Category Archives: empowerment

11Aug/16

Confidence Grows Inch by Inch

Brave, confidence, empowerment, eWomen Network, , ,
It's your best pair of heels for sure! Your confidence!

It’s your best pair of heels for sure! Your confidence!

To be confident, you also need to be brave.  Last week I was at eWomenNetwork International business conference and expo.  The theme of the conference was all about being confident.  I did something for the first time in 5 years of being at the conference.  I spoke in front of 900 plus business women and men on the microphone, sharing something personal.  I have been growing my confidence and bravery for many years now.  Was I scared to stand up?  Yes.  Did I do it with my knees shaking and teeth chattering?  Yes.  I took a breath, looked over at a few friends I could see near by and went for it.

Confidence grows inch by inch, just like being brave.  Let’s look at it this way.  Caring adults, grab your tween girl in your life, and take a look at this!

Have you ever wanted to try something new yet were scared?  Maybe your Mum suggested giving a try of a new sport or class after school?  Yet you’re afraid to meet new kids?  Or you’re worried what the other kids will say when you do meet them.

Perhaps though you REALLY want to try the activity.  Being a Wonder Girl is knowing that you’re scared about something and doing it any way.  Growing your confidence and believing in yourself takes work, and practice.  Maybe you’re reading this right now and there’s a test coming up in school.  And maybe it’s a subject you don’t like.  Or it’s a subject that is challenging to you.  Do your best to study for it.  Create a way you can remember stuff easy.

Think back to when you were in grade one or two.  Is there anything you did then that you don’t do now?  Did you stop something that you liked to do because other kids were making fun of you?  Why not doing that something again?  Be brave feel your confidence rise and go for it!

Being brave also means trying something again when you failed at it for the first, second, or even third time.  Just keep trying until you get it completed or right!  Keep going with putting one foot in front of the other.  Every little step towards that something you want gets you closer to it, not further from it.  And doing nothing just gets you nowhere.

Someone told me once that it’s confidence that makes a woman sexy.  This is so true!  Feeling confident enough to walk down the street with our heads high, feeling amazing and confident in our own skin.

Take a look at this video below by Demi Lovato, it’s all about being confident.  What’s wrong with that?  Nothing!!  Tell me, below, how will you grow your own confidence today?

01Aug/16

Body Image

Aware, empowerment, , ,

Love your body!

Parents of tween and teen girls!  This article is for them!  Talk about it, don’t be afraid.  How comfortable are you in your own body?

With school rolling around the corner let’s take a moment and talk about something…..

There are experts that talk about being in your body, and being ‘one’ with something.  Think of your favourite music group/singer.  When they perform, sing, or play and instrument they could look so amazing like the guitar is almost a part of them.  Or there is an example of surfers.  They will say that they feel one with the ocean.  The surfers feel in complete control over their body, and the wave at the same time.  How aware are you of your body?  Do you know where your feet are at this moment?  Look down at your feet.  What are they touching?

Do you realize that ad’s you see in Teen Vogue or the 17 magazines have all been altered?  The models do not wake up in the morning with their make-up on and hair done.  It takes a team to get a model ready for the camera.  And then after the photo shoot is done the editor staff use the computer and adjust everything!  They remove birth marks, change skin ones, and will also take away any extra body rolls that do not make the model look flattering.

The computer photo that has been altered is the one that you see in the Teen Vogue or 17 magazines.  Sometimes ads in magazines are all about ‘dress this way to attract a guy’. Or there are others that are totally degrading towards women.  Some ads are very sexual in nature, or sometimes even violent towards women.  There is a video on you-tube about how models are altered in the editing room.  Click here to watch the video.

How comfortable are you in your own skin?  Do you like what you see in the mirror?  Here’s a tip, don’t compare yourself in those magazines!  Also find things you like about your body.  Even if it is just your smile.  That’s a great start!  So many girls your age are thinking the same thing.  That they hate their body and wish they looked like someone else.  This may sound harsh, but stop that!  Your body is perfect as it is right now!

 

22Aug/15

Healthy Relationships Are What?

Brave, Choice, dating violence, empowerment, help

Healthy relationship?

Healthy relationships are very important to everyone I know.  Yes they are important to me too.  As some of you may know I was not in a healthy relationship in university.

Healthy relationships are more than being with your partner (boyfriend/girlfriend, or husband/wife).  Having healthy relationships with your friends and family too.  Know that relationships are built on trust, kindness, and understanding of each other.

Let’s explore this a bit more.  How does a person grow a healthy relationship around the area of  trust.  Trust is earned, not just given.  So this would mean keeping your word, if you say you will show up at 5pm to their house, then do so.  If you do not, your friend will not trust you.  And this also goes the other way, if your friend promises you that they will be there at 5pm to your house and they do not show up, you will start to not trust their word.  Then you can start to build on this, go step by step, keep your word build the trust between you.  And also know that trust in any relationship can take years to grow, yet can be snapped away in seconds!

