully, there was no traffic, and we cruised over the Bay Bridge and made our way up Hwy 80. Scott had a few Friday work calls to take, so I drove for most of the day, which was perfect – totally felt like my #SoloRoadTrip would have typically started out! We did, however, swap out once so I could take one inspiring call with a female founder doing fascinating work in science and health. (Let’s be honest though… aren’t all conversations with female founders inspiring?) I’ll be following her journey closely. 🎙️ Thank you, Cata, for the intro!

📍 Route today: We started on the 101, hopped onto the 80, and passed through Redding … where the farm fields started rolling in and I soaked up the peace and stillness of mother earth. Then we joined one of my favorite highways … Highway 97. It’s a lot of single-lane road, surrounded by farmland, forest, and mountains. We passed by Crater Lake, which I visited on my inaugural #SoloRoadTrip in 2019. No time to stop today, but we’ll be back… Scott needs to experience her beauty too.
Our final destination was Bend, Oregon, where we enjoyed dinner and a beer 🍻 at Bridge 99 Brewery. And then, thanks to Harvest Hosts, we parked the van for the evening and had 20 steps from bar to bed!

✍️ While I wrote this post, Scott pulled out the whiskey and sat outside enjoying the peace and quiet. I joined him and we drank the last of our nightcap together. 🥃

🛑 Roadside Highlights:

  • 1 Starbucks stop (the upside with Trooper is the bathroom onboard .. the downside is less stops for my Chai lattes 🙂
  • Filled up at Costco in Redding where gas was $3.81/gallon (yay, the cost is going down!)
  • Temps hit a toasty 37°C (99°F) … AC and cold drinks were non-negotiable
  • Spotted a “Dunkin’ Coming Soon” sign, which made Scott (Boston born and bred) light up
  • Bought our ritual lottery tickets … one per gas stop, one per state … manifesting that millionaire van life 💰🚐
  • Love’s was a life saver … and we’ll leave that story for another time 🤣

🎧 We had The Highway (SiriusXM) playing most of the way. Thankfully, Scott shares my love of country music. When Scott was on calls, it was Podcast and Audible time for me! 🎙️ I’m into a great little story on leadership and influence right now so highly recommend.

📸 Odometer at start: 5,099 miles
🎯 Estimated drive time: 8 hours
🕗 Actual drive time: 10 hours (with joy, scenic stops, lotto ticket purchases and quick driving swaps)

And while this isn’t exactly a solo road trip… it technically is the #SoloRoadTrip+1. I’ll still claim the true solo journey on the return drive later this month. Gotta keep the tradition … and the hashtag … alive.

🍻 More reflections tomorrow. For now, cheers to the open road, good company, and a very full first day.

— Joanne (and Scott)

Day 0 – #SoloRoadTrip+1: Christmas in July

31 Thursday Jul 2025

Posted by in Family, Love, SoloRoad, Travel

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

It’s the night before we hit the road, and I’m equal parts buzzing with excitement and absolutely wiped out from all the prep. This is my fifth annual road trip to Canada, well, almost. I skipped one year (thanks, COVID 2020), but otherwise I’ve done this every summer since 2019.

This trip is extra special. Scott is joining me for the outbound journey, which officially makes this year’s adventure #SoloRoadTrip+1. Trooper, our new beloved camper van, is packed to the brim with gadgets, gear, and enough collapsible storage to make even Marie Kondo weep with joy.

Let’s talk Amazon for a second. If you search “RV essentials” or “#vanlife” say goodbye to your money and hello to a flood of packages. For weeks, our front door has looked like a fulfillment center. It’s been straight-up Christmas in July. 🎁📦

Here’s a taste of what we’ve added to Trooper:

  • Induction stove pans with clip-on handles (game changer for storage)
  • Sustainably friendly dishware and Tupperware that actually fit in our teeny drawers
  • Yeti mugs for ☕️ … tumblers for 🍷and 🥃
  • Collapsible containers, baskets, and bins (Yes, I am a space-saving queen!)
  • A sizable fridge filled with food and drinks for nights when we want to cook vs. hit up a brewery or winery via Harvest Hosts

Today was one of those final-prep days, but with a few lovely surprises. Scott and I met up with one of his high school friends and his family who were in town. We had a quick drink with them at Kincaid’s before he had to head into the city for a work event. After that, I zipped home and finished packing … while watching season six of #Younger. Whitney and Jennifer (not Jen) – you are right. I don’t want it to end!

But now Trooper is loaded! The snacks are prepped. Gas tank is full! My podcast and audible list is all queued up. And the feeling? That beautiful blend of anticipation, nostalgia, and adventure.

This year’s Canada leg is packed with heart:

  • My parents’ anniversary is next week 💕
  • My sister’s birthday is around the corner 🎉
  • The annual WeMeet Fedeyko Family Reunion is happening 🍻
  • And a very, very special side trip is coming: a journey up to High Level — the farm I grew up on. My dad (who homesteaded and cleared that land back in the ’60s and farmed it for almost 35 years) will be riding in Trooper with me, Scott, and my uncle Dennis. I may not remember much from childhood, but my dad remembers everything. And I can’t wait to walk that land with him and celebrate Scott and mines 4th year anniversary from SW 2 110 17 W5.

