By @MoniKanada

Only three days left before the Paralympic Cauldron will be lit in here in Vancouver and the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be opened on March 12th!

I was curious about the Paralympic Torch Relay  and will share some information with you which I adapted from the Vancouver 2010 web site and an online article by the Vancouver Observer.

The Paralympic Torch Relay is one of the most important tools to increase awareness and communication for Paralympic Games. It usually lasts at least seven days and starts after the closing of the Olympic Village.

Through public celebrations, school programs and online, the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will engage Canadians, and hopefully the world, by introducing us to the stirring stories of Paralympians and other Canadians who inspire by defying the odds. It will shine a light on their achievements, celebrate their passion for sports and help spark a flame in the soul and heart of Canadians. We will have the opportunity to gather and participate in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay when it visits our communities.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Emblem is a metaphor for the fire within each and every one of us — the fire of friendship, inspiration and the spirit of the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Unlike the Olympic Flame, the Paralympic Flame has no traditional starting place, so each Paralympic Torch Relay team has the freedom to choose a lighting method and organise a ceremony that is significant to the Host Country. For the first time in its history, the Paralympic Torch Relay will be run in a non-linear way, with the Paralympic Flame being carried in and around each community while the celebrations take place.

In the last three days of the Paralympic Torch Relay the following Celebration Communities are opening up their events to us to enjoy the experience, celebrate the possible and admire the achievements of Paralympians and others with amazing stories of courage and perseverance:

March 10, 2010:
Vancouver - Hillcrest-Riley Park (Community Centre)
From 11 am - 1 pm
A unique flame creation ceremony by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will kick off the Paralympic Torch Relay. The Flame will travel in a circular route in Riley Park with exchanges taking place along the route and a street party on Ontario Street.  The event will be launched by Mayor Robertson along with other municipal officials.

Maple Ridge celebrations will take place at Spirit Square beginning at 6:30 pm.

March 11, 2010
Vancouver (UBC) — Celebrations on the UBC campus will take place outside of the Student Union Building near the UBC Thunderbird Arena — home to ice sledge hockey competitions. The event will begin at 11:00 am.

March 11-12, 2010:
Vancouver Downtown - Robson Square:
Time:   March 11-12, 2010   2 pm – 2 pm (24 hours)

The 24-hour Torch Relay will start from the stage at Robson Square and the Paralympic Flame will travel in a repeated loop along Howe, Georgia, Granville, Smithe, Bute and Robson with the exchanges of the Flame taking place at various locations. Celebration activities will include simultaneous live entertainment, sponsor activities, sports demos and cultural crafts display. Throughout the whole 24 hours the Paralympic Flame is continuously carried and passed between torchbearers.

The event concludes around Robson Square at 2:00pm on March 12. The Paralympic Flame will then be brought into BC Place for the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

I'm planning on going to one of the above celebration sites and let that torch spark a flame in my heart. Will I see you there?

PS: Follow the Paralympic Flame on Twitter: http://twitter.com/followtheflame

And go here  (choose album 'March 2010') to see some amazing pictures from the Torch Relay in Whistler on March 8th!

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialties is the work with female entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

By Cybele Negris

Further to my recent post in February about the launch of CleanWorks BC (the new brand and marketing campaign to promote the $100 billion investment opportunity in BC's clean technology and clean energy sectors), the BC Government announced today that out of the record number of major construction projects proposed in BC, nine of the 10 top-valued projects focus on clean energy.

Among the clean energy projects planned or underway across the province are: 

• Rocky Creek Wind Energy Project in Tumbler Ridge – $1.2 billion
• Machmell River Hydropower Project in Campbell River – $900 million 
• Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy Incineration Facility – $500 million
• Upper Lillooet River Hydroelectric Project in Pemberton – $222 million
• Bronson Slope Hydropower Project in the Stewart Region – $216 million
• Tzoonie River Hydropower Project in Sechelt – $186 million
• Lower Wood River Hydropower Project in Mica – $144 million
• Hurley River Hydroelectric Project in Pemberton – $138 million
• Gun Creek Hydroelectric Project in Pemberton – $108 million

Click here to see the full press release

Related post:

BC Climate & Clean Energy Reception by Cybele Negris

Cybele Negris is Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada’s Original Domain Registrar. She is on the Boards of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business BC, Government of BC Small Business Roundtable and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. More information is available at cybele.tel or webnames.tel. Follow on Twitter @cybelenegris and @webnames

by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

During the 2+ weeks of the Olympics, I shot alot of photos of people having a blast ... cutting loose ... letting their inner 8-year old out for a romp.