Kindness, is huge in any relationship.  Being kind to one another is key in any healthy relationship.  Smile at your partner, do something nice for a co-worker, call up a friend to say hi!  then to grow the heathy relationship, be open to receive kindness.  Watch what comes back to you!   And you will never know what will grow and blossom from being kind to others.  You have no idea what the person is going through.  I recently came back from the eWomenNetwork International Conference and one of the speakers Shawn Achor spoke about being happy, and something called the ‘doubler’.  Meaning send someone a letter on how you appreciate them, and then watch what comes back to you from them!

Here is his Ted Talk:

Shawn Achor

The final part of  this idea of having a healthy relationship is understanding each other.  This is possibly the most important one.  We need to understand each other!  Many miss communications come from not fully understanding one another.  Something I teach during workshops for tween and teen girls is the word SALT.  Meaning Stop, Ask, Listen, and Talk.  Want more information on this message me here.

What will you do to create a healthy relationship with those around you.  Not just your intimate partner.

 

 

 

18Jul/15

Music and stress

Brave, empowerment, ,

music and stress, there is a relation

 

Music…..who doesn’t love music?  There are all kinds of music.  Did you know that there can be different emotions when listening to music?

I know for myself when l listen to music I like I am happy, feeling in a good mood, and yes even the occasional spontaneous dance parties happen in my living room.  Or I’ll admit it, in the car safely at a red light!  It’s fun, and the looks I get from people around me in their cars are priceless.  Some laugh, some smile, and some do a little dance along with me.

Music stirs up sadness too.  Sometimes I’ve caught myself crying when listening to a song, especially if it is about missing someone.  I have found myself in tears of sadness.  And that’s okay, sadness is an emotion, and perfectly allowed.

thank you

Being out in nature and hearing the sounds of the earth, the animals is also music, and it’s the purest kind of music that can help de-stress you.  Go for a walk, and listen to what’s around you in nature.  Go and sit on the river bank, and listen.  Can you hear the music?

Nature sounds are very soothing, and help with relaxation, as well as classical music or music like Enya.

There are people too in the world who will help you with your stress and they use sound to help you!  My awesome friend Sharon Carne from Sound Wellness is an expert in this!  I have been helped by her by attending her toning circles on Easter Sunday’s out in Lake Louise.  Sound is a powerful tool to help with stress relief!

Here are just a few photo’s of a toning circle a few years ago!

66474_10151458539550314_2069377942_n 546444_10151458538870314_1805520344_n 551337_10151458538120314_571195904_n

 

What are you going to do today to help reduce your stress, with music or sound?  Contact us for help with your daughter!

04Jul/15

Stress!!

Brave, empowerment, stress, ,

stress! The topic for July!

Stress affects every one differently.  This month we will dive into this world.  Learn some of the common reasons why people have stress, and what are the ways to relax, and lessen your stress.

I know for me, stress in my world can be a scary thing.  I at one point got so worked up, and stressed, that my body decided to land me in the hospital.  I will share that story with you next week.

Stress can happen over time, or all of a sudden.  We will compare the reasons on how this can happen.

Also discussed will be what happens to our bodies when we are under stressful situations.

If you feel that you need help right now please visit this site:

http://calgary.cmha.ca/mental_health/stress/#.VZg4ivlViko

Does stress happen to kids?  Yes it does!  It may not appear as the ways that it does in adults though.  We will discuss this in July as well.  If you need help or ideas for your kids right now, please visit here:

http://calgary.cmha.ca/public_policy/stress-at-school/#.VZg5PflViko

I most likely didn’t use the word stress though, I knew I was very busy, and had a lot on my plate.  As well as in elementary school the issues of being severely bullied and teased played on my emotions and ability to just be myself in the world at my school.

Learn how we here at Inch by Inch Empowerment can help you and your daughter today!  

 

13Jun/15

Persistence Pays

Brave, CHEO, empowerment, help, moving, , , ,

persistence pays! Keep going no matter what!

Persistence, how does that relate to the topic this month of ‘get moving’?  Well, in one respect it does not.  And yet I believe it does as well.

On June 7, 2015 I had a dream come true.  And it took persistence and continual movement forward for it to come true.  The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario  (CHEO) had their annual telethon.  And I went back to the hospital to share some hope and inspiration.  As well as gift the hospital Neonate Intensive Care Unit (NICU) $3,216.

persistence pays, giving CHEO $3,216 live on air

persistence pays, giving CHEO $3,216 live on air, CTV Ottawa

The reason why I went back to the hospital to give them money is that I was born 3 months early in 1976, and given 24hrs to live.  With persistence, movement and a team of doctors, nurses and specialists I am here today.

We had the opportunity to return to CHEO and the NICU.  My parents and I met some of the awesome nurses and doctors who now work with the tiny babies and their families at the hospital.  They have the quality of persistence to keep going to find out new ways to help the babies live and thrive.  They have also been developing new technologies to help both baby and Mum bond, and thrive.  One of the newer ideas is something called Kangaroo Care.    This is a technique that was not invented in 1976.

