Yes, I did get the Award

It was my honor to receive the Woman of Worth Leader of the Year Award at the Fairmount Hotel in Vancouver in front of 450 Women of Worth. I loved every minute of being together with all of you!

Nominee for the Woman Of Worth 2011: Leader of the Year award!!

WOW, I'm soo honored and excited to have received this nomination. Here is what the selection committee wrote:

Congratulations Elke!

After reviewing all the extraordinary nominations that flooded in for the

esteemed Woman Of Worth Awards 2011, the WOW selection committee

has named you as an official finalist in the following category:

Woman Of Worth 2011:  Leader of the Year

All finalists will be acknowledged and honoured at the 7th annual Woman Of
Worth WOW Event on May 7th at the Fairmont Vancouver.  And the recipient of
each award in each of the six categories will be announced and brought on
stage at the WOW Event on May 7th.


http://www.thewowevent.com/contactus/awardreg.php

 

Women and Words Conference

You are invited to attend the Women & Words Conference April 29/30^th

I am on the leadership committee and will be presenting there.

Register and learn more HERE: www.womenandwordsconference.com

Over 32 workshops, 4 keynotes and several panels. Some topics you may be interested in:

       ÿ       How to Get Publicity for Your Book  - Friday, April 29^th, 9:15am

ÿ       How to Attract the Right Publisher - Friday, April 29th, 9:15am

ÿ       GET SOCIALIZED! Literary Techniques for Social Media - Friday, April 29th, 10:30am

ÿ       Flog Your Blog: How to Turn Your Blog Into a Book - Friday, April 29^th, 1:45pm

ÿ       Power of Story: a System for Writing Your Non-Fiction Book - Friday, April 29^th, 1:45pm

ÿ       Your Book is Your Marketing Tool: Utilize Uncertainty to Create Fresh Possibilities - Friday, April 29th, 3:00pm

ÿ       Memoir Writing as Art and Therapy - Friday, April 29th, 3:00pm

ÿ       Audiobooks: How to Get Published Without Writing a Word - Friday, April 29th, 3:00pm

ÿ       PANEL: Writing Blocks

ÿ       PANEL: Trad. Publishing vs Self Publishing & ePublishing:

ÿ       OPEN PITCH:- Pitch to Publishers and Agents -

ÿ       10 Tips for Making Money Blogging - Saturday, April 30th, 9:15am

ÿ       A 30-day Guide to Launching Your Book Without Losing Your Mind- Saturday, April 30th, 9:15am

ÿ       Writing with Cold Feet  - for Reluctant Writers - Saturday, April 30th, 10:30am

ÿ       30 Days to Results: Bestseller Book Marketing - Saturday, April 30th, 10:30am

ÿ       KEYNOTE: Sharing Your Gifts as a Writer Saturday, April 30th, 12:30pm

ÿ       Make Your Mark in the Travel Writing World - Saturday, April 30th, 1:45pm

ÿ       How to Self Publish and Market Your Book to Big Companies - Saturday, April 30th, 1:45pm

ÿ       CRAVING Success - A New Publishing Business Model - Saturday, April 30th, 1:45pm

ÿ       How to Work with an Editor - Saturday, April 30th, 3:00pm

ÿ       Writing Articles for Profit and Promotion - Saturday, April 30th, 3:00pm

ÿ       How to Use Video to Market Your Book  - Saturday, April 30th, 3:00pm

ÿ       PANEL/ FORUM: Author Q & A - Open Questions – Saturday, April 30th

ÿ       PANEL: Social Media vs. Trad. Media - Saturday, April 30th

ÿ       PANEL: Do it Yourself vs. Professional Publicity - Saturday, April 30th

And much much more!!

United Girls of the World foundation.

February 22, 2011

I have founded a new non-profit organization, United Girls of the World.  Our focus is to aid girls locally and internationally with critical issues, including self-esteem related problems, violence, human trafficking and sexual abuse.   

My partner and I recently produced a flash mob video at Park Royal with a team of volunteers, including Pro Arte dancers, Pandora's Vox women's choir and a team of talented musical directors, choreographers and sound engineers.  Please take a look and help us get this video out to the world.  Our website is being upgraded as we speak, but please visit us at http://www.unitedgirls.org/

Assembly at Collingwood school

February 28, 2011

The flash mob video was shown on the big screen at the Collingwood Assembly. Everybody was wearing red and white to celebrate the first anniversary of the Olympic Games. I loved the whole experience! The photo includes Heidi, my foundation partner and Jon Borril, the music director of the flash mob video, me on the right
I just love all the feedback and comments for the flash mob http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4uyj11prB0 , many people are moved to tears.

A Whale kept me company today

Today a whale came within a hundred feet of where I was standing at the ocean!!! These perfect summer days in Vancouver are magical, but this wonderful experience today topped it all. I certainly got the best personal show there could possibly be. The whale kept swimming back and forth in front of me for over half an hour, showing his head, his tail, his fin and of course his long and powerful body kept emerging as he spouted the water. What an amazing sight!

Elke's Meditation made simple

Meditation made simple
Most common questions about meditation

What about my thoughts during meditation?
Observe that they are happening, no need to resolve them or try and stop them. They are a part of human nature and happen during meditation. Gently bring yourself back to the breath, the affirmations or the mantra. Simply observe your thoughts and don’t judge yourself or your thoughts. You will find the still gaps between the thoughts becoming longer and your mind getting calmer.

How should I be breathing?
The technique is not as important as the awareness of breath. When we feel stressed our breathing is generally too shallow. Count your breath as you gently inhale through your nose, 1, 2, 3, 4 and exhale slow, smooth and long . Fill your lungs with air, your rib cage expand and your stomach rise as you breathe in. Exhale just as thoroughly and let your rib cage and stomach push out all the air. Do this gently, no need to strain.

With each exhalation allow your thoughts to be released - all worries and concerns flow out of your body. Let your mind being exhaled. After a few sets, you can let go of counting. Whenever you feel like your mind has taken over, bring yourself back to your breath . This is a type of meditation in itself.

What if I am interrupted?
Resolve to return phone calls after and if you have to attend to an interruption simply go back to the meditation, or at least lie still for a few more minutes.

Where should I meditate?
Our meditations are best done in a quiet place at home. You can use some of the relaxation techniques like focusing on breath at the office, or while nature walking. This helps you come back to feeling centred during the day.

Should I lie down or sit up during the meditation?
The important part is that you are comfortable. Your body needs to be able to relax. Many people don’t lie down, since they don’t want to fall asleep and miss out on the meditation experience. So if you lie down, make it different from what you do when you go to sleep. Prop up some pillows in your bed, or lie down on a mat on the floor and on a folded towel under your sternum. Or raise your legs with a pillow, if that is something that gives you comfort.

If you are sitting, settle into a comfortable posture. Keep your alignment: torso aligned with hips and head aligned with spine. Let your shoulders relax and your arms rest gently. Feel your sitting bones supported by the chair or the pillow you are on. Let your legs be rooted to the floor.