I had the pleasure of meeting Julio Cochoy on October 27, 2013 at St. Stephen’s United Church in Qualicum Beach. He gave a profoundly moving talk about his experiences as a Mayan survivor of the Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996). He was only twelve when he saw dead bodies on the roads in his village. He is 48 now, but the images have branded his memory forever. Soldiers, backed by foreign military powers who didn’t want communism in Central America, massacred hordes of innocent people and treated the Mayan Indians as if they were cattle. Young Julio developed a deep hatred for these soldiers and their leaders, and deeply resented being powerless against their weapons.

He saw too many women losing husbands and other family members and starving because they had no way of making a living in a macho world. Being a university trained economist, he knows how to organize people into cooperatives. Backed by the United Nations, he is helping these vulnerable women make and sell traditional jewelry. The money they receive helps them financially and spiritually because it boosts their damaged self esteem. They feel like worthwhile human beings when someone admires their artistic creations.

He is enjoying his visit to Canada and has made meaningful connections with many First Nations leaders who tell him they don’t want to live a life of hate against the white man any more and want to move away from a hateful life of addiction into a life of hope for reconciliation. Julio has also moved away from hate and into hope. More information on his website: www.worldpilgrim.ca

It was thrilling to be a part of the Fantastik Chick conference! I am lucky I met Ricia Adair, our host and producer, and I jumped at the opportunity to speak at her event. Some of the proceeds went to the Haven Society (safe housing for battered women and kids) and some went to the BraveHeart Women Harmony project.

Darren Weeks, a real estate millionaire who flew in from Edmonton, was our keynote speaker. He is a protege of Robert Kiyosaki and he urged us to think outside the box when it comes to finances. It is not wise to just rely on salaries and pensions these days. Jenelle Setter, a friend of his, is only 25 and she and her husband own over 20 properties in Fort McMurray. They send out a monthly newsletter and are willing to help those who want to get out of the rat race.

Ricia told us to persist and never give up and showed us pictures of famous people who never let adversity or naysayers stop them from believing in themselves.

Brenda Eastwood gave a very insightful talk about biochemistry and hormones and I learned a lot about the common problem of adrenal exhaustion and how to take better care of my body.

Lorraine Jensen gave a wonderful talk on relationships and how we need to be authentic to make them work. I am really enjoying her book, “Olive Juice Forever.” She chose “olive juice” because when people say that they look as if they are saying “I love you.”

Lesley Stedmon gave a warm, fuzzy talk on sexual health and relationships and I spoke about how I learned to totally love and accept myself.

Doreen Bakstad, a mind/body expert, taught us some Laughter Yoga routines and we had a blast!

Shari Berry is a new friend who asked me to join her at the Nov.13-17, 2013 BraveHeart Women’s conference in Los Angeles. I can’t wait to go and meet many other ladies who are trying to make the world a better place!!

Whether you believe in God or not, you have a purpose, and life is much easier and happier when you think of yourself as a holy vessel who deserves to thrive. When you study the global ecosystem, the whole biosphere, you see how closely all living things are connected: Each organism has a vital role to play in the web of life, and you realize just how valuable you really are.

You have a right and a duty to love and accept yourself in a healthy and unselfish way so that you can shine and be what Nature wanted you to be. God, or Nature, or the cosmic force, wants you to live! That’s why you were programmed with a strong life force and a self preservation instinct.

It is profoundly tragic that so many people are committing suicide because their life force has been sucked out of them by bullies. Kids are too young to know that life doesn’t always have to be a stormy nightmare. It can just as easily be a sunny, beautiful experience when you don’t give up and you stick around and wait for the sun to come out.

For every sick bully who tells you to kill yourself, there will be at least one other person who will think the world of you and will want you to live at all costs. For every sick bully who asks you why you’re still alive, there will be at least one other person who will treasure you and your life. Don’t give up!

