International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to ask for change, and to hold up women and celebrate their acts of courage and conviction by ordinary women who continue to play an important role in the history of their countries and communities.

Jillian Brown works for Royal Bank of Canada. I talk to her about her life in the corporate world and her passion about giving back.

Jillian, it is a pleasure to have you on my blog. Please tell my audience a little about you?

My name is Jill. I am 23 years old. I have recently graduated from the University of Guelph, where I majored in Accounting and minored in Marketing and Leadership. Currently, I am a Product Analyst in Premium and Everyday Credit Cards at RBC. I really enjoy what I do.

For the majority of my childhood, I was a competitive dancer, living the life you see on the hit reality show “Dance Moms”, when I was 13 eventually, I lost my passion and was looking for a new hobby to fuel my competitive nature. As I entered high school, I found a passion in a sport, a little less graceful – hockey. Being a highly competitive individual, I wasn’t ok with just playing house league. I played for one year and made a rep team every year following and played into rep into university. With my competitive nature, in University, I became very involved with student clubs. I was President of the Accounting Society of Guelph, taught 2 first year business classes as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant and I competed and was Co-Captain of our intercollegiate case competition team JDC Central.

All of my experiences really shaped me to be the competitive, reliable, dedicated and empathetic person I am today.

Talk to me about your passions in life?

My biggest passion is giving back and helping others. If you are able, I truly believe it is important to give back and help others, no matter if you know the person or do not. This passion of mine is twofold however, this relates to both volunteerism and giving back to others as others gave to you.

I have always had a passion about volunteerism, which only grew bigger as I went to university. When I started university, I realized I had so much more time in my day and wanted to help as much as I could. I volunteered at the food bank, Run for the Cure and United Way and many other organizations over my 5 years in Guelph. In my 3rd and 4th year, my passion for volunteerism grew even more after doing two co-op terms at United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin. I learnt so much about charitable giving, the importance of volunteers and the need that is in so many communities. The impact charities like United Way make in communities is incredible. These individuals work tirelessly to raise money for other people, striving for the strongest communities possible.

Within the second fold of my passion, I really believe in giving back to others as others have to you. In your daily personal growth and development, someone has taken the time to help you. Whether it’s with a course, an activity/hobby, future career or simply lending a hand when you needed it. I think both current and future generations need to focus on helping each other be successful. Even though I have only been graduated for one year, I plan on going back to my alma matter regularly to help students and give them the advice I once received.

Walk me through your life experience, what did you learn from these experiences and how has it changed you?

Just after I was born, I was diagnosed with epilepsy, which hindered some of my development growing up. I got tired very easily and at times had difficulty remembering things. My parents always hoped I would grow out of it as I got older and very luckily, I did. Around the age of 10 – right when we used to do multiplication tables competitions in grade school – my doctor told me that I wouldn’t have to take my medication anymore and I had grown out of epilepsy. Even though I grew out of it, for quite some time after, I had trouble remembering things and always had to study a little bit harder and for longer periods of time. Although it didn’t affect my memory as much when I grew up, I always gave myself a little extra time to do things.

In high school and university, these habits continued and I always made sure to give myself a little more time than I thought I needed for my studies. Although I outgrew it, there is always a chance it could come back. So, it taught me to really understand myself, great prioritization skills and understanding of how to utilize my time the most effectively.

When something happens to you or you have a medical condition that is out of your control, you really try to push through it. Even though I am fortunate enough to have outgrown epilepsy and it doesn’t affect me much in my daily life anymore, it taught me to constantly keep pushing through things that happen, to be kind to myself and others, and to be more aware of what is happening around me.

Who are the Millennials, what do they want, what do they want to change in present day society?

In this day and age, I think many people generalize Millennials and say “they have everything given to them” and “they do not know the value of hard work”. But – I disagree. As technology and innovation progresses, cultural and societal norms have changed, Millennials still understand the value of hard work, but a lot of things that were once difficult for other generations have become more accessible for us. Although we have these tools and it seems like a lot has been given to us, issues today have become so much more complex and Millennials have so many larger problems to solve in their lifetime.

For Millennials, I think our generation just wants to be happy, which is defined differently for everyone.

I also think simplification is the one thing that many things that my peers and I are focused on. Many things in the past were complicated, time-consuming and at times difficult. Millennials are constantly trying to make things simpler and better for everyone.

What should employers know about you and how to treat you at work?

For many people in my generation or any generation, people (including myself) do not like to be micromanaged. I am a true believer in giving feedback, but I truly believe that when you micro-manage someone, you don’t allow someone to put in their best work forward. Micromanagement is different than when you’re training someone and providing them with guidance/feedback. I think not being micromanaged and being given freedom is something someone looks for in an employer and a manager and really makes employers successful at the end of the day.

What are some of the social and other causes that you are passionate about which the past generations missed out on?

