The April yoUnlimited Women’s Learn and Network Lunch had a wonderful theme amongst the speakers of truly giving back. As a great community of women joined downtown at the Union Club to mingle, munch and open up their mindfulness, YoUnlimited founder Carolyne Taylor, introduced the first speaker, Stef Barber, speaking of her winning spirit and how she gives back. Stef was born with a neutral tube defect, SPina Bifida. It has left her with many chronic medical conditions, but it hasn’t dampened her attitude. Stef has worked for 29 years to overcome the challenges and life-altering problems that have been placed in her path, and her spirit is ever-so apparent: “The only limitations you have are the ones you place on yourself.” Stef shared her story, relating her experience at the age of 3, being diagnosed with a hearing loss and learning to walk with the support of leg braces and crutches. She talked about her school experiences, trying to feel included and involved, while dealing with the effects of bullying. During her young teen years, Stef found sports and athleticism, and learned that although using a wheelchair, there were far more opportunities for her to get involved than she ever thought possible. Sport brought a whole new world to Stef, one away from the health-related issues, and it instilled in her, dedication, motivation, greater self-confidence and stronger goal-setting abilities. Through her sports she has met inspirational leaders such as Rick Hansen and Lilo Ljubisic. For all the challenges that have been placed in front of her, Stef astounded us with her truly winning attitude. She now mentors others with Spina Bifida, sits on many boards including one advocating for accessibility issues in parks, and says she simply wants to “give back”. Stef left the guests in awe of her spirit with her concluding remarks, “Hope, Dream, Inspire.”
“It only takes 5% to change the world,” explained Frances Litman, founder of Creatively United For The Planet Festival. As a professional photographer of 20 years, Frances delights in the abundance of natural beauty in Vancouver Island, British Columbia and on a grand scale, Canada. She expressed her true gratitude for our clean lakes, our tall and abundant trees and our fresh and breathable air. Without these pieces of beauty, without the clean drinking water, the landscape that creates our mild climate and the oxygenating forests, our current culture and lifestyle would drastically change. At the seemingly small amount of $500 per year, Frances learned that she was a “top donor” to environmental charities and was simply appalled at the lack of financial support they were receiving. With a bit more research, she learned that less than 3% of charitable giving goes to environmental causes! This information brought Frances to develop the Creatively United For The Planet Festival, occurring in Victoria on April 19th, 20th and 21st. This is the 2nd annual event and one of the events goals is to “change the perspective of the environment being hippy to being hip.” With 40,000 people in attendance in 2012, this event brings community members together to have fun and learn about environmental issues in a non-threatening way. It brings together like-minded individuals, boasts live entertainment, over 100 exhibitors and displays, outdoor art making, and the best part… Festival entrance is FREE! For more information, head to www.creativelyunitedfortheplanet.com
When you think of the word hacker, you instinctively think of a computer whiz stealing your identity right? What if you put the word, mind before hacker? Does that change your perspective? Do you still imagine someone stealing your identity? What is that someone was…YOU? Linda Campbell, owner of Your Authentic Self Hypnotherapy, broadened everyone’s horizon on the concept of clinical hypnotherapy and its association with mind hacking. As a Clinical Hypnotherapist for 14 years, Linda likes to “help clients solve their mysteries.” She discussed the difference between your conscious mind and subconscious mind, relating that conscious mind controls about 5-10% of decision-making, and the latter controls the all the rest. So even though you may consciously be thinking “I really should be eating more salad”, subconsciously, your mind may be telling you a different story. Perhaps you have a subconscious hesitation towards losing weight due to past experiences in your life, or perhaps your subconscious is continually telling you that food=comfort and eating more will make you happy. Everyone is unique in what their subconscious is telling them everyday, but the exciting part is, with a few steps given by Linda, everyone has the ability to “hack” into their own subconscious mind. This is your chance to give back, to yourself!
Step #1 –You access your SC when brain wave levels are slower. This occurs when you are FALLING ASLEEP or IN A RELAXED OR MEDITATIVE STATE – repeat affirmations to yourself when in these lower brain wave level states
Step #2 – Subliminals WORK! – play a recording of statements while working on other things. Keep it barely audible so you SC can pick it up without conscious interference, judging or censoring.
Step #3 – Use the “Yes set” – “I am a female. (yes) I am drinking coffee. (yes) My body is healthy and strong” (YEAH IT IS!)
Step #4 – Your SC is your emotional mind. In order to feel how it would feel when you achieve your goal, you naturally access your SC mind. So, don’t just THINK about what you want, FEEL about it!
Step #5 – Your SC doesn’t know the difference between something real and something vividly imagined. So, envision accomplishing your goal and your SC accepts it as though it has already happened.
Linda Campbell – Your Authentic Self Hypnotherapy
Empowering women to become strong, vibrant and self-sustaining individuals is the focus of Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperate (WIN). Deb Alchadino, recently appointed Community Engagement Manager, shared with the guests that WIN is more than just the yellow building thrift shop on Pandora and Blanshard, it is actually three thrift shops, of which all income generated goes into creating their women-focused programs. These programs assist women in crisis to move out of this crisis phase of their lives and transition into the self-sufficient and wellness phase. This is done with programs such as; Crisis and Referral, Gift Certificates to WIN, Food Skills for Families, Financial Skills and one-on-one training focused on staying safe and building a career. Each year WIN transforms 1000 women from their cocoons into self-flying butterflies. The 100 Women Campaign is a new program targeted at raising $100,000 by December 2013 to further assist women in need. Their Fashion with Passion event is coming up on May 11th, 2013 and all are welcome to attend. For event details, visit www.100women.ca
Each woman who spoke on April 3rd brought forward a different perspective and outlook on how to give back. Whether it be giving back to those who have helped you along the way, giving back to the earth that allows you to keep on living, giving back to yourself by taking time to explore your inner subconscious or giving back to others in your community that need your help, all forms of giving are something to be honoured and be proud of. Without the ability to give, one does not possess the ability to receive.
Thank you to everyone who brought food donations to support Bridges For Women.
We will still be accepting food donations at the next lunch meeting.
If you are interested in giving to yourself, your business and your community, come join us at our next lunch, Wednesday, April 24th, 2013. Monthly luncheons are held at the Union Club in downtown Victoria, from 11:30am – 1:30pm and always incorporate Mind, Body, Spirit and Community. There will always be an amazing array of speakers, charitable causes and reasons for giving, along with a delicious healthy lunch and a comfortable and friendly community of women. Register now at www.younlimited.com
We collected event information from guests at the lunch and all their details have been posted to our
Community Calendar. Be sure to check it out for upcoming events in the Victoria area.
written by Deanna Deacon
