Recently, Macleans magazine wrote an article calling my city (Winnipeg) the most racist city in Canada.  This seemingly harsh label felt like a punch directly to my heart.  It was so distressing for me to hear that there are so many people that hate, judge, attack and bully other people.  It’s not like I have been living in some dream world where everything is lollipops and rainbows but for some reason, this racist label hurt me in a way I never expected.  The article made it sound like everyone in Winnipeg is a racist and I wondered if some of my distress was because maybe…I am racist.

I wanted to quickly shut down any such thoughts but I didn’t. As I listened to our Mayor address the article, I began to feel overwhelmed with the enormity of trying to change this situation. How can I stop racism? How can I help others see what I see – that everyone is a human being, an aspect of the Divine and deserving of respect and love?

And then came the question….is there anywhere in my life that I hate, judge, attack or bully? I wanted the answer to be ‘no’ but after some close scrutiny the answer came back as a’ yes.’ There have definitely been times in my life when I did all of those things. Sometimes it was directed at another person but most often, it was directed at me.

Have you ever hated a part of your body?
Have you ever called yourself stupid, fat, ugly, useless or lazy?
Do you go to bed when you are tired, eat food that is nourishing, spend your time with people and in situations that lift you up? Do you treat yourself with respect and love?

How can we hope for peace in our families, communities, countries or world when we are not at peace with ourselves? How easy is it to make the leap from judging and hating ourselves to judging and hating others? How can we wipe out racism if we can’t love all parts of ourselves fully? How can we stop bullying if we can’t even talk nicely to ourselves??

We have to start with ourselves. Definitely take every opportunity to speak up, stand up and take action against racism and bullying but remember that all action must start from a place of love within your heart. “When we become different inside, this is reflected by the way life treats us outside. Self-change is the pre-requisite for external change.” (from Understanding the Enneagram)
Learn to love yourself in all your glory and all your messes and then we truly will be able to create a peaceful and more joyful world.

Let’s use the month of February to turn this around!
Join me on my Facebook page to talk more about the ways we can love, respect and care for ourselves this month and maybe, just maybe….we can change this world for the better!

Here’s one way to learn to respect and love yourself.  Please join me for …

The Way of the Happy Woman
Winter Self-Care Mini-Retreat!

Sisters: self-care isn’t selfish. When we women slow down and attune to our bodies (and the cycles of nature), we become more vital, creative, and powerful. If you’re longing to give more, do more, be more, please join me for a very special 1/2-day self-care mini-retreat for women!

Together, we’ll create a sacred container for quiet contemplation and creative group practices. Nourish yourself with women’s yoga, insight meditation, seasonal self-care secrets, intuitive journaling, and more. It’s all based on The Way of the Happy Woman (www.wayofthehappywoman.com ): Sara Avant Stover’s acclaimed book, practice collection, and global community.

It’s happening right here in Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 28, 2015. And when you register by Friday February 6, 2015, there’s a sweet discount. Click here for
details & registration. I hope to see you there!