Inspirational Vancouver

I decided I needed another reset button journey to Vancouver however instead of roaming the city I immersed myself in 2 incredible events during my stay – TEDx Vancouver and We Day Vancouver.  It so happened these events bookmarked my usual experiences.

I want to start with TEDx.  I have always been a fan of TED talks and use some of the talks to inspire and provoke my interns to think outside the box.  It just so happened I would be in Vancouver during TEDx, a smaller, local version of TED talks.  The theme of TEDx Vancouver was TILT.  To share a quote from the event – “Today we tell the story of a transformative sequence, a repetition that makes you better.  Initiated by stepping out of your comfort zone, your tilt moment begins in tradition and results it triumph.  Cycle frequently”

I spent the next couple of days enjoying Vancouver as I usually do.  My journey led me to English Bay, Granville Island, Yaletown and Commercial Drive.  English Bay to reflect on my own personal journey, Granville Island to engage in the market culture including some amazing local food, Yaletown to observe how quickly an area can transform itself and Commercial Drive to try to remain hip and in the know!

My final day was spent attending We Day Vancouver before flying back to Toronto.  The message was loud and clear this year – The Year of Empowerment.  I sat in an arena among 20,000 students from across BC.  There was even one school that came from Whitehorse, Yukon – amazing!  The energy of our next generation was nothing short of incredible.  We tend to see this generation as the generation of isolation as they hide behind social media and video games.  Today I was proven wrong thanks to Craig and Marc Kielburger – the founders of Free the Children and Me to We.  These children are the Me to We generation and will hopefully transform the world as we know it.  The day was spent in class sharing stories of inspiration and the importance of community.  We had 4 periods:

1. Economic Empowerment
2. Technological Empowerment
3. Social Empowerment
4. Educational Empowerment

These two events inspired, tilted and empowered me to continue to improve upon myself so I can help my patients improve upon themselves no matter where they are at in their own journey. These events also confirmed the importance for me to continue to help rebuild community.  Being part of a community is integral in our journey towards health.

I realized TEDx may very well be We Day for adults.  I walked out of TEDx with the same energy I did when I walked out of We Day.  I am ready to help shift the world, to make it a better place for all to live in.  Perhaps a lofty goal but one baby step at a time as it takes only one small step to tilt the world…

Giving of yourself allows you to remain healthy!

Feeling inspired,

Shelley