Happy 18th Birthday To Blaire Guptill

You are going places my darling daughter!
You deserve the best and finest things in life!

 

An insult wrapped up in a joke is still an insult.

"Just kidding" and its cousin "no offense" are phrases people use to hurt each other without having to take responsibility for rude and disrespectful remarks.

Post by Sweet Spot Marketing.

Starting A New Phase In Life

It's hard to believe that in just a few weeks my daughter is heading off to her first year of university.  I'm so excited for her, I know she's going to be successful in anything she puts her mind to.  

As for me, I will officially be an empty nester and entering a completely new phase of my life. While I'm going to miss my daughter, I am really looking forward to this time.  I'm single so for me, it's an opportunity to explore new things just for myself ... and this really excites me!

I've been toying with the idea of taking a motorcycle course.  It's something I've always wanted to do and I have friends who said taking the course will help me decide whether to invest in one for myself ... or not.  I've also thought about taking the adult learn to sail program, although I'll have to wait until next summer to do this. Heading back to the gym is something at the top of the list for me.

One thing is for certain, I am going to return to Toastmasters as this is something I really enjoy doing and I would very much like to compete.

Here's to the next phase of life for both myself and my daughter.  Exciting times for both of us.

Rise Again - NeedToBreathe

I know how it started
the walls that we built to separate us
They get wider and stronger
Till it’s too tall for us to touch
Heaviness is on me and I don't see
that we might be whole again
We might be better off 
in the wake of a bitter end

Oh I know I’m on the rise again
Set my sights on where I’m going
And my goodbyes to where I’ve been
Oh I know I’m gonna rise again
Singin’ farewell king of the broken
so long my friend

We could always count on the same thing
the ups and the downs like time
We crawl through the abyss then
We came through the other side
Heaviness is only temporary
Daylight will soon break in
The sunlight could change your heart 
in the wake of a bitter end

I can see us moving on
I can feel that coming on strong
we’ll never start all over like this
I still can’t believe it

The Media Are Socializing Boys To Believe That Being A Man Means Being Powerful & In Control

Two Year Project on Preventing & Eliminating Cyber Violence, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Bullying, Internet Luring & Stalking Against Women & Gilrs In PEI

Andy Lou Somers, Executive Director of EPWIC, and I can finally announce a two year project which will focus on preventing and eliminating cyber violence, cyber crimes, cyber bullying, Internet luring and cyber stalking against young women and girls in Prince Edward Island.

My company, Sweet Spot Marketing Canada, will play a fundamental role in this project. Our scope is much broader than bullying, it includes other online crimes that put women and girls at risk, including stocking, luring, identity theft, human trafficking, sexual harassment, sexual bullying, protection against predators. 

We have done significant work here in PEI in the last 2 years, with presentations in schools at the junior high level, as well as parent and guardian presentations and front line staff of PEI Service Providers working in crises centres, women centres and people with disabilities.

It is incredible, the crimes that are occurring here in PEI, everything from luring through social media and text message for sexual assault, to stocking and harassment, to setting up drug deals and break and enters. We are very pleased to receive support and looking forward to working with many community partners on this Island Wide project. 

We encourage people to follow our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nguptill to post comments and provide feedback. 

Nancy Beth Guptill, Digital Leader

Digital Leader Sweet Spot Marketing Canada

https://www.facebook.com/nguptill

@nbguptill

Planning for the Next Phase of Life

I'm starting a new project in Internet Safety & Digital Leadership this month.  Through a local NGO, we've received funding for a two year research project which includes building an online community network for partner collaboration and community outreach. I'm looking forward to working on this project with a number organizations in Prince Edward Island. 

Meanwhile, it's hard to believe that in five months I will be an empty-nester. Where has the time gone! My daughter will study Bachelor of Music with a University in the Maritimes.  She has had a few offers and we're down to her top two choices.  We will have a decision made hopefully this week.

This has been a very interesting experience, scouting, researching and applying for university. Some institutions are overly aggressive where others barely communicate ... for us ...  it's the university that has expressed an interest, has communicated at a level that's nurturing yet not over bearing, and has demonstrated sincere appreciation .... plus encourages family participation, decision making and support.

To my friends with children in junior high - it is really important to pay attention to the courses your child selects in high school as their course selection can impact their eligibility to post secondary.   I also encourage early scouting and research.  We started when my daughter was in grade 10.  I'm lucky because my daughter knew exactly what she wanted to study in post secondary - most don't.  Meanwhile, take the time when they are in grade 11 to visit local universities, explore their programs and scholarships.  Start planning early.

For me, this next phase of life will be full of new opportunity.  I am ready to embrace what is coming.  I have started planning ahead, looking into activities I would like to participate in. I'm looking at doing more business on a national level, plus joining an adult learn to sail program, take up cycling, do some travelling, and kick it up a notch with our children's worship team ... plus become more active in our local Toastmasters Club.  You learn by doing, and there is always room for improvement!

There is one motto I have lived by since being exposed to it through Ladies who Launch and that is "Be a Yes person ... when you say YES to life .... life will say YES to you".

I'm thankful for my maker and all he has blessed me with.  I'm thankful for my family, friends, clients and business partners.  I have learned it's very important to align yourself with those who share the same core values as you.