Focus on good thoughts
Adopt a #gratitudeattitude
Develop more #Kindness, #Empathy, #Compassion
And here we are 2021, in a world that has blown a gasket! We are all together in this. The entire Global village is now learning what it means to be unified in our experience. All over the world, we are all struggling in the pandemic sea. We are together in this fight for our lives.
Fortunately I have a bent sense of humour, too, which allowed me to take the lesson of the Gift from Andrea. She taught me to think of those I would leave behind, to take the focus off myself.
I have been using this lesson, clinging to it, if truth be told, to #ChooseLife after each challenge. I’m thrilled to say that I no longer need such challenges in my life.. No longer a victim of any sort, I #ChooseLife #ChooseJoy everyday.
Sporting a #gratitudeattitude That I believe suits me!
Life may have had its twists and turns yet, I have to say it took me till well into my late fifties to seriously make a list of things I really felt called to do... Like comedy. Like sharing my story.
I had always had a deep seated wish to do stand up comedy. I was too lacking in self-confidence, too full of self-loathing and too stubborn and secretive to ever say it out loud. After my accident at age 20, I voiced my comedic leanings only in terms of a joke.
My story went like this. I couldn't be a standup as that was something I was no longer good at: the standing part. (ba-da-bump-bump) I would follow that up with the fact that I didn't relish the idea of being seen, so getting on a stage was out of the question, and the unknown comic had already been done to death in the 70s!
Fast forward (who the hell am I kidding??) it wasn't until I was 62, that I took the plunge, enrolled in a comedy camp and did six minutes on stage at Yuk Yuk's in Ottawa! It seems I didn't get booed off the stage and except for my voice being too quiet.. people laughed!! (Insert Sally Field moment here)
In true "Well, why not fashion!", I took a gig at Don't Quit Your Day Job Comedy Night - Ottawa at the end of May 2019 and once again enjoyed myself!
Dr Nathalie Beauchamp who gave me the first opportunity to share my story, which started the current journey
Judy Croon, who is all heart, a true friend, editor, comedy coach and without whom, I would still be hiding in my secretive deep mind cavern, never having the guts to finally tell my truth... and then take it to funny!
And my other comedy coach Jenn Hayward who told me once I got off the stage, I would be on a weird high that could last too long!! Well Hells yeah!! Who knew??
Patricia Wall, whom my son nicknamed The Holistic Missile, for putting my puzzle pieces together and giving me the tools to own my life and everything in it.
My dear friend and only brother I never had, Mark Babbitt a true gentleman, a warrior, a baseball coach and dad, a man who valiantly served his country, and also serves as a leader, mentor and all round great guy!
My dad, who served in both the RAF and the RCAF and taught me the meaning of honesty, humility, true love, and generosity. I was blessed with parents who loved each other and myself and my sister in the best way they knew how.
Last but not least, Chris, the CEO of TROOL Social Media, my husband of more than 40 years, who makes me laugh, who drives me crazy, who challenges me, and champions me, daily. My husband has been at my side through all the ups and downs... Chris (Huc) has always given me the strength to be and do all I've ever rushed into, headlong, full speed: always knowing he has my back. He is my forever and all ways place to fall. Love you TMATO xo
Choose to focus on joy and making each moment the best yet! You can do it!!.