|
I
was born in Boston in 1959 to Canadian parents.
Growing up in Windsor and then Toronto, I have one
younger brother.
Early
childhood memories include The Story of Joan of
Arc. It was the first book I borrowed from the
school library to read in Grade 2. I still take
inspiration from stories about leaders who seek and
speak the truth.
Our
house in Windsor was near the Detroit River. I
recall being awakened by the sound of machine guns
during the "Black" Riots of the late 1960's.
American military helicopters were firing on
civilians in the streets of Detroit. I remember the
U.S. President appearing on television to announce
blanket bombings of Vietnam. And I saw
antiballistic missiles on Bell Island in the middle
of the River.
I
asked my parents about all this because as a little
girl, I wondered. How could such policing by force,
powerful weapons and violent actions provide what
adults called security and defense?
So, notable
other experiences:
At
age 13, I underwent major heart surgery to repair a
congenital defect. The operation triggered instant
appreciation of my own vulnerability and mortality.
Time passes you by but only once.
As
a teenager, I studied Marine Ecology in the
Grenadine Islands. This kindled my holistic world
view and appreciation of complex living
systems.
Prior
to Business School, I studied Philosophy, McLuhan,
Anthropology, film and communication systems. I
received top marks for an Anthropology paper on
catalytic dynamics in cultures adopting electronic
communication and information technology. Ten years
later, I learned that the blanket bombing of
Vietnam was triggered by computer analysis that
turned out to be a military mistake. It
demonstrated the notion of Garbage-in
Garbage-out, an important decision making
factor for institutions in an Information
Society.
Age
30, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and found a
heightened sense of inner strength. I adored the
obvious joy, humble talent and compassion of our
guides.
In
1994, I participated in an extraordinary sweat
lodge led by the only Medicine Woman in the Sioux
tribe. Since then, I've taken great interest in
native cultures and benefited from a range of
complementary health practices.
That
same year, I had opportunity to manage a womens'
hockey team that went from a recreational league to
winning the gold medal in a major international
competition. With the new found joy of team sports,
I took up hockey myself and learned to skate at age
36. It only took me another 12 years to win a "most improved player" award from the league.
As well, travel,
photography and diverse cultures provide great
pleasure to me. Many places in North America,
Mexico and Europe have been on my map, but also
East Africa, Japan and Hong Kong.
2008 provided the chance to enjoy a profound experience meeting Peruvian tribes along the Amazon and participating in Shamanic healing ceremonies involving Ayahuasca. As if due sequel to the sweat lodge, this journey into the realm of lucid dreaming provided clear confirmation and new access to the joys of enhanced self awareness as a multi-dimensional being and as part of the timeless nature of a collective higher consciousness.
In 2009 I returned to the Amazon for further ceremonies with "Mother Aya" and Huachuma, San Pedro. And I have had the pleasure of participating in a modern take in the urban world on Brazilian-born Santo Daime.
As I have passed mid-life, I feel I am just beginning to discover Life and Love, intending to return again to Peru in coming years for further journeys including time at the sacred sites in the heart of South America. As I learn I will document my experience in order to share my lessons with others, in particular through a televisionary tale, Spirit Loves Jaguar.
I
have generally combined personal and community with paid work, having contributed to many voluntary
organizations along the way. In this, I dare say it's taken time to fully appreciate the merit of celebrating and setting aside time to nurture myself and my own creativity.
Now
beyond 50, I have many loves and live with an earnest and talkative cat. Sometimes I feel I understand
more about love and my own spirit when I witness
his glorious way of being fully conscious in
the moment communicating with me. But that's
another story.
|