Sharp Women| November 2020

welcome

letter from the editor NOV 2020

Tis the Season?

AS WE HEAD INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON, there is no way to escape the reality that this year’s is likely looking very different from any previous year’s celebrations. Most of us will not be travelling, not having large extended-family gatherings, and perhaps not even hitting the mall like we traditionally have. That could be very hard.

For me, November has been challenging with the rise in COVID numbers, as I am not visiting my mom in her care home.

No one is. Thankfully, her advanced dementia means she is blissfully unaware that she’s not seeing her family, but it sure is hard on us.

meetings. It’s great to still be able to connect with people, but there’s nothing like doing so face-to-face.

I’ve decided I can focus on what I’m missing or on things for which I can be grateful. Gratitude feels so much better! And, really, the list of wonderful things in my life is much longer than the list of what I am missing this year.

I’ve also decided to get creative for how I have get-togethers and how I shop and how I celebrate.

Simplicity and love. That’s what I’m serving up this season.

How about you?

From Ranchelle and me, and the whole team at Sharp Women, our fondest wishes for the very best of the season and a happy and prosperous year to come!

Even in my business, I had started migrating meetings back toward in-person, either in my office or in coffee shops. Now, we’re moving back toward Zoom

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SONJA SKAGE Finance Column

ERIN PEDEN

Executive Director Red Deer & District Community Foundation

KIM FOX

STEFFANI FRIESEN

Interior Designer, Eagle Builders

ALANA PETERS

Kim Fox Remax Realty

TABL E

Alana Peters Executive Coaching

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TEMPLE MURRAY Gypsy Deeva

JESSICA STORY

Story’d Growth Consulting

LINDSEY LORING Cinch Communications

DR. JOELLE JOHNSON Family First Chiropractic

C ON T E N T S

04 RANCHELLE IN THE RAW MY HEART & MY HEAD 06 LIVING THE DREAM MAKE FRIENDS WITH LIFE 13 BUSINESS LESSONS LEARNED 14 SPIRITUALITY GIFTS FROM FRED 16 RELATIONSHIPS MY PURPOSE 18 PERSONAL GROWTH A PLAN FOR HAPPINESS 22 HEALTH + WELLNESS IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE 26 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WHERE I AM MEANT TO BE 28 FINANCE IS MONEY YOUR FRIEND? 32 FOOD HAMBURGER SOUP 36 YOUNG ENTREPENEUR I DON’T HAVE TO ASK PERMISSION FOR LIFE ADVENTURES 38 SHARP WOMAN FEATURE THE BROOM TREE 44 LEADERSHIP MISSING “NORMAL”?

46 SOCIAL MEDIA GET SOCIAL IN A CINCH 48 NON-PROFIT WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

Our Contributors

Guest Contributors

PATRICIA ARANGO

Executive Director Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre

DANIELLE KLOOSTER editor in chief

RANCHELLE VAN BRYCE chief executive officer

KELSEY EVANS administrative coordinator

STEVEN SCHWARTZ director of design

CARLA HOWATT assistant editor

RACHELLE SCRASE director of photography

LINDSAY BEAULIEU sales coordinator

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f ro m t h e CEO

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RANCHELLE IN THE RAW

MY HEART & MY HEAD by ranchelle van bryce

I’m tired.

There, I said it. Today, I am feeling it in my bones.

It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it feels like a heavy weight on my shoulders.

You see, I believe that what I say - I become, and that I AM statements are so very important crucial piece to manifestation so with great reluctance I use those words.

Then, I take a deep breath and ask what the TRUTH of this is?

The TRUTH is my body feels tired today. My mind feels tired today and my soul feels tired today.

In my past, when I felt this way, I would push myself harder. To prove that tired was just a word and not a feeling. I would fear the judgement of self and others.

I would fear the “I told you that you were working too hard” voice from others and so I would be quiet about how I was feeling.

Here is what I know to be my truth: If my body becomes tired, it’s because I am not listening to it and I don’t mean that I am ‘working too hard’, but rather, it is an indicator light for me that my soul, my body have been speaking to me and I am not listening.

This happens when my ego decides it has an agenda and it’s not necessarily on the same path as my soul and my purpose. This happens when my heart and head are not connected.

Have you ever had that? When you decide that ‘dammit’ I am going to do something at all costs?

Let’s just push through? When I do that, when I don’t listen to the whispers, I get a 2 x 4 across my head.

I am happy to share with you that this happens less often than it used to.

And so, with a deep, cleansing breath I ask myself again, what is the TRUTH, what else is possible?

I’ve spent my previous 50 years pushing my way, swimming upstream, ignoring the gentle voice that tells me I am enough by being me, that I have nothing to prove to anyone. This voice is full of love, compassion and joy. This voice allows me to slow down, breath, feel tired if I need to. This voice lifts my spirits, my soul. This voice is the one that is part of Divine. This voice connects my heart and head.

This voice is the one that builds the healing I AM statements.

And here is what comes rushing to me:

I am enough.

I honour my mind, body and soul by acknowledging it feels tired. I check in and ask what it needs? How can I support it? And, most importantly, I listen.

I am brilliant.

No more. I refuse to pretend to be anything other than who and what I am.

Today’s answer is simple: rest, connection, relaxation and love.

With each cleansing breath I repeat; I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.

This ancient Hawaiian prayer, called Ho’oponopono is often my saving grace. It calms my soul, calms my monkey brain and allows me to focus on healing.

I am prosperous.

I am love.

I am confident.

I am worthy.

Tell me, what do your I am statements state?

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liv i n g t h e drea m

I MAKE FRIENDS WITH LIFE, choose optimism, practice gratitude and recognize the miracle in every moment.

I live responsibly, consciously and intentionally. I am a student of truth and faith. I trust myself to release that which is bad for me and embrace that which is good. I offer positive energy to others and manifest it in return.

I am Temple and I have strategically created a life of joy.

But I digress! My life hasn’t always been filled with joy.

While navigating this journey, I have experienced my share of hardship.

The Journey I’ve grieved the death of both parents, a sibling and my own children. I’ve experienced child abuse, divorce, loss of a job and multiple serious illnesses. I raised my son as a working single parent.

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I’m the baby of eight children. When I was sixteen and the only child still living at home, my parents separated. It was messy, as was their entire marriage. After my mother and I moved out, she promptly sat me down and, through her bitterness, cautioned me to “never, ever become dependent on a man!” I’ve been a very obedient daughter.

When I was in my early 20s, I dated a stereotypical tall, dark and handsome male co-worker, primarily because a female co-worker, who had a crush on him, declared he was far too busy with university and work to date me.

I inquired, “Is that the excuse he gave you when you asked him out?” Suffice it to say, I rarely turn down a dare, so a couple weeks later, guess who Mr. TDH was dating? Fast-forward a year and I was giving birth to my first child. I sure showed her! Alas, Mr. TDH and I ultimately separated when my son was 8 months old.

I soon after began dating an even taller, darker and equally handsome young man. We too eventually found ourselves expecting a baby. Coincidentally, the first ultrasound of my pregnancy was scheduled on my birthday.

We were called back that same afternoon. The doctor informed us that the baby had multiple birth defects and was “incompatible with life” outside my body. She was stillborn at 5 months…and relationship #2 ended.

At this point...

I made an agreement with myself to never have another child ‘out of wedlock’. Enter my future husband, and yes, you guessed it, we also found ourselves expecting.

In retrospect, I probably should have renegotiated the aforementioned agreement with myself, but I didn’t.

Instead, we impulsively went to Vegas and got married… and then I miscarried two months later. For the duration of our 5-year marriage, I was the primary breadwinner. This wasn’t the type of partnership I wanted in a marriage, so I wrote the big cheque in the divorce and relationship #3 ended.

In 2003, while grieving the sudden death of my brother in a car crash, I was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cord tumour. After a 9-hour surgery, a long hospital stay, and permanent nerve damage to my right leg, I spent months in rehabilitation learning to walk again. The tumour reoccurred 6 years later, this time with a slightly shorter surgery, hospital stay and rehabilitation time, but more extensive nerve damage to my right leg. I have been in remission now for 10 years. I remember my sister asking me, “Are you afraid to die?” I responded, “I’m more afraid of not living!”