The equation was simple:  take Whistler's general tendency for good times + the mad rush of Olympic revelry + international visitors = a potent mix of fun, frolic and some truly bitchin' attire.

The photos speak for themselves ... what a blast !

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye.  EM: judy@judybishop.ca

The Paralympics are tooling up with top secret technology to give Canada the edge. It turns out that while we are spending millions on technology to give us a bigger advantage the psychological edge maybe more important.

According to Top Secret manager Todd Allinger, they have tested the US teams Speedo suits in a wind tunnel, which confirmed our suits are faster giving the athletes greater confidence and that psychological edge mentioned earlier.

The Own the Podium program has invested $8 million into a five year program supporting 150 scienctists and researchers at 17 universities pursing 55 programs to produce the finest equipment for our athletes in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Where were these guys when I was ten, using shin pads with bamboo strips.

The sledge hockey team has new blades, the sit ski program has biomechanical engineering labs improving both speed and control. Does this mean we could set another record for gold metal wins. However, we are not the only ones investing in the newest and most evolutionary high tech equipment as Japan, Germany, the US and everyone else with a program are spending to gain an advantage.

The most important benefit is not the technology, but how we see the men and women driving towards success, while overcoming enormous obstacles. The original games started in the United Kingdom after the second world war created as recreation programs for veterans. Canada and the US soon followed. The first Paralympic games happened in 1960 during the Rome Olympics.

The growth in the games and the concentration of medical expertise in rehabilitation techniques has extended lives and the quality of life dramatically. If the games existed for no other reason than the enhancement of life it would be worth the investment, but I think we will see it for much more.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison   david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

Posted by:George Moen

Below is a section of an E-Mail that I wrote the day after Maëlle Ricker won her Gold Medal for the SBX on Feb 16th 2010. As one of her sponsors, we at Blenz Coffee were under very specific VANOC guidelines regarding any discussions and promotions regarding an Olympian, so we felt it was in Maëlle's best interest to wait to post this for the world to see. Now that we have passed that date, we can share some of our thoughts and excitement around Maëlle's great accomplishment.

March is Maëlle Ricker Month around the Blenz World. We have re-introduced the Maëlle Ricker Cup and we want to share with you a really cool online Map we have posted with comments about Maëlle and well about being Canadian. Check out:

http://www.blenzevents.com/canada/

Here is a piece of an E-Mail I wrote to the Blogging Team I am working withat Metro Blenz News Squad. (I will post about this great group of folks later).

My Personal Thoughts About Maëlle Ricker and Winning Gold:

"Yesterday started very early, and we worked our way to Cypress thru the pouring rain to watch the Ladies' Snowboard Cross event - we were one of Maëlle Ricker's main corporate sponsors. Imagine 4000 people huddling under cover made for 100, but we did and we were able to fight off the contenders until the rain stopped. At one point we called it Survivor Cypress! But we were a tough group and we made the cut. Between the rain and the fog, there were many delays, but we sure learned how Snowboard Cross really works.

We were up on the mountain with Adam & Kev, Maëlle's official photogra- phers, and they did get some amazing shots, but I had to keep an eye on them - they were so hyped, I thought they were going to stroke out.

What you don't get from TV is the drama. Maëlle fell on her first quali- fication run. You don't just get the one shot, though! Her second quail- fication run did the trick. Then she had to go thru heats after she made the cut. So we came down to the final race, and Maëlle grabbed the early lead. It was funny - time just stopped and I had a 1 min 25 second "Zen moment". (That's the length of a fast race.) I was glued to the big screen following Maëlle, and I kept repeating "Don't Fall - you have the Gold." She crossed first, then we all lost it, celebrating with High-5's and Oh, Canada, and then came the realization that Maëlle had become the first Canadian woman to win gold on Canadian soil, and she will always have that.

When you sponsor an athlete, particularly one with Olympic aspirations, you first consider the business aspects - how is it good for the Brand?
Then you work thru the rationalization of the investment. Then you really learn what it is all about. Alexandre Bilodeau, when interviewed after his gold medal win, said "no Olympian gets there on their own". It takes a team to do great things.

At that point it became clear to me. We participate because we should when it comes to this type of program. Great things take great teams - like what we are doing on Metro Blenz News. This project is off to an amazing start.
We have the Gold when it comes to Social Media. We at the MBNS are really capturing and telling the story in a way the world has never seen before. Real People, Raw and Relevant. (Thanks, Ms B.)

