Authenticity. What does that mean? It’s a word near and dear to me over the past several years as I’ve been more conscious of who I am and living my life as an outer expression of my inner self. For me, my heart speaks volumes and when I allow myself to speak from that place I experience the truth of my authenticity. Sure, it feels really vulnerable – it’s courageous to live a life of authenticity. And there’s a delicious richness to it that makes it worth the risk. “…when we let go of what we are supposed to be and embrace who we are.”(Brené Brown)

Brené Brown is a researcher, writer, and professor. She has spent the past ten years studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness, looking at: “How do we engage in our lives from a place of authenticity, spirit, and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections and to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging and joy?”. Much of her work has been centred around what she refers to as “the universal experience” of shame and how it keeps us disconnected. I get it. Within each of us is some element of shame, that has us feel different, not good enough, and ultimately holds us separate and disconnected from others.

My daughter has a book about a hamster named Lola who is seeking the right moment to share her “special words”. Towards the end of the book she is about to burst, as she has held back many times because the timing wasn’t quite right. Finally she spills at the end of the book saying “I love you, I love you, I love you” to her mom and dad and nods off contentedly to sleep knowing the words are always there on the tip of her tongue, waiting to be shared. Sweet little hamster.

The words are always there, if we stop long enough to listen and to speak them. What words are on the tip of your tongue? Are you ready to burst?

My daughter Annie greeted me with this card this morning. Need I say more? I am truly blessed to be Mom to both my son and my daughter.

Enjoy this day, nurturers and caretakers of the world!

Today I had the privilege of running the Sporting Life 10K Run in Toronto and joined the efforts of 14,000 runners to raise money for Camp Oochigeas for kids with cancer. This was an impeccably well-run event and I was thrilled to be part of the sea of runners that flooded Yonge Street. It was a sight to see!

According to the fundraising recipient, Camp Oochigeas “is much more than a summer camp. Camp Oochigeas offers year-round programs for children affected by childhood cancer at our site in Muskoka, at the Hospital for Sick Children and in the community. Through these programs Camp Oochigeas provides fun and meaningful experiences to approximately 445 children affected by cancer each year at no cost to their families. This is all made possible by the generous support of our donors and volunteers.”

The fund-raising goal was set at $1,000,000 and as of today they are at $900,000. Here’s the link if you wish to donate: Camp Oochigeas

Last week I was sent an invitation on facebook to join a group called “Zoe is a Rockstar”.  It’s a group created to support a little girl going through some trying chemo treatments at The Hospital for Sick Children here in Toronto.  Currently, there are over 2000 members. Here’s the description:

Zoë is truly an amazing soul who never stops laughing and making people smile, even when battling cancer. She has been dubbed the Sweetheart of Sick Kids.
Thank you to everyone who sent Zoë a fan letter. We received an overwhelming response from people all around the world. Zoë is home for now and we had to give up her Rockstar suite at Sick Kids. Check out the photos of fan mail and her art walls!
Zoë was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and after two open heart surgeries she had a heart transplant when she was 6 months old.
She was diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma at the start of November 2009 and is currently under-going chemotherapy treatments to hopefully deal with this very rare type of Cancer.

This invite on facebook was timely for me.  It helped me to anchor a face with the cause I was running for.  Zoe, you are a rockstar in my book!  Your courage, bravery and passion are remarkable!