So with everything checked off the list, tonight is about one final sleep. Tomorrow, we roll.

Canada, here we come. 🚐 🇨🇦

#Solo(Return)RoadTrip

30 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in community, Family, friendship, Love, Travel

≈ 2 Comments

Well the month of August flew by! Before I embark on my #Solo(Return)RoadTrip to 🇺🇸 … I thought I would share some of my highlights!

Celebrating my parents 54th wedding anniversary … and my sister’s um, 30th birthday 🙂

Another 50th birthday celebration with my wonderful high school girlfriends.

We all turn 50 this year and I’m so proud to say that out loud because I think we all look 25! Thanks Tanya, Tracy and Tamara for all of the great times together! It wasn’t easy but we pulled together a few gatherings .. not to mention the few quick beers 🍻 we snuck in from time to time as well!

Since I of course, had time on my hands, I took up golf lessons while I was home. And I went back to the very first place that I picked up a golf club … about 30 years ago. ⛳️ Thanks again, Mike, for introducing me to the game of golf. That, and moving to San Francisco, are two amazing gifts from our time together.

I experienced real progress (1% better is my motto!) after weekly golf lessons. Tannis and Z … I look forward to showing off my new skills at the HMB links! ha ha <grin>

I enjoyed a lot of walks .. some alone, some with friends, and some with a Saint in my back pocket.

I went back to my roots and had not one, but TWO nights of pickles with my family! And I’m so excited that I have a case in the back of my car to enjoy while I’m back in California.

We enjoyed some cool extended family time — we visited my 97 yo great aunt, as well as had an annual Fedeyko WE MEET reunion, virtual again this year but it was so much fun I think Amy and I are going to organize a WE MEET virtually more often. Except next time, we’ll send the link, Uncle D! LOL

Mom and me, of course, enjoyed some wine!! And on some nights, I enjoyed some Whisky! (I couldn’t let my fans down without sharing some of these moments, right?!)

The weather was absolutely drop-dead, gorgeous almost every day I was home. It was weather like I remember it growing up on the farm in High Level. I took advantage of the amazing backdrop + weather for an alternative to my normal office.

AND I got to meet an amazing group of Edmonton women that I’ve been working with over the last year. Thank you Cara, Anjali, Kennedy, Nicole, Noelle and Sabrina for your support, passion and collaboration! I’m excited for all the things we are doing together.

I am taking home a few gifts from my mom. She’s always asking if I would “use this” or “wear that” … and then next thing – poof – it’s mine to enjoy! 🙂 My mom was always so creative with crafts … from ceramics to cross stitch to knitting and painting .. she did it all – and beautifully!! Here is a gift I get to take home with me. Thanks, Mom! LOVE ❤️

I might update this post with additional memories, but as I embark on my #SoloReturnRoadTrip, I wanted to share a glimpse from the last month.

It’s always SO great to come home to 🇨🇦. Thank you to my family, friends and colleagues for making it memorable and fun!

And now … I look forward to the “Positive What If!” that awaits in San Francisco!

Oh and … NW 35 109 17 W5 … Which won’t mean anything to most of my readers right now, but it might show up in a future blog post. 😆

Enjoying the ‘rents

02 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Family

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

I’ve caught up on some sleep and settled into the basement at my parent’s place after my 13-day road trip from SF to Alberta. I’ve made it my mission to get my mom up every day by 9am (she is more of the night owl vs the early bird like my Dad and me), and then do 1 thing with her every day. It’s often not an easy endeavor but sadly for her, they raised one stubborn daughter so.I.won’t.give.up. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

Great to spend some time with my cousin. Sherry, you have a heart of gold and patience the size of Alberta. Thank you for the love and support you give to my family. And so fun to introduce you to an Edmonton restaurant 🙂

I’ve got my new office setup. It’s so great that my parent’s have AC … but I have to go outside to warm up! Love you Dad, but I’m freezing!

I love this picture. They hung outside together after Mom and I got back from a walk around the Crescent. This Wednesday they will celebrate 54 years together. ❤️❤️❤️

I started today with a great catch up with one of my best friends. Here is a beautiful snap from my ‘walk and talk” with FF.

And I ended the day with a new Starbucks friend!

So I decided to venture to a glass of whiskey before starting dinner tonight. The glass is what I use when I drink whiskey in the evening. The mug is what I use during the day 😆😆.

Image

Living Your Potential

26 Sunday Jan 2020

It’s an interesting phenomenon that we can see the potential in others more clearly than they can see in themselves.  And the same goes with how difficult it is to see our own potential and a clear path to our goals and ambitions.

