Hello/Aanii,
Welcome to the final newsletter of the year dedicated to the topic of authenticity.
From the moment we enter the world, we learn to adapt to the expectations put upon us by others. This ability to adapt serves its purpose, of course, as community is clearly central to one’s well-being. However, too often, by adapting to societal norms we lose our sense of self, our authenticity.
I hope you find the resources included in this edition useful and inspiring, the one that I absolutely love is the conversation with Bozoma Saint John. She is truly an influential and inspirational woman that endured more adversity than anybody ever should, yet remains open, honest, and good-natured. She is also a chief marketing officer at Netflix, a position that allows her to influence culture and lead change in global terms.
This holiday season, regardless of the holiday you are or not celebrating, I want to wish you happiness, health, and peace. May love, friendship and hope bring you that which you need most, and may your authenticity shine through a bit brighter in 2022.
On a personal note, over the holiday break, I am planning to spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen baking and cooking dishes that I always wanted to try but never had enough time to make. How about you?
Stay in touch,
Baa Maa Pii Gaawaabmin (I’ll See You Later)
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Kasia Oxley, Children’s Services Community Facilitator, Children’s Programs and Services
Work Cell: (705) 644-1533
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Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is intended to encourage conversation and self-reflection and is not to be considered as advice. |
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Netflix Executives Discuss Authenticity in the Workplace and Imposter Syndrome
Time commitment: 24 minutes, 57 minutes
Areas of interest: Workplace culture, imposter syndrome, living authentic life, conditioning
Format: video
Netflix's very own Vernā Myers, VP of Inclusion Strategy, and Bozoma Saint John, Chief Marketing Officer, discuss their views on authenticity at work and imposter syndrome.
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Gabor Maté - Live authentically, being nice will kill you!
Time commitment: 3 minutes, 21 minutes
Areas of interest: physical health, emotional health, suppression
Format: video
A fascinating story. Diet and exercise is very important for good health and happiness. But living an authentic life true to yourself and facing your demons is also crucial for joy and health in this life.
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Jordan Peterson - How to Know You're Being Authentic Or Fake
Time commitment: 8 minutes, 31 minutes
Areas of interest: falsehood, self-awareness, speaking truth
Format: video
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Newsletter submission in response to November 2021 edition of MEYPD Newsletter
Thank you Cathy Oleksandriw!
I have read Madeline Albrights book about her family, their truth and what she discovered about those truths from being Jewish and the impacts on her family and Europe during WW2. It is called “Prague Winter”.
You will find it difficult to read in many places…but with multiple breaks from this book I got through it in 5 months. Some passages will be very, very, hard to read. However, there was an understanding I was left with that I had not learned in school.
Read it sometime.
She is a brilliant woman!!
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Please write to Kasia to let her know your thoughts on authenticity or any other topic for a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50)
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EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONALS IN MUSKOKA |
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What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it? In other words, why do you do what you do?
I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator (Assistant) who has worked with Muskoka Family Focus for more than 26 years.
Many moons ago, I was inspired to share my life with children. I am the oldest of 3 children and often found myself babysitting and entertaining my younger brothers and their friends. This included playing “School”. Often we would arrange a mock classroom where I would hold their attention and teach math, and read stories to them. (I also would send them to the corner when they didn’t manage…lol) Parents would call my mom and indicate that I had a way with their children and mentioned how much they appreciated the quality time I spent with all of them.
In my teen years, I would volunteer my time at a day camp with a close friend whose family owned a summer resort …literally at my backyard. This lead to self-esteem boosting compliments from families who attended the resort and some monetary tips. I was then intrigued to pursue a placement in a kindergarten class for my high school co-op. My immature way of thinking at the time was, “If I can get paid to play and make crafts, why would I not pursue a career to teach.”
We ALL know that playing is just one of the uncountable ways we support the growth of our children.
The affordability of attending college or university was an unfortunate issue. It wasn’t until I worked for Muskoka Family Focus that I was awarded the opportunity of long-distance education through Canadore College and Contact North to achieve my ECE Diploma.
Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me about how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.
We can each remember a significant way in which we have created better outcomes for our children and their families. Mine was supporting those in high school with my profession and knowledge of the early years.
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I was extremely lucky to have been invited to teach a Dual Credit Program in collaboration with Georgian College and both Gravenhurst High School and Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School.
Students in high school requiring extra credits in order to graduate elected to attend my class after school. For three years I supported young adults and their curiosity for teaching young children and helping them develop. I would share historical significances and stories of success and frustration in the field. The end result would lead to some of them applying for, attending and graduating from Early Childhood Education courses from some Ontario based colleges.
I do, from time to time, run into some of my students who have succeeded at finding employment in the field or who have become parents applying some of that knowledge from the profession to their daily lives.
What’s most challenging about the work you do?
What I find most challenging about the work I do is the existence of the WEEKEND. Some children who attend childcare begin each week in an off position. So many strengths that are built on through the week seem to deplete once they lose the consistency of the classroom. I find that we collectively spend so much time building their self confidence in their abilities to become more independent ,that once they get home we are often required to start at the beginning come Monday. This is not to say that scaffolding is not happening it’s just a reminder that parents may find it easier to just do things for their children in a rush to get out the door than allowing their children to make attempts to succeed through daily routines.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I thoroughly enjoy camping on crown land in Temagami and travelling to Myrtle Beach. Nothing resets your vitality like sifting the warm sand between your toes with a drink or two to stay hydrated.
What book/resource could you recommend to our readers?
I love Pinterest. The days when you are tired of the same dinosaur creations …the days when you need a new song for a complicated transition…the rainy days when you need a new sensory …the days when you wish to bake an easy recipe or squeeze out a new lemonade. Pinterest is my go to!
What’s your favourite quote?
“Live Life With No Regrets”
In the last couple of years, what new belief, behaviour or habit has improved your life?
Learning to say “No” (Tactfully of course). Spreading myself too thin created sleepless nights and my own responsibilities to suffer.
Could you name a song that can easily put you in a good mood?
“Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. (Trolls Soundtrack)
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What topic would you like to see covered in the future?
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“The best advice I’ve ever got is to be yourself. Stay true to who you are and what you stand for and you’ll go far in life.” – Snoop Dogg |
“To be nobody but myself-in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make me somebody else-means to fight the hardest battle any human can fight, and never stop fighting.” – E.E. Cummings |
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“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs |
“Don’t settle for a relationship that won’t let you be yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey |
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Agencies Providing Services for Children and Families in Muskoka |
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For a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50), please submit a reflection of yours to Kasia on a topic of your choice that you would like to be considered for publication in one of the upcoming newsletter editions.
Your submission does not have to be in a form of an essay, other forms of expression are welcome, such as: poetry, video footage, note, opinion piece, interview, photos accompanied by a short text, review, etc.
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