Thank you, Maëlle, for taking us on your Golden journey. It is one memory that I will never forget..."Whatta Ride!"

George!

The 2010 Paralympics start Friday and they are an excellent opportunity for something phenomenal to happen and have someone step forward to be that phenmenom. I sure hope so, Terry's courage is still with us and Rick continues to lead the way, but won't it be great to see a triumviate, the next installment, right here.  I don't know who it might be, but I hope we're all watching.

Media likes phenomenon, something that continues to draw them back, again and again. Terry and Rick are those phenomenons. We walked and pushed every mile with them. Those feats can not be duplicated , they are miracles that take place right in front of us leaving behind memories that lasts a life time.

With all the confusion, anger and war, we need that one moment that points to us and our potential as human beings. A moment of great joy that carries us above the pettiness of our darker side. Allows all of us to experience sacrifice, courage and dedication showing us our brighter side.

I have friend in hospice,  his time is limited, but each moment we share I am inspired by his courage and dignity. I think we are going to see a lot of courage and dignity over these games and maybe, just maybe, we might see the next one.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

Olympic Parties – The Big Ending
March 2, 2010 at 12:54 am by Cat Barr
Filed under Articles (published), News, North Shore Outlook

All the medals have been given out and the athletes have gone home, but the memories will live on forever. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics were clearly one of the best star-studded parties this town will ever see and it was wonderful to have been part of it. O Canada – thank you for making us proud.

01 – West Vancouver’s Don DeCotiis and daughter Marianne come out to support the Face of Tomorrow Gala which featured Canadian rapper K’Naan.
02 – Gala sponsors (and West Vancouverites) Sofia Somani, left, and Alexis Palkowski pose with Face of Tomorrow’s socialite/founder Kasondra Cohen, daughter of famed Army and Navy heiress Jacqui Cohen.
03 – Robson Square was the place to be to meet athletes like North Vancouver’s gold medal snowboarding gal – Maelle Ricker.
04 – Beaming in the golden afterglow of her media interviews, Whistler’s Ashleigh McIvor shows off her first place prize.
05 – Former gold medal Olympic speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan, left, seen here with guest Patty Nees at the Commodore’s Manitoba Social night, got a chance to re-light the flame at the Closing Ceremony after that Opening Ceremony glitch.
06 – American skier Bode Miller, left, wanted a medal in each colour – and he got all three. Seen here with Olympic party impresario Craig Stowe, he and his entourage enjoy a night off at Canvas Lounge.
07 – After a disappointing start, the Canadian men’s short-track team came back with a vengeance and were more than happy to smile for the cameras at a special celebratory interview.
08 – Seen here at the Commodore’s Manitoba Social night, VANOC CEO John Furlong is undoubtedly ready for a long winter’s nap.
09 – Rock 101 FM’s Bro Jake “The Champ” Edwards, left, welcomes celebs, athletes and VIPs like Roy Nees, to the Commodore’s Manitoba Social night.
- -
By Catherine Barr – Feb 28, 2010
As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook on March 4, 2010

By @MoniKanada

Thanks so much to all of you that participated in our poll “Do you think the 2010 Games will transform Canada?” Here are the results: The majority of voters, 84%, answered ‘Yes’ while 8% said ‘No’ and another 8% opted for ‘May be’.

Let’s take a look at Canada’s transformation together, shall we? Transformation sounds like a big word to me. What does it actually mean? “Transformation” stands for “a change in the shape, form or behaviour of”. The word has Latin roots and is a composite of ”trans” = “across, over, beyond” and “formare” = “to form, to mould, to shape”.

Externally, I can see the results of huge pre-Olympic construction efforts (extra venues, Sea-to-Sky Highway etc.) and I assume that some post-Olympic results will be higher number of visitors coming to Canada/Vancouver and possibly more people applying to become Canadian residents. All of that will affect Canada’s outer appearance and its internal structures. Will there be other external modifications that were triggered by the Olympics? Possibly – time will tell.

Much more interesting for me is another aspect of transformation though, the change in behaviour initiated by the reshaping of our personal inner  landscape. Canadians have been touched and inspired by the Olympics in an unprecedented way and have developed an unknown sense of patriotism. What will that translate into?

Some questions come to mind:

~ If we say Canada is being transformed, is this transformation something that is happening to us? Or are we playing an active role in the process?

