Love From Maria

Being a working mom can come with some guilt. Let's be honest, being a parent, in general, comes with guilt. Trying to be everything to everyone gets old really fast, not to mention it's impossible. When I chose to accept a full-time role over a year ago I knew there were compromises that would come. Pursuing a cause that I am passionate about and balancing it with parenting has been on my mind a lot. I am grateful to be with an organization that is supportive of this, and true to our mission of raising healthier generations recognizes the health benefits that a flexible schedule grants to our family. There are many days though, that call for some extra help with childcare and it's on those days that the guilt creeps in. You know that guilt, the "I should be with my kids now" "Maybe I shouldn't work full-time" and on and on. Yesterday life gave me the sweetest reminder to embrace the village and remember that we are stronger together. While...

Playing is just as important for adults as it is for kids. If you don't believe it, you probably haven't played in a while. We spent the morning at the outdoor rink. the boys played ball hockey while I spent some time playing my very favourite, lacrosse - and I have missed it so much.  This morning I didn't think about how many calories I was burning or the food I was working off. I thought about my life playing with the most amazing ladies, how much fun we had on and off the floor. I thought about my mom, driving us all over the city, working bingos and casinos so we could play. I thought about the joy that sport brought to my life, not just on the floor, but off. I made some of my best friends in sport, was inspired by role models, and built confidence. I thought about the incredible coaches I had that truly made a difference.  When I was thirteen I was looking for a change from figure skating. Fortunately for me, my mom heard about a girls lacrosse team starting...

In March I died my hair and I cut my hair. I know this is seemingly trivial or silly but it turns out it was a lot more than that, and it has taken me nearly four months to see that. I've been reflecting on it a lot lately and thought I would share. For as long as I can remember I have had blonde hair, it's a part of my identity. And for the majority of my adult life, I have had long blonde hair. Anyway, this post wasn't meant to be about me recounting the colour of my hair, more so how my hair colour seems to be a visual manifestation of how I am feeling on the inside. On the spring equinox, I found myself with my best friend, at the salon having inches of hair cut off and my blonde locks darkened. I was ready for a change. The next day I was interviewing for a new role, my "grown-up" role, a role in line with my passion that truly energizes me. Without a doubt, this was a time of change for me. I was putting myself out there, vulnerable and committed to acce...

We just came home from vacation, le sigh. It was magic, who doesn't love vacation?! And who doesn't want more vacation in their life?! The answer is everyone - haha - everyone wants more vacation in their life. I've been thinking about this a lot. I have never really liked the idea of "living for vacation" and over the last few weeks, I couldn't stop thinking about that notion. It seems sad to me to live a life in anticipation. Don't get me wrong, looking forward to vacation is normal, good, exciting, all of that - but living the majority of your life for a few weeks of vacation? It seems to me that life is simply too short and that we deserve to live much happier lives. On vacation, I started a list of the things I loved the most about vacation. Walking to the park in the morning topped my list. Every morning we would head out to the park, I would get a good walk in and the boys would get to run around, play imaginary baseball, soccer, basketball or at ...

Last year you all made for the most amazing birthday present. With your support, I was able to take part in  Habitat for Humanity's Women Build . And I didn't just take part, together you lifted me to be the top fundraiser in the entire campaign. I'm still emotional and blown away when I think about it. So again,  thank you . Thank you to everyone who took the time to donate, share or encourage me along the way - you set the stage for thirty to be one of my best years ever.  This year I'm not building a house, but I do still have a small birthday wish. My wish is to see 31 acts of kindness between now and the end of the April. They don't have to be big and they don't have to be expensive - they just need to come from the heart.  I have this incredible friend in my life and she's on a journey to make the world a kinder, more caring, and connected place. And let me tell you, she does this,  every single day . Every day she shows up with kindness on, sh...

Energy is a powerful thing. Sometimes just walking into a room can overwhelm us with energy, positive or negative. As a child I didn't understand what this was, but I do remember feeling it. I remember feeling responsible for it and I remember searching for solutions to deal with it. I spent a lot of energy trying to help others feel happier, I still do. Being a peacemaker comes naturally, maybe it's being the middle child, maybe it's just me, who knows. It brings me joy to lift others or help others to work through a problem but for all of the joy it brings it is equally exhausting. When I was young I can remember feeling the weight of peacemaking and finding ways to release it. As young as elementary school I can remember picturing to one side, my favourite things, and on the other, the things that felt heavy. With each exhale I would picture all of the heavy things leaving my brain and on the inhale I would picture my favourite things filling the space. In and out, unti...

The last few years have seen a lot of soul searching for me - a lot of likes, dislikes, needs and dreams. This year, while I set out to make more time for me and the things I love, or need, I am strengthening my awareness of it all. I'm paying attention to the things that are actually a treat, actually joyful, healthy, helpful, or empowering. For a while now I have been finding my way through the joy and reward of the constant evolution of communication and marketing. Of course, this would not be a joyful process without the support and encouragement of the incredible humans that choose to show up and give support in my life, both at home and at Vivo. The trust and freedom given to allow for the new, for risk, testing and even failing forward, lends to the joy of it all. Thank you to everyone who helps, gives, supports and trusts this process. And the process? Listening, developing, testing and launching something that you truly believe will help, will make a difference, and wi...