In 2013, I was forced to leave a 20-year corporate career, as my position was eliminated, due to budget cuts. I took advantage of my new freedom (and severance package) and went to Europe for three months. I returned from that trip, on Christmas Eve, to the knowledge that my 77-year-old mother had been in hospital for two weeks, diagnosed with stage-four-breast cancer.

I became her primary caregiver and she lived with me until she died in March of 2015.

Rediscovering my purpose I’ve spent the five years since rediscovering my purpose in life.

In 2016, I earned my certification as a Yoga Siromani. In early 2018, I began my journey as a Reiki Practitioner and completed my certification as a Reiki Master in August of this year.

In the summer of 2018, I spent 3 months in a residential study/Karma Yoga program at an ashram on Paradise Island, Bahamas, immersing myself in daily yoga, spiritual practice and self-development.

I am a wine sales representative for a local wine import agency, owned by a good friend who, incidentally, was my ex-husband’s childhood friend…I got him in the divorce!

To be candid, becoming a divorce statistic was a grateful return to the single identity with which I was more accustomed and at ease. But, even though I have been predominantly unattached for the past 15 years, my life is a love story.

My son is now in his late 20s, has a successful career in architecture, lives about ten blocks from me and is married with two beautiful children. I am Nonna to a 5-yearold grandson and an almost 3-year-old granddaughter.

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l ivin ’ t h e drea m I believe there are times we are all tempted to supress the best parts of ourselves, because we fear the radiance of our spirit will be misunderstood, but the greatest gift we can give the world is our own happiness. When we allow our light to shine with authenticity, the people and opportunities designed for our soul’s evolution will pursue us.

A Joy Filled Life Living a life of joy is a choice and it takes courage. Joy isn’t the absence of sadness, nor is it an emotion that is dependent on our circumstance.

A joy-filled life requires tenacious dedication, even when we don’t feel like it. It may not be simple, but it’s definitely possible!

• Strategies to Create a Joy Filled Life •

Recognize that you may not be in control of your circumstance, but you are in control of your emotional response to the events taking place in your world.

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Pause and seek beauty in the simple pleasures of the present moment.

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Let go of any expectations or guilt that are weighing you down.

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Spend time in meditation or prayer, listening to your inner knowledge.

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Keep a gratitude journal and return to it when you’re struggling to find joy.

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Make time for endorphin releasing movement and exercise, triggering positive feelings in the body.

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Better yet, have sex, which releases dopamine, the hormone responsible for pleasure and motivation.

The culmination of Temple’s life experience has led her to her primary passion. She is a love coach.

Temple considers it her purpose on this planet to give and receive love.

She acts as a catalyst for singles seeking love - a relationship broker if you will, but more importantly, she inspires individuals to love themselves.

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REGISTER HERE

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ADVERTORIAL

MEET KAREN BRAULT: THE CURIOUS SORT Karen Brault has been in the Red Deer office of RSM Canada since long before it was RSM. The firm, which has been through a few name and ownership changes over the years, brought Karen on right after college.

Born and raised in Red Deer, she took her first full-time job at the firm—31 years ago— and has been there ever since.

Starting in bookkeeping and internal accounting, Karen was eventually tagged to create the new financial accounting outsourcing service offering for RSM Canada.

“Essentially,” she explains, “we act as a company’s financial department, but it’s outsourced for them. This offers them top-drawer service while staying lean.”

She now has a team of 17 people under her leadership, and since becoming RSM Canada, the success of this service in the Red Deer office has caught the interest of, and is being implemented in, other RSM Canada offices across the country.

In seeking to help clients and team members tap into the power of being understood, Karen’s approach centers around the notion of curiosity.

“For me, it’s all about listening, asking good questions and making meaningful connections,” she says. “All of RSM’s 5 C’s—caring, collaboration, curiosity, courage and critical thinking—are important, but at the end of the day, we all want to know why.”

Clients work closely inside their businesses. They rely on trusted advisors like the team at RSM Canada to see the bigger picture and help them uncover deeper problems and bigger opportunities they may be missing. Being curious and inquisitive, Karen feels, are key in listening carefully to her clients, without preconceived notions, and helping them discover effective strategies and solutions by asking them significant questions. The high-trust relationships she develops within her team and with her clients ensure that everyone feels comfortable asking questions and exploring ideas.

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Being curious, for Karen, is also a foundational part of the team culture. “We make sure that everyone on our team can and do ask questions,” she says. Being genuinely curious about each other’s lives is part of the deal. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, many team members may feel isolated and disconnected working from home. Taking time to be curious about how they’re doing gives us an opportunity to build those trusting relationships and feel like we’re still working together as a team, even under tough conditions.”

Being committed to the power of being understood and RSM’s 5 C’s, a living, active part of the way work is done, and relationships are strengthened, is what makes Karen stay.

“If I weren’t committed—if we all weren’t committed—to living the 5 C’s every day, I would not be able to do my job.”

Caring. Collaborative. Curious. Courageous. Critical Thinking. The Power of Being Understood®.

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bu s i n e s s

LESSONS LEARNED FROM OG MANDINO’S, THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD

BY RANCHELLE VAN BRYCE

I WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO OG MANDINO BY MY FATHER, CLARE, and I would like to dedicate my contribution to this month’s business article to him. He taught me that the best salesperson is the one who listens the most.

If you have never read a personal development book written by Mr. Mandino, I encourage you to do so. He weaves incredible knowledge around a captivating tale. This “how to” book helps you change your life by applying the secrets of ten ancient scrolls. This month I will share some of the lessons and will continue on next month.

Lesson #1: Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.

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What has been so difficult for me is my misunderstanding of what the word ‘determination’ and failure means. As a young entrepreneur, I was committed to ensuring that failure wasn’t an option. And there is wisdom in that statement; however, there is also wisdom in knowing what failure can look or feel like. For example, in bodybuilding, the biggest muscular growth happens when you lift the weight TO FAILURE. What does that mean? It means that you lift a weight until you can lift no more, but you don’t sacrifice your form, you don’t hurt yourself in the process. With each repetition you get stronger. You develop better habits.

I misunderstood what determination to succeed means.

When I am determined in success, I work on my mindset. I work on my skill set. I assess the situation, adjust my behaviour to match my goals. Absence of failure does not mean that when I try something it doesn’t work. In fact, it’s the opposite. When something doesn’t work, I celebrate. As Thomas Edison stated, “I found 10,000 ways that the lightbulb didn’t work.”

Lesson #2: Today, I begin a new life. I will form good habits.

“In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits”. Og Mandino Each one of us is a creature of habit. Our habits either move our life towards ‘expansion’ or not. We are either moving towards what we desire in life, or not. Each movement towards or away from our goals can be traced back to a habit.

We get out of bed the same way, we have a morning ritual (habit). We can either choose to scroll aimlessly through Facebook or we can do 25 Squats. We could meditate, we could journal, or a plethora of other choices.

What is your morning routine? One thing that every successful person has in common is a strong morning and evening routine that leads them towards greater success (and remember, as a SHARP women, you get to define what success means for you).

Lesson #3: I will greet this day with love in my heart.

“And most of all, I will love myself. For when I do, I will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart” Og Mandino If every day I greet the day, the people, my life, my business and myself with love; what are the possibilities of success? Success is guaranteed. We would no longer tolerate hate, discrimination, comparison and competition.

We would see the beauty in ourselves and others. Imagine your life if you greeted yourself with Love. Imagine your health. Imagine the prosperity in your business.

When I come from a space of love, I react less and respond more. I show up with grace for myself AND others. I surrender the outcome of everything. I let go of the fear of rejection, of judgment and I show up authentically. Always and in all ways.

Lesson #4: I will persist until I succeed.

The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my goal”, Og Mandino True confession: so many times in my life I have forgotten this. I persist until fear shows up. I persist until I am judged. I persist until I don’t see the results I want or expect right away.

