Travel the world through all your senses
Ever since I was the age of 20, when after graduating from university and moving to the U.K., I have had perpetual wanderlust. My father once called me a rolling stone (as in a rolling stone gathers no moss) and a dear friend refers to me as a tumbleweed, though I’m not sure that sticks. What keeps me interested in seeing more of the world is that travel enables me to experience life through all of my senses, and I believe this has made me a well-rounded, better person.
Drummers perform at Rongali Bihu festival in Assam ’15. Yep, I’m a groupie.
Our lives are enriched by experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes, scents and textures of other cultures, as well as our own. Food, drink, music, dance, sports are all ways we can experience culture. By experiencing different cultures, we build bridges to connect and understand one another. We can only appreciate different cultures when we make a choice to experience them.
From my travels around the world, I have danced with the tribes in northeastern India (Assam) and saw living root bridges, remarkable natural architecture in the jungle, which was like stepping into a science fiction movie. I learned how to make tasty chocolate pots in Geneva, Switzerland. In Scotland, I traced my Stewart family roots, from the line of the noble Stewarts, which took me across the country to see castles, estates and farms.
I recall the pungent spices bellowing from the food stalls in Bangkok, and the salty sea air brushing my nose in the Caribbean. The image of the blue sea against crisp white buildings of Greece keeps me longing to return. In Venice, the taste of Italian ice cream while sitting in the piazza and watching beautiful people pass by. In Prague, the enchanting classical music in palaces and churches. The sweet voices of tribal children in northern Thailand as performed a traditional song and dance around a campfire. The roar of chants and cheers of passionate soccer fans in a stadium in England. The touch of the delicate woolen sweaters in the shops of Dublin, and the coolness of the stone wall of the oldest church in Scandinavia.
I remember swimming in salty springs in Turkey and dancing like a maniac in the clubs of Tenerife, and savouring the taste of fresh dates in Morocco. And hearing the monkeys playing in the trees in the earning mornings in Costa Rica gave me a case of the giggles.
Traveling the world has truly enriched my life. How has it enriched yours? I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment or tweet to me at @Shannon_Skinner.
Read more about my travels at Shannon’s Travel Bag.
Some of this article is a re-purposed short excerpt from my book, “The Whispering Heart: Your Inner Guide to Creativity.”
Shannon Skinner is on a journey of following her heart and creating change in the world. She is a broadcaster, inspirational speaker, author and writer on the subjects of change and travel. Her inspiring keynotes are uplifting and transforming lives around the globe. To book her as a speaker for your next conference or professional development day, contact shannon (at) shannonskinner.com. Watch her interviews with extraordinary women at www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com.
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Speaking at U of Sask
I am honoured to be presenting this live on-stage event with the Dean of the College of Arts & Science, Peta Bonham-Smith, at the University of Saskatchewan, my alma mater. It’s taking place on Oct. 7th at the U of S. I’m really excited to return to my home province. Details below…
The pitfalls of following your heart
Since my mid-twenties, I have been on a conscious journey of following my heart. Over time, I have become increasingly more in-tune with my heart’s whispers – or shouts, or screams. More recently, I have become braver to overcome the barriers to my dreams that I alone have built. But, by no means have I yet mastered it.
In fact, I can honestly say I am that person who is the “Jack of all trades, master of none.” As a life-long lover of education and developing my fertile mind, I know a lot about a lot of things, yet have not mastered anything. Furthermore, while my life’s quest is to get paid to do what I love, I am not always dialed into that quest because I get easily distracted, or have a fear I am not ready to deal with.
There are gazillions of experts and gurus who help people fulfill dreams and goals. I do not claim to be an expert on following the heart. I am simply a woman who is striving to live it. I believe I have not mastered it because if I did, it would no longer be my quest or lesson to learn. I certainly would not have the wisdom I have acquired (or lack of it) and ability to share that with others through my writing and speaking.
It is like the expert who teaches others to achieve the ultimate romantic relationship, yet cannot achieve it in their own personal lives. Or the financial expert who advises clients on building wealth, yet has debt up to their eyeballs. If they had all the answers, their journey or quest, or purpose in life, might be over.
Sometimes we get drastic lessons that force us to go inside for a time, then later emerge and act on what the inner voice “suggests.” I am reminded of the spectacular story of Tina Petrova, a Toronto-based motivational speaker and filmmaker, who survived a horrendous accident when her vehicle plunged off a mountain, only to later live with excruciating pain and challenges that brought her to the brink of despair. She tuned-in to her inner guidance, and today she is dedicated to helping others heal chronic pain.