With my passion for volunteerism, I am passionate about youth development, poverty, and focusing on helping the senior population thrive. But one of my passion that I think past generations missed out on understanding what you are putting in and on your body.

People never understood how the food they ate, the chemicals in their toiletries, or the impact of their hobbies had on their health – physically and mentally. Nitrates, sulfates, cigarettes are just a few dangerous chemicals/items that went under the radar for years.

It is important to develop an awareness of these things, which I believe is becoming more relevant. People are eating more fresh foods and purchasing shampoo and makeup products that have fewer chemicals. This will force large companies to think more and make changes too, which will be beneficial and more sustainable in the long run.

Talk to me about food, family, faith, and finances and what do these things mean to Millennials?

I am unsure what all of these things mean to all Millennials, but I do know what they mean to me.

Family is by far the most important thing in my life. I am so fortunate to have a great one and I would drop anything for them.

My family really shaped who I am today, which is why I think it is important to share a bit about them. My Dad’s family is from “the Rock” otherwise known as Newfoundland and my mom’s side is from the province where the sky is very big. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll know this is Saskatchewan. My older brother Derek attended the University of Western Ontario and studied Mechanical Engineering. My family is filled with hard-working, intelligent, and practical individuals which very much rubbed off on me.

In our family, my grandparents or parents’ generation did not go to University, they worked very hard for what they wanted and to provide for their families. I am very fortunate to have two extremely supportive parents who constantly pushed both my brother and me to be our best and also told us we would be successful no matter what we set our minds to. On the side of work ethics, my parents always taught us that things don’t come easy and you have to work for what you want. I carried their advice with me growing up, which helped me overcome a number of obstacles in both school and social aspects of my life.

In terms of food, I think myself and many people in my generation are becoming more conscious of what they are putting in their bodies and understanding more and more the impact our food has on the environment. I believe the new food guide is a big step to help Canadians live and eat more sustainably.

Being an accounting student, I am aware of my finances and focus on the value of what I am purchasing while also saving for the future. For many millennials, I believe this generation is more focused on living in the moment and spending money on what makes them happy rather than focusing on the future. This is not to say Millennials aren’t savers, but right now – I think my generation is really focused on enjoying life.

What do these words mean TL, Hangry, Cray, bae, lace, just saying WCW, MCM, ICYMI, I can’t even in millennial speak?

I have no idea what TL, Lace, and ICYMI mean.

Cray is short for crazy.

Hangry is when you’re both hungry and angry

Bae is similar to Babe which is someone you’re very fond of either as a friend or more than a friend

WCW and MCM are not acronyms I would ever use but they mean women crush Wednesday and man crush Monday. So, if you have a crush on someone you would use this acronym.

I’m can’t even is a term that is used when you don’t want to deal with something, are shocked, can’t believe something.

Tell me a good joke?

I don’t really know any good jokes. Jokes aren’t very millennial, it’s all about memes these days.

What should the generation X and baby boomers know about your generation?

To keep it simple, they should know that they can trust our generation to do good work and make things better, in our environment, politically, and in our daily lives.

The post Jillian Brown: Giving Back to the Community appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Brittany Burns is a mother, wife, and someone who loves people.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8^th every year. It is an important day for women’s rights. On February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized a Women’s Day in New York City. In 1910 at the International Socialist Woman’s Conference, German delegates Paula Thiede, Kate Duncker, and Clara Zetkin suggested a ‘special Women’s Day’ be organized. In 1917, women gained suffrage in Russia and March 8 became a national holiday. Women’s Day was celebrated only in communist and socialist countries. In 1967, the feminist movement adopted it. In 1977, the United Nations began celebrating it.

Four Columns is all about inspiring and empowering women to live a balanced life. To celebrate Women’s Day, I am interviewing various women, from different backgrounds. Brittany Burns talks about life as a mother.

Brittany Burns, it is an honor for me to have you answer questions on my blog. Tell my audience something important about you?

Hi Jerry. Thanks for having me on your blog. Hmm, something important about me… Well, the most important thing is that I’m a follower of Jesus Christ. I’m also a wife and mother of 2 incredible kids.

I call your family Kennedy’s. Rich, powerful, good-looking, the men are tall, not dark, but that is OK. Talk to me about growing up as Brittany Burns with the Burns? 

Ha-ha. I literally had the best childhood. Growing up in my family, I was truly “#blessed”. I’m the oldest of my siblings and kind of paved the way for my brother and sister. My parents were and are incredible parents. Over my 31 years on this earth, they have modeled such an amazing marriage. I would say the success of that is because of how they both individually and together, put God first. Sure, they’re not perfect. But they were real. They showed us how to lean on the Lord during both life’s struggles and life’s successes. I would also say the reason that we are all so close and remain tight-knit as a family is because of the unconditional love they showed us. Growing up, I knew that no matter what I did, they would always love me and nothing could ever change that. My home was always a place of safety, love, and comfort. I remember coming home from high-school after having had a rough day, and as soon I walked in the door, I felt as though the weight of the world was taken off my shoulders. I had truly had a great childhood.