However, when I have remembered this lesson… BOOM! Success. Persistence no longer means that I crawl amongst the broken glass to make sure that this THING happens. It does mean that I measure along the way if my behaviour, my actions, my mindset, are all aligned. I ensure that I look at the outcome and ask myself, what else is possible?

The obstacle that I see is there for a reason, providing me with a lesson that I need to learn in order to move towards success. What outcome am I focusing on? Am I thinking about what I DON’T want? If so, it is essential to remember what I do want and move towards that.

As I bid you adieu this month, I would love it if you went over to our Facebook group and shared with me, your thoughts about these lessons. What resonates with you?

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spi r i t u a l i ty

Jessica Story is loving life in Alberta.

Being an American she sometimes looks at things differently and celebrates this as she dances with abandon.

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SPIRITUALITY IS DIFFERENT FOR ALL OF US. My journey is not like yours, my life is different from yours, and my Higher Power is definitely not like yours. And that’s more than OK. Differences are what makes life fun, interesting, wonderful. I am all about the wonderful.

I’m not perfect. I smoke and I drink, and I listen to rock and roll (well mostly the Grateful Dead). I’m happy and have serenity in my life, however, I wasn’t always like this. My life changed drastically about 10 years ago. Then, I was miserable, unable to do my job well, lonely and cried all the time. My life was pure hell.

Eat Pray Love When I was at my lowest, I read two books that were life changing for me. The first was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Elizabeth taught me to be open to new things. New things are where the magic happens. The second book was Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Nadia taught me that God loves me just the way I am.

Try new things? God loves me? Wait!!!! I know that!!!! Or do I???? I did try new things – my life has always been adventurous; hell, I had worked in Haiti, Iraq and the oil sands. Is that not adventurous enough? Yes, God loves me – I have gone to church throughout my life – maybe not regularly – but enough. Why do I still feel alone?

Hmmmmm… maybe I should try something new, for me, for my soul. I screwed up my courage and walked into the room of a 12 step program. That was scary (adventurous – check). That room is where my spiritual journey began.

These people spoke my language – they didn’t think I was crazy. I understood them and they understood me. They loved me in a very special way, while I was hating myself (Was this God?).

In Comes Fred Since then, my life has changed drastically. I am almost always happy, I love my job, and I have friendships that fill my soul. I don’t do resting bitch face – I do resting smiling face. I lead an adventurous life and God does love me, just the way I am. Spirituality has grown for me; it’s no longer just religion. For me, Spirituality is bigger than religion, at the center of my spirituality is my Higher Power.

I call my Higher Power Fred. Fred is sort of like God but more approachable and more all-encompassing. Fred is my friend. I have learned that Fred is always with me, when I bbbbbrrrreeeaaatttthhhheeee I feel Fred’s love and guidance.

The best way I can describe Fred is that he is the warm fuzzy blanket of love.

Fred has given serenity to me. My life is good – I do things that make me happy, I have boundaries, and I respect your boundaries. Everything in my life is not peaches and cream; nobody’s life is like that. Fred has given me the options to ask for help or to take a step back or to not engage. I don’t have the power to make the world end.

Fred has given me courage. I say ‘no, thank you’ if I don’t want to be a part of something. I celebrate that we have differing beliefs and experiences, differences foster learning. I love trying new things; they are both exciting and scary for me. I can do things badly (have you seen me dance with abandon? It’s not a pretty sight). Through this Fred always loves me, and gives me a sense of safety. None of this has been easy, but I know that I am loved in failure just as much as in success.

Fred has given wisdom to me. I live my life with the idea that wisdom is everywhere. I attend an evening compline service weekly and still find solace in the church I grew up in. I practice yoga regularly and wear symbols of Fred’s love for me. This morning I watched the sunrise and marveled at the picture that was painted just for me. He has given me the wisdom that I am worth loving, just the way I am.

Fred has brought people and things into my life, sometimes for me to learn from and sometimes for me to guide them.

Most of the times it is a bit of both. This morning a friend reached out to me – when I told her that I was writing on Spirituality she said, “I think Spirituality is the foundation on which we build a life of serenity, courage and wisdom.”

Yes. This!!! All of this!!!

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re l at i on shi ps

DO YOU EVER LOOK BACK AT YOUR LIFE AND KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT THINGS UNFOLDED JUST HOW THEY WERE MEANT TO IN ORDER TO GUIDE YOU TO YOUR ULTIMATE PURPOSE? In my 40th year, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant. My husband, Ken, and I were a blended family, living in British Columbia, with four teenage daughters ranging in age from 15-18. Anyone who’s experienced the gifts of a blended family and teenage daughters will know how very challenging this can be - now add a pregnancy!

KYRA ARRIVES Shortly after Kyra’s birth in the spring of 2002, Ken was offered a job in Ontario and we moved across the country. As we settled into our new home, I noticed differences in Kyra’s development.

Being an “experienced” mother, I knew something wasn’t right with my daughter. Doctors brushed off this gut sense. We were added to excessively long waitlists to see specialists and told to “wait and see.”

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I continued to push. Finally, Kyra was assessed and followed by some of the best specialists in the world in Toronto. We were told that Kyra was on the Autism Spectrum; her brain did not develop properly, and we should “not expect too much” as she would “never walk or talk.” The level of devastation upon hearing this cannot be understated. However, we were not ready to give up on our girl. We knew that Kyra had the ability to learn. She was just much slower on the uptake. And with that, we were committed to providing her every opportunity she needed to have the best chance in life.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS With the challenges she faced, Kyra needed special supports and various forms of therapies, all specialized and very expensive with minimal public funding. With that in mind, I made a career change, moving from my Development Management position at a prestigious private school to an Executive Director at a specialized learning centre for children with special needs. This allowed me to apply my innate skills to build a flourishing charity for kids like Kyra while she received the various therapies she needed. We started to see some gains in her behaviour and language development, and I was working just down the hall while it was unfolding.

It was at this centre that I started to finally connect with many families that had stories that paralleled ours. Many were completely lost, unsupported, and unable to afford the early intervention their children needed. We established an in-house charity with the goal of providing families with bursaries towards their intervention expenses and to connect with other families on the same journey.

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re l at i on shi ps

ANOTHER MOVE As Kyra was settling into preschool, we were unexpectedly on the move again, this time to Red Deer. I was floored by what I found for supports for our girl. Children’s Services Center (now Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre) is a local agency that provides wraparound early intervention under one roof, and integrated daycare options. The move brought us closer to our older girls in BC. It was a perfect opportunity for our family.

Red Deer quickly felt like home. The community was supportive and welcoming. The care, education, and family support we received from CSC (Aspire) were exceptional. I was quickly welcomed to CSC’s Board of Directors and soon thereafter connected with the Central Alberta Autism Society. We were finding our way and the world of Autism.

I soon started working as the Fundraising and Marketing Director at CSC. Over the next three years, I became very involved provincially, sitting on various boards. This is where I really started to see the void in long-term planning for children like Kyra.

I met families and heard their stories. Most families with special needs children live day-to-day, relying on government support, hoping for a miracle. However, families face great challenges with transitional periods (i.e., childhood to adulthood), and options for life-long supports and housing are limited at best. Planning is essential but many families don’t have a plan beyond the basic wills, guardianship, and RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan). Parents simply get by on hope that they will always be there and their adult children with special needs will live with them.

MY PURPOSE EMERGES I realized that I needed to dedicate my future to finding a solution to this incredibly problematic deficit in our society. With no viable options, children like Kyra would be stranded when parents are no longer around to care for them. I needed to learn more. I needed to develop relationships with builders, developers, government agencies, PDD, AISH, and city planners.

So, once again I changed careers. In 2010, I became a licensed Realtor; this provided me access to important stakeholders and gave me the flexibility to work towards new goals.

I have increased my provincial involvement to include a housing committee in Calgary focused on finding options for families just like mine. I started to see all the pieces of our long and sometimes arduous journey with our girl finally come together. Through our experiences with Kyra, we were faced head-on with startling gaps in our society.

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Yet, during my time as Kyra’s mother, I simultaneously came to possess the marketing, development, community, health, care, familial, and logistical knowledge needed to begin to fill these holes.

