Hi Everyone,  

We are back, new year, new me is what we often hear; however, I’m choosing to celebrate and move forward with ‘new day and new opportunities.’  This is me trying to set intent behind embracing opportunities for wellness throughout the year.  With the blink of an eye, we are already in March.  Which is why I remind myself, and you, that we need to take things one day at a time.  Some time to slow down, be mindful, and be here with the present.   

We had great hopes to get things rolling in person, and with Omicron reminding us once again that we need to practice our resilience and persevere regardless.  It’s important to stop and think with all that continues to evolve whether it be our global situation, daily pressures of life and work, and other things that are simply beyond our control, how are you taking the time to navigate these challenges?  

New year’s resolutions typically get us going, motivated, or committed to take on something new and to prioritize our wellness.  We carve out time to make changes, and this can be very exciting and overwhelming too.  By this time in the year sometimes our resolutions have gotten lost.  So, I come today with a gentle reminder, things can be challenging, overwhelming, and even exciting all at the same time.  Therefore, please take the time to prioritize and nurture yourself.  I invite you to stop and celebrate the small things, express gratitude, and share in each other’s struggles, challenges, joys, and victories.   

I have had the privilege of meeting with many of you over the last year, and I am truly amazed by the talent we have under one roof.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts, ideas, and time with me.   

During these check ins we pondered the value and importance of a wellness culture.  Some of us explored, how wellness is a team effort thus, a societal, organizational, and individual task.  For now, let’s focus on the latter two, what opportunities for wellness are available to you at JIBC?  There are several, however three that I’d like to bring to your attention are JIBC Live, JIBC Library, and JIBC Office of Indigenization and their respective teams.   

JIBC Live has provided me with learning opportunities that foster self-awareness, insight, collaboration, and growth.  So, I strongly encourage you to check it out, don’t hold back, and dive in deep!  

The library has a plethora of resources on wellness should you be looking for inspiration.  A recent addition, that may be of interest to you, is Developing Mental Toughness: Strategies to Improve Performance, Resilience and Wellbeing in Individuals and Organizations by Doug Strycharczyk, Peter Clough, and John Perry.   

The Office of Indigenization (OI) has a phenomenal team that is leading and guiding us through groundbreaking initiatives.  We have much to learn and unpack while engaging with this meaningful work.  It is important for me to identify that as I have embarked on my own journey, over the past several years with the OI team and Elders, there have been multiple learning moments that have fostered connection and growth.  I encourage you to reflect, step forward, and engage with your own experience of respectful mobilization, and that too with the support and guidance of the Office of Indigenization.  Individual journeys can be challenging and humbling.  How we move forward with such experiences determines how powerful and purposeful this mobilization can be.  Thank you, Heather and Jason, for guiding me and holding spaces that facilitate reflection, insight, and hope.   

I have shared and identified resources at JIBC that have supported me on my own journey of wellness and self-care.  As I sign off, I invite you to make your wellness a priority.  Seek out opportunities that fulfill you and make you feel ‘GOOD.’ Wellness can be anything that brings you joy and contentment, so carve out time for you! 😊   

Please use this Wellness Wheel to slow down, assess your balance, and reflect on where you are and where you’d like to be.  Have fun getting started!  

#youmatter #wellness #gratitude #compassion