~ Can the transformation even happen anywhere else but within each individual person? Where else will it take place if not in us?

~ What will Canada, what will we transform into?

~ How much of the transformation work are we willing to do? To what extent are we embracing a shift within us?

~ Who were we before the Olympics, who are we now, and who will we be in the future?

~ How do we see ourselves as the Canadian people now? Has our ‘sense of self’ changed?

~ In which way will we demonstrate our transformation to the world? Who will we be in the months to come?

~ How have you personally been transformed? What shifted for you, essentially, at your core?

~ How do we know that real transformation is taking place? When will the transformation be over? Will it ever?

~ What will it mean in the future when we say ‘I am Canadian’? What emotions will a label ‘Made in Canada’ evoke in the beholder?

My hope is that we may use the newly gained patriotism in a positive and inclusive way rather than it being a means to separate ourselves from others and feeling better than them. That it may be the foundation for warm Canadian spirit expressing and holding high the values Canada stands for.

That we may step into the world, which is full of new friends now, with distinctively Canadian souls, opening ourselves up to the beauty and richness in all people, regardless of their origin or nationality. That we put our glowing hearts and our transformed Canadian spirit to good use as gracious, friendly and cheerful hosts to the 2010 Paralympics – in a truly transformed and transforming way. In my eyes that would be truly meaningful!

Enough about my reflections! It’s time to find out what YOU were thinking when you gave your vote. What aspect of transformation did you have in mind when you said ‘Yes’, ‘No’, or ‘May be’? What would be a significant outcome of Canada’s transformation to you?  Let me know your thoughts – I’d love to hear from you!

Related Posts: 

Cari-Lee Stevens "Connecting with the Locals" - transformation at work, quite inspiring!

Monika Becker 'Olympic Wish'

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialties is the work with female entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

David Hutchison

This morning, as I read yesterday's Vancouver Sun, time was in short supply yesterday, I found a number of very interesting columns.

The first by Micheal Hockney, who spent 4 years  living in Russia, wrote "The media's view of Russia is 20 years out of date." I am embarrassed to say, I am part of that collective with my opinion, which makes me think, I should go to Russia for their Olympics. So often real learning only comes from being there. Thank you Michael.

Next was Dan Gardner, one of my favorites, with the question "Is it worth it, Canada's spending of billions on the Olympics. Olympic spending is like military spending, escalating. On the other hand, Colin Hansen, our finance minister,  was quoted as saying "Health Care and Education are bottomless pits!" They are, however, they are the only two moralities of government responsibility. 

And finally, The Newspaper's View, Flaherty's balanced budget plan is wishful thinking. Currently, we are $622.1 billion offside with our balance sheet. The papers point is, corporate welfare will not enhance competitiveness and raise productivity.

Those three columns, tied together, point out misplaced images of our neighbours. This drives our aggression, causing the media to miss the real point of the Olympic experience, which is, what was happening, on our streets with people from every nation on the planet.

We the people made the experience what is was, not corporations who benefited from government funded investment. Lets keep it going, at least throughout the Paralympics. We should make every effort to continue all the relationships we have made during the Olympics, as real peace lies with us and the relationships we build.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison                        david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

- by Rich Patterson

Tonight the power of the Olympics really hit home. And it hit me in a way that two weeks of non-stop athletic events, parties and happy streets could not have (although those ways hit me hard too, trust me).  Tonight I met Sergey, a Moscovite working for a major international consulting firm. He’s been here in Vancouver since early February helping the Sochi group at Science World prepare to host the world at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Sergey Sirotenko board member Big Brothers/Big Sisters Moscow and Rich Patterson board chair Big Brothers Greater Vancouver

Sergey is also part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization in Moscow – his little brother is in an orphanage and statistics for orphans in Russia are scary. Sergey says after they are released from state care most orphans aren’t ready for the “real world” and don’t know how to socialize – so they end up in gangs, in trouble, on drugs and often dead.  The Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentorship programme makes a big difference because it boosts self esteem, socialization, education and well-being.

As well as volunteering as a Big Brother, Sergey sits on the board of the Moscow Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. In his role as board member he decided to look up a counterpart in Vancouver and that’s how I met him.

We just had dinner tonight. It was amazing to compare stories on mentoring youth in our two very different cultures. They tend to focus on at-risk youth (in state care) while Vancouver’s Big Brothers programme is aimed at youth in one-parent homes (most likely without significant male role model).  I won’t bore you with all the talk at dinner but we did delve into budgets, fundraising, staff, leadership and board strategy.  It was really great to meet another board member from a brother organization halfway round the world.  We agreed that using technology tools like Skype we would introduce our boards to each other and continue discussions in the months ahead.

