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| Molly Shannon showed her trick to slick: Spanx! |
This was my 2nd year attending the WOW Conference, founded by creator, Christine Awram. The lineup of speakers was amazing, and I enjoyed a playful session getting hypnotized with most of our table of women by Troy Mitchell of Hypnotica and Life By Design. At one point, frustrated and embarrassed I couldn't remember the number 5. With my four children in the audience at the event, I was sure I was going to lose homework points with them!
The first WOW moment for me was sitting at WOW with my favourite bunch of women:
- Brita McLaughlin of Brita McLaughlin Coaching, AKA Buddha, my personal coach for 15 months and counting, and my biggest fan, and one of my deepest heart-based friendships. I was at WOW because Brita has spurred me on to reach in and find my source and achieve a success with value and meaning. Brita = Buddha in my world.
- Isabelle Mercier Turcotte of LeapZone Strategies, a special woman of spirit and humour. She makes up her own words. I like that.
- Kristi Davis of Magnetic Skins, a friend of Brita's, and a mother of a young one like me, we had great laughs over how sleep deprivation makes life easier when you are in a cloud, and how sex is optional.
- Taaja Kayler of Own the Room, who lives up to her presence with a powerful mane of gorgeous blond hair and statuesque height. Her smile and positive energy during the event was infectious.
- Heather Scott, a new acquaintance from my participation in Women & Words, a 20-something up-and-comer with a lot on the go, a defined path, and a garden full of vivacity.
- Dawn Carson, Operations Guru for Ideas In Bloom and founder of Bliss Health Oasis, the other side of my brain, and a brilliant vocalist with a spiritual twist!
- Maureen Coroliuc of Angelic Teapot, one of my longtime clients turned friend, her spirit is calming, supportive and visionary.
- Jessica Hollander of Rasoee, a hip and sassy professional with brains and beauty, and one of my bestest gal pals!
Gosh, the day went WAY too fast, and I cannot even BEGIN to tell you as much as I would like to squeeze into this little blog today... I have come off a 4 conference tour since April, and now that the dust is settling...
DRUM ROLL PLEASE...
This Amazon Aboriginal Goddess from the little town of Ketchikan, Alaska, took home theWOW Award for 2011 Spirit Success & Soul
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| Soul Sistah! |
Woo hoo! My journey as a mother, business woman, author, aboriginal, healer who is healing, wife and friend... all led to this defining moment as I stood in front of a room full of hundreds of women (and a few men) to accept an award that had a lot of hearts and minds involved. I didn't do it on my own, and I worked damn hard on myself and for others this year from a place of utter mother goddess love. I felt I was representing a community of women, and proudly share my light with you!
Even greater was the pleasure that Elke Babicki of United Girls of the World was chosen 2011 Leader of the year. Elke and I shared time coordinating the recent Women & Words Conference as members of the Leadership Group, and further deepened our heart-based connection at the recent weekend getaway, everyWOMAN Whistler!
Linda Edgecombe, Award-Winning Humourist, returned to share her experience with United Girls of the World and her "hot, younger-looking hubby"... both of which put a big smile on her face, and laughter in our hearts.
Christine Awram, Founder of WOW, got us to do some fun hand movements with our hands... and my fave quote from her presentation was: "have you tapped your thymus today?" Her advocacy on women's health was passionate and compelling!
Jan Jantzen founder of the Breast Health Revolution, and writer of the wildly successful book, "The Truth About Breast Health, was my fave presenter. She opened my eyes about breast cancer, and gave three great tips about preventing breast cancer, one of which is my fave: "Don't wear a bra!"
I'm sitting here, typing this, completely braless and my lymph glands on my two sisters are thanking Jan. Yahoo, baby!
Teresia Laroque shared some anecdotes from her Baby Kenny in an on-stage conversation with the participants. Teresia’s motto is “If you can dream your dream alone, your dream is not big enough,” and pointed to the power of cooperation and connecting with other women.
Cheryl Cran from 2020 Leadership got us to draw animals... my animal was a horsey with a long, flouncy tail. Apparently, I am stable (chuckle, snort) with complete contentment with my life (bang on, baby!)
If you missed the WOW event this year, consider joining the Ideas In Bloom table next year AND you have other opportunities through the WOW evening series on Granville Island. Each evening is themed with powerful speakers like our own Isabelle Mercier Turcotte from LeapZone!
K, I am going to hit the shower and sing to the shower walls while I reflect on this whirlwind dreamboard-turned-pinch-me-am-I-really-here-dream-come-true-triumphant-holy-s***-we-did-it-I-am-actually-my-own-dream-girl-pay-it-forward-moment.
Now, here is my moment: send me a cause for me to put heart and soul into by commenting below, and give me time to do it before December 31. Criteria? Passion, uplifting women, opening minds and hearts, changing the world, helping girls feel ENOUGH about themselves.
