Arlene Hearn - Envision & Evolve

Getting to meet my real life hero, 🌈🧠 Lia Grimanis.

Up With Women / Exponentielles, the organization Lia founded and leads, was recently named one of Fast Company’s 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators—an incredible recognition of work that is changing lives.

Lia has transcended the trials life placed in her path and turned those experiences into a powerful force for good. Through her vision and leadership, she has built an organization whose impact reaches far beyond the women it supports today—it has the potential to change families and generations.

To be in the company of women like Lia is to be reminded of what true leadership can look like: humility, vulnerability, empathy, courage, and above all, a deep desire to lift others up.

Some people inspire us from afar. It is a privilege when we finally get to stand beside them. ❤️

What I learned this weekend from performing in MIMPA's pre-professional production of Anne of Green Gables…

Community theatre really is community.

It exists in the intersection of performers, crew, volunteers and audience—all bringing different ages, experiences, talents and personalities together to create something none of us could create alone.

And perhaps that is one of the reasons the story of Anne of Green Gables continues to resonate more than a century later.

Anne arrives in Avonlea as someone who doesn't quite fit the mould. She is imaginative, outspoken, emotional, wonderfully imperfect—and determined to belong without losing who she is.

Over the past few months, and particularly this weekend, Avonlea taught me a few things.

Old and young can work beautifully together.
When we stop defining people by age and instead value what each person brings, everyone has something to teach—and something to learn.

Confidence comes from competence, and competence begins with courage.
You have to be willing to try something you're not particularly good at before you can ever become good at it. Sometimes courage is simply walking onto the stage and giving it a go.

Humility is good for us.
If ever there is a moment when we forget that we are, in fact, fallible humans, stumbling on stage in front of an audience will be sure to remind us! And then you get up, laugh, learn and carry on.

Taking care of each other matters.
Sometimes that means fixing a kiddo's hair or costume before they run onstage. Sometimes it's stepping outside for a few minutes with a friend who needs to decompress. Sometimes it's noticing that someone needs encouragement and quietly offering it.

Every small act of kindness counts. And perhaps this is why community theatre can become a little addictive. For a brief period of time, it becomes a microcosm of the world as we would like it to be.

Different generations. Different personalities. Different abilities. Different life experiences.

We don't always get everything right. We make mistakes. We occasionally miss a cue—or stumble spectacularly! But we respect one another, take care of one another and keep moving toward a shared goal.

Much like the community Anne eventually finds in Avonlea, belonging isn't about everyone being the same. It's about creating a place where our differences are welcomed and everyone has something to contribute.

Maybe that's the greatest lesson I brought home from Avonlea:

Community isn't something we find. It's something we create—one courageous, imperfect and compassionate interaction at a time.

Thank you to the directors, cast, crew, volunteers, families and audiences who created our little Avonlea together. ❤️

What is the coach's responsibility?
How do we know when someone is 'creative, resourceful and whole'?
And most importantly, what does holding a safe space mean to the coachee?
An active, engaging discussion at the Pact Urban Peace Program gardens this evening.

I recently facilitated a 'Planning for end-of- L.I.F.E' session through Palcare in the beautiful, light-filled learning room at Margaret Bahen Hospice. The guests were curious with a touch of trepidation, as we are very much a culture that tiptoes around aging and dying.

What made the session memorable wasn't the information I shared. It was the openness of the participants. Together, we explored our values, life experiences, fears, hopes, and what truly matters most.

These conversations rarely happen on their own. They often need a gentle invitation because, in our culture, aging and dying remain subjects we tend to tiptoe around. Yet when we create a safe space, remarkable conversations unfold.
We reflected on questions such as:
• How will I live fully after my parents complete their journey?
• How do I help my children say goodbye to me?
• What do I want to leave behind?
• Is there emotional baggage—or even physical clutter—that I'm ready to let go of?
• What gives my life meaning?

End-of- L.I.F.E planning isn't just about wills and funeral planning. It's about understanding what matters most, expressing our wishes, strengthening our relationships, and creating the legacy we hope to leave.

At Envision & Evolve, we help individuals and families navigate aging, serious illness, and end-of-life planning with confidence, clarity, and compassion. By having these conversations before a health crisis occurs, we can replace uncertainty with understanding and leave behind a legacy of love, meaningful memories, and peace of mind.

Thank you Leiah Shea, Better Living Health and Community Services, Elaine M Beemer, Carol Edward for the opportunity to collaborate with Palcare.

Celebrating my ACC achievement with Abi. The ICF Toronto has been the space that I have turned to for mentors, community and friendships. Thanks to Silke Henke for her mentor coaching!

What does an EMPOWERED GOODBYE mean to you?
To me, it is knowing my children are resilient, empathetic humans capable of being valuable members of their community.
It is being at peace with who I am, completing the tasks I have been charged with and letting go of what I could not.
It is the hope that I can show my loved ones how to say the last goodbye with presence, reverence and acceptance.

I recently had the privilege of attending a training session with Dr. Sammy Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow — the visionaries behind the Waiting Room Revolution.

It was a powerful reminder that how we navigate life, ageing, dying, and death is changing.

What is becoming increasingly clear is this: the key is not found in paperwork alone. It is found in our dialogues.

The words we choose.
The energy we bring.
The silence we are willing to hold.

These shape how we support one another through uncertainty, illness, and the final chapter of life.

There are five simple phrases I am carrying with me — in my work and in my heart:

I hope.
I wonder.
I acknowledge.
I appreciate.
I respect.

These words create space.
They invite honesty.
They honour dignity.

Conversations about ageing and end of life do not need to begin with fear. They can begin with curiosity, compassion, and connection.

As a coach, my role is to partner with my clients and champion their progress. And sometimes, I find myself deeply championed by them in return.

A recent dialogue left me with thoughts too powerful not to share:

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I can make a daily decision to try new things, to learn, and to be better.

I thank God and choose happiness, knowing I live in Canada, a country where I am free and safe.
I remind myself that it’s okay to be fully human — to feel sadness, anger, and to miss my family and community.
I am wise, and I deserve respect, even if I speak with an accent.

This is the quiet, courageous work of growth — choosing intention over resolution, compassion over perfection, and self-worth over fear.

As we step into a new year, may we all remember that progress often begins with one conscious choice at a time.

Choices.

We make them all the time—every day, every hour, every minute.
Some are big, like choosing a university or a career. Others are small, like deciding on a flavor of ice cream. But they all matter because they shape who we are.
When we’re clear on our values and beliefs, it becomes easier to make decisions, even the tough ones. And when we get it “wrong”? That’s okay, too. Mistakes are how we learn, grow, and move forward.
Life is a constant cycle of choices, lessons, and growth—and that’s what makes it beautiful.

The Bwg Diversity Wellness fair brought together a wide variety of providers from a Homeopathic doctor to nutritionists and myself, a Grief coach and Death Doula. Thank you Nusrat Awan for giving us a space to share our wisdom.
Looking forward to deepening the connections and reconnection I made!