Dr. Robert Buckman, one of Toronto’s leading cancer specialists who was known as much for his funny bone as his medical expertise, has died.

DR. ROBERT BUCKMAN, 1948 – 2011

Dr. Robert Buckman, one of the most humane and gregarious people I have ever met,  was instrumental in helping bring the notion of empathy to the medical profession. He was also a world class communications expert.

Dr Rob Buckman, who has died, spent his entire working life in medicine, as a cancer physician. His ability to entertain made him both a television star and a successful communicator in his professional field.

I’ll always remember the effects he had on my students.  My vision of Dr. Buckman will always be his enthusiastic support of many of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s events. He was there cheering on the walkers in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.  His determination to finish each day of the cycling event, lifted everyone’s spirits and set the example, if he could finish, then so could they.  He was a tireless advocate for patients and unrelenting in his efforts to help clinicians communicate more effectively. He was the best teacher, and an example for everyone to follow.  I enjoyed his humour and his passion for living.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1067533–dr-robert-buckman-renowned-oncologist-comedian-and-star-columnist-dead-at-63.

 

 He died in his sleep on a transatlantic flight from London to Toronto after a week spent making a series of short films titled Top Ten Tips for Health.

 

Dr. Robert Buckman,  humourist and leading cancer specialist at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital, has died. He was 63.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year.
Volunteering for the “Out of The Cold Program” has always renewed my positiveness towards mankind, but especially this year. This year I had the privilege of participating in all aspects of the dinner, from preparing the salad, making the drinks, setting the tables, and serving the dinner. The program had close to one hundred and fifty people for dinner. What a task!!! All of the volunteers (except the one who did not let me in) were extraordinary, doing ordinary tasks (cooking and cleaning) with amazingly positive attitudes. I arrived early to volunteer and was mistaken for being one of the homeless, it was a disturbing situation to be in. I felt so very scared. The people around me offered me a blanket, their cigarettes and gloves. Their kindness touched my heart. During the dinner many recognized me and wanted to sit at my table. No, I did not sleep that night.
Most of the participants live on the streets, but few that I have ever met fit any stereotype. Some drank, some had health issues, but all had unique personalities. Most need community. One young woman named Ann (sat at my table when she saw my name tag) asked to see my scarf, when I gave it to her she not only put it on but danced at the delight at having something new. Despite her alcoholism, epilepsy, loneliness and disappointments, she had that twinkle in her eye and her playful personality intact (at times). She made me smile. She reminded me that a smile can be contagious and that simple act of kindness can result in human beings coming together.

So, as I entered the elevator to go home, I smiled and smiled and smiled….. and everyone asked “What’s wrong with her???” So much for that!!!!!!

Volunteering is the best medicine. Stop talking and just do it!!!!

 I have had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed several times, this month, on various radio programs throughout Canada and the United States.  I have a new appreciation of the power of words.  Please watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

The following are some of the my interviews, from Victoria British Columbia to  Bakersfield California.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authortj/2011/11/29/inspirational-talk-with-toneal

http://kernradio.com/bakersfieldnews/AUDIO–Is-Now-The-Right-Time-To-Make-Resolutions-/11790045

http://brainstorminonline.com/anne-balaban-has-unusual-advice-to-help-listeners-reach-their-full-potential-don%E2%80%99t-make-new-year%E2%80%99s-resolutions-in-2012

Please tune in tomorrow, January 4th at 9:20 AM EST for a live interview  with Jamie Dickerman and Bill Dablow, the the Double D’s in the morning http://www.kbmwam.com/Double-D-s-in-the-Morning/10047881

Please tune in January 10th at 11:00 AM EST for a live interview with Kim Love at KROE http://www.sheridanmedia.com/staff/kim-love

I would like to comment how generous every single talk show host has been with their time, experience and support. Thank you….. it has been fun! I have learned so much.

 

I had the greatest honour to speak, in the community, about the process of writing, researching,  publishing and  promoting my book, Common Sense is UnCommon. What a wonderful surprise it was to see so many of  my former students come together and read the motivational quotes which they submitted. Each one had a story of how choosing to look at situations from a different perspective made a difference in their lives. As an adult educator, there is nothing more powerful than to see the impact of education changing lives…when you know better you do better.  Please let me know if any of the quotes are special to you.

 http://youtu.be/We9GccmxjdM

 Believe in Yourself

Author: Emily Matthews

Believe in yourself -
in the power you have
to control your own life, day by day,
Believe in the strength
that you have deep inside,
and your faith will help
show you the way.
Believe in tomorrow
and what it will bring -
let a hopeful heart carry you through,
For the things will work out
if you trust and believe
there’s no limit
to what you can do.

Jane Fonda, http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/jane-fondas-longevity-revolution  said that you teach what you need to learn…I am learning.

I will be taking part in the Out of the Cold program this month and will write about it.

 

 

 

 

On November 29th from 5:00 -5:30 pm , I had the thrilling experience of being interviewed by a truly inspirational author and talk show host Toneal Jackson.

The questions were insightful and the connection immediate. I hope you enjoy listening to the interview as much as I enjoyed doing it.

Yes, I stepped out of the box.

Listen to
internet radio with AuthorTJ on Blog Talk Radio

The 2011 Fall Fashion Show Luncheon was a great success.  The Television Media Sponsor was CTV and represented by Joe Tilley, Carol Charles, Pauline Chan and Bill Hutchison.  This is our eighth year working together. The fittings, rehearsal and show were not only fun but a wonderful experience for us all. I am wearing SPANNER and promised to show you the visual.  http://youtu.be/Lj3glk4DZgE

Humor during the holiday season is the only way to cope.

HEADLINE:  New Year’s Resolutions No One Ever Keeps!!!!

I will be interviewed on Tuesday, November 29th

Here is the link to the archive page for November 29.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/authortj/2011/11/29/inspirational-talk-with-toneal

Yeah, yeah … it’s time for the same old New Year’s Resolutions, when people pledge to finally quit smoking, start going to the gym, eat healthier, or make some other life-altering change for the better. Why bother?

During the interview,  I will point our how Common Sense is truly Uncommon , and the resolutions people make at this time of year are futile and others are just plain dumb!  I will take call-ins from the radio audience and judge whether or not they are in the “doable” or “don’t bother” category.

I hope you will find the interview humorous and shake your head in agreement.

* Trying to quit smoking during the most stressful time of the year (the holidays) is just a recipe for more stress.

* Many people pledge to lose weight; when they do, they celebrate by treating themselves—to cheesecake.

* We should take up new habits … like eating more dark chocolate.

* Those who decide to “get organized” buy the materials but either don’t know how to start or just don’t find the time, so the organizational materials become part of the clutter!

People like to deal with people who make them feel valued.

I was totally mesmerized with this new and special way of using storytelling.

TimeSlips is an exciting new free interactive resource for storytelling designed to support growth and learning with people with dementia and their caregivers — but it’s fun for everyone and everyone is valued.

Forget Memory, Try Imagination!  is the tag line the TimeSlips creative storytelling uses to encourage people to leave behind (at least partially) the fears and stigma of memory loss.  The imagination is a powerful communication tool that enables people to reach each other across the communication divides of cognitive disabilities like memory loss and dementia.

http://www.timeslips.org/

Chapters Indigo Bayview-September 2011

As a first time author you need to bring a pen, glasses, comfortable shoes and a sense of humour. I learned that you have to keep it simple.

The reality hit me on August 20th, my first book signing, when I looked up and saw people actually lining up, waiting to have me sign the book I wrote. Writing this book has been on my bucket list for so many years and to actually achieve this moment was surreal.

It was an amazing feeling just having the book published, but this was truly awesome. I did many book signings this summer, to promote my book but the highlight for me was meeting people.

I spoke to each and every person who bought my book. Special moments were had by simply listening and learning about their lives and passions. How they viewed my book was a true eye opener.

Many people got the reason why I wrote the book instantly. The doctors who bought the books to be placed in their waiting rooms. The teachers who were to use them for morning announcements. The early childhood educators to use them as reading tools for their students. The counselors to use them as icebreakers for discussions in their therapy sessions. The seniors who placed them next to their bed, so they can sleep better. The moms who put them in their purses, so they could be reminded of negative thought patterns and have better days. The students who can share the words with their friends. The husband and wives to exchange presents. The music instructors to give the books to their new students. Communication directors from various facilities to give the books as welcoming gifts.

I was touched by the kindness displayed towards me by all the staff of all of the stores; they were all helpful, polite and kind. It was a pleasure to sign each and everyone’s book.

An “aha” moment occurred when a young autistic boy, who had not spoken many words, identified the pictures in the book and started expressing his feelings. His grandparents were overjoyed and with his input, bought books for each member of his family. Each book was individually signed and to be used to start conversations with different family members.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

In this world of corporations, committees, consultation and collaboration–Steve Jobs personified the power of the individual.

This week I want to remember and use the words of Steve Jobs to motivate people in all of my workshops, lectures and classes.

Steve Jobs interview, in 1993 in the Wall Street Journal: “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me…Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful…that’s what matters to me.

The above quote motivated and empowered me on a Monday morning.

So I started this work week trying to use the words of Steve Jobs to clarify, focus and motivate my students to do their best. Focus of what is most important, set an example and simplify their life and do their best, one minute at a time.

To start my lectures and workshops this week, I presented the Motivational words of Steve Jobs to focus on our objectives. .

Whether at the Career Explorations Workshop, the motivational speeches to seniors in their later stage of life, or the community leaders attending my psychology classes, I remind them all of Steve Jobs 2005 commencement  speech at Stanford University.

It’s a simple, humble, narrative-driven speech, touching on his adoption, his decision to drop out of Reed College, getting fired from and then returning to Apple, and being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004.

But what I find most impactful, reading and watching the speech is the part that touches on death. “No one wants to die,” Jobs acknowledges. “Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.”

He closed with a quote from Stewart Brand, founder of one of Steve Jobs’s favorite publications growing up, The Whole Earth Catalog: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life,” Jobs said. “Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

The above quotes were used my event to motivate the senior population at a lunch and learn series, devoted to making everyday count. It does not matter what stage of life you are, you can to make a difference every day, by simply doing an act of kindness.

All the topics in my psychology classes (this week it was the Language of Clothes) were skewed to motivate and emphasized that any individual can motivate others to make a difference.

Thanks for all of your feedback this week you have acknowledge that the words, used this week, do make a difference.

Annually, I participate in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. This Sunday, October 2^nd, I will be participating once again; walking in memory of my friend, Liz, who lost her battle with breast cancer and walking alongside will be my friend, Judy, who is a survivor.

Check out this promo video for the CIBC Run for the Cure: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpLl8pV-xKU

The CIBC Run for the Cure is the largest single, volunteer-led fundraiser in Canada in support of the advancement of breast cancer research, education, diagnosis and treatment. It is all about participating and working together to help defeat breast cancer and showing our support for those that are fighting breast cancer. I encourage you to participate in this event. There are runs all over Canada.

It is so very inspirational seeing people of all ages participating in an event that is battling breast cancer.  This event itself raises millions of dollars in the fight against breast cancer.

When you see women that are bald or wearing a wig. A young child with a survivor t-shirt, or a shirt that says ‘I am running for my mom,’ you cannot help but be inspired. These images hit home for me because my friends mentioned above have battled the disease.

Both my friends went through chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. They have had the experience of an oncologist telling them what their percentage chance of dying is. This is not the easiest conversation one is ever going to have. They both lost their hair and at times their physical strength, all the while raising a family, being a wife, being a mom and trying to stay positive.

Hopefully you will be inspired to participate or cheer on some participants. Hope to see you there!

On September 30 2001, I was part of the event, Canada Loves New York.

We, as Canadians, felt that our nation mourned with Americans for the victims of the terrorist attacks. It was not just Americans that were lost that day there were Canadians, British and many other nationalities. We all shared your outrage, grief and compassion.

As Friends. As Neighbors. As Family.  We took 33 buses to New York City from Toronto. We brought doughnuts to many fire stations and police stations and spoke to the fireman and police officers and listened, just listened.

I happened to be in New York on May 2, 2011, when President Obama announced the death of bin Laden, I shared that event with many New Yorkers, and once again just listened.  I actually went to Ground Zero that night and reflected on the events of 9/11

On Sunday, September 11, 2011, I once again watched and listened. It was truly an international day of reflection. Diane Sawyer showed a photo of babies born after 9/11, who lost their fathers and then she showed an updated photo and interview with all of them now, ten years later. All felt less alone, being with others in the same position. Here is a link to that video: 9/11 Babies: Children Who Lost Fathers Think Back-ABC Video

The memorial site at Ground Zero represents a new vision of ”Be Taller/Be Better/Be Unified.”

9/11 triggered a flood of emotions, so it’s fitting that the songs linked to the tragedy also reflect a wide range of moods.

Paul Simon and James Taylor’s song “Both Live” and Beyonce’s “I was here.”

The Canada Loves New York event took place in the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

This was the first time in the history of Canada/US bilateral relations that an estimated 26,000 Canadians arrived and converged around 53^rd Street of Manhattan on December 1, 2001.

The symbolism of the two flags fluttering together on one pole has a very special meaning for all who appreciate the long-term, good standing, interactive and proven relationship between these two old neighbors and North American friends.

The commemorative poster by Charles Pachter which combined art and opportunism and is truly an exquisite piece of art in the form of a poster still hangs in a place of honour in my home to this day. Pachter is a local Toronto artist and I plan on visiting him in the near future to get another poster ten years later.