• "I've spent countless hours reflecting and journaling under your guidance. I can now say with great pleasure that I’ve gotten to know both you and myself a little better. This has been such a pleasant discovery, especially given my slightly advanced age, as I wondered if I could still gain relevant insights and learn from this three-book journey. After generating over 9,000 words in my journal, I can answer that question with a resounding yes!"

    –Bryen

  • "We are never too old to rethink the direction of our efforts. To try and be the best people we can be to our community and others who may need a hug, an ear, and a helping hand."

    –D Poole

  • “To me it shows great vulnerability, courage, generosity and trust and I will honestly endeavour to make you proud!”

    –Deb

  • "Don't wait too long to be yourself.”

    – JD

  • "They are beautiful. Raw and compelling. Open heart surgery scars lovingly tattooed with flowers and words of hope and strength. Honoring the wisdom inherent in the scars."

    –Rosemary

  • "It is like the wealthy barber (core foundational life skills) meets Griffin and Sabine (charming, intriguing and tactile) meets Dad and Krista late night kitchen talks. A masterpiece of authenticity too – you shine right through."

    –Krista

  • "They are beautiful and thought provoking. I enjoyed writing my stories too and I used a similar style to you. Thank you for trusting me with something so close to your heart.”

    –JB

  • "I firmly believe that you MUST live your truth. You MUST do what you want to do. It is the only way to leave this swirling ball of rock with no regrets."

    -Cail
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada

  • "Knowing yourself is a journey. Be kind to and patient with yourself. Embrace the awkward, practice connecting. Allow yourself to open up, cry, hug, love, laugh. Embrace the curiosity of knowing yourself."

    -Briana S
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada

  • "Reconnecting with my past. I found the little me. I’m so glad I found her. The one that was very curious and has a lot of dreams. It reconnected me. I’m so glad that you shared all of your stories, it inspired me and helps me to find myself.”

    -Wazi

  • “I enjoyed getting to know myself and left feeling very positive about the future.”

    -Denis S.
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada

  • "Truth be told, I am reading it through my tears - tears of joy, compassion, pride and love."

    –Mona

  • "Pass it on, and pass it along with your marks, reminds me of the treasures of vintage shopping. It’s about the article and then, you find a note in the pocket. Lo and behold! Treasure!"

    –Carolyn

  • "What a gift to anyone that wants to commit and grow. I love the subtlety of the underlying message, it is so profound and sincere that it will inspire the reader to be the best they dare to be."

    –Alain

  • "I stopped to reflect on your questions. Not sure I would be honest with myself with the answers I would write. I needed to ponder these thoughts and look inwards. Something I haven’t done deeply enough for many years. I have opened my mind to answer the questions truthfully to myself."

    –Linda P.

  • “Never give up.”

    -Teddy, Calgary, AB, Age 9

  • "I will focus on what I can control and do small, good things to get the bigger win."

    –Maged
    Calgary/Yemen

  • "Your books may just become my guiding light. I was in tears for book one. I have to read them all again. They are just beautiful."

    – CD

  • "I’ve been reading passages from the book daily. I absolutely love it. It’s so deep, rich and inspiring. "

    – Kerri L

  • "...Just got back from Guadeloupe yesterday. It was the perfect setting to enjoy the first two volumes. I'm still unpacking and processing all of this. Your stories made me think a lot ... While you were with us at TELUS, you had a big impact in my life and career. I have always wished I had had more time to learn even more from you. These books are giving me that chance and they will move to the next reader very soon."

    – Eric

 

Share Your Stories.

What makes you… you? What inspires you? What do you want to share with others to inspire? We want to hear from you. We will review and add your stories here to spark conversation.

 

Click the map to discover all of the places the books have travelled to. Let us know where you are, and continue to pass them on!

Most recently spotted in:

Innsbruck, Austria

Pond Inlet, Nunavut

Paris, France

Formentara, Spain

Innsbruck, Austria Pond Inlet, Nunavut Paris, France Formentara, Spain

 

Counting the Threads

The Little Books of Big Somethings are travelling books, meant to be shared. Do you have a book you are ready to pass on? Or is the thread in your book complete? Learn more or reach out, we would love to hear from you!

