THE
NEWSPAPER.COM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012
Column
Events
Change may be scary but it can improve life
Surrey Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Group meets at Fleetwood Christian Reformed church, 9165 160th St., at 12:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. For more information, call Barb at 778-373-0284 or Cheryl at 604-581-3758.
Abneet Dhaliwal My View
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n our lives change happens. Sometimes it is planned and other times it is unexpected. Unexpected change makes us handle situations as they come up, but changes that are planned can be quite the process. Recently, I felt I needed to make changes in my life to make myself happy and to put my life on the path that I wanted it to go. I realized that the first step was to advocate for myself because no one could help make changes unless I let them know what my wants and needs were. Emotions play a huge part in making changes and can sometimes stop us from making decisions about change. Fear, uncertainty and not wanting to hurt other people’s feel-
ings are some of the emotions that I dealt with when making the decision for change in my life. Once I dealt with the emotions, I realized that I needed to move forward with changes and I took the next step and spoke to the people in my life that could help me get started in making the changes that I wanted. Big or small, changes should be considered a personal accomplishment. Making change is a process that takes time and planning. Even though I didn’t know how things would turn out I knew I had to take the risk and be content with the fact that I tried and I would have no regrets. Regardless of the outcome it will always be a learning experience that helps us grow stronger in the end. I encourage everyone to become aware of your wants and needs to ensure a better quality of life. Be your own advocate for change. If we change nothing, nothing will change. Abneet Dhaliwal is a contributing columnist for Possabilities.
City of Vancouver’s sixth annual celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Monday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Roundhouse Community Centre (Pacific @ Davie). Everyone welcome. “Come celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities! Enjoy live performances, food, art displays, door prizes and much more.” For more information, visit vancouverdisabilitiesday.ca or call 604-873-7799. Semiahmoo House Society hosts its first annual Christmas Bazaar, to benefit Surrey Food Bank. “Come and spend some time with us and take the opportunity to cross gifts off your Christmas list.” Event is on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6-9 p.m. at 13550 77th Ave., just off King George Boulevard. VocalEye: Live audio description available at select theatre shows in Metro Vancouver, including “White Christmas” at Arts Club’s Stanley theatre on Dec. 9 (2 p. m.), “It’s A Wonderful Life” (8 p.m. Dec. 13, Granville Island) and “The Wizard of Oz” (Carousel Theatre for Young People at the Waterfront Theatre, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. Info: info@vocaleye.org; also follow
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VocalEye on Facebook for the latest links and updates. BC Brain Injury Association celebrates its 30th anniversary; watch for events in 2013. Info: bcbraininjuryassociation.com. Coming Together to Create Change: Values, Visions and Action Workshop: Event dates Jan. 11-13 at Loon Lake Research and Education Retreat Centre, 14500 Silver Valley Rd., Maple Ridge. Hosted by Canadian Association for Community Living together with British Columbia Association for Community Living. Registration is limited to 20 family members. For more information, contact Jeremy Vis at jvis@bcacl.org or phone 604777-9100 (ext. 518) or 1-800-618-1119. The PuSh Festival is looking for volunteers to help mount an incredible show by Lyon-based directors/choreographers Martin Chaput and Martial Chazallon called “Do You See What I Mean?” to be presented as part of the 2013 festival (Jan. 25, 26, 27 and Feb. 1, 2, 3). “This show takes audience members on a 2.5-hour blindfolded tour of the city, and we need your help to pull it off!” Info session dates and times: December 3, 10 and 17 (6:30-8 p. m.), at Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver. Contact Donna Soares or Ruthie Tabata, 604-605-8284 (ext. 207) or email dyswim@pushfestival.ca.
Season’s Greetings! Did you know that in 2012, our Can You Dig It! community gardening project donated over 100 bags of fresh produce to local foodbanks? Or that there are terrific volunteer opportunities at Quest Food Exchange and Meals on Wheels? Join us in creating partnerships and participating in projects that strengthen our communities!
For more information on how you can be involved, contact us.
@posAbilities11
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