How can I help?

The holidays are just over a week away, my heart is heavy and I am taking time off from nearly everything I do to mourn the loss of my dad.

Some of you might wish for a less personal newsletter but I have spent too much of my life hiding my feelings in favor of a professional strategy to look and sound like I’m invincible. When I was growing up, it seemed so important to ‘fake it til you make it’, so I did. Somewhere along the way, I actually became who I was faking but, the imposter syndrome within was never silenced.

It turns out, losing your dad can quell that voice. It’s been just over a week since he passed and I can honestly say that I feel affirmed in a new way. In honour of his unconditional love and belief in me, I am finished thinking that I am anything other than awesome.?

I recognize that not everyone's parent experience is like mine and I am grieved by that as my dad knew I was incredible and never missed a moment to tell me. And, he gave me the greatest gift in inspiring me to pay that forward.?

So todays newsletter is about celebrating YOU, my friend! Even if we have never met, I know you are awesome. I know that deep inside of you is a uniqueness that is unmatched in anyone else. If you don’t know it to be true, that’s ok. I do.?

Believe me when I say your purpose in life is to just be you. The world doesn’t need anyone else. . .just you. Whatever tickles your soul and stirs you to action, DO IT! We all need you to!

My dad never finished high school. . .never went to college and didn’t have one letter behind his name but he had passion and purpose and touched thousands of lives with his grace and compassion for others. He had wealth and yet when he passed away last week he took nothing with him. He spent it all here investing in relationships and people. For the last decade of his life, he was gradually debilitated by Parkinson’s disease but his kind heart kept beating and his unwavering belief in the beauty of life kept him going. As I watched him breathe out his final breath, I bore witness to a life completed.?

What we accomplish on this planet is not the measure of who we are; how we impact the lives of those around us is. As my dad was for me, I want to be a beacon of encouragement and support to anyone who needs it. I want to spend every last dime investing in relationships and people. When I go, I want my legacy to be that of my dads; having touched thousands of lives through grace and compassion leaving everything spent in service to others. In service to you. . .

So, my question to you is, how can I help?

Amber (a.k.a. The Feisty PM)