Talk to me about what you have learned from your mom, dad, brother, and sister. Also, name an instance you had a massive disagreement with them and it all worked out?

I have learned so much from each one of them.

From my mom, I learned what love really looks like. Like I mentioned earlier, both my parents loved us unconditionally. This is something I’ve brought into my own marriage and family with my kids. Knowing how to love your kids, on purpose. I know that sounds so obvious, but it’s more than the obvious. It’s on such a deeper level. It’s this stirring within your soul, knowing each of your children so well, who God created them to be. Knowing exactly when something isn’t right or is “off”, and just being there to offer a warm hug, smile, or simply your presence.

From my dad, I learned how to work hard. I like to think I have a very strong work ethic, and I owe it to him. He’s one of the hardest working people I know. I watched him provide for our family for many years through hard work, discipline, and perseverance. He worked in the corporate business world for many years commuting downtown from the rural outskirts of the GTA. If you live in Toronto, you know that’s not always easy. On top of that, he would wake up super early in the morning to fit in a workout, to maintain his health. He also taught me how to play soccer and coached my teams. He taught me to always do your best and to finish well. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. But to be the best you can be. I have never quit anything I’ve ever started because of him.

From my brother, I learned about justice. He is someone with a genuine concern for justice and fair treatment. He is naturally shy and some may think quiet. But if you really know him, you would know how bold and courageous he can be about speaking up about things important to him concerning just behavior.

From my sister, I learned how to be more aware of caring for others. She is a registered nurse at a private hospital. It takes a special kind of person to be a nurse, and she is beyond special. She has such a heart for those in need – whether it be spiritual care, physical care, or emotional care.

In terms of when we had a massive disagreement, I honestly can’t think of one. Yes, we had disagreements growing up, often. But we were raised to communicate and express how you were feeling. That may not always have been done in the kindest way all the time. But we learned to problem solve and navigate social situations effectively.

Walk with me and explain your career path and how you realized the corporate world was not for you?

As I was attending York University, I was working at a summer placement job downtown. This led to an opportunity to continue part-time while completing my thesis during my last year of University. The company hired me full-time upon graduation. I have my Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, not exactly an area of business expertise. The job paid extremely well, offered a great benefits/pension package – the works. I learned the roles and responsibilities of the job, worked hard, and performed well. I quickly learned this was not something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. I informed my employer that I would finish out my contract, but that I would not be returning upon its completion. I saw my coworkers who were unhappy, exhausted, and “stuck” in a job they didn’t like. They were dependent on that paycheque – mortgage, kids, car payments. They couldn’t leave. I didn’t want the same future. I saw it as a decision between money, or my happiness and future. I felt the Lord so deeply prompting me to trust in Him, that he would provide for me what He knew I needed and would fit me so well. I was unemployed for about 4 months and even saw a Life Coach. I wanted someone with some outside perspective to help me navigate “what’s next”. I ended up getting a part-time job with my current employer as an educator. Doors and opportunities continued to be opened to me. I knew God was making good on His promise. Long story short, I love my job. I get to teach and support children and families from all walks of life. My job has allowed me to work full time and part-time, based on the needs of my family. I’ve had 2 maternity leaves’ and re-integrated into the workplace twice, with such ease because of the great job I have. First and foremost, I’m a wife and mother. I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to continue to put my family first and work part-time.

How has marriage changed your life?

I really had to think about this one. I’ve been married for 8 years, but together with my husband for 16. Marriage is an adventure. I would say marriage is simply going through the ups and downs of life with my partner in crime. Cherish and enjoy the good, easy times. Grow, struggle together, and learn from the difficult times. My husband and I are so different in many ways, but we also share some similarities. We have learned to communicate well with one another (most of the time ha-ha), and once we have established what each other’s expectations are, with God at the center, there’s no stopping us. I saw a quote about marriage posted on Pinterest the other day that made me laugh and I would say it’s totally accurate: “90 percent of being married is just yelling ‘What?’ from other rooms.”

How has motherhood made you look at life differently?

Motherhood has made me appreciate and cherish the small things. I love my kids fiercely. I love who God created them to be. I am trying to be more cognizant of being in the “now”. I feel like I blinked, and my firstborn is now 5. Even though there are times when it is difficult to be a parent, it is so important to be reminded of just how quickly these years pass. I remember when I was first pregnant, and people would say to me, “It goes by so fast.” And it’s so true, it really does.

Give some advice to yourself when you were 14 and 24?

14-year-old me – Learn to let things go, and know that God is ultimately in control.