I want to thank VANOC and the people of Vancouver for not only staging an excellent Olympic games (helluva party!) but also for making an opportunity for businesses and organizations from around the world to meet. We are all the better for it.

Rich Patterson, has a twenty years experience in Public Relations, Marketing & Sales. Rich owns a successful Licensing, Apparel & Promotional Product company and is partner in a social media consultancy based in Vancouver. Contact Rich at rich[at]pattersonbrands.com or follow twitter @pattersonbrands

David Hutchison     david@transitionsadvertising.com

As a contributing writer, but focused on the growth of my advertising agency, I find it a challenge to come up with time to develop a new and interesting story each day.

As we have some down time between these Olympic and Paralympic stages, I thought I would put the question to you, about what you would like to read, what are your interests or what would other wise cause your involvement?                                                 

Social media allows for a more intimate discourse between writer and reader creating the chance to advance the media with new ideas or reworked old ideas.

In his time, Charles Dickens was considered a leader in story telling with his serial novels, his first, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, which he wrote monthly for 1836 - 1837 created a ravenous audience for his stories.

As an aspiring novelist, I wonder, can we do that now? Can we do something that both interests and stimulates opinion? Can we stay with a story long enough to have its opinion impact on our social morays, direct media in how advertise in social media, change public perception or advance industry?

What do you want? Could you stay with an evolving storyline? In most media today, we do not stay with subject matter, an example being Haiti. A human tragedy of epic proportion, but already it has moved to the back pages of the media and our minds.

Like any media, social media or not, it still needs content, so again, I ask, what content do you need? I'll be listening.

See you tomorrow,

David Hutchison

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

One of the most festive holidays in the Jewish calendar, Purim is a way to remember an event that took place more than 2,000 years ago in ancient Persia.

As the story goes, Haman, a king’s minister issued an order to eliminate all Jewish people. The queen at this time, Esther, was Jewish, but the king was not aware of this. Mordechai, the leader of the Jewish people, went to the queen for help. Queen Ester went to speak to the king. This was dangerous to do because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. To prepare herself, Esther fasted for three days. The king welcomed her. She told him of Haman's plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.

Over 200 Jewish Richmondites came to River Rock to hear the Megillah (Book of Ester) read aloud; make lots of noise (boo and hiss every time Haman’s name is read); and celebrate Purim in the comfort of Richmond River Rock Show Room Theatre. Other festivities included putting on Tefillin (phylacteries, a set of small cubic leather boxes painted black, containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah with leather straps dyed black on one side, and worn by observant Jewish men); eating well prepared food; arts and crafts for kids; singing and dancing; toasting one another with l’chaim (to life) chatting with old and new friends; and, of course, watching the thrilling men’s gold-medal hockey game, live on two giant show room screens.

Megillah Reading

Putting on Tefillin

Putting on Tefillin

Cheering During Hockey Game

Singing Purim Songs

 While, many people came to the Purim celebrations anxious to cheer on their hockey team, Rabbi Baitelman of Chabad of Richmond Jewish Centre, organizers of the event, reminded those in attendance of the four mitzvot (commandments) of Purim.

1) Requirement to read the Megillah,
2) eat a festive meal,
3) sending gifts of food to friends
4) sending food to the poor, or donating money to charity

Many people also came dressed in costume, as is the tradition, and greeted old and new friends with the customary toast of l’chaim over a small glass of wine, beer or schnapps.
Festivities ended, after Canada win of Hockey’s prestigious Olympic gold medal, with many dancing to and singing tradition songs like Havana-gila and Chag-Purim. What a great way to end both Purim and the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Written By: Nicholas Pavlich
Video By: Nicholas Pavlich
Nicholas Pavlich is a public relations and marketing professional and freelance writer. Nicholas is @NicholasPR on Twitter and can be reached professionally through www.FuelledCommunications.com

What a blast it was!