 

Shared Stories & Thoughts:

Featured
Moving as one

When I felt truly alive. I love horses. The smell, the warmth of their breath, everything. I can remember the feeling riding my horse. Slow at first, then faster, then a full gallop. We are moving as one. I feel alive. I feel free in that moment. Pure Joy.
–Shelley, Calgary, Alberta

Love of learning

I appreciated book one as it encourages taking time for reflection which we often don’t do in our busy lives. As a retiree I tend to reflect upon the journey my life has followed so far. I realise that goals or plans made early in my life may not have been achieved but I ask the question “how important or meaningful was that goal? Am I disappointed or actually pleased with how plans and experiences have evolved?”
Read More

9,000 words

Today is a bittersweet day for me—I’ve completed my journey through the three little books! I've spent countless hours reflecting and journaling under their guidance. I can now say with great pleasure that I’ve gotten to know both you and myself a little better. This has been such a pleasant discovery, especially given my slightly advanced age, as I wondered if I could still gain relevant insights and learn from this three-book journey. After generating over 9,000 words in my journal, I can answer that question with a resounding yes!
Read More

I choose ‘growth’

I was considering if I should rent or sell my condo… I’ve moved out, moved on with my life. I have a new home I love, with a partner and baby with whom I am ready to make memories with there. I loved that condo and everything it represented for me at that point in my life. It was a safe haven for me and my little dog as I thrived in being an independent, single, professional. I have gratitude for those walls…
Read More

No job is beneath you

When I bought the practice, with co-signing help from my mom and dad, my dad gave me one piece of advice. He told me that when you own your own company, no job is beneath you. It may make sense to hire people to do certain jobs, but it is not because you are too good whatever needs to be done. He was right, and I have tried hard to live by that for the last 26 years.
– Deb

Growing as a leader
Growing as a leader
Lifelong work

Knowing one's self never ends. It is life long work in progress to the day you die. knowing one's self is figuring out what makes you a better person, to respect others for their comfort zones. Kindness is important, realizing the meanness in some, is due to some emotional scars they have carried all their lives. Giving everyone who crosses your path respect as a person, no matter their station in life.
Read More

Brilliant, warm & inspiring

Two words “brilliant, warm & inspiring“ thank you for allowing me to read your story. Loved it and it truly captivates the radiant beautiful human being you are.
–Michelle S

Moon in daylight
Moon in daylight
C’est formidable

Oh my goodness- I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! It speaks to me and it is so well done. Merci ma belle Karen de partager, de m’inspirer et de me faire pleurer. C’est formidable
–Cendrine

Learning moments

Your books are delightful and so inspiring. The way you have shared, open heartedly, with wisdom and humour is so inviting. Thank you for doing this!  ...a wonderful opportunity to dig into formative memories and life trajectories caused by learning moments.  
– Brenda K

Live your truth
Live your truth
Recognize your patterns
Recognize your patterns
Celebrate
Celebrate
Take a chance
Take a chance
Feel the fear
Feel the fear

A little red book, illustrated birds, a kindred Brownie (yet no one asked me to be a leader) and being a quiet leader has spoken. “Hey little Brownie, go get a journal for your trip to Bali, Singapore, and Vietnam. Ponder, listen to the birds and explore. Feel the fear but do what’s right anyway.” Bon Voyage

Be you

Be brave. Failure is part of learning. Be you. Integrity is everything. Keep exploring. Challenge the bullies. Stay true to your values.

Trust yourself
Trust yourself

Create your own path. It may not be straight and that is ok. Ok to be different. Your values will guide you in the direction you need to follow. Trust yourself.

Notes of wisdom
Notes of wisdom

Be brave enough to be your true authentic self. Be present. Make moments special no matter how big or small. The gift of time is the best gift of all. Capture your moments in your heart forever & always.

Start feeling

I’ve learned I make the best decisions when I turn my brain down so my heart and gut can be heard - stop thinking and start feeling. Trust that you know, learn to quiet your brain and clarity comes forth.

Be optimistic!

Growing up, I was always focused on the bad things that happening around me and how can things turn out in a bad way in the end. I was constantly pulling my self between naive optimism and stark negativity to balance my motivation.
Read More

Never give up

-Teddy, Calgary, AB, Age 9

The little me
The little me

Reconnecting with my past. I found the little me. I’m so glad I found her. The one that was very curious and has a lot of dreams. It reconnected me.
Read More

Vulnerable
Vulnerable

Being vulnerable is worth it
-Anonymous

You can do it all…
You can do it all…

You can do it all, but not all at once.
-Anonymous

My measure of success
My measure of success

My measure of success is having the freedom and confidence to propel forward, a curious, playful mindset, and strong, mutually – supportive relationships.
-KM

Perfection is overrated!
Perfection is overrated!

Numbers, measures, guidelines and rules, we’re all written for averages. They were not written for you. They were written by some people who have never met, and probably will never meet you!
Read More

My measure of success
My measure of success

My measure of success will include being happy and excellent at my job. When I feel excited to go to work because I enjoy it and I am great at it.
-Aishwarya K

My definition of success…
My definition of success…

Is being able to walk out to a coffee shop and people watch whenever I want.
-LH

Be present
Be present

Find a way that you feel present – think back to your childhood, what did you do/remember that made you feel most present? Do you still feel like you’re able to be present and connect? If not, how will you get that back?
-Luke D