24-year-old me – I had just gotten married and was soon to have a baby on the way – so I would say take advantage of SLEEP and “me time”.

Rapid Fire

Favorite movie – Beauty and the Beast

Favorite actor – Charlize Theron

Favorite restaurant – State and Main

Someone famous you want to have a meal with – Bear Grylls

If you were chosen to go to Mars and were allowed only 4 things what would it be – My family, my Bible, my phone, my duvet.

Talk to me about food, finance, family and faith and how do you balance it all?

Well, this is an all-encompassing question lol. I’ll do my best to break it down for you.

Let’s start with faith, as it’s the center of it all. Without my faith, everything else would crumble. Putting God first is essential to the rest of my life functioning as it does. I make an effort to spend time each day with the Lord and surrender my own expectations and plans. I truly rely on God’s unique plan for each aspect of my life. Sometimes there’s a way I think things should go, but God decides otherwise. I’ve learned to be obedient and He has transformed my heart to desire the things He wants for me.

With regard to finance, I’ll basically bring it back to faith. Yes, we have to be practical and work to provide an income. However, God has truly blessed us in how he has allowed both my husband and I to work and provide an income in our own niche environments unique to each of us. Work environments that we both actually like, and are skilled at.

Food. Cooking is not my forte. However, I do like to eat. I haven’t always had the healthiest diet. But, after I got married and had kids, health became a huge factor in my life. I wanted to provide food that was healthy and good for their growing little bodies. I won’t get into the crunchy, organic (sometimes annoying) details. But I do make an effort, where budget allows, to purchase organic produce. My kids eat well, for the most part. They have very different palates and can be picky when it comes to vegetables. I’ve gotten really good at hiding fruits and veggies into food that most of the time goes undetected. Basically, I’m happy if everybody has gotten a decent amount of fruits and veggies into them by the end of the day.

Family is everything. As I’ve talked about, there is a love within our family that runs deep. I love everything about my sweet little family of 4. Things aren’t always easy, and we aren’t perfect, but I wouldn’t change a thing. There are so much joy and happiness, laughter, and adventure.

The post Brittany Burns: Spectacular Wife and Mother appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Meira Dholakia is a go-getter and a super achiever. I admire her focus, strength, and determination. We talk about her journey after university.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8^th every year. It is an important day for women’s rights. On February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized a Women’s Day in New York City. In 1910 at the International Socialist Woman’s Conference, German delegates Paula Thiede, Kate Duncker, and Clara Zetkin suggested a ‘special Women’s Day’ be organized. In 1917, women gained suffrage in Russia and March 8 became a national holiday. Women’s Day was celebrated only in communist and socialist countries. In 1967, the feminist movement adopted it. In 1977, the United Nations began celebrating it.

Four Columns is all about inspiring and empowering women to live a balanced life. To celebrate Women’s Day, I am interviewing various women, from different backgrounds.

Meira Dholakia, a pleasure to have you on board. Do tell me something important about you?

I was born in Dubai and raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario. I studied International Business with a major in Accounting at the Schulich School of Business at York University.  I represented York University on the Track & Field team. I am about to obtain the CPA designation, having recently passed the final CPA exam. I am currently working as an Auditor at Deloitte and work part-time as a Group Fitness Instructor at Movati Athletic in Richmond Hill. Fitness has always been one of my passions.  After retiring as a track athlete, I obtained the Personal Training Specialist certification to keep fitness as part of my lifestyle and those around me.

Meira, you are cool, an athlete and an accountant.  An exciting combination. Talk to me about your passion for accounting?

I have always loved math as a child. After taking the accounting course for the first time in high school, I realized that this is a career, where I could use my math and analytical skills. In university, I learned that there is much more to accounting than simply numbers. I learned that it is not always black and white and that professional judgment is what makes it more exciting. The fascinating part about accounting is the story that you can tell, by simply reading a company’s financial statements.

Walk me through your life experience. What did you learn from these experiences and how has it changed you?

I’ve learned that if you love something enough, you will always make time for it – as I have for sports, Track & Field, and fitness today.  I have had the opportunity to teach street kids in India, Math, and English. I was amazed that they could teach me about how lucky I was to live in such a great country with innumerable opportunities.

This experience reminds me to be thankful for everything I have. My exposure to the Far East when I studied one semester in Singapore, was amazing. I learned about different cultures and food, and adaptability in any environment. I documented this experience through a blog, capturing important moments that were read by many.

Who are the Millennials? What do they want? What do they want to change in present-day society?

Millennials want to change society’s old ways of chasing money. Millennials want to make a difference in the world and feel like they are making a direct positive impact. We want to help our environment and benefit society while making money – that’s why there is an increased awareness of corporate social responsibility for businesses.

What should employers know about you and treat you at work?