Bring it on. The community of She is waiting!
Do you want me to speak? Do you need me to broadcast your cause and help get more awareness? What matters to you? I want to hear from heartfelt women about their heartfelt causes.
So after all of this, what does the title of this post have to do with what I just wrote?
My dear friends, I had my Spanx holding up their end of the bargain throughout WOW. I got home, whipped off the confines of sassy savvy girl clothes and got into some cotton comfies. By Saturday night, my midriff felt a little irritated. By Sunday, I had a rash. By Monday, I realized I was having a wicked reaction to the synthetic elastic in the Spanx. Loving hubby went to the medicine cabinet and got a lovely floral liquid for me to drink down in a tablespoon, and the rash went away. Love that Euro medicinal lovin'! So, at the pinnacle of my year, Spanx kept me humble... and kept me laughing!
Peace & Flowers, and a bunch of good stuff at ya!
Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel, Mended Wings. Tonia shares her knowledge & expertise on print, web and brand design freely!
Even greater was the pleasure that Elke Babicki of United Girls of the World was chosen 2011 Leader of the year. Elke and I shared time coordinating the recent Women & Words Conference as members of the Leadership Group, and further deepened our heart-based connection at the recent weekend getaway, everyWOMAN Whistler!
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| Sandwiched in between two amazing Women of Worth, Elke Babicki - 2011 WOW Leader of the Year & Brita McLaughlin - 2010 Leader of the Year. They are each a beacon of light in my life, and it is a blessing to share my heart with them. |
K, here is the rundown, as quick as I can get it out of my head and through my fingertips:
Linda Edgecombe, Award-Winning Humourist, returned to share her experience with United Girls of the World and her "hot, younger-looking hubby"... both of which put a big smile on her face, and laughter in our hearts.
Christine Awram, Founder of WOW, got us to do some fun hand movements with our hands... and my fave quote from her presentation was: "have you tapped your thymus today?" Her advocacy on women's health was passionate and compelling!
Jan Jantzen founder of the Breast Health Revolution, and writer of the wildly successful book, "The Truth About Breast Health, was my fave presenter. She opened my eyes about breast cancer, and gave three great tips about preventing breast cancer, one of which is my fave: "Don't wear a bra!"
I'm sitting here, typing this, completely braless and my lymph glands on my two sisters are thanking Jan. Yahoo, baby!
 |
| The Manzier - At least I don't have to worry about Moobs. |
Teresia Laroque shared some anecdotes from her Baby Kenny in an on-stage conversation with the participants. Teresia’s motto is “If you can dream your dream alone, your dream is not big enough,” and pointed to the power of cooperation and connecting with other women.
Cheryl Cran from 2020 Leadership got us to draw animals... my animal was a horsey with a long, flouncy tail. Apparently, I am stable (chuckle, snort) with complete contentment with my life (bang on, baby!)
If you missed the WOW event this year, consider joining the Ideas In Bloom table next year AND you have other opportunities through the WOW evening series on Granville Island. Each evening is themed with powerful speakers like our own Isabelle Mercier Turcotte from LeapZone!
K, I am going to hit the shower and sing to the shower walls while I reflect on this whirlwind dreamboard-turned-pinch-me-am-I-really-here-dream-come-true-triumphant-holy-s***-we-did-it-I-am-actually-my-own-dream-girl-pay-it-forward-moment.
Now, here is my moment: send me a cause for me to put heart and soul into by commenting below, and give me time to do it before December 31. Criteria? Passion, uplifting women, opening minds and hearts, changing the world, helping girls feel ENOUGH about themselves.
Bring it on. The community of She is waiting!
Do you want me to speak? Do you need me to broadcast your cause and help get more awareness? What matters to you? I want to hear from heartfelt women about their heartfelt causes.
So after all of this, what does the title of this post have to do with what I just wrote?
My dear friends, I had my Spanx holding up their end of the bargain throughout WOW. I got home, whipped off the confines of sassy savvy girl clothes and got into some cotton comfies. By Saturday night, my midriff felt a little irritated. By Sunday, I had a rash. By Monday, I realized I was having a wicked reaction to the synthetic elastic in the Spanx. Loving hubby went to the medicine cabinet and got a lovely floral liquid for me to drink down in a tablespoon, and the rash went away. Love that Euro medicinal lovin'! So, at the pinnacle of my year, Spanx kept me humble... and kept me laughing!
Peace & Flowers, and a bunch of good stuff at ya!
Tonia Lenk is a brand specialist and owner of Ideas In Bloom, a brand design studio specializing in collaboration on projects with clients who are dedicated to excellence, committed to the community and sustainability in the environment. She is a proud mother of four, and writing her first novel, Mended Wings. Tonia shares her knowledge & expertise on print, web and brand design freely!
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