By Cari-Lee Stevens

It sure feels like the party is over.  Back to work, no more noise and parties from the street calling me to ditch work and come play.  On Saturday night, I went to Granville Island to meet some friends for dinner.  In the end, they wanted to see a band and I didn't want to stand in line for 2 hours, so we went our separate ways.   I went for dinner and got a seat at the bar at the Keg. I felt like I was in a episode of Cheers.  All those who sat around me were local.  I met Cheryl, a UBC professor and Carey Leanne who serves at the Sandbar and Reid who owns a lot of different night clubs and businesses.  We had a great time chatting and getting to know each other.  Generally I am a friendly person but because I thought the people around me were from out of town, I made more of an effort than usual to include them in conversation and welcome them.  I started more conversations than I normally would and I had a much better time because of it.  I am guessing that those with whom I chatted were also more open and friendly because of the situation.  Like my bike riding around the city which will be a hold over from the Olympics, this too will be a hold over.  I am going to continue to be more welcoming and engage people in conversation more often.  You never know who you are going to meet!

Cari-Lee Stevens is a speaker, trainer and coach.  She also owns CL Stevens Fitness Inc. a company that specializes in on-site corporate and community based fitness.

Follow her on twitter@cleansegirl.com
Blog: www.cleansegirl.com
www.carileestevens.com

David Hutchison  

Like Victor, the little green elf on Just for Laughs, many of us are crying "Its Over!" We will all miss those weeks of fun and frivolity, but now its back to work.

It is a new day and I hope different stories for each us from the experienced gained through the process of meeting new people, watching feats of excellence and sheer joy of being here.

Now we are back on the job, shoulder to the wheel, nose to the grindstone, which is a tough position to work from, but like those athletes we have to persevere and move forward.

If you should find it a challenge, beginning March 12 through to March 21 you will witness demonstrations of courage beyond belief. The courage to rise above challenges most of us cannot comprehend. These are the athletes of the Paralympics. Go out and support them, cheer them on and let us all grow from their example.

So today as you go forward in your workaday world, remember them. Let them inspire you to greatness, for within them is the example we should see to lighten our load and realize, ours is not that heavy. Make it a great day for yourself and all those around you.

See you tomorrow,

David

david@transitionsadvertising.com

David Hutchison is President of Transitions Advertising www.transitionsadvertising.com Canada’s creative voice of seniors advertising. David is Board President of Promoting a Culture of Peace for Children Society of BC www.wartoystopeaceart.com

By  @MoniKanada

After all the buzzing excitement and fun we’ve had during the Olympics, Vancouver has come to a state of content exhaustion, just like nature after giving birth to a raging thunderstorm or a heavy rainfall. I personally feel this way, too: Calm and exhausted, yet utterly content for having been part of something meaningful that has provided joy and inspiration to so many people.

Do you feel a bit empty and abandoned, too? I sure do. Where is everybody? The city seems so empty. Many of the special venues and sites have been dismantled, and all our cheerful friends are gone. For all of us that are suffering from POA (post-Olympic abandonment) here is the good news: Apparently, we don’t have to wait very long before we will see more friendly guests here in Vancouver and Whistler who want to celebrate with us!

YVR Airport has already started to provide a warm welcome to the first Paralympic athletes, their officials and spectators. We are expecting approximately 1,350 athletes and officials from 40 countries and 44,000 spectators in Vancouver and Whistler to celebrate outstanding athletic achievements, true passion for sport, and the greatness of human spirit and all it makes possible.

Are you ready for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12-21? Today, three days after the Olympic Flame is extinguished in Vancouver, a new flame will light in Ottawa, sparking the official start and inspirational journey of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay. And in just 10 days, on March 12, her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will officially open the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games at BC Place in downtown Vancouver.

Now that we are on the radar of the world in such a positive light, can we prove that Canada is a country where the Paralympics are supported and celebrated as enthusiastically as their big brother, the Olympic Games? Do we have it in us to be ambassadors for the true meaning of the word “Paralympic”, which is “alongside the Olympics”?

I realise there will be less athletes and spectators, less entertainment, less disciplines for athletes to compete in etc.  The Paralympics will run on a much smaller scale, at least on the outside. However, on the inside, where courage, determination, passion and persistence live, the Paralympics might actually outshine the Olympics when it comes to the extent of inspiration and valuable lessons they will offer to all that are open to see.

I challenge us to do our part and create a welcoming, joyful and supportive environment for all athletes and guests of our Paralympic Games. Don’t put those red clothes, the mittens and the Canada flags away quite yet. Let’s take some of that newly gained Canadian spirit and paint Vancouver and Whistler red again, and let’s have some more fun – we know how to do that now! Go Canada Go!

Related Posts: Vancouver Olympics done. Paralympics here we come!

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialties is the work with female start-up and seasoned entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel