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Welcome to the Voices of Hope gallery page, click the audio file below each image to listen.

Voice #11
Blake Edwards, Vancouver, British Columbia 15th July 2021

What are the biggest challenges facing humanity? 

I think that's a big question to unpack. I think one of the largest ones right now is that we live in Canada, we're very privileged as a nation to coming out of a pandemic and having access to vaccines. 

But when we look at the global scale of what an impact to humanity is that you don't have access like this in all nations across the world. And I think one of the biggest issues pressing humanity is one's privilege. When we look at one's privilege and a multitude of senses is, each nation is just disproportionately affected and challenged by the globalization of the world we live in and being here in North America is a very Western centric view of the world and it's not just the pandemic that has really brought this to light in the forefront. 

It's a variety of different issues, but if we look at the pandemic in itself, which nations have suffered greatly from just COVID, with the absence of the US because they have other issues. But if we look at India and we look at Brazil and other countries in South America and Africa, we're definitely seeing a disproportionate effect of those that are dying don't have access to medical care,  don't have access now to the vaccine.  And I think that's something that we as humanity need to take a larger look at, and what our privilege in that role. 

When you think about locally within British Columbia, what do you think we can all do better at in-terms of reconciliation?

I think that's a great question. One that's very relevant,  as we are seeing the unmasking of graves that are coming out week after week after week, and that this isn't a surprise to anyone. I mean right in our backyard Kamloops was one of the first residential schools to unmask that grave with 215 children and that has kind of created this reciprocal effect across Canada and North America, because residential schools aren't aren't unique to Canada but definitely something that we need to look at and so when we look at that as an individual perspective. It starts with truth. 

You can't have reconciliation without truth and we each have a role to play in reconciliation and if you don't know what that role is, you need to educate yourself. And that's the first step. And I have lots of indigenous friends that say we're not even at a place of reconciliation because there's nothing to reconcile yet. Like we, we aren't “re” doing something because nothing has come into effect yet. And I think that's really important, and I think our ownness, especially, as anyone who be it a refugee, colonial, anyone who is not native to this land has a role to play in reconciliation and if you need to start with that education component, realize the truth of what that means. Realize the trauma that has been, the intergenerational trauma that has been inflicted for 150 years, the history of Canada is dark and I think that's where it starts. 

And then I think in BC, if we look at a larger role is what the government needs to play, what the role of the church needs to play the fact that the Pope can't even apologize. For the role of the Catholic Church in residential schools is a big issue in itself. I think Canada is slow to move, its feet on something, because it does require a lot of resources. It does require a lot of consultation. It does require a lot of financial capacity too, but there's so many layers to it. And I mean. I work in post secondary, I work for a government institution, and we're not always the best, and I mean, I work for UBC and one of the things that we always say is that we aren't necessarily the leaders or we're not necessarily the forefront. But what we're doing is we are starting a conversation that we are moving forward because that's what it takes, it takes moving forward to get anywhere and if we just keep dragging your feet, we'll never get there. 

What are you hopeful about? 

That's like the hardest question. What are you hopeful for? I mean, I'm one that looks at things from an equitable lens and so I'm hopeful in the direction that we're going, I'm hopeful that we're having these challenging and difficult conversations. Now whether that be reconciliation, whether that be LGBTQIA+ and trans folk, and the black lives matter movement. And all of that is that we are having these conversations and they're difficult and uncomfortable conversations to have. But I'm hopeful for the direction that we're going. I'm hopeful that we are moving into a place, hopefully into a place where we can just overall be better human beings and maybe this ties into your first question is that global approach of being better people and I think a lot of that comes with education.  If you're not educated, you can't necessarily learn and grow. 

And I think that's a huge point. And then the other component is, just creating more equitable leverage for those that have been historically resilient throughout the years creating opportunities and spaces for their voices to be shared and listening as a white cisgender male taking the time to sit back reflect and listen. 

And that's what I'm hopeful for.

Voice# 10

Jodi, Lake Country BC, April 4th, 2021

My hope going forward that individuals learn through the pandemic, is that they need to make time for their wellness or that they'll be forced to make time for their illness. I'd like people to start to listen to their body ask the question of how your body feels after eating certain foods.

I want you to start paying attention to the foods that they're eating and incorporating more nutrient dense foods, especially when we we come into looking as far as the, prevalence of autoimmune disorders within our community. We need to kind of hand our body the tools in order to learn to repair.

I want individuals to start looking at drinking more and hydration is key. It flushes toxins and it helps transport those nutrients that we need. Meditating, and setting side time to calm down to slow down to be present with yourself and this can take as little as five minutes for this exercise.

If there's something that I've learned through this pandemic is that we need to start to enjoy life. By making time for our wellness means reducing the stress while implementing a lifestyle that's sustainable and in your nutrition. Your lifestyle and your mindset habits. So enjoy life get outside, in nature. Laugh with friends and family, and find the joy in eating healthy and feeling good.

And most of all I want you to rest. Sleep is important and rest is so important, in decreasing your stress levels. And we all know by now about how much type of stress can mess with all these symptoms. Additionally, I have to say that sleep is not for the weak, it's for the strong. Since sleep improves cognitive function, it stabilizes blood sugars and promotes hormone balance regulations.

I want individuals to know that... you are your greatest investment.

You need to build these habits that will help you be your best self, building on habits that will give you more energy to enjoy life, and this out of all will make high quality investments for you because you matter.

Out of all I think I've found so much hope and gratitude and happiness in my autoimmune disease struggling with multiple sclerosis. But this does not mean that there hasn't been days that I felt terrified helpless and full of guilt. This is not something to be ashamed of. Our hardest times bring us greater strength, it makes us wiser and makes us more creative.

Yes, it's okay to feel all the feelings that come along with being diagnosed with a debilitating disease, and it's a hundred percent okay, this is not an easy path. But you also need to see the whole other side as well, the one where you find hope. The side that's hard to get to, but once you do you'll find that it's a hundred percent worth the discipline and patience. It takes consistency and patience, but I promise you it'll be worth it.

Voice of Hope #9

Ashley, Okanagan, BC, March 15th, 2021

Over the last 12 months my faith in humanity has been restored a lot more than I would have expected.  Through personal issues, I found that my closest circle banded around me, but also with connections that I maybe didn't know incredibly well. I find that my connection with them has grown stronger and it almost may be a ripple effect. 

I would say that I am most impressed with those who are supporting others that they don't know. Social media is really prevalent and I think with everyone being indoors it's being used a lot more, and to see positive support positive comments and encouragement for strangers has really filled my cup. 

I think now more than ever we understand that we're all going through not just similar trials and tribulations, but different ones as well.  The fact that we have to wear a mask on our face and we can still smile with our eyes like, ] what if that's the only human interaction someone else saw in a day.  What if that little ray of sunshine was the thing that also put a pep in there step and you had the choice to smile or not smile it seems so small and so minuscule.

My biggest hopes for 2021 is that despite the world we live in we find higher connection than ever before. I would love to see people living each choice more intentionally and it could be something as we said so small is smiling at another human being or being the one to reach out, you know, making that connection higher in the sense of if you're going to buy something small local businesses or doing curbside pickup, like if you're making intentional choices, how could you make them more positive, make them have a closer to home impact, make them, make a difference in someone's life.

For people that are not having the best day my encouragement would be... to spend even five minutes seeking out something that brings them joy, so whether it's connecting with a friend for a little text message conversation, or it's putting on your favorite song and dancing with all your heart in the kitchen, or it's picking up a paintbrush, or it's meditating if you're having a hard day acknowledge it be aware of it and choose to pivot to a more positive space.

Voice of Hope #8

Paul, Kelowna, BC, February 9th, 2021

I think speaking for most musicians that 2020 has been especially difficult year because not only was there no source of income that we're used to having, but it’s tough to stifle all these creative juices and all these need to entertain people. So my hope is that 2021 will bring new strides in music creativity, new ideas as far as stage shows. New fan base for lots of different bands and lots of different genres and I think,  just a renewed total overall appreciation for live entertainment. I think it would the great. The greatest thing about 2021 is, as as a race I believe that humans are eternally optimistic, so there's always hope around the corner and it's the hope that gives us optimism. 

Voice of Hope #7

Tory, Kelowna, BC, January 7th, 2021

They have called this a collective pause. A chance to look at ourselves to question and reevaluate what we know.

What do you know?

What have you learned? Have the things you've loved changed?

Have they become more important?

Has your love grown. Amongst massive change amongst fear amongst the best in people and the worst in people amongst incredible adaptation and innovation.There are constants, a mask doesn't cover up love, two meters of space doesn't take away community.

We can feel those things and we can create those things through a screen.A phone, a distance interaction or a simple act of kindness, that reminds us that we are part of something bigger. There is so much beauty in that.

My hope is that whatever you've learned during this time that you carry those lessons with you and honour them. I hope we don't go back to normal that we choose to create a new one.And I hope that when we do go to do something the old way that memory persists and whispers a gentle reminder of the power that lies in our choices and the wisdom within us.

I hope that we keep the pause.

Voice of Hope #6

Heather, Lake Country, BC, January 1st, 2021

What would be your message of hope?

My message of hope it really is rooted in gratitude. I found, especially this year that gratitude became a very big anchor in seeing the world differently, and not seeing the tragedy, but seeing the possibilities and the hope that can come from a year like we just experienced, which is full of confusion and fear, and to really see the light and feeling the love internally.

Tell me about a favourite memory from the last year

You know, my favorite memory has actually been The Reconnection of my family. So me and my husband and my two kids how much closer we became, but really, truly understanding what makes us work. The weaving of our everyday activities into the even the like slowest moments, those have been my best memories really has.

What would you say to those who may not be feeling hopeful?

I see you, I get it, I understand that despair that we can be feeling at this moment. But when you truly look at what you have, and like, feel grateful for what it is that you have within yourself, within your family, within your community, you can see the hope and it even if it's just really small, it will get bigger.

What is your hope for 2021?

My hope for 2021 is that everyone really discovers who they are because it is going to start with the individual before it can ripple into the collective. And so we all have to embrace loving ourselves in this moment, like 100% tenfold more than we have been so that we can learn to love everyone else. And as that grows, the ripple effect is just unbounding.

Voice of Hope #5

Melanie, Kelowna, BC, December 2nd, 2020

My hope is that we shift our focus on to what is most important to us. The question is, what do you value most in your life? I remind myself every day that I am so fortunate to have such loving friends and family, who check in with me regular and share a positive or funny story from their week. I remind myself that it is not material goods that bring us the most joy in life. That sharing a home cooked meal with my partner and finding new ways to enjoy each other’s company will be what I choose to remember from this time.

I remind myself that being kind is free. That small acts of kindness from loved ones or strangers always feels good.

I remind myself that where I spend my dollar is where I place my vote for the future. What do you want to see more of? Sustainability, female leaders, local innovation?

I think we may emerge from this event with more love for ourselves, each other and humanity. I think we may emerge living simpler more fulfilling lives feeling more abundance with less things. This is my hope.

Voice of Hope #4

Amanda, Lake Country BC, November 12th, 2020

I do have hope.

I have hope for our planet.

I have hope for humanity. 

I believe that there is a self-sustaining interconnectedness of life that calls for our attention when it is out of balance. I think we are in a time where everyone of us is being called to pay attention.

The world is out of balance. Humanity is out of balance. I have hope though because I believe that deep in our hearts we all have the same longing. 

We all long to live in peace.

We all long to have access to clean air and clean water. 

We all long to be safe and to live freely.

We all want to love and be loved. 

 That is our shared humanity. This collective experience manifests differently for each person on the outside, and that is the beautiful mosaic of life, and yet ultimately our humanity is connected as one. 

This pandemic has forced us to slow down. It has interrupted our habits of living. Our travel, our businesses, and even our education systems have been disrupted. This has created an opportunity for us to reflect on our values and our priorities. 

 I think we may emerge from this time living simpler lives. I think we may emerge living more harmoniously with each other and with the planet. 

 I have faith in humanity. I have faith in the interconnectedness of life…

 And this gives me hope.

Voice of Hope #3

Bobbie, Lake Country, BC, November 12th, 2020

It is my hope that these difficult times will unite us, rather than divide us. That our communities, both locally and globally will come together for a common goal. That goal...is unity. We all see the world through a different lens, shaped by our own unique experiences. These variances...when appreciated, weave the fabric of unity. If we show gratitude toward one another, we can start to shift our collective consciousness.

Being grateful brings about feelings of positivity and changes our vibrational energy. The essence of gratitude, leaves space for hope. I encourage you, to spread kindness during these challenging times. Even the small things, have a ripple effect. We can still hold the door for a stranger and remain six feet apart.

We can still see a person’s smile in their eyes...even while wearing a mask. And even a muffled greeting can brighten someones day. Stay human. Spread love and light. And truly see one another, because the whole universe resides within each of us. We can all be the voice of hope!

Voice of Hope #2

Lynette, Kelowna BC, November 3rd, 2020

We as individuals are more powerful now, than we have ever been before. The question is what power do we CHOOSE to feed? Do we continue the old patterns of seslf doubt and judgement or do we CHOOSE to feed the light that’s in all of us. I believe in a Divine light, in its power of love, empathy, forgiveness, compassion and ultimately it’s BRILLIANT RADIANCE .

My HOPE is that the LIGHT in me finds the LIGHT in you.

That we become more radiant, more loving and compassionate as we feed it in ourselves and more importantly when we share it with each other.

CHOOSE LIGHT

CHOOSE HOPE.

Voice of Hope #1

Alison Beaumont, Lake Country, BC November 1st, 2020

My hope is that through connection we can each find something, however small to give us a glimmer of hope. I know when I am hopeful about a situation or outcome good things happen. I imagine the hope we are going to need in the coming months and years. Not just for the pandemic, but to save humanity and tackle climate change.

I imagine this hope will need to be the strongest we've ever felt and that we'll all need to back it up with changes in our lives. Anything is possible, absolutely anything. With enough intent, attention and doing all we can with the greatest of hope, believing in each other and our capacity as humans.

I believe in each and everyone of us that we can reach where we never thought we could. As each voice builds upon the last, the hope for humanity grows. Join me, join together and let's be, voices of hope.