Part Two: The Boomerang Landed - WOW!

Having enjoyed a Friday evening of dancing and hanging out with Patch Adams, we made our journey home from Seattle's Fremont district to our home in South Surrey. The purr of the car engine and the lull of the road put me to sleep almost immediately. We arrived home and quickly fell into bed around 2 am.

Before I could digest Friday, Saturday arrived.

We awoke at 7 am to prepare for the 6th Annual Woman of Worth event. As I arose, I prayed for strength, positive spirit and to be able to be of service to my dear friend and life coach, Brita McLaughlin. Brita had been nominated in two categories, and had been selected as finalist for Leader of the Year 2010. I was excited to support her, and join the table for Women With Heart, hosted by Brita McLaughlin. 

Torsten and baby Adam in tow, we drove to Brita's for a morning meditation to center us before the event. I was tired and fragile. I did my best to stay positive and share in the excitement of Brita's selection as finalist. I was so proud of her.

I was ready to weep at the drop of a hat.

Some time in April, in more alert days, I had sent out an eleventh hour call to ask for nominations from those closest to me on the day of the deadline. Four wonderful people took the time to nominate me in the award category of Spirit, Success and Soul.

We drove into Vancouver to the event, and met up with the group, and quickly found our table as the event began. From the moment the MC, Candace Newton, took the stage, I knew this was no ordinary event. Candace energetically and humorously got everyone to witness, participate in, and enthusiastically dance to the Flash Mob video of The Black Eyed Peas birthday gift to Oprah, "I Gotta' Feeling."

Apparently, I needed to produce more seratonin.

Each speaker that came up, from Dov Baron, to Susan Biali, as well as a Prosperity Panel and a Nia dance instructor, pointed to the fact that a woman holds intrinsic value, regardless of circumstances. The empowering movement of dance, exercise, sound movement and humour injected at points throughout the day was testimony to WOW's founder, Christine Awram. Christine shared her own grief with us, her challenges, her sadness and success in preparing for the annual event. She had what she described as an Annus Horribilus in 2009.

Annus horribilus doesn't mean Bad Ass.

It means horrible year. In the light of my own circumstances, I had a fabulous year in 2009. We welcomed my beautiful son, Adam, into our family. We bought a house. We got two cute Morkie pups. I founded my brand design company, Ideas In Bloom, and had GREAT clientele, and fantastic projects. However, underneath it all, a post-partum depression was developing that I pretended wasn't there. Well, in the thick of it, I needed something more than my own will power to make it through this emotionally "Annus horribilus."

Torsten stood in the shadows during a major part of the day as my biggest fan and Super Dad to Adam. He is a gifted and intuitive life partner. He brought our bubbly boy to to me for a periodic nursing, and enjoyed overflowing sampling of comfort foods during the event.

Brita won WOW Leader of the Year 2010!

In a room full of almost 800 women, and about 5 unsuspecting men, I was able to support Brita. She humbly and ultimately won Leader of the Year. As they called out the names of the 15 finalists in all categories, my name was called. I was stunned. Here I was, praying to make it to the end of the day in a positive space and help Brita to celebrate her success. I was a cheerleader, and getting happier and more infused with energy by the minute.


And, then something happened. Brita was clapping and pointing at me, pointing at the stage, and her face registered a pleasant surprise.

My name was called out as one of the award finalists!

A couple of days later, I emailed Christine Awram to ask her about the nominations. I asked her to send me the nomination letters she had received.

In spite of a terrible family tragedy one day after the event, Christine offered to send the nominations to me. Humbled, I reflected on the award criteria:

WOW of Spirit, Success & Soul Award

Taken from thewowevent.com website, Each Woman Of Worth award candidate leads a successful life by:

1. Valuing and respecting herself, as well as others.
2. Acknowledging her true power from within, and leading through inspiration.
3. Cherishing ALL her relationships, and appreciating their purpose.
4. Experiencing challenges, and moving through them with fortitude and grace.
5. Embracing her vulnerability, as well as her inner strength and courage.
6. Celebrating life, and bringing much-needed kindness and radiance into our world. 

Criteria of a successful nominee: In addition to the above 6 elements, the recipient enriches her community and/or organization through the mentorship of others. She has a strong connection to the core of her spirit, and champions the potential to fulfill personal dreams. Her skillful use of compassion, motivation and facilitation empowers the lives of others. 

Door Prizes were later announced and given to the attendees, and something magical happened. My name was called out in succession for two major prizes. I stood up with a gritty, sparkling smile on my face, and said, "Share the love. Give the second prize to another one of these ladies." Later, a woman approached me, thanked me for being generous, gave me a hug for the Deepak Chopra package she had won, and shared with me how much it meant to her to receive it.

So, hubby and I get to spend three days in a $2000 Couples Workshop, courtesy of Corequest Counselling Group. Yay for us! Yay for Torsten!

He has no idea what he's in for...bless his soul.

Somehow, somewhere, the Universe knew what I needed this past weekend, exactly at the moment that I needed it. When we think we can bear no more, relief comes in an unexpected package. I started out the weekend wanting to be invisible and hiding from the world. I ended the weekend full of energy, spirit and a love for the empowerment of women, and more connected to women around me.

A new day was dawning. Everything was OK.

The feel-good boomerang that I had sent out last December (not expecting anything back) had landed at my feet. I never expected that the goodwill I had shared with others would one day help me get back on my feet. I was humbled and grateful, and ready for a new day.

Chin-Chin, Brita! Here's to us WOW Gals!