But, Ken and I couldn’t do it alone; I knew that we parents with special needs children needed to grow together and learn from one another in order to solve the crisis that faces us all. Thus, to formalize this need for unity, I established a parent group called Connecting CommUNITY. Connecting CommUNITY was founded for the purpose of connecting families. Over the years, advocates and supportive parents grow apart from one another simply because of time and limited options for socialization that naturally comes with having dependent children. We spend our time navigating the system and looking for opportunities for our loved ones to be involved and included in society.

Connecting CommUNITY was established to join parents and other key stakeholders together to find financially sustainable housing solutions and help guide the journey toward independent living.

While still very much in its infancy, Connecting CommUNITY is a place for ideas and support, assisting families as their special needs children make the transition from childhood to adulthood. We need to help parents become emotionally and financially ready to live apart from their children and assist them in developing a long-term housing and support plan that is sustainable for all involved. And we are getting there, one small step at a time.

WHERE I AM MEANT TO BE When I was suddenly thrown into being an expectant mother again at age 40, I never could have imagined that it would have landed me here 19 years later. Kyra’s challenges have created many awakenings. It is because of her challenges that I have had the privilege of meeting many amazing and dedicated parents. Her challenges have helped me to understand the limitations our system places on families, educators, and service providers. And most of all, her challenges have left me exactly where I was meant to be.

In 2002, Kim found her world turned upside down with the birth of her youngest daughter, Kyra, who was diagnosed with Autism. Since that time, she has been on a path to create a sustainable Life Plan to give Kyra the best life possible now and in the future. Kim has been a licensed Realtor® since 2010, which was driven by her entrepreneurial passion and need to find housing

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pe r s on a l growth

WHY DO I FIND POSITIVITY DURING THE Once I finished my first degree at University, I set the COVID-19 PANDEMIC? To explain why I don’t dis- goal for myself to create a non-governmental organi-

like the pandemic and find how I opportunity amongst zation to help those most in need. I had many personthe challenge of it, I must begin by sharing my story. al achievements, but I did not have money because, as you know, when working in the non-governmental secI was born and educated in Colombia. I had hard-working tor, there are many wins, but one must live on very little. parents who had a lot of energy, raising nine children.

We were a poor family, but were strongly encouraged to focus on our studies. My father instilled this drive and determination in us. We would never stop studying because it was seen as the inheritance that he would leave for us.

Since I was a child, I liked change and challenges; things that were difficult to achieve.

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Over time, I took on other challenges, like working with the largest companies in the country, such as the Federation Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, La Industria Licorera de Caldas, or Colpatria, a very well-known bank institution in the country.

When the project was finished, I went on to work with women. In the women’s shelter I learned a lot, climbing ranks from being casual on the front line to becoming a house manager, and later to be the Executive Director in another women’s centre.

I faced another big challenge in moving to Red Deer, accepting the position at the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) where I’ve been for the past six years.

A Challenge is an Opportunity

Another challenge I took on was leaving a small city and immigrating to the capital city of the country to work with the President of the Republic of Colombia as a Human Rights Advisor. The next challenge was to work with the Indigenous communities of Colombia in a national training project for these communities. And then I took the step – the step that no one in my family had dared to take - to leave my country.

Coming to Canada When I immigrated to Canada, I left my family, my friends, my job, my car and my house all behind me, and, without knowing, I was also leaving my studies behind.

COVID-19, for me, is just another major challenge that I have turned into an opportunity. This is the opportunity: to stop, evaluate, review, rethink and change what needs to be changed and move on.

This is the time to do our own strategic life planning.

What is your mission? What is your vision? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? With whom? How? The past is very important, but most important is the future.

The past cannot return. The past is just that - the past. This is the moment we must evaluate, change and move on.

At CASASC, we did not close the offices. We did not stop or pause for a second. We changed the style of our work. We improved how we operated and the services we provide.

We are offering many other ways for victims to access our services no matter where they are from. Not one employee was laid off within our organization. Here we were all working and supporting each other constantly. We learned new ways of working for the benefit of the community.

Many of you must know what it is to start from scratch, learn a crazy and difficult language, learn the culture, make new friends and look for a job. That was definitely a challenge, since I never did have a new We never expected to return to normal. We created a “new job in the past like cleaning a hospital in Toronto. normal” immediately after the pandemic was declared.

Everything for me in Canada was a challenge, but I always I am not afraid of challenges. I learn, I grow, and had in my head the challenge to myself of “being the same I look for opportunities. The opportunities alprofessional I was in Colombia.” I decided that factor would ways come, and I am always ready to take them on. guide me in everything I did. I did not stop studying. I did not stop applying for jobs that required “good English” that I could qualify for. My goal was to get to know the culture, learn more about job interviews and prepare for it.

Soon I had an upgrade position, working with cancer patients in a pilot project at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General and Westerner Hospital. I did it with a lot of love. I enjoyed it and learned a lot. I did that job after having been in housekeeping in the same hospitals and later became a hemodialysis assistant.

Patricia Arango is the Executive Director of the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre. She also serves on the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Board of Directors and the Lifelong Learning Council of Red Deer Board of Directors. Patricia is a member of Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise.

She is a tireless advocate for women, minorities and human rights.

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h e a l t h & wel l ness

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This past year has been a roller coaster of change and many people have found themselves working from home. Our world has become reliant on technology via computers, laptops, iPads, and phones as we access our work and connect with others while staying at home. This has changed how we work, and people may find themselves at kitchen tables sitting in a kitchen chair. Many have adapted a fold-up table, home offices, or our children’s desks as work stations.

Neck & Shoulder Pain In my 22 years of practice, I’ve seen a dramatic increase in complaints of neck and shoulder pain with headaches from poor posture since the transition to working from home. Over 90% of patients filling out my intake and history forms now indicate poor posture as a cause of complaint; this is a postural epidemic.

Healthy posture declines at the speed of technology. Tech posture is the forward head tilt with an increased midback curve called a hyper-kyphosis. When your trunk flexes forward, you have poor balance; this imbalance decreases your ability to regulate movement properly. You’ll have a slower gait and a wider stance, causing poor coordination and balance. Poor posture also results in a poor cognitive and emotional state. Posture distortion is, unfortunately, the new normal, and we need to reverse this in the ‘digital age.’ Digital dementia is defined as non-Alzheimers dementia-like symptoms from the overstimulation of devices and poor lifestyle habits.

Rehab Your Posture How do we help change and correct our posture?

• Spinal alignment: chiropractic adjustments can stimulate the spine, musculoskeletal system and the nervous system to function optimally, • Posture rehabilitation exercises, and • Posture habit re-education.

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POSTURE REHABILITATION EXERCISES 1. Stand with your back against the wall with your heels, buttocks, shoulder blades, and head against the wall. Keep your head in a neutral position, not tipped up or down. Press your head straight into the wall and hold for 10 seconds. Do five reps per day.

2. Posture Angels: Stand with your back against the wall with your heels, buttocks, shoulder blades, and head against the wall. Again, place your head in a neutral position. Move your arms from your sides to over your head without taking them off the wall. Do 10 per day 3. The ‘Titanic� Stand: Extend your arms straight out behind you, contracting your shoulder blades. Extend your ear up and back, looking at the ceiling, and hold for 30 seconds. Do this once for every 45 min to hour of tech time.

4. Superman Extensions: Lay on your stomach raise your head; raise your arms in front and raise your legs at the same time. Hold for 30 seconds; do 5 reps per day.

5. Backward Ball Stretch: Lay backward over a gym ball with arms up over the head; hold and breathe into it.

POSTURE RE-EDUCATION: 1. Take frequent posture breaks. Extend your head backward and arms back behind you. For every hour on a device, you need a 30-sec posture break 2. More movement. Sit on an unstable surface such as sitting with a wobble seat or posture seat, or ball chairs 3. Do Digital Detoxes. Decrease tech time; monitor your screen time. Commit to 3 tech-free hours each day.

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Devices and technology are part of our world, and we need to watch how we interact with them. Poor posture and technology overuse affect our mood, sleep, increases our anxiety, and cause us stress.