Pulling from my own life experience, here are some things to seriously consider when setting out on a journey of following your heart to give you a balanced and realistic perspective.
1. You might feel confused
When you start listening to your inner guidance, your world might get turned upside-down. Your values will likely change, causing you to feel you no longer know who you are. Some refer to this as a “mid-life crisis,” but it is simply a change of values. If you change your career and had identified yourself as that person, when you change careers, you will feel like a different person. Or if you leave your partner to pursue a dream of traveling the world, suddenly you may find how you view yourself changing drastically. Or, you might not yet be clear on what your heart wants – and that is okay, it is part of the process.
2. Your financial situation may change drastically
A decision to follow your heart, whether it is starting a business, writing a book, making a movie or traveling the world, may cause you to draw from your existing resources. For a time, it may drain your bank account, depending on your situation. In the long run, however, by following your heart you will eventually find a way to earn a living. It may not happen in the timeframe you desire, so be prepared that your finances may take a hit in the short-term. I have (mostly) followed my heart and while it has made me rich in relationships and life experience, it hasn’t exactly made me rich in the wallet. Conversely, you could start making more money – woohoo! — than ever!
3. You might need to ask for help
One of my weaknesses – and it is a weakness – is the lack of ability to ask for help when I need it the most. I tend to be like an ostrich and put my head in the ground. However, when you are chasing a dream, you are likely changing some — or many — aspects of your life, and you will need help at some point, whether it is guidance, money, resources, or just a friend’s shoulder. It is okay to ask for help. It is simply part of the process.
Arts, science and heart’s desires
Here is a clip of a brief interview I did while attending an awards dinner at the University of Saskatchewan where I received the College of Arts & Science Alumni of Influence Award 2014. I was asked about the benefits of an Arts & Science Degree and my advice for any young students attending school.
Here’s what I had to say…
Never underestimate the power of sharing your story from the heart
On April 21, 2013, I had the opportunity to speak as a guest panelist alongside some of Canada’s top lifestyle television producers, including Jennifer MacLean, Senior Producer of CTV’s Canada AM; and Sara Lynn Cauchon, Show Producer of CBC’s Steven and Chris and the Live Well Network in the U.S. Held at the fantastic Baka Gallery Lounge in Toronto’s west end on a lovely Sunday afternoon, the event was hosted by Moxii Pro, networking group for women, and Gwen Elliott, host of Start Something Big, which airs on Rogers TV.
Left to right: Gwen Elliott, Jennifer MacLean, Sara Lynn Cauchon and me. Photo: Moxii Pro
The purpose of the event was to help entrepreneurs understand how to pitch to media and to provide insight for those who dream of being a television producer. I was honoured and humbled to be included with these remarkable women. We all were asked by our moderator, Gwen Elliott, to talk about our careers and how we got to where we are today — and the stories were interesting, intriguing and inspiring.
While I had not previously met any of these women, I was aware of Jennifer MacLean’s work at Canada AM, from my PR days. Jennifer talked about her role on Canada’s premiere television newsmagazine, how she sort of landed in her career, made light of having a short attention span, and shared some insight on how the week of the Boston bombings was the craziest week in news in her experience while there. I couldn’t help but have a deep respect for her and what she does because live television is tough — and Jennifer does it well.
The energetic and humorous, Sarah Lynn Cauchon, talked openly about the “highs and lows” of her career. Her message is that of perseverance and never giving up. We share something else in common: we both have a PR background and dreamed of doing something else, although our experience differs.
Gwen Elliott, Host, Start Something Big, and me. Photo credit: Gwen Elliott
Moderator and host, the funny and easily likeable, Gwen Elliott, who has that “girl next door” quality, shared her personal story of having “analysis paralysis” and how, at a pivotal point early in her career, she found herself stuck in the energy of thinking and dreaming — and not doing. Today, she is dedicated to helping others get into action.
I talked about my journey of following my heart and some of the challenges I have faced along the road, and how and why I got Extraordinary Women TV off the ground. To my surprise, after the panel was over, four people came up to me and asked me for my advice on how can they follow their hearts. One young gentleman approached me and thanked me for my “gift” — now he is thinking about what is in his heart.
What I learned from this experience is the importance of being authentic. All the guest panelists spoke with honesty and sincerity, and people seemed to appreciate it (I certainly appreciated hearing my new friends share their stories). And I realized that whenever we share our trials and tribulations, what inspires us, those low points in our lives and how we overcame them, people seem to want to listen and discover something inspiring in it.
