CURRENT MISSION

As an early retiree my mission is to help wherever in the world I can.

ABOUT ME

My background is well-rounded for sure! My career experience includes labour organizer, entrepreneur/book store owner, political candidate, and public sector planner and strategist. I'm a freelance writer, researcher and consultant. I have quite an ability to gather large amounts of information and synthesize it into a concise, accurate and lively summary. I love to interview people and create a story from what they have shared.

I am coming into full bloom and hence feel so ready and so good about venturing forward into a whole new way of living. I am resourceful, intelligent and have a deep faith that God is where the wind in my sails is coming from. I am richly joyful about being God's beloved daughter and knowing, feeling and experiencing every day of my life how His favour rests on me.

PHILOSOPHY

I am not materialistic although being on my own I do ensure that I have solid financial security. To be a working volunteer I have given up most of my possessions. The few things I "must" keep are quite curious to me - why do we have such a deep attachment to some things??

My motto is to give love, in joy. This means that I am being true to myself and one with the world when I give only love whenever I reach out, or respond. It means being empathetic, forgiving, and always giving the benefit of the doubt, cutting slack, thinking the best, and sometimes just accepting a situation and the people involved. In joy means I accept my own positive and sunny disposition, and that I respect it, love it, protect it and nurture it. I am built to be happy, kind and friendly, so I work at doing and being everything that is in line with, and in keeping with that outlook.

Warum ich bei Couchsurfing bin

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now I am part of the CS project to connect with places to stay while I am journeying between my working volunteer assignments. Couch surfing aligns with who I am. I am so grateful that there is a safe, well organized approach to share the gift of a place to rest one's head with those in need. As I become a more experienced and vouched for member, I look forward to sharing the good news about couch surfing with kindred spirits. After my five to ten years of working volunteer travels around the world, when I return to being settled in one spot, I also look forward to being a couch offerer!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Many years ago my friend Alanna and I met up with two fellows in New Brunswick who offered accommodation to us. They were fine gentleman and we were not put upon in any way, other than as respected guests. While certainly there was a shine that we had for each other, what was uppermost in their minds was making sure that these two lively gals from Manitoba had a safe, warm and friendly place to stay. Another friend, Laurie and I, couch surfed at a new acquaintance's home in Malibu. Again, he was generous and completely respectful of us. Laurie especially enjoyed getting to know his young son.

Interessen

I love cats, with dogs way up there too! One of my volunteer activities helping out with orphaned and injured wildlife.

I am very strong and active in my faith. As a working volunteer, I continue to take every opportunity to continue growing in my faith, and being faith-filled.

I am a quiet living person, given to thoughtfulness and calm. I meditate and journal. This allows me to stay centred, stay authentic, and stay in the present moment (as much as possibly anyway!)

I am very close to my family and friends, although our time together is steady, not constant. I keep people in my heart even when we have few occasions of keeping in touch.

• cats
• dogs
• wildlife
• writing
• books
• meditation
• news
• surfing
• entrepreneurship
• freelancing
• volunteering

Musik, Filme und Bücher

I read non-fiction, generally stories about life and experiences of others. I am reading a book about a priest's life of ministry with people in Northern Manitoba. It is my favourite kind of book. He tells a story about a learning experience he had, or a perspective he discovered. Then he quotes a scripture passage and includes a prayer he has written to complete the chapter.

Eine tolle Erfahrung, die ich gemacht habe

My most amazing experience was taking care of my Mom during the last year of her life. While it was the most difficult of times for each of us, it was also a time of the deepest joy between us. I do not have children but through tending to my Mom I was able to experience being a mother to her. I have never felt so blessed.

Lehren, lernen, teilen

Professionally, I can help anyone with strategy development, planning and solution-making. I am creative and resourceful so I can often provide a suggested path forward that wouldn't have normally been thought of.

I can help anyone with anything they need to write.

Länder, die ich besucht habe

Belgium, Canada, Congo, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Iceland, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Länder, in denen ich gelebt habe

Canada, Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, Togo

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