#Oprah in #Montreal

When I found out Oprah was coming to Montreal, I have to admit I had a tinge of excitement. I say tinge because as much as I would like to see Oprah, the sheer volume of others who would want to see her too kind of cancelled me out. Not because I don’t think I am good enough or worthy enough, just because I wasn’t going to wait in line or online for tickets, and I didn’t have a great big budget to get tickets (good tickets started close to $300).

I, like most of the free world, have enjoyed Oprah and all that she has done on air and off. I appreciate her growth and development over the years and I think all that she has done for individual people as well as great big groups of people to be very inspiring.

There was a lot of times I watched her show and thought, I want to do something like that. No doubt, the road to massive success would be long, and it truly wasn’t my desire to go on television and do what Oprah did. However, her drive, her passion, her education, and her charitable work were all things I aspired to achieve in my own life.

Whether it was the first time I saw little Craig Kielburger talking about his dreams at 12 years old and Oprah deciding on the spot to sponsor his initiatives, or whether it was how she honored an audience filled with mothers or military families or people who have made a difference in other peoples’ lives, they were all powerfully inspiring. Those were the moments I longed to see in all talk television. And why not? These hosts had the media and brands behind them to help make a difference more than others. It was such a positive message to portray and Oprah did it every chance she could.

Giving and Giving Back

I dream about giving back. Often. When I started my mama blog, I knew that I wanted to do giveaways because I just loved having the ability to give something great (be it little or big) to someone out there that stopped by to “meet” me. Sharing what I love has always been a thing I do. Looking for a good toy store? I will tell which is my favorite and why. Did you mention you were looking for something specific but can’t find it? I will take a picture of the item I find, send it to you and see if you want me to pick you up one. Call it friendly, call it what you want. It’s just the way I am. I have some great friends that are exactly like that. We create a community we want around us. And I must say the community I have created is fabulous.

A few years ago, I decided with all the fabulousness around me, I wanted to turn it into something more. With the birth of my children and my freelance work, I was constantly meeting unique and wonderful women in business. I had been to craft fairs, and business fairs, but I always felt there was something more that could be added. I had a spark, a little light that flickered every time I met new women….and then it happened. I took charge of my own event.

Did I have time? Not really. My twins were only one year old when I made this decision. But I did have help and I did have drive. And more importantly, I knew that I had been blessed with three healthy and happy children, and a loving supportive family surrounded them and me, so I did it.

To be honest, the initial idea was smaller, much smaller. A few women in the home, I thought. And then we’ll see what can be done. But within a month, I had over 25 women on board and I knew I had something different that could be fantastic.

Head over to my charity site and see just what I’m talking about. I won a ticket to tonight’s event with Oprah from Montreal spitfire, Erica Diamond. Think if I ask nicely, Oprah will feel the love and send a couple of favourite things for my charity event to auction off? Here’s hoping!!