As adults, we developed our posture before technology; our children have always had the technology, so it is up to us to teach them how to uses it correctly and to monitor them on time and correct habits.

Dr. Joelle Johnson has been in practise for 21 years and grew up in Central Alberta, attending Red Deer College and the University of Regina to complete two Bachelor of Science Degrees. She then completed her Doctor of Chiropractic with high honors at Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dr. Joelle’s interest in women’s health, pre-conception care, pre-natal chiropractic, post-natal chiropractic and pediatric chiropractic in her practice has led her to complete her International Chiropractic Pediatric Association Diplomate, and FICPA board certification. Dr. Johnson is also certified in the Webster technique and the Gardner System for Breech Presentation as well as many other birthing, prenatal, post-natal and pediatric care certifications. She currently working on a certification in child and adolescent neurodevelopment.

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pro f e s s i o na l growth

WHERE

I AM MEANT

TO BE

B Y S T E F FA N I F R I E S E N

I am exactly where I am meant to be, through no help from my plans. From as early as ten years old, I knew I wanted to be an Interior Designer. When it came time to start career planning, I was in my counsellor’s office what felt like every week to ensure I was still on track. While studying for my Bachelors of Interior Design, more plans and goals were developed for the next steps in life. Looking back, there was never a time when I didn’t have a detailed plan for even the simplest life experiences. I graduated with this bright future planned out ahead of me. Slowly, the plans started falling apart.

When the Plans Go Off the Rails A chronic pain disorder took over my life. I was grief-struck, watching what used to be my life disintegrate day by day. I wasted away in bed with no end in sight and no hope from professionals at such a young age. Medication, doctors, specialists, programs, and treatments -it felt like I had tried everything, with no relief. I was told to accept life as it was, because there was nothing more they could do for me.

I refused this life sentence that was so easily handed out by the specialists, and asked myself, how can I adjust and move forward? Working full-time was not an option, so I concluded it must be time to start my own business (twenty years earlier than I had planned, may I add). I couldn’t help but think this was a sign.

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For those that really know me, putting myself out there does not come easily. I’m full of self-doubt and struggled with belonging. I lived with the fear that they would see how unwell I was and doubt my ability to start and run my business. I found myself asking, why show up?

But I did, even though some days it was all I could do to just show up. I challenged those fears with networking groups, trade shows, marketing, and collaborations. I had nothing to lose; nobody could hurt me the way my body and mind was hurting itself.

Now this is where my story takes a turn. The fairytale ending I hoped for was that my business is booming; it overcame the challenges, and I did as well. It didn’t and I didn’t either. My health got much worse, and the business wasn’t viable for many reasons. I found what felt like bottom. I had dreams of a career, a family, a life full of adventures.

Chronic pain left me feeling futureless and with so many questions. How could I be a mother if I couldn’t get out of bed most days? How could I be a role model to others if I wasn’t a career woman with goals and financial stability?

Opportunity Knocks During this time my husband found information on treatment of chronic pain through diet. This was the change that got me back on my feet again and feeling better than ever. Mentally and physically, I

I had my life back and opportunity came knocking.

When my dream job was presented to me, it wasn’t wrapped with a pretty bow, it was disguised. Disguised as failure of my business, and failure of myself. I soon realized behind this disguise was a dream come true, and a place of belonging. By just showing up again and again, I learned that I wasn’t the only one with these fears. By continually putting myself out there, I gained the confidence in myself to stand for my spot in the room. Without this journey, I wouldn’t have become the first Interior Designer, working to develop a large company’s Interior Design department.

Not everything bad that happens to us needs to be cruel and meaningless. Not everything good is going to be immediately apparent in our lives. Once I stopped trying to control everything and opened myself to new opportunities, my future started aligning with my goals.

By giving up control and my personal fears, it has allowed room for others to provided unique supports to help along the way; you don’t have to do this on your own. This journey has taught me that, although your path may not be one you initially chose, your experiences are preparing you for where you are meant to be.

Steffani Friesen has always been an old soul who lives for authentic human connection. Overly proud dog mom to three beautiful dogs Douglas, Clarkson, and Lanette and a wife to her incredible husband, Kyle, Steffani is the lead Interior Designer at Eagle Builders, an innovative pre-cast concrete design build company local to Blackfalds, AB.

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f in an c e

SONJA SKAGE

Sonja Skage has a diverse background. After a corporate career in HR, she started a consulting business which encompassed executive coaching, HR and Project Management consulting, real estate investing, raising capital for start-ups, investing in crypto-currencies, and trading stocks. She is currently focused on trading and investments and is dedicated to her own self-improvement and very focused on using her life and her goals as the pathway to develop herself.

MONEY IS A CONSTANT PART OF OUR DAY TO DAY LIVES. IN THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE, money affects most of the choices we make. Whether it’s what we buy at the grocery store or where we live or whether or not we go on vacation or what kind of vacation we have, money often decides it. Money is also a part of my inner world in terms of my beliefs, my thoughts about it, my feelings when I think of money; I call it the conversation that runs in my head. I’ve learned that if my relationship with money isn’t going well, I’ve got some work to do. Don’t we always know it? When something isn’t going well? I would offer you the suggestion that getting your money working well is a lifelong journey and our own life always shows us the work to be done.

Your relationship with money In your relationship with money, what’s working and what’s not? What beliefs do you have that are serving you in your relationship with money? And which ones aren’t working so well? What’s in the way of you achieving the results you want?

You know what’s working and what isn’t; you know the way you want it to be, and, more than likely, you have some thoughts, some feelings, and some judgements about what the heck is going on.

If you were going to describe your relationship with money, how would you describe it? Would you say it’s healthy or unhealthy?

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Would you say it’s strong and keeps getting better or would you say you struggle to make it work? Would you say your mindset is more abundance-based or scarcity-based? How do you feel about money? Are you excited about it or do you worry? Are there any parts of your money relationship where you operate from fear?

Shifting Your Beliefs

“Healing From Within ...Unlock Your Potential ” { { { {

Live & Dry Blood Analysis Personalized Health Assessments Customized Meal Plans Step-by-Step Coaching Packages

Shifting our limiting beliefs about money has to start with knowing which ones are not helping. Looking at our current results tells us what our story has been – up until now. And, even if we don’t know how we got to here, we are capable of changing so that money becomes an area that works really well in our lives.

ASK YOURSELF: Q: How do I think and feel about the amount of money and the amount of business I currently have?

Q: How do I think and feel about the amount of money and the amount of business others have compared to me?

Janice Hrushka, C.H.N. www.balancedterrain.com 403-952-1920

Q: What is one word that describes my relationship with Q: How do I think and feel about others who have less money? than me?

Q: If I were able to change something important about Q: How do I think and feel about others who have my relationship with money, what would make a big more than me? difference to me?

Q: How do I think and feel about others who have WAY more than me (10x more, 100x more)?

Q: Do I believe I can be as wealthy as I want to be?

Q: Do I currently have and earn as much money as I want to?

Q: What are 3 specific actions I am willing to commit to for the next 30 days that will help me improve my relationship with money?

You can Learn and Change

Q: What story do I tell myself about the amount I have A really great resource for anyone working on money is or don’t have? the book Financial Recovery by Karen McCall. I couldn’t even count how many money books I’ve read over the Q: What do I see as the blocks to earning what I years and this is the very best one I’ve found. What I want? Both in myself and in my current business? like about it is that it is a combination of doing the inner work – looking at our beliefs and history with money Q: Do I really love the work I am doing? along with the outer work – the actions to take to make Q: In the money area of my business and my life, what our relationship with money better. do I do well?

Ultimately, with our level of accessibility to a vast amount Q: In the money area of my business and my life, what and array of knowledge these days, the great news is that we can learn pretty much anything. There’s nothdo I wish I were doing better? ing about money you can’t learn; you can even learn to change your thinking about it. change your thinking Q: On a scale of 1-10, how well is the money area working for me right now?

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f o od

NO ONE EVER ACCUSED ME OF BEING A GOURMET COOK, but, occasionally, I do like to dabble. Granted, when my kids were young, I spent more time being fancy and creative (like, putting the Bougie wieners in the KD, for example), but, these days, store-bought spinach dip with mini naans is a fairly uptown supper.