I also learned that when I am humble, I speak from the heart. Conversely, when I am in fear, I am more inclined to speak from a place of ego — a heady state — not that this is necessarily bad, but it is not coming from the heart. When we come from the heart, our stories are more relatable.
I am grateful for Sara Lynn, Jennifer and Gwen for sharing their wisdom and insights, because I also learned what it takes to be a good television producer: one must have the attention span of a nat, abundant energy and a great sense of humour for when it all goes awry — because it surely will.
As well, special thanks to the wonderful souls who came up to me after (you know who you are) and shared your hearts and vision, for you, too, inspired me to continue to follow my heart.
More information about the event, details, click here.
Inspired leadership: women who lead by example
When I was younger, I did not see myself as a leader, but I never saw myself as a follower, either. Rather, I marched to the beat of my own drum — as I still do today. Throughout my school years and early adulthood, I resented authority figures – those in a leadership capacity who would tell me what to do, or force their will on me — while at the same time secretly craved their guidance and wisdom.
In recent years, with some reasonable maturity under my, um, coloured hair, I have been studying some of the world’s greatest minds and leaders, and observing leadership around me; not because I was setting out to be a leader, moreso out of curiosity. I wanted to know what is true leadership? What makes a good leader? Is it power and influence? Running a large corporation and many employees? Making decisions that impact scores of people? Or is it something else? We usually think of leaders as those who have risen to the top in the business world and political arena, such as Steve Jobs (whose legacy lives on), President Obama, Marissa Mayer, Ontario’s Premier Wynne, and so forth. But these are not the only kind of leaders out there.
Today, I interview women on my talk show, Extraordinary Women TV, who are doing something interesting with their lives. They are role models. Having interviewed in-depth more than 200 Canadian women from all walks of life who are making their mark, it has forced me to revisit any previous notion I had of leadership.
For instance, Kym Geddes is the news director and anchor at NewsTalk 1010, who has her finger on the pulse of Toronto — an influential position to be in. She is the first female news director at the station, no doubt a huge accomplishment, but what I think is most interesting about her is the passion she oozes because she loves what she does. It’s like a magnet.
Linda Lundstrom, Canadian icon and fashion designer, had a highly successful design company only to later lose it all when the economy turned-down. Then, through a journey of faith, as she put it, she created a different kind of meaningful and successful life for herself, while at the same time making a difference in Aboriginal communities, which she speaks so passionately about today.
And Hassel Aviles, who founded the Toronto Underground Market (TUM), the first social food market in Canada, which brings many people together. As a young mom, she wanted to do something in her life that did not involve her children, so she faced her fears and launched TUM, something she loves to do – which makes her shine and that is alluring.
These women all have something in common: they are all leaders in their own right. They make their dreams come true. They inspire me. And they have opened my eyes to seeing a different kind of leadership because, as role models, they are leading by example.
Whenever I give my keynote on the topic “unleashing creativity,” I talk about discovering what we truly want to create in our hearts, getting beyond self-doubt – the killer of creativity – finding inspiration, which fuels us, and the courage that gives us the, ahem, balls to make our creative dreams a reality. When we do this, we are following our hearts and dreams. When we follow our dreams, we become an inspiring person. When we become an inspiring person, we inspire others to do the same — it’s catchy!
Because let me ask you this: is there nothing more inspiring than someone who is following their heart and dream?
This is leading with inspiration, through inspiration, for the purpose of inspiration. It is inspired leadership. And it is all around us.
And so, today I challenge you to think about how you view leadership and maybe even redefine it, if necessary.
And if you ever hit a wall with your creativity (a creative crash), experience the doldrums, or need inspiration or a courage boost, I encourage you to check out the women I interview. Get inspired by their stories of courage and transformation, and that will surely get you fired-up and make you take steps toward fulfilling your own dreams. They are truly leading…by example.
Shannon speaks at Toronto Women’s Expo
Extraordinary Women TV recently had its presence at the Toronto Women’s Expo, a two-day event dedicated to helping women get empowered in their lives, both personally and professionally.
There was a terrific line-up of speakers, such as the lovely Sophie Boyko, who gave an energetic talk on getting your business online; “Fit Your Style” beauty, health and wellness expert, Jennifer Ettinger, also energized the crowd; and renowned psychotherapist, Nicole McCance, who I have interviewed in the past about her inspiring journey to success.
I had the opportunity to speak on stage on the topic: Listen to Your Heart – Follow Your Dream. This is a topic near and dear to my heart, and one I cover more extensively in my book The Whispering Heart: Your Inner Guide to Creativity.
Check out a clip from my presentation.