Employers should know flexibility is important. The more flexibility I am provided, the happier I will be. I am fortunate that Deloitte allows me to pursue my passion for fitness outside of work as it provides me with the perfect balance of mental and physical challenges. My work environment has been supportive in my endeavors, which places me among the lucky few; and I am thankful for that.

What are some of the social and other causes that you are passionate about, which the past generations missed out on?

I am passionate about health and wellness. ​Our society is becoming increasingly competitive as the generations progress. With this increased competitiveness, we overlook the importance of our health and well-being – whether it be exercising, eating healthy, or making time to do the things that make us happy. As a certified personal trainer, I am passionate about improving the mental and physical health of others through the power of exercise.

What do food, faith, family, and finance mean to Millennials?

Family and faith are extremely important. I find that most Millennials forget about the importance of family and family time. I enjoy eating home-cooked meals at the table with my family and spending time with them because I know that they are always there for me no matter what – this should not be taken for granted. Managing finances is also very important, which many Millennials lack. I’m happy that financial literacy is now being introduced in the Ontario school curriculum for students. Through Deloitte’s Impact Day I taught elementary school kids ‘Financial Literacy’, in partnership with Junior Achievement.

What do on fleek, dipset, bae mean in Millennial speak?

On fleek = perfect, dipset = to leave, bae = someone you love (ex. girlfriend/boyfriend).

All right, Meira, you tell me accountants are not boring. I get it. Let’s see if accountants have a sense of humor. Tell me a joke?

Why do we tell actors to “break a leg”? Because every play has a cast.

What should Gen X and Baby Boomers know about the Millennials?

Millennials are a very misunderstood generation. We are not lazy, as seems to be depicted, and neither are we self-absorbed. We are a generation that cares about their planet earth, social causes, well being of people, and are more efficient and innovative. We believe we can make the world a better place.

The post Meira Dholakia: Who Says Accountants Are Boring? appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Ashley Wray is a Millennial. She is barely 25 years old, got married, divorced, has seen 26 countries, and is starting a business. She is honest, real, vulnerable, and in touch with what is going on in her life. I got together with her over a coffee to talk about love, peace, food, faith, family, finance, travel, spirituality, nature, women empowerment, the future, and about her being a Goddess.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8^th every year. It is an important day for women’s rights. On February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized a Women’s Day in New York City. In 1910 at the International Socialist Woman’s Conference, German delegates Paula Thiede, Kate Duncker, and Clara Zetkin suggested a ‘special Women’s Day’ be organized. In 1917, women gained suffrage in Russia and March 8 became a national holiday. Women’s Day was celebrated only in communist and socialist countries. In 1967, the feminist movement adopted it. In 1977, the United Nations began celebrating it.

Four Columns is all about inspiring and empowering women to live a balanced life. To celebrate Women’s Day, I am interviewing various women, from different backgrounds.

Ashley Wray, you are one of the most real, vulnerable, open people I have met in my life. So, tell me a little about you?

Firstly, I just wanted to thank you for interviewing me and having me on your blog.

I haven’t quite figured out my “life purpose”. I know for sure that part of my purpose is definitely making other people feel validated and loved in this life. I was bullied when I was younger and that helped me realize that I wanted to work in a field where I could positively impact and help people. I love exploring different healing modalities. I’m currently exploring shamanic healing. I find shamanic healing very interesting.  I hope to be able to one day offer this healing to my clients around the world. I love traveling. I’ve traveled to 26 different countries with Guatemala, Mexico City, and Arizona next on my travel agenda. I’m a modern Goddess, feminist, and lover of all living things.

Ashley you are barely 25, have been married for a couple of years and divorced. Walk me through the experience and what did you learn and how did you change because of it?

Jerry, I’ve always thought about writing a book, about how my early days impacted me so strongly and made me the woman I am today. It’s hard to go really into those experiences without writing pages and pages worth but I’ll do my best to really give your readers an idea of who I am today and my story.

I moved to England when I was 19. I was very unhappy and I was wanting to escape a very abusive situation. I had this dream to start fresh and couldn’t think of a perfect place to do it but to move to a country across the world. The thought of being foreign in a foreign place where I knew absolutely no one and no one knew me was the perfect scenario.  This was the first time I had left the abusive situations that I had been in and out of for over 10 years.

It wasn’t until I left Canada, that I felt safe enough to start the self-healing process. Within that healing process, I meet my ex-husband a couple of weeks after moving to England. Looking back, I understand that the attraction to each other was so deep because we were both wounded soldiers.

What I learned most from that situation was the “Law of Attraction” and how real it really is. Like attracts like. He intensified all the wounds inside me, the feelings of not being worthy of love and not being good enough to receive love is what I felt most when I was with him. I continued to pretend that I was fine but I was desperately falling apart on the inside. On the outside, I was posting the most Instagram-worthy photos of us in love. I wasn’t authentic, but it wasn’t because I didn’t want to be but that I was ashamed to express the real me and what was going on in my world.

This was a long lesson that lasted 4 years and I’m so grateful for all it taught me. I learned that the people that we attract are mirrors of what we are needing to experience or lessons we are meant to have in this lifetime. It’s all for a reason and maybe that reason will never be known :). 

What does female empowerment mean to you in the 21st century?

Female empowerment to me means feeling empowered to rise in our own unique ways and support each other and all the woman around the world on their journeys. It is such an important historical time to be a woman. Women all over the world are rising and stepping into their power. It is  F*#^!N$ AMAZING to be a part of and to be a woman in 2019! For so long women have been suppressed and to finally be a part of this generation, to be able to break free of the suppression is amazing. We can stand together knowing that we have each other’s back. I am all for the #metoo movement, #timesup movement, and #freethenipple movement.

You are a big fan of getting in touch with yourself. How did you come to this revelation and how are you helping other people heal?

I’m able to get in touch with myself the most by disconnecting from the world and connecting to the universe. I love planning a 2-day retreat or solo vacations when I’m feeling like I need to realign with myself again. I’ve found that having a strong self-care foundation is really important for me and so I’ve found things that I know bring me instant joy. These things include a special hot chocolate recipe, a walk by the water, a foot massage, writing in my journal, and meditation. I believe that I’m helping others heal by being my most authentic self. I’m working through the feelings of shame and guilt and giving myself permission to be free by being ME. I hope that allows other people to feel like they can be themselves also.

What do you do for work and do you feel fulfilled with what you’re doing?

I work at a clinic in Toronto called Province Apothecary doing intuitive organic facials and I also educate health-conscious brands on the benefits of natural health and skincare. I’m in the middle of creating my business called Moonspace which is a healing space for the modern-day woman. I’ll be offering personalized intuitive readings, energy medicine treatments, and meditation circles. I really want to create a beautiful space where women can be honored and celebrated. My intention is that women will leave the space feeling restored and empowered.

Let’s talk about spirituality. I am a big fan of unconditional love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, compassion, do good to others, overcome evil with good, charity and forgiveness. Do we have anything in common here? What is your spirituality and is there a place for God in that?

I’m definitely a spiritual person- I believe in the oneness of the universe. I like having an open mind and being open to everyone’s beliefs. I love learning about different religions and creating something that works for me. Sometimes I pray to God, other times Buddha. I chant, I sing, I dance. I consistently live from my heart, a place of love for others and the world. I’m grateful either way for the source that watches over me and listens and responds to all my prayers.

Food nourishes the soul. Is this sentence relatable to you?

Food is my medicine and so is drinking plenty of water. Eating healthy is important to me because its another form of self-care and love. My body feels more alive when I’m eating fresh foods and I have a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. I love cooking and I love getting inspired by cookbooks and travel. I’m not a vegan or vegetarian which I think most people think I would be. I love tuning in to my body and asking my body what it needs. Sometimes my body will tell me it wants a plant-based diet for a week or so and then it will totally switch things up and wants a chicken burger. Someone once asked me if I was a “flexitarian” SURE! If I need a label… call me a flexitarian ;).

I love nature, it is the best gift we have received from our creator. How do you connect with nature?

I feel so connected when I’m in nature. I’m so grateful that we are able to have a connection with nature. I love the warmth and I feel like I come alive the most when I’m in warmer climates because I’m consistently connecting with nature.

I find my relationship harder with nature living in Toronto in the winter because I find it difficult to be outside in the cold. I am totally a tree-hugging hippie lol- I’ve hugged so many trees.

When my ex and I first broke up and I moved back to Toronto in the summer I would go to the lake every single day. I would whisper to the lake, the flowers, the birds, and the trees and tell them my worries. I felt listened to, I felt held and I would always leave feeling lighter and more connected to myself. I can’t explain the healing that started to take place by connecting to these elements but I wanted to give back to nature. I felt like I was receiving such an abundance of healing that I wanted to give back to Mother Earth the way she gave to me so I would bring the birds seeds and I would pick up garbage by the lake.

Nature has healed me in so many ways. I’d love to move somewhere warm one day. I went to Hawaii for vacation a couple of months ago and took surfing lessons WOW! A totally different connection to nature. I’d love to surf every day and be in warm saltwater.

How has meditation helped you in dealing with stuff?

Mediation has become a part of my everyday morning ritual when I first wake up. It’s time that I dedicate myself to breathing and connecting back to myself. Meditation has taught me how to breathe and how important my relationship with my breath is. Our breath is what keeps us alive and we can always use our breath as a compass for how we are feeling. If our breath is very fast, we are probably feeling anxious and if we control our breath, we can help feel less anxious and calmer. Meditation has given me clarity on what I’m wanting to manifest in my life. Quieting my mind and listening to my soul’s sweet whispers. Where will she take me next?

