Girl About O-Town

Lately, I’ve been voraciously consuming all manner of information sources, on any number of subjects, and I can’t seem to slow myself down.  The newspaper is now delivered to my door each day (yes – in  paper), I’ve got three books on the go, and several new magazines have recently entered my radar screen.  All of this, and my daily dose of internet derived insight.

First, let me state without shame that I am a junkie for game-changing ideas, and I am constantly on the look out to learn more about what great new things are happening in the world.  Everything from cutting-edge sustainable architecture and disruptive technological innovations to successful social-enterprises and groundbreaking artistic endeavours, these are the stories that inspire me because of their positive big-picture impact.

Interestingly, the lessons from these stories may have started to sink in.  It seems that in some areas, I’m sensing a shift underway on a personal level.  So, here are a few big-picture preoccupations that have motivated me to actually take action:

• Money.  Meltdowns.  My financial future.  If you don’t know that world markets have been on a wild ride lately, you must have been hiding under a rock.  But do you really understand what’s happening, or how it might affect you?  I’m not so sure I do.  And, now that I’m  self-employed, I’m hyper aware of the responsibility I bear for own financial security. I’m no longer in the enviable position of leaving my generous public sector pension on auto-pilot – I have to be proactive.  Plus – I’ve got some ambitious financial goals and a little girlaboutOtown who isn’t so little anymore, and will no doubt model my example.  Best it be a good one.  So, instead of surfing the web for the latest decorating trends, I’ve started to pay much closer attention to the financial news.  It’s an interesting perspective for someone who used to follow politics like a hawk, but I’m starting to appreciate the benefits of better financial literacy.  I’m also scrutinizing my investments, getting smart about tax stuff, and taking steps to shore up against risk.   And, I’ve been devouring biographies of interesting people – like Sir Richard Branson for instance – and planning practical ways to grow my business and shape a responsible, sustainable lifestyle.

• Citizenship.  Philanthropy.  Social change.  Many are motivated by the notion of  ‘making a difference’, and I’m the same.  Yet, there must be a million-and-one ways to do it, and finding the fight fit has proven to be a challenge for me.   I persisted for years in politics and the public service – all in the name of creating change – but felt frustrated by a seeming lack of impact.  Yes, in retrospect, it was important work, but I still believe it could have been done so much better.   I’ve sponsored a child for more than a decade, regularly donated money to many good causes, and volunteered my time.  I’ve even pledged 1% of this year’s Housters & Co. profits to help the homeless – all contributions I’m comfortable with – but I never have the feeling I’m helping enough.   I agree the actions of many add up, and I wholeheartedly believe we  as individuals can be the change we want to see, but I recently realized this ad hoc approach has been to way haphazard for me.  Bottom line?  I’d like to tackle change-making more strategically, and there are things I know I can do more directly.  So, it’s finally time to devote my energy.

• Wellness.  Health.  Aging gracefully.  Maybe it was my 40th birthday, or the aftermath of my face ache, but these last few months have brought about a significant behavioural change  for me.  No longer content to attribute my irritating little ailments to ‘getting old’, I sought out a naturopathic doctor this summer, who has truly helped me take charge of my health.  Together we identified a few simple steps to help me feel better – so much so that I’m starting to see what ‘preventive” really means.  Small alterations to my diet, more sleep, and a daily dose licorice tea have made an enormous difference in my day.   And, the incentive to turn old habits into new ones has become crystal  clear.  So, I’m no longer paying lip service to the saying ‘health is wealth’ – and instead, I’m doing things way different than I did before.

Anyway, call all of this some kind of mid-life crisis if you must, that’s fine.  Flashy cars don’t interest me!

• Last week was Financial Literacy Week in Canada.  For more information, click here.
• The Globe & Mail just concluded a fantastic week-long series on giving in Canada.  Read more here.
• To learn more about naturopathic medicine in Ontario, visit the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors website.

 Piggybank by Alan Cleaver, via Flickr