I sometimes wonder if I should have been born in a different time. A time when things moved at a more leisurely pace. When sitting and savoring, exploring for the sole purpose of exploring and slowing down to speed up was more appreciated and more valued. I think of myself as a Renaissance woman living in a digital age.
Although I appreciate, respect and use the tools of this fast-paced modern world, my heart sings more joyously when I partake in the simple pleasures of life.
Simple things like:
Finding a beautiful book in a vintage bookstore.
Capturing fleeting moments in time through my photography.
Pondering things that need not make sense or follow rules, like how do snowflakes fall or why does it feel so good to jump in puddles and dance in the rain?
I always thought I’d be a phys. ed. teacher. But the path I chose took me into an even more exciting place: coaching elite, world and Olympic athletes.
Neither of my sons have ever asked me much about my Olympic and World Championship experiences, although they have a vague awareness that I’ve performed at the ’76 Olympics, been President of the Canadian Rhythmic Gymnastic Federation, coached an Olympic Gold medalist and been a TV colour commentator at the 1984 Olympics.
Those were heady days, filled with competitions, travel, cultural experiences, stress and fun!
After the Olympic Games, someone said to me: “You know what you do for athletes, business could really use.”
Ping! Lightbulb.
I started offering my coaching services to business owners – for free. And in no time at all, I realized there was an unfulfilled niche: helping people – in particular business owners – to be the best they could be, in business and in life.
I’ve done that for 30 years now. And it’s been quite a ride. I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with. I’ve seen people grow and prosper. I’ve been with them through the ups and downs of their business and their lives. I’ve seen them through devastating loss and amazing gain, helped them realize their dreams and goals, and been the tough task master, mirror, mentor and muse.
I think of myself as a wayfinding wayfarer. And my travels and experience have brought me to this place.
A place for me to share with you and bring to you the next steps on my journey as we wander, think, dream, do, create, explore and adventure together.
A (Short) List Of Things I Love
- Clouds
- The smell of new mown grass
- Cheese and pickles
- Rosy cheeks
- Soft cozy blankets
- Anything Canadian
- Books…lots and lots of books
- Laughter
- Christmas
- Antiques
- Finding that special something for someone special
- Vintage postcards
- The feel of cashmere and angora
- Rocks
- Seashells
- Jumping in puddles
- Dancing
- Single malt scotch
- Taking photos
- Candles
- Writing
- Hiking
- Blank journals that I fill to the brim, writing longhand
- the Beatles
- Vinyl records
- Trees
- Antique auctions
- Fresh cut flowers year-round
- Autumn
- Driving or hiking with no particular destination in mind
- The Jane Austen Book Club, Sliding Doors, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Way and Rear Window movies
- The smell of simmering cinnamon, apples and nutmeg
- Watercolour painting
- Doodling. I’m always doodling.
- Helping
- Learning new things
- Jewellery (way too much)
- Playing
- Champagne and strawberries
- Toques and mittens
- White sand beaches
- Butterflies
- A crackling fire in the fireplace
- Dewdrops
- Pure maple syrup and sugar on snow
- Chenille socks instead of slippers
- Singing along to music in the car
- Working hard physically
- Holding hands
- Hugs
- Big wristwatches (I own too many. Not because I like to know the time, but because I like how they look)
- Vintage keys
- Hearts and heart-shaped objects
- Maple leaves
- Pennies. We no longer have them in Canada
- Holding the door open for someone
- Wrapping myself in fresh-from-the-dryer warm sheets
- My son’s college sweatshirt that goes practically to my knees
- The songs “Dizzy” and “Build me up Buttercup”
- Niagara Falls
- Pomegranates (especially now that I know how to get the seeds out easypeasy)
- Brightening someone’s day
- Softly falling snow
- Strolling through kitschy souvenir shops in distant locations
- The stillness of a star lit night
- Running with my running buddy
- Down comforters
- Wind chimes
- Roasted chestnuts and tangerines at Christmas time
- Writing letters and cards
- Wine
- Lavender
- Muskoka chairs
- Olympic Games
- Pink lemonade
- Hoarfrost
- Pinky and the Brain
- My collection of Olympic pins and memorabilia
- Unexpected things in unexpected places
- My gardens
- Looking at the moon
- My ridiculously huge collection of Santas
- Hummus
- The Wizard of Oz
- The frothy seeds that sprout from an exploded milkweed pod
- Hot air balloons
- Lily of the Valley
- Flow blue
- Making Finnish pancakes for my boys
- Sauna
- Crisp salad with walnuts, dried cranberries and goat cheese
- Snowshoes
- Sunshine sparkling off a flowing river
- Finding a bird’s nest nestled in one of our trees
- My red wellie boots
- Coaching
- My crazy collection of nic nacs
- Drinking water from the hose
- My life