Ashley, at a young age you have seen a lot, done a lot, experienced a lot. What is next?

Thank you, Jerry. I’m not sure exactly what is next. I’d love to continue to fall deeper in love with myself, build an empire, continue to rise with other women, fall deeply in love one day with someone who worships me, travel more of the world, have a home somewhere hot by the beach and feel so much joy and happiness in my life.

The post Ashley Wray: The Love Goddess appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

With a population of over half a billion Millennials, India’s young adults are shaping the future of one of the world’s most dynamic nations. And among them is Richa Bhardwaj — a bright, candid, and passionate woman from the scenic hills of Himachal Pradesh. A postgraduate in biotechnology and a proud modern Indian woman, Richa brings her own brand of authenticity, humor, and courage to every conversation she enters.

In this interview, Richa opens up about everything from her love for fashion and selfies to her deep concerns about women’s safety in India. She shares what her generation craves most: acceptance, freedom, and change. Whether she’s talking about her favorite local foods or boldly calling for reform in the justice system, Richa speaks with a voice that is both personal and representative of millions.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Richa to hear her story — a glimpse into the heart of a modern Indian millennial woman. She’s real, she’s fierce, and she’s not afraid to say what needs to be said.

Let’s get to know her.

Richa, you are representing half a billion Millennials in India. What should I know about you?

Thanks, Jerry for choosing me to represent half a billion Millennials in India. Wow! No pressure. It’s a pleasurable moment for me.

Hello everyone. I am Richa Bhardwaj from Himachal Pradesh, India. I am a post-graduate in biotechnology, kind-hearted, compassionate in nature &  at many times an emotional fool.

Share with me some of your passions and hobbies?

I am passionate about shopping and trying all the new dresses and clothes that I buy. My hobby is to take selfies in different clothes and post them on social media.

Explain to me a little about your city, the food, culture, and some favorite restaurants?

I live in Solan (the Heart of Himachal Pradesh). It is a very quiet, peaceful and beautiful place.

The people here are very simple like me.  Solan has a lot of options for food, especially for those who want to explore and relish the local cuisines of Himachal.

The staple meal consists of dal, rice, roti, vegetables, and curd. Solan also has a number of traditional delicacies to savor like Lushke (pancake), Sidu (stuffed bread) and Poode (fried sweet roti).

My favorite restaurant is at Hotel Deventure.  I also like to chill at Café Coffee Day.

The historic UNESCO World Heritage Kalka Shimla toy train stops in my city. It was built by Herbert Septimus Harington in 1855 during the British rule. The railway line goes for 96 kilometers, through 20 railway stations, 103 tunnels, 800 bridges and a mind-blowing 900 curves. Tunnel 33 known as Barog tunnel is the most haunted place in India.

You are a modern woman in India. What does your generation want?

In my opinion, our generation wants acceptance of our views and life choices, freedom of expression with no retaliation, and freedom to follow our goals and our passions, with no judgment.

Name a couple of things you want to change about society?

I want to change the mentality and thinking of society, which I know for sure, I will never be able to change.. especially in India. India is the most unsafe country for women on the planet. I firmly believe that the courts need to be fast-tracked for rape cases and the perpetrators need to get the death penalty. This will deter men from raping women.

Help me understand some of the things you like about present-day society?

Yeah for sure. In our present-day society, women are empowered which has enriched India. Indian society is accepting progressive changes that are good for all.

What are three things that you cannot live without?

Heee… I cannot live without my family, my best friend and my wardrobe.

What do you want us to know about the Millennials?

India is home to half a billion Millennials. Today, these millennials form nearly half of India’s workforce. We are increasingly emerging as the chief wage earners, and are also under the spotlight for our spending and investment patterns. 

How is faith, family, finance and food important to you?

My family is my strength and my biggest weakness too. I think it’s enough to describe my love for family. Finance is important, as I am a shopaholic. I follow a strict diet and I need it to survive.

The post Millennial: India’s Next Preity Zinta appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

A millennial mom refers to a mother who belongs to the millennial generation, which typically includes individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s. Millennials have distinct characteristics, experiences, and values shaped by the technological advancements and societal changes that occurred during their formative years.

Millennial moms are often associated with certain traits and behaviors, such as:

Technology Integration: Millennials grew up alongside the rise of the internet and the widespread adoption of technology. As parents, millennial moms are likely to use technology for parenting advice, online communities, and to document and share their parenting journey on social media platforms.

Information-Driven: Millennial moms tend to be well-informed and seek information from various sources to make decisions about their parenting approach. They may rely on online resources, forums, and social media for advice on topics like child development, health, and education.

Work-Life Balance: Many millennial moms strive to balance their careers with family life. They may be more likely to pursue flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, to accommodate both professional and family responsibilities.