The twelve-year-old Florida girl who recently jumped to her death did not deserve the horrendous bullying that made her give up on life. It doesn’t matter what your enemies tell you. When you listen to your heart, you learn to totally love and accept yourself and shine like a star. The world needs your light. Don’t give up!

A few months ago I was a guest at a business women’s network meeting and met Ricia, the producer/organizer of the “Release Your Fantastik Inner Chick” conference, www.FantastikInnerChick.com. How lucky I was! She asked me to speak at her event soon after she heard the brief blurb about my book, “Love and Accept Yourself Now.” Many other other speakers will be there, offering great advice on how to improve every aspect of one’s life.

And I’ve had a lot of fun meeting her friends and working with them to help publicize the conference. We’ve had booths at the Parksville summer evening market, the Vancouver Island Exhibition, and the Nanaimo Blues Festival. We’re reaching out to adults, but also to high school students because we know that many of the girls could use a boost in self esteem.

A few weeks ago Ricia and I went for a walk through a beautiful provincial park. We were horrified to see a young man jump into the raging river and disappear while his shocked and terrified friends watched helplessly. We called 9-1-1 and that mobilized a big team of emergency responders.

The young man’s body was found hours later.

He had just graduated from high school, was a highly popular athlete, and would have had a terrific life ahead of him. It’s as if fate wanted me to meet Ricia so we could work together to help others lead better lives. Witnessing the tragedy of the loss of this man’s life reminded us of the extreme fragility of life and of the fact that there is nothing more noble and gratifying than giving everything on has to enhance the lives of all those around us.

As I wrote in my new book, “Love and Accept Yourself Now,” I try to live my life with an attitude of gratitude. Life is so much more enjoyable and healthier that way, and these last two months have given me a lot to be grateful for.

A few years ago I met a wonderful English couple from Leicester on a cruise. They always wanted me to visit them, and I finally did that last June. They treated me like a long-lost relative and drove me all over the lovely English countryside. We explored the famous Chatsworth palace (used in films such as “Pride and Prejudice” and “The Duchess”) and the young guide told us about one of the Dukes. He did not marry, but loved his niece very much and was devastated when she passed away. I nodded with a knowing smile: You can’t be happy without love even if you live in a palace surrounded by 105 acres of stunning vistas and gardens.

I went to Portugal for the first time just before I went to England and loved it. I met many terrific people on the in-depth bus tour that started in Lisbon and took us all around this fascinating country and am staying in touch with them. I also feel a strong connection with the Portuguese people; they had an empire, but their mournful Fado songs show a spiritual intensity that transcends power and riches.

A Calgary friend urged me to see the Stampede this year, and I’m thrilled I managed to go in spite of the flood disaster. I saw the whole down town parade on July 5, and was very moved and inspired by the crowd’s gratitude towards the emergency and rescue workers. They and Mayor Nenshi got the longest and loudest cheers, showing that the “we shall overcome together” spirit is intense and alive. I am happy I could show some support just by going there. The stampede grounds were also very exciting,and, even though attendance was down from the year before, the fun-loving and positive energy was infectious.

Soon after I returned home from Calgary, one of my Estonian cousins visited me for the first time. I drove him to Whistler, and his visit gave me an excuse to do things I hadn’t done before, like going on the Peak to Peak gondola from Whistler to Blackcomb. I took him to my home on Vancouver Island and we went on a zodiac whale-watching tour out of Tofino. We were lucky and saw several grey whales, sea otters and Steller sea lions. We also made it to the top of Mt. Washington and marvelled at the phenomenal view of the Island.

What is so amazing about his visit is that it was not possible for decades. My cousin was born in Estonia when it was part of the Soviet Union. He had to learn perfect Russian, had to serve in the Soviet Army, and wasn’t allowed to travel to the Free World. Now that Estonia is part of the EU and NATO, he is free to travel anywhere. I visited him several times, but this year I finally had the joy of showing him a bit of the paradise we call Coastal BC. Talk about being grateful!! We were both as happy as kids in a candy store.