I'm so proud to be a Canadian, especially with the Olympics coming up in less than a month. I can't wait to cheer on all our athletes and watch them GIVE THEIR EVERYTHING!! I didn't chose a song of the week yesterday but it would be "O Canada." In honour of this special day, I thought I would show you my favourite parts of this wonderful country I call home. It is such a beautiful country from coast to coast! Here is a very small collection of pictures from my travels all over Canada.  I still have so much more to see.  Enjoy!!!

Sharleen Hoar (Ph.D.) has been supporting elite and aspiring performers of all ages to achieve personal and performance excellence since 1996. She is a member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association and is the mental performance lead with the Canadian Sport Institute - Pacific working with Olympic and National team athletes, coaches, and sport science and medical professionals. Sharleen attended the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Pan American Games, and supported clients through three Olympic games including the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver (Canada) and Sochi (Russia), respectively, and 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).   

I have always been fascinated by rocks – to the point that my friends and I even started a “rock club” in elementary school.  To this day, I have a rock jar that consists of beautiful rocks from the various beaches I have been to; each was associated with a great memory.  Every time I look at the jar, I think of happiness and the lessons learned. Many individuals view rocks as a source of strength, but they also have deeper meaning for me.  They are symbolic of being solid as they are resistant to damage and hard to break.  You may have heard of the terms “rock solid” or “solid as a rock”. However, when the rocks are broken; true beauty is exposed. 

If you asked Jacqueline, “What is the most important goal in your life?” She would answer, “To follow my heart every step of the way.” Her heart has taken her to some pretty phenomenal places, including living in China for 3 years, one of them in rural Hunan when she didn’t speak the language, to working on a ranch in Montana, to San Francisco, in the midst of a recession, and to many others. 

Nearly 3 years ago, she began writing a blog called 6 Months to Live, which started out as a life experiment and turned into a life philosophy. Jacqueline’s vision is to create a community of people who support and inspire each other in choosing meaningful and authentic lives. Life is waiting. Will you join her?

I saw the video for the song written and produced by Megan McNeil , a childhood cancer patient called "Will to Survive." I had to share it, as it touched my heart.  The song has such a beautiful message.  Megan battled cancer for four years; she passed away at the end of January of last year. Her legacy will live on through the song and the lives she touched.

Paula Davis-Laack, JD, MAPP is a lawyer turned stress and resilience expert who helps high achievers and organizations improve performance, increase well-being, and manage stress by mastering a set of skills proven to enhance resilience, build mental toughness, develop leadership, and promote strong relationships.  She calls her philosophy, “Find Your Strong”ˢͫ.Paula writes extensively about resilience, stress management, and work/life balance for Psychology Today (www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pressure-proof), The Huffington Post, Ms. JD and others. Connect with Paula via: her website,  on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Water is an essential part of my life and a great teacher to me.

I cherish going to the beach, as it empowers me.  You may have guessed this through the theme of my blog. I look at the mighty rocks on the shore that stand firm despite the waves which persistently crash against them. The intensity of the tide will vary; and the rocks will be shaken, depending on the water’s strength.

Today, Yvonne Young is sharing with us about perseverance.I first connected with her after I found her blog.  I had  posted about standing tall and was looking for others who had done the same. I can relate to her and am excited she has decided to participate in this series.  So glad I connected with her :) Thanks Yvonne! You should check out her blog after you read her interview.

The song “Crazy Dreams” by Carrie Underwood resonates with me this week.  When you have an idea or dream, it may seem crazy or unattainable at the beginning.  However, just because the idea may seem far-fetched, as the song reminds you, the dreams will come true.

I'm so excited that one of my best friends, Shantelle Przybylo, is sharing her thoughts on perseverance with us today.  She is a Canadian Soprano and has performed all around the world. You can read her biography following the interview. I am blown away by her talent.  Shantelle has an incredible voice and delivers an outstanding performance.  She is also one of the most kindhearted people I have ever met.  I thought it was fitting to have her participate in this series as we encourage each other to follow our dreams.  Thanks so much Shantelle for sharing! Follow her on Instagram at @shantellethesongbird.

What makes a great leader? 

I'm so excited that Tara Fall is sharing with us today about perseverance.  I found her through her blog (http://findingstrengthtostandagain.wordpress.com/) by chance a couple months ago and am so blessed to have connected with her.  I think her story is so inspiring and should be shared with others. She has really inspired me to go after my dream, to persevere, and to overcome obstacles with optimism.  Hence, I had to ask her to be part of this series.  Check out the video of her story below before you read her interview to see what I mean.  Thank you, Tara, for finding the strength to persist and for encouraging others to do the same!