Nonetheless, I love comfort food in winter, and nothing warms the cockles of my heart quite like soup.

SIX EASY STEPS Even a can of soup is pretty good on a cold day. A lunch time spent dipping your grilled cheese into a hot bowl of tomato soup while watching The Flintstones is hard to top, but I can do it with my homemade soup! Why? Because it’s made with love and inventiveness!

Here’s the process for making an awesome soup: Step One: Look in the fridge: “Oh, that carrot is gonna need to be used pretty soon. Is there a soup that calls for lettuce? Oh hey, cabbage! So many options with cabbage. Yes, indeed – time to make soup!”

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Step Two: Scour the Interwebz for amazing soup recipes. Question what I am doing with my life that has prevented me from knowing how to carve lotus flowers out of tomatoes by now. Ponder the fine points of the differences between leeks and onions and shallots. Write a Facebook rant post about who ever thought broccoli and pistachios would belong together in soup.

Step Three: Release the shame of not being Martha you-know-who and do some self-care (read: have a glass of wine).

Step Four: When it is safe to do so, go to the grocery store. Buy two of everything you think might go well in a soup. Also, chips.

Step Five: Come home and start making soup (Read: guess at items to include, portions, and seasonings). Decide “The more the merrier” is the best, most true saying ever.

Step Six: Celebrate that I am a freaking soup genius.

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT The best soups are made with love and garlic. That’s pretty much all you need to know. The rest of this is free bonus material. Still, solider on; we’re getting to the good stuff.

Sometimes, I am all about making a roux and then building up the stock and researching how spices change during the cooking process (okay, that last one is not true), but usually, I just go for it.

I am one who learns by experiencing, so, when I have a great bowl of soup somewhere, I give it a little critical analysis and think either, “Yup, I can totally make this” or “They’d better never change their menu as I will be eating here weekly.” If it is the former, I’ll be at the grocery store the very next day, buying two of everything (and chips) that I think goes into that soup.

I love the creative freedom that making soup affords, especially when one is completely winging it. Other than that time I somehow thought cinnamon would be good, it pretty much always turns out, because I feel like I am putting me – my heart – into it. So, in the end, I’m really not sure if it’s the soup that warms the soul or my love. Maybe it doesn’t matter.

Danielle Klooster is a business coach, trainer, and consultant. She isthe cofounder of Sharp Women and Your Life on Point, with Ranchelle Van Bryce

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f o od

HAMBURGER SOUP

RECIPE

Potential ingredients: Hamburger (since it is in the name of the recipe, I recommend at the very least, for sure using this ingredient) Onions Garlic Pearl barley Potatoes Carrots Tomatoes Can of diced tomatoes Beef Stock Worcestershire Corn Basil, oregano, bay leaves Salt and pepper Water Potential proportions of each ingredient: No clue. You’re on your own for this.

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Potential Process: Far be it from me to tell you what to do.

Just have fun and create! But, in case you’re interested, here is what I do: Brown the hamburger and onions, with garlic, salt and pepper and a few dashes of Worcestershire. Drain and rinse.

In a large pot, throw in potatoes, carrots, corn, pearl barley, tomatoes and whatever else strikes your fancy (might I suggest cabbage?)

Add in the hamburger mixture Add in a litre of beef soup stock, can of diced tomatoes, and water Add spices and taste (probably needs more garlic at this point) Taste and stir.

On the stovetop, this soup should be ready in about 1.5 hours on a medium to low simmer. In a crock pot, do it on high for 6 hours and turn to low for another 2.

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I n t e r a c t i ve Ac ti vi ty

B.A.N.K CODE Understanding Buyer Types

If you are in business for yourself, you are in sales. In fact, even if you are in corporate life or a job of any type, at some point, you will be selling something to someone, even if it’s just an idea or concept.

Usually, we sell to others based on what appeals to us and how we like to buy. That’s doesn’t always work, which you no doubt know! One of the reasons for that is that different people are motivated to buy by different things, and in different ways.

The Culture Mastery™ uses a system called The B.A.N.K. Code to sort buyer types as: Blueprint: These buyers want to know the process, the system. What will they get? How will it work? What’s expected of them and what can they expect of you?

Action: Give them the bottom line. If they know they need or want something, they don’t want to sit around discussing it or being “sold”. They don’t need lengthy explanations. They need to know the value, benefit, and price. Then they’re in or they’re out.

Nurture: These buyers are all about relationship. They want to do business with someone they know, like and trust. If they buy from you, they want you to take care of them. They want to feel cared-for.

Knowledge: The researchers! These buyers will often painstakingly research the best option and price and read the reviews. They want all the info. They need to have a solid understanding of the product or service before they commit.

Curious about your own buyer type? Take this quiz Happy Buying!

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p r in tabl e

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y o u n g e ntrepeneur

Jordan Gallais is a central Alberta freelance makeup artist and wedding videographer. Born and raised in Sundre, Alberta in a rodeo family, Jordan took a different path and developed a niche in makeup and videography for the wedding market.

JORDAN GALLAIS VALUES HER FREEDOM and the ability to engage in spontaneous activities.

It’s not surprising, then, that even though Jordan is only 21 years old, she has been an entrepreneur for seven years. She began selling custom beadwork when she was only fourteen and a couple years ago, she added makeup and wedding videography to her repertoire.

In addition to giving her flexibility with her schedule, her work in the wedding industry helps feed her soul as she is able to express her creativity. She shares this creative nature with her Aunt Janelle who is a wedding photographer. The two work together and Jordan learns from her aunt and looks up to her.

“I go to her if I need advice on anything,” Jordan explains. “She’s been in the wedding industry for years.”

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BY CARLA HOWATT

Not just a seasoned pro, Jordan says that her aunt really knows her and that they are almost the same person. This closeness means that her aunt is someone she admires and relies on for advice, information and support.

The Joy of Travel The two creative ladies visited Scotland together for what Jordan calls the best trip of her life. It was at the workshop that inspiration hit. They decided they wanted to do the same type of workshop in Canada. Jumping in with bvoth feet, they took the plunge and fearlessly made the event happen.

The workshop, scheduled for November in Tofino, was sold out the first day tickets were available.

She is excited about sharing her knowledge and teaching others about her creative outlet.

she works well with people who are country - but not western – who have a small-town mindset. She finds that is the tribe she connects with the best.

Her clients tend to be genuine, authentic and real.

Jordan still lives in Sundre, a town she has always called home, with her boyfriend and their dog.

She treasures living close to the mountains where she can head to whenever they decide. She admits this spontaneous side of her is sometimes fueled by what she calls FOMO - the fear of missing out. She knows if she had a 9 to 5 job, she would probably feel stuck and she is grateful for realizing this when she is so young and able to create her life around her need to be her own boss.

While Jordan’s love and respect for her aunt is obvious when she speaks, her relationship with social media is more torn. Most of her business is generated from people who find her on Instagram and Facebook, but she often struggles to keep up. “Staying on top of social media is very hard,” Jordan elaborates. “It’s such a huge benefit these days, but it is a whole other job.”

The Comparison Game Social media also brings with it the temptation to compare herself to other women in her business.

She talks about having to get out of her own head and get away from feeling competitive.

She strongly believes there is enough work for everyone and that she has found her niche. This understanding has helped her with the comparison trap. “Getting to know my niche more gives me more confidence,” she explains. “I understand more about what I’m aiming at with them.”

Of course, being your own boss can bring its own set of challenges, such as saying ‘no’ to work that doesn’t inspire her. In fact, she feels that it is a constant struggle to not take on work that doesn’t stir her creatively. The lure of working - because she can - tends to be difficult at times. “I love doing engagement shoots and capturing the love and intimacy,” she says with a smile lighting up her face.

“That is my passion.”

So, what is next for this young, creative and authentic woman? She has recently become involved in Maskara Beauty and has created a team of almost 100 women. She is aware that they are looking to her for leadership and that is something new for her. She is used to only worrying about herself and her business but now others are looking to her for inspiration.