My Dad kept a journal of my time in the NICU.  There were entries of sadness, joy, and stress.  On occasion though there were entries in the journal that made me giggle after I read them.  One of them being that when my parents came to visit me, they noticed that I had little baby doll socks on my tiny hands. Apparently according to the doctors I was moving too much, and was taking my iv and other wires out!  I was had persistence even as a tiny baby to keep going no matter what.  And moving was a part of that!

Persistence to move forward, to keep going.

What will you do to keep moving your energy, your body and persist to overcome challenges?

If you want help to help your daughter find her own inner persistence, and strength to keep going no matter what click here!  And let us know how we here at Inch by Inch Empowerment can help YOU!

Aime Hutton in 1976

Aime Hutton in 1976

09May/15

Inch by inch yes YOU can!

Brave, Choice, dance, Dreams, empowerment, help, Uncategorized, , , ,

inch by inch you can dream and do it!

Inch by inch I know you can reach goals and dreams.  What is something you wanted to do when younger, yet never did.  Or what was a dream you had when younger?

I’ve been noticing that as kids transition to teens, and then adults that the dreams that we had a child, go away.  A lot of the time how this appears to happen is school and life.  Children are told as they grow that sometimes there dreams are silly, that the will never get to be the NHL hockey star, or the next Katy Perry.  A lot of the time kids are told to get back to reality, and get their heads out of the clouds.  Especially as they grow, and hit high school.  Inch by inch their dreams are broken apart.  Sometimes by those who love them the most.

Speaking of myself, I know when I was a young girl, I wanted to dance on stage doing ballet.  It was a dream I had.  A loved one told me that the dream of dancing on stage can not continue as I did not look like a dancer.

last time dancing ballet on stage

last time dancing ballet on stage

It’s time to awaken your dreams again!  How are you going to inch by inch do that?  Think of something you wanted to do as a child, and write that down on paper.  Then create ways that you can move towards that goal or dream.  Small steps, or as I like to say inch by inch you can get there.

There is a song that always reminds me to dream.  My friend Annie sent me the video and I want to encourage you to continue to dream.  Inch by inch you can dream again!

Would you love to help your daughter awaken her dreams again?  It can be done!  Click here for your tween daughter and click here for your teenage daughter!

05May/15

May Dreaming

bold, Dreams, empowerment, , , , ,

Dreaming big, dreaming lots….

Dreaming when you sleep can bring about many great things.  This month of May we take the idea of dreaming bigger.  To create dreams and goals for yourself.

When was the last time you sat and allowed yourself to dream?  I know as I got older, dreaming big was sucked out of me, being creative even was sucked out of me.  This month we are going to allow ourselves to have those big dreaming moments.

It’s okay to dream big.  A business sherpa of mine Colin Sprake speaks about this.  He says go big, or go bigger.  And he’s so true!!  I like to say now “Dream big, or dream bigger!  The choice is always going to be YOURS!”

I am excited to hear below in the comments what you are dreaming about.  What was something you were wanting to do when younger, yet were told it was a silly thing to dream.

-Dream big...or dream bigger! The choice is always going to be YOURS!-

If you want more information on dreaming, and how to help your daughter click here for your tween daughter.  Or here for your teenage daughter.  I look forward to helping her dream big again, and reach her goals!  I know she can do it, inch by inch dreaming can take place again for both her and YOU!

 

22Mar/15

Weekend you…

bold, Brave, Choice, empowerment, speaking, Uncategorized, ,

What do you choose on the weekend?

What are you like on the weekend?  Are you different from your Monday to Friday way of being?

I know for me I am sometimes different on the weekend, choosing to stay in my p.j.s sometimes all day.  Or other times I will get up and go out for a walk in the warm weather.

Some times on the weekend I do have to go out and work with a client.  So then again I have an early start to my day, and I do other business work on the weekend too.  Many times I choose to go grocery shopping on the weekend, or go out to see friends.

What ever you choose to do on the weekend make it a great time.  For many the weekend is a time for reflection, and being with family.

Have a look at this video below, and let’s have a conversation on what we are like on the weekend.

If you want to dive deeper into this choice of being YOU for yourself or your daughter, then reach out to me and let’s connect!  I promise you that things will change.  Click here to send me a message!

14Mar/15

What have you observed?

Choice, empowerment, Uncategorized, ,

So this week I would love to know what you observed as you went about your week?  What did you see when you looked at people walking down the street?  I find it fascinating how so many people are just blending in, going with the flow.  Are they really being themselves?  Or are they fitting in?

I heard a great line about being a sheep and following the pack.  Or another story about how being a peacock in the land of penguins.  The fable of the peacock wanting to shine his beautiful feathers, yet all the penguins wanted him to be like a penguin.  Watch the full story here:

What did you think?  What have you observed others walking in your school?  Is everyone fitting in?  Or do people do something to stand out?

Where do you want to be?  In the land of penguins, or the land of opportunity?

I know for me when I first started being in business, I did wear colour and such, yet it was a friend of mine and a Managing Director for eWomen Network that told me to be more me.  So that is when I started wearing fascinators in my hair.

Aime Hutton CEO of Inch by Inch Empowerment

Aime Hutton CEO of Inch by Inch Empowerment

Look around in your community, neighbourhood, how are people being.  What do you observe?