I’ve learned that I’m not going to change this, even though it doesn’t make any sense to my rational brain. But I trust that the Universe has a reason for making it easier to see the potential in others than it is to see it in ourselves.

Therefore the only option is to embrace the challenge and succeed anyway!

there is no man living

Here is what I’m learning about how people are achieving greater levels of success and reaching a higher level of potential.

Set a long term plan

A wise man and mentor referred me to an inspiring and famous quote which says that  we tend to overestimate what we can do in one year but underestimate what we can accomplish in 5, 10 or 20 years. I’ll provide the Bill Gates quote since he’s a tech icon I admire.

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

For the first time I created a 5 year plan versus my typical “one year resolution” list of 47 items that I wanted to accomplish in 12 months. It’s already made a huge difference in the way I approach life and has reduced my stress level tremendously.  Last year at this time I would have been freaking out and I would be telling myself — “it’s practically February – one month has almost vanished before my eyes!! — I am no where near accomplishing my long list of goals.”  For more reading on this check out Founderpedia post.

But .. because I have a five-year plan, I’m not freaking out at all. I’ve already accomplished a few things and if I take the long view, then I’m well on my way and feel confident that success is in my future.  Which leads me to …

Celebrate the small wins

We achieve lots of things on a daily basis, but because we’re so focused on accomplishing something big, we erroneously skip over the confidence boost and validation by not celebrating our achievements. Each win doesn’t require a grand stand and parade, but even a short discussion with yourself saying “I did that!” or “What a wonderful accomplishment towards my bigger goal” will increase your mood and give you energy as you tackle the rest of the day, year, decade.

Give. And then give more 

I’m consistently receiving signs these days that in order to increase our happiness and to help us be successful, we need to give. And it’s critical to give when we feel down and least feel like we can, or have, the capacity to give.

Giving doesn’t have to be monetary. It could be as simple as a compliment. And even if you’re a giver … you will be surprised how giving more will unlock the inspiration needed to tackle what seems like an insurmountable task.

Research reported in Adam Grant’s book “Give and Take” (which I highly recommend) shows that giving in chunks (ie: focused giving in a short period of time) versus giving in sprinkles (ie: one small act a day for a week), provides greater satisfaction and a feeling of happiness. And when we are happy, we know that we tend to be more motivated and therefore have a greater chance of working towards our goals and true potential.

Unlock-Your-Potential

Finding happiness 

Happiness isn’t always derived from the work we do or even the goals we’re trying to accomplish. Often finding happiness elsewhere (in an activity we enjoy; spending time with people that inspire us; volunteering with something you care about) can provide you with the happiness that will give you the motivation and push you to dig deeper and reach higher so you can truly unlock your potential.

… and on a personal note, just writing this blog today is a huge win for me that I’m going to celebrate with a delicious Chai Latte and a mini “woot woot” as I hit “publish”. 🙂

Possible

Posted by | Filed under Family, Inspiration, Life's Lessons, LifePlanning

≈ 1 Comment

Community

23 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by in community, Family, Inspiration, Life's Lessons

≈ 1 Comment

The other day I heard an important distinction between the meaning of community and the definition of a network.

community-services

A network is a group of interconnected people … which I completely relate to because I have personally built a business by building my network.

A community is a feeling of fellowship of others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.

The distinction between the two got me thinking about what community is … and the community that I have fostered … versus the networks I have built.

And then it dawned on me.  The reason why I have been experiencing a sense of loss and loneliness in my life. It is because I haven’t nurtured enough community, at a time when I think I needed it the most.

There are things we do that help foster community.

Being in a relationship … having a family … a partnership of some kind …

These all lend themselves to shared interests and common goals.

When we have a belief in something, or a strong passion, be it a spiritual belief in God or some passion for say a certain sport or the arts and culture, we have an easier time building connection.  We form relationships where we rely on others and over time, feel confident that no matter what, we are going to be there for each other … be it to pray with … cheer with … create with … or commiserate with.

Community_3

Being a solo entrepreneur can make it difficult to build or keep up within a community. We focus most of our time on our company.  We make decisions to prioritize growing the business over, sometimes, almost everything else.  And we can often seclude ourselves from places of deep connectivity citing a lack of time, energy or a whole host of other reasons, valid or not.

But the cost of disconnection can be great.

It’s almost like we find our own little hole and keep digging ourselves towards the opposite direction of community and support, even though I think we realize it’s exactly what we need to thrive.  We need community and that sense of support to keep our heart and soul alive – so it can fuel our imagination, our passions, and yes, ultimately our business.

We all have a lot to offer to a community, in addition to what we will gain from being a part of one.  But like anything else in life, it starts with taking a step forward in the direction we want to go.  And we don’t know what might stick, so we can’t be scared to go down a few paths to find the right one for us.

Be it for a season, a reason, or a lifetime.  Finding a community, or two or five, feels like a good use of our time.

community-word cloud.jpg

 

Special thanks to my new community #MC and my old #creativeNZ match for the inspiration.