Growing into her role as that leader, brings to mind something her Grampa told her “…be a leader not a follower,” he told her. “And if you’re going to be a leader, act like a leader, not a follower.”

It’s obvious when she speaks that her family is Oddly enough, growing up in a rodeo family, important to her, as well as a driving force behind with a father who is a farrier, has helped define her success. her ideal client. As a young woman who grew up with rodeos and who lives in a smaller town “I keep my circle small but have the biggest support system behind me. That is what has helped me make all of this happen.”

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sh a r p w o m a n f ea ture

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Broom Trees exist in many places around the world but are particularly noted to be found on the Moors of England. The moors have had much of its minerals washed away by heavy rains and, as a result, not much grows there. Broom Trees do. In the bible, there is a notable scripture which describes Elijah, out in the wilderness, in deep despair, finding rest, covering and restoration under a Broom Tree.

Enter Donna Abma. A Lacombe resident for the last thirteen years, Donna’s is a story of heartbreak, abuse and resilience and overcoming. For Donna, who founded the Broom Tree Foundation at the beginning of 2020, the Broom Tree is a symbol of the rest, covering and restoration she has found through her personal faith and in relationships with loving people.

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sh a r p w o m a n f ea ture

A Tragic and Traumatic Childhood Born in Calgary, Donna was given up for adoption at birth. Adopted by a farming family, she faced heartbreak and trauma in seeing her father pass away from a massive heart attack when she was eight years old. In the years that followed, she was sexually molested by two family members, and seriously struggled in her relationship with her mother. By age thirteen, she was, she says, “off the rails”. At age sixteen, her mother told her she was just “somebody’s mistake”.

She quit school at seventeen and was pregnant at nineteen, giving birth to son she lost in a custody battle.

“At age twenty-four, I had a daughter,” she tells. “But the cycles continued. So much abuse and negativity. No family support; no self-esteem. It was so hard to navigate. I was closed off to everyone.”

Finally, at age twenty-nine, she met and married her husband. “It was through him that I met God,” she explains. “That was a turning point for me and began my healing journey.”

Faith and Relationships are the Fuel Today, 20+ years later, Donna says her faith, and the amazing mentorship she’s had with loving people who came alongside to walk with her through her pain and healing journey, have been the fuel that spark her. And she has quite a spark.

A passionate dynamo driven to support women, Donna believes that her mission and purpose is to break down barriers for women and support women experiencing barriers to change their futures.

“There were people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” she says.

“I want to help break the cycles, to walk alongside young women, love on them, help them get on their feet and heal.”

She founded the Broom Tree Foundation with a strong group of women in her community, all of whom come together with passion to help and a diverse set of skills to make it happen. The foundation’s mandate is threefold: 1. The Bridges Community Outreach Program does intake with women to assess their needs and rally community resources,

sh a r p w o m a n f ea ture PA G E T I TL E 2. The Broom Tree Café (Lacombe) is a social enterprise, supporting the foundation, with an employment component that offers women in the program opportunity to earn and income and gain employment skills and experience.

3. Transitional Housing – although this is in the early stages of development, Donna and her board feel it is imperative to making a meaningful change in the lives of struggling women.

Smashing Down Obstacles

Donna is tenacious and focused. She dreamed the organization, mobilized support and made it a reality. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t faced obstacles along the way – particularly the ones inside her own head.

“I have often thought, what makes me think I can run a Foundation?” she laughs. “I didn’t finish high school. I have no letters after my name. When I was nominated a few years ago for the Women of Excellence award, I literally cried about having to submit a resume. I’ve been a Stay-at-Home mom for years! But eventually, I did it. I wrote: ‘I have mad skills in love, compassion, passion and empathy.’”

Though Imposter Syndrome and comparison can sometimes rear their ugly heads, she refuses to be waylaid. She let perfectionism go a long time ago, as it just got in the way of her goals. She also says there’s no room for competition in this type of work. “The need is high, and we all have something to bring to the table. We can all support each other and back each other up. The focus in on making a difference for the women we serve.”

A Ton of Grace

If Donna were to describe her best day, she says it is “a day when I have a ton of grace for myself.” Whether things go well or there are challenges, Donna does her best to model grace for herself, knowing that it’s also what her clients need.

“Honestly, when I was young, I never expected to make it to forty,” she says. “So, most days, I am just incredibly thankful to be alive and living in my purpose.”

She found rest, covering and restoration under a Broom Tree made of God’s love and the love of people. She thinks that, sometimes, we all need a Broom Tree.

Donna Abma is the Founder and Executive Director of the Broom Tree Foundation in Lacombe, Alberta.

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g re at re s o urc es

As we head into a very different Christmas season, it’s important that we as women have and embrace a community of connection and support. It’s also important that we ferret out cool, fun opportunities to do things in this unique year we’re having.

SUPPORT If you’re struggling emotionally or in your relationships during the Holidays, here are some community resources you can reach out to: 211 Red Deer 211 can help you find the right community and social services. You can dial 2-1-1 from any phone to speak to an Information & Referral Specialist or search the online community resource directory.

Mental Health Helpline The Mental Help Line is a 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns. The line is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists. The service provides confidential, anonymous service and information about mental health programs and services.

The Outreach Centre If you are in Central Alberta, and experiencing the effects of domestic violence, suicide, homelessness, and the effects of poverty, the Outreach Centre has services for you.

FUN Days Inn Red Deer is offering an Explore Pass Book a stay at the Days Inn and use the pass to do fun things while you’re on your staycation. You can also gift a Staycation to someone else!

The Red Deer region has a new year-round indoor farmer’s market! Check it out December 9th is Pastry Appreciation Day! Whattt?? Isn’t that every day? Seriously, pick up some pastries for yourself and family or friends and make a fun occasion out of it. Here’s a Yelp list of ten great bakeries in Red Deer area (but there are plenty more, too!) ____________ Of course, Sharp Women is chock full of great resources, too! You can listen to our podcasts, sign up for coaching, our event, or our training workshops at www.sharpwomen.ca

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le a de r s hi p The things we spend time noticing are the things we will reinforce in our lives. Gratitude has a way Our relationships may be different, our workplac- of lifting up our eyes, our heart, our mood, and our es may be different, how we shop is different, how relationships. And we don’t have to pretend to be we exercise, meet, eat….. the list is significant. grateful for the things which are really hard today.

We can spend time noticing other things that are.

The pandemic has changed our lives.

Collectively, we have had many losses to the lifestyles that we once considered normal. Today I can….

Today I see….

“Normal” is such a strange concept. Each of Today I am able to… us have a different idea of what normal is. Today I have…

Those of us who care for people with spe- Today I will enjoy…

cial needs have a front row seat to understanding how different “normal” is for every one of us. Noticing the beauty of the smallest gifts is one of the most amazing things we can do for ourselves and for those who There have been times in are in our circle of influence. my life when I have held so tightly to what I thought my normal was. I wanted predictability and certainty. I know I’m not alone.

We like to be in control of the things that change.

We don’t love unmet expectations.

MISSING “NORMAL”?

by Alana Peters

(NOTE: Truth #1 and Truth #2 can both be true!

They are held together by Truth #3.)

Truth #3 Life is a Mystery Each of us has a story. Some stories contain more difficulty, others contain less. Sometimes we feel like our value or our worth is diminished by difficulty. When we see life through this lens, we add an extra helping of pain to our lives.

There are a few truths, mindset strategies, that have helped me and my clients navigate the current reality of our volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world we are all living in these days. These truths may seem to be in opposition to Approaching life as a mystery, where we can open each other but being able to hold space for the imper- doors, try new things, problem solve and ask for help fections of life, the lack of “normal”, is a superpower! takes us out of a victim mindset. Sometimes it helps if we approach the problem as if it were a puzzle or a game. “If I was my most creative self, today I would …”.

Truth #1 Life is Difficult When we embrace the truth that life is difficult, we learn to accept that challenges will come our way and that the difficulty is something to be resisted. Acknowledging that a situation is difficult can be a very liberating experience.

INVITE CURIOSITY

Truth #2 Life is Beautiful

This is not easy.