Sustainability and Health Consciousness: Millennials often prioritize sustainability and health, and this can extend to their approach to parenting. Millennial moms may be more conscious of eco-friendly products, organic foods, and other health-related choices for their families.

Parenting Styles: Millennial moms may exhibit a more collaborative and inclusive parenting style. They may seek input from their partners and other family members and are often open to sharing parenting responsibilities.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Some millennial moms may have an entrepreneurial mindset, exploring side businesses or flexible work opportunities to complement their parenting journey.

Kena Carol is a millennial mom and talks about life as a single mom and being an art student.

Kena, welcome to my series on Millennials. Please tell my audience a little about you?

My name is Kena Carol. I am 28 years old and therefore a millennial. I have a five-year-old daughter. I am currently a student at Durham College studying Fine Arts.

Talk to me about your passion for art.

Art is a way of communicating, how or what you feel. You put your heart, soul, and emotions and share them with the world. I am not good with words. I have never liked English. I thought it was too complicated. I use art to express, and illustrate, how I feel or how I view things in life from a unique perspective. I love how there are no set rules on what art can be. Art can be anything and in any way, you project it to be. Someone said that when you do artwork, do it with confidence!

Art has always fascinated me from a young age. I feel a tree coming alive in a painting. I started to draw animals. My dad noticed my passion and bought me some books on how to draw animals and characters. I have tried different careers but have always been drawn to art and therefore enrolled at Centennial College for Art and Design Fundamentals, in that year of study, I learned the potential art has in the industry and discovered that I enjoy working with different mediums. I enjoy working with paint, sculpting, photography, and digital art using Adobe Software.

Who are the Millennials, what do they want and what do they want to change in present-day society?

From what I have noticed about the Millennials, is that they are very self-centered, impatient, lazy, and they want things easily in life. I understand how this can be offensive, but it is the harsh truth. I have also noticed that social media is a huge part of our lives. It is a powerful tool that can be used for good and bad. We use it to post pictures about our lives with the goal of how many “likes” we can obtain as if that determines our identity. Now, I am not saying that all Millennials do that, some use their tech-savvy and creative skills to make a difference in the world. They provide videos, vlogs, and blogs for entertainment, promotion, support and information purposes. So, despite the flaws, we do want to make a difference in our world in a unique way. As a millennial, I want to make a difference.

Walk me through how you processed your experience as a mother.

It took me a while to realize that I was a mother. Every time I looked at my daughter, I was like wow ‘I am a mom”. This tiny human being is incapable of taking care of herself, she needed me! Before I became a mother, I was a selfish person. But not the kind of selfish person that I was opposed to having kids. I did think about having kids in the future, I thought being a mom is a wonderful thing. And now that I am a mother, all I can think about is her and her well-being. It is amazing how my maternal instincts kicked in and how it has drastically changed me. I enjoy every moment of it, including the tough ones. I love being a  millennial mom!

Help me understand what food, faith, finance, and family mean to you.

Food: mmm.. food! We can’t get enough of it, but instead of cooking, we often eat out. The trend now in food is “vegan” and avocado (again, this is just something I have noticed. I may be missing out on other trends.) Food is what brings people together in fellowship. We laugh, share stories and spend quality time.

Family: There is a wide range of definitions of what a family is. They can be blood-related or not, but family is important in our lives. They are the ones who will be brutally honest because they care. They are the ones that will not judge you but have understanding. A family doesn’t always have to be the typical mom and dad kind, they can also be your close friends.

Finance: It is a subject that I think we all can agree we are not too good at. We tend to spend more than we can afford. And in this generation, the cost of living is increasing. Most millennials cannot afford to buy a house. We find roommates and rent a place, or we just end up living with our parents.

Faith: It is a topic that can be sensitive, people have their opinions on what to believe in. Whether it’ll be about having faith in themselves, scientists, facts, or in God himself. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with each other and it can be offensive and controversial. You will hear different answers and different possibilities. The Millennials are seeking. I believe and encourage that we should challenge our beliefs.  As a millennial, I believe in Jesus Christ.

What does trolling, blessed, bounce, phubbing, sorry not sorry or I can’t even mean in millennial speak?

I am not familiar with all the lingos. I am going to share with you the ones I am familiar with. Trolling means that you anonymously annoy or irritate someone simply for a reaction and in my opinion, it is usually in a bad way. Blessed is an expression used when something good happens in your favor, like “yes!” or “Awesome!”. Sorry not sorry, is said when you’re not genuinely sorry for something but you are saying sorry only because it is mandatory to be polite. My favorite one, I can’t even, basically means I cannot fathom or comprehend.

Tell me a good joke?

Why did the smartphone need glasses?

Because it lost all its contacts.

The post The Millennial Mom appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.