My experience
The nature of the talking stick provides us the opportunity to speak from our hearts and mind. When used in a peace circle it provides the circle to process what is being said and be heard without judgement. It paces our time. When the stick is passed to you, it is only your words being spoken. With intent, your words are received with openness and provide a path to understanding. It’s a tool of communication to solve problems or to gather deeper insights in any situation.
The beauty of the talking stick is the golden moments of thought process we share with reflection, respect and consideration. While the collective sounds of our heartbeat paces our thoughts, we courageously find our voice to share in a peace circle without interruptions. It takes time, presence and mindfulness.
Each time I participated in a circle-surprising encounters of awareness occurs, resulting in a deeper sense of appreciation for humanity. This tradition is so valuable and vital to our ways of communication, if only we can use it more in our systems such as law, government, schools, mediation…did I mention gov’t?
I would like to share my gratitude to Dr. Evelyn Zellerer, founder of Peace of the Circle, for her graceful and impeccable directions and facilitation training on leading a peace circle at my work place, Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. My experiences were always positive feelings of enlightenment and a sense of common ground.
The photo represents the talking stick given to me as a gift from a friend of mine named Rudy/George Matilpi (First Nations carver Kwakiutl from Alert Bay). It is depicting the Raven and majestic Eagle. I am grateful for his gift and I will use it in our future work with community.
I am honored.
With much love, gratitude, understanding, and friendship.
Eva
I would like to acknowledge that I live, work and play on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – sḵwx̱wĂş7mesh (Squamish), selĚ“ĂlĚ“witulh (Tsleil Waututh) and xĘ·məθkĘ·É™yĚ“É™m (Musqueam) first nations.
Valentine Day is my favourite time of year, It’s an opportunity to share a piece of our heart in so many ways. May it be chocolates for the office or that one person we think about all the time. How about hugging our daughters and sons and lovely grandchildren which I cannot resist. Tell them they are perfect just the way they are, say I love you, say I care. It’s not too late. Our partners, friends, neighbours, sweethearts, and especially out Mama’s.  Just show love, one way or another it will be received for it is all we need!
I was looking for inspiration and spotted this coaster in the free room just when I needed it most. The more I think about those words the more it makes sense to me. I read it over and over again and I find myself concreting my dreams…feeling it as if it is my reality. It’s not hard to do and it feels right. You just have to allow it to feel real. Imagine your mind allowing yourself to dream to a point of no return, it feels awkward but eventually you feel this excitement and your stomach begin to have butterfly feelings. It is as if you can hardly stand the possibilities of your dream to actually come true! And, if it does, you know you can hardly sustain yourself from the happiness. Does this seem unrealistic?
 Recently, work colleagues and I at 
The Power of Positive Change 