When we embrace the beauty in every day, we exercise an incredible mental muscle…. gratitude.

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When coping with change, not getting too attached to “normal”, inviting curiosity and accepting mystery is dynamic and powerful.

It also feels counter-intuitive, especially when we are coping with real and compounded losses.

That is actually the beauty of it. Overcoming challenges is when our brain truly lights up with the best cocktail of feel good hormones and problem-solving capacity!

A WAY FORWARD Here’s a practical way forward: I invite you to shift your self-talk from “I deserve…” or “I should” to “I am ….” (Insert the word that best describes the state of mind you most desire, one that makes room for the imperfections of the day. Here are some possibilities…capable, resilient, hopeful, resourceful….)

Then, choose behaviours that support your desired way of being.

By doing this we intentionally shift our experience of “normal” from our external circumstances to our internal way of being. This helps us find the predictability and hope that we are all yearning for.

Choosing the relationship you want to have with change is a powerful tool for every aspect of life.

What will you choose?

Alana Peters BEd is a Teacher, a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, and a Certified Dare to Lead ™ Facilitator. She is thrilled to facilitate the cutting edge, relationship enhancing leadership development inspired by the work of Dr. Brené Brown.

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soc i a l m e di a

GET SOCIAL

IN A

CINCH

BY LINDSEY LORING

Are you social? Being connected on a social platform is common thread with everyone. We register for events, look at family pictures, stay connected to groups that interest us, and most of all, believe it or not, we are being influenced online everyday. It is how we are introduced to trends, current events, local news, and world events.

A Source of Influence Have you considered what tapping into this source of influence could do to your business or your brand?

How could it shift perspective, improve communication, and create engagement? Would it improve your customer service? Could you have a different call to action or set a tone for your loyal followers? Even better, what if your business could evolve into a household name for your industry, in your local area and beyond?

Social media will take your business to the next level. In our current reality, so many of my clients have asked me, “how can I stay relevant and top of mind through this tough time?�. Get social! If you cannot see your customers in the same way, then shift how you communicate and stay engaged with them. Often, the assumption about advertising on social media is that all you must do is boost a post. Did you know there are over 15 different ways to advertise on social media? And that list changes constantly.

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Things to Consider Here are some things to consider when you decide to dive in and take advantage of what social media can do for your business: 1. Who are your customers? Are they different depending on which of your product or service you are considering?

Perhaps you need a different strategy for different segments because you want to reach different age groups or demographics? Is the language you plan you use in your content suitable and engaging for that specific audience?

These factors will write a template for how often and what you send out into the online world for people to find.

2. How is your branding? Do you have consistency? Have you established a brand language? Do you have your own branded imagery? Do you have a website? If you do not have a website, or if it is out of date, you need this fixed before you should dive into social. Social is the driver and your website is the closer!

3. Do you have time? If you decide to make social your sales engine, then you need to make sure you have the time to keep up with it and stay consistent. Posting randomly then missing multiple days reflects poorly on the impression you leave. If you run ads on social but do not keep up with content, it also gives a sour impression. Having a good marketing agency that specialises in social media marketing is essential to keep this on track for you if you do not have time.

My agency will work with you to design a good blend for customers that still want to be connected to their page but need a little help with the branding, consistency, and some creativity.

4. Types of content. Yes, there are many ways to create content for social. Video content is the most widely received content with the highest volume of engagement. Videos can be a commercial with a call to action, animated stills, live videos, product demos, influencer demos, trend videos, etc. Each type of content you choose will work differently on different social platforms. If your target audience is primarily other businesses, the platform you choose, and your reach targets will be very different then a business that is selling beauty and retail products.

5. Do you want to engage micro-influencers? Do not underestimate the affordability and effectiveness of influencers on social media. It is a direct connection to an engaged group of customers that are already connected with someone that they expect to find new ideas from. Depending on your goals, customers, and products or services that you offer, an influencer can make a big impact. 58% of people have purchased a product or service in the last 6 months because of an influencer.

6. What is your budget? Keep in mind that advertising dollars will go a long way on social media. The difference in your results and success will rely heavily on the creativity, branding, and consistency that you put into your efforts. Make sure you do the planning first and consult a professional marketer for ideas and support. Social media will work for big and small budgets.

Get in the Game If you have been wondering how social media can help your business and when the best time is to embark on this ever evolving and complex form of media, the time is now. People are online and engaging in very different ways then ever before. More age groups are online and looking for content that connects them to their interests. Considering that decision making consumers in the next decade will shift to primarily be a generation that seeks to connect online, make sure your business is prepared to get social, get online, and take advantage of how social media can shift your business, your sales potential, and your brand positioning.

Passionate about small business and marketing, Lindsey Loring combined her 20-year marketing career and experience helping small businesses and non-profits and created Cinch Communications three years ago.

Her advertising agency and skilled team specialize in graphic design, branding, website development, and social media. After moving from Calgary to Red Deer she immediately fell in love with the Red Deer and Central Alberta community that she, her husband, and two daughters call home. “Always share kindness and creativity; the more you give, the more you get.�

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n on - pro f i t

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The year 2020 has provided a plethora of challenges, and with these challenges, a foggy view of the horizon. However, this year has also provided an excess of opportunity to reassess who we are as individuals and organizations, and to carefully consider where we would like to find ourselves in the future.

In June 2020, the Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) hosted its 13th Annual Women of Excellence Gala, where we take the opportunity to celebrate the women in our community who have gone above and beyond in all capacities.

When hosting an event that celebrates a specific gender, the opportunity for conversation around social inequalities and imbalances waves like a flag in the wind.

Following this year’s event however, I found myself wondering, have we been addressing those issues?

Have we been talking about the specific details around why these women are so inherently important in our community? Have let ourselves become so caught up in the bright lights of celebration that we have forgotten the heart of the program?

Addressing Gender Equality Over the last 13 years, RDDCF has had the opportunity to be at the forefront of the gender equality conversation, and yet our communities continue to be faced with increasing wage gaps, economic inequalities, and alarming rates of gender-based violence, to name a few of the issues.

That is why, on Oct. 26, 2020, when RDDCF announced it was working collaboratively with the Government of Canada and the Community Foundations of Canada by providing grant opportunities through the Fund for Gender Equality, we were thrilled.

The national fund, which was developed to support ambitious, local projects that advance gender equality, will be putting a total of $3.4M into communities across Canada to help shift the power into the hands of women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals. The funds will be used to support their leadership and engagement in community-level initiatives.

Red Deer has received $135,000 to work in partnership with organizations at the “heart” of the women’s movement. We will be focusing on organizations that have demonstrated a long-term

commitment to empowering women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people through their mission, activities, or partnerships.

The Opportunity The grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including to pilot new initiatives, to address long-standing community needs, or to support a just recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The initiatives themselves may touch on a wide range of areas that are affected by gender equality, including food insecurity, income inequality, racial injustice, domestic violence, and many more. In particular, the Fund will prioritize initiatives and organizations that are ‘self-led’—those that are led by the same groups that they focus on serving.

Not only is RDDCF playing a role in funding these essential projects and programs throughout central Alberta, but we are also using this as an opportunity to look within our own institutional make-up.

Our Board of Directors will be reassessing our investment practices by pivoting $135,000 of our existing investments to gender-lens investing portfolios, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to gender equality and justice.

In addition, the Board will be participating in an educational series on feminist practices and how to create institutional change by building gender equality into internal policies and practices, including governance.

RDDCF Helps Since March, our Foundation has helped put over $800K into our community to address the urgent needs/impacts of COVID-19. As we have dug through the applications and listened to the stories of resilience, we recognize that this foggy, unfamiliar horizon that lies ahead of us is beginning to take shape.

We recognize that as a leader within our community, we need to do more than celebrate. We need to tackle. We need to address the barriers and discrimination that so many of our community members continue to face. We need to be able to stand behind our own words when we state we are ‘all for community’.

The Fund for Gender Equality is just one of the many steps our Foundation will be climbing in our efforts to create social impact. We invite you to climb with us.

Erin Peden is the Executive Director of the Red Deer and District Community Foundation.

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