What is the one thing you should know before you die? It’s an interesting question. Just one? How can you answer that? I was thinking about this for the past week. Maybe I’m not just quite ready to answer myself or have experienced enough to give any advice whatsoever.
There is an event coming up that sounds pretty cool. On Thursday, May 10th, 10 renowned Canadians will take the stage at the TOP TEN EVENT and each will share the one thing they think we should know before we die. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to share a life-changing story and words of wisdom.
When I look at the roster of speakers (oh…Hello! David Rocco!), I can envision that each will share something truly eye-opening and amazing. They come from all walks of life – from singers to TV personalities to Presidents of companies. The evening is meant to be inspirational and empowering while raising awareness and funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation .
I was fortunate to have a chance to ask one of the guest speakers, Hana Gartner (five-time Gemini Award-winner and former host of CBC’s The Fifth Estate) a few questions…
UrbanMoms: You’ve always respected the people you’ve interviewed for your show. Who has inspired you the most and why?
Hana Gartner: My children without a doubt. They taught me about selfless love, curiousity and the wonder of discovery.
UrbanMoms: If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, say at 20 years old, what would you tell yourself?
Hana Gartner: Slow down you move too fast. You gotta make the morning last. (With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel)
UrbanMoms: How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
Hana Gartner: As a gregarious introvert, if I hadn’t been a television journalist and interviewer (which by the way I thrived on) I would have filled the moat, raised the drawbridge and curled up close to the fireplace.
UrbanMoms: My personal reminder is “To the world you are one person. But to one person you may be the world”…What is yours?
Hana Gartner: Something my Daddy told me long ago: “Don’t bullshit yourself”.
UrbanMoms: If you were granted 3 wishes for the world..what would they be?
Hana Gartner: Ah, the age old question going all the way back to the Arabian tales! Great fodder for philosophy class debates perhaps, but frankly, the question makes me feel like Miss Congeniality. “I wish for world peace”..or a Coke commercial: “I want to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony”..or a Christmas Carol: “Joy to The World”. OK, those are my three wishes. Don’t want to be a downer but I guess my inner skeptic speaks louder than the romantic in me. Chalk it up to forty years as a journalist. While talking to the likes of the Dalai Lama, Jean Vanier and the people who minster to the poor and disadvantaged gave me inspiration, sitting across from the violent, corrupt and greedy made me despair. But we can all keep wishing, eh?
Hmmmm….I’m definitely intrigued and interested in hearing more!
Here’s a list of who will be speaking at this year’s Top Ten Event:
Jully Black – Juno Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter
Alan Cross – music journalist and host of Astral Radio’s The Secret History of Rock
Mellissa Fung – CBC journalist and author of Under an Afghan Sky
Hana Gartner – five-time Gemini Award-winner and former host of CBC’s The Fifth Estate
Piers Handling – Director and CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival
Anthony Maddox – Founder and President of Madmen Entertainment
David Miller – World Bank Advisor and former Mayor of Toronto
David Rocco – chef and host of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita
Sandra Shamas – Gemini Award-winning comedic actress and writer
Ajay Virmani – President and CEO of Cargojet
The TOP TEN EVENT will be held at the legendary Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto on Thursday, May 10th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at $50 or $75. VIP Tickets are $150 with access to the after party with the speakers. For more information on the event and tickets, please link to the official website at www.toptenevent.com
**UrbanMoms readers have a special 10% discount on preferred and VIP seating. Use promo code: MOMS
The TOP TEN EVENT is the innovation of Stuart Knight, entrepreneur and inspirational speaker. “My goal going into the first Top Ten Event was to create a dynamic social evening out with real meaning,” said Knight. “We are surrounded by Canadian heroes that can inspire us to appreciate our greatness and to make the most of our lives and the world around us.”
The Stephen Lewis Foundation works with grassroots projects and community level organizations to improve the lives of women, orphans, grandmothers and people living with HIV and AIDS in Africa.
URBANMOMS CONTEST GIVEAWAY!
Enter by telling us the ONE INSPIRATIONAL THING IN YOUR LIFE. Leave your comment on this post below.
You have a chance to win 2 VIP Tickets to the event (valued at $150 a piece). VIP tickets include premier seating at the TOP TEN EVENT. Access to the VIP after-party with the speakers and their guests, including complimentary bar service and hors d’oeurves.
Contest closes on Friday, May 4th at noon. Transportation to and from the event is NOT included. Please see the official contest rules & regulations.
**and remember if you don’t win you can still take advantage of the discount using promo code: MOMS
I’m thinking this would be a worthy Mother’s Day gift or a great BFF night out full of inspiration and fun! nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
Oh…and while I was writing this post I took a break and I opened up my fortune cookie from dinner…Here’s what it said…freaky right?
Click here for Contest Rules and Reg
ulations.
UrbanMoms.ca members are eligible to win so don’t forget to sign-in. Not a member yet? Click here to join.
My Grandma is an inspiration. She has overcome many health problems but is still full of life at 95!
My best friend who also shares my name inspires me. We met at university 30 years ago and we have faced many of life’s challenges together. She is always so positive, generous and confident…very inspirational.
Wow what a great question !! By far my 95 year old grandmother who was a century old witness to life’s beauties, tragedies, and miraculous moments of life. Passing away just over a month ago, her wise antics have touched so many. Prepped with only a grade 8 education, she managed to open her arms to so many with only knowing a few words of English. Thru the storytelling, we all learned that there were long working days in the field, even longer days in the kitchen, but somehow what’s most inspiring is that going through old photos you could see that life was being lived to the fullest with an abundance of smiles and warmth!!
Meeting John Diefenbaker when I was a young girl.
My daughter because she is everything I wish I was at her age …with her confidence Im sure she will go far
My daughter because I see in her everything I wish I was at her age..with the confidence she has her age I can see her life being full and compleate with out fear of change ane able to take on new adventures
My Mom inspires me. She is 96 years old but thinks of herself as 60ish. There is nothing that can stop her other than her aging body. Mind over matter, living life to the fullest…that is truly inspirational.
I will have to say that Oprah and her words of wisdom have been an inspiration to me. There are three quotes from her first season of Lifeclass which have stayed with me (paraphrasing):
1. The truth will set you free; your life does not have to be what everyone else thinks it should be.
2. Only you can make the changes in your life. Your life is a reflection of what you think. You are not defined by your circumstances, possessions, or titles. Life is a process, and we each have our own journey. Have the courage to keep believing in your dreams; you’ve always had the power.
3. Pay attention to the signs in your life; listen to your inner voice, the “whispers”.
These words of wisdom inspired me to make some changes in my life. Back in October 2011, I reached my breaking point at work where I was literally steps away from a total nervous breakdown. I had completely lost my mojo and at that point, had been miserable for over 15 months. I had let work take over every ounce of my life and felt disconnected from friends and family. My husband and I constantly fought. I was resentful and just plain miserable.
I finally got the courage and walked away from a great, well-paying job during a tough economy. I didn’t have a new job or a plan, but I just knew I had to make a change. Luckily my husband was supportive…and I have not looked back. I continue to be on my journey to discover my true calling, but these words continue to inspire me every day.
My family as a whole inspires me!
Meeting my daughter was by far the most inspirational event in my life. Her love and adoration has made me up my game in so many ways to set an example for her by helping others and bringing out the best in unfortunate situations.
Life doesn’t come